The city of Santa Barbara collected $3.2 million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for May 2025, the 11th month in the city’s fiscal year.
 
Year to date, the city reports collecting $31.8 million in overall TOT, of which about $28.1 million came from hotels and $3.7 million from short-term rentals.

Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 2.0% 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 $34.5 million, of which $28.7 million is budgeted in the General Fund.

View the Transient Occupancy Tax Table here. 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.