The city of Santa Barbara collected $3.9 million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for September 2026, the third month in the city’s fiscal year.

Year to date, the city has collected $13.2 million in overall TOT, of which approximately $11.7 million came from hotels and $1.5 million from short-term rentals

Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 8.4% above budget.

The TOT is a tax on “Transient” guests staying in any hotel, inn, motel, or other commercial lodging establishment for a period of less than 30 days.

The city’s adopted TOT budget for all funds is $37.2 million, of which $31.0 million is budgeted in the General Fund.

View the Transient Occupancy Tax Table. The city’s TOT tax rate is 12.0%, of which 10.0% goes to the city’s General Fund and the remaining 2.0% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund.

For additional current and historical financial data, visit the city’s Budget & Reporting webpage.