The city of Santa Barbara received $6.8 million in sales tax revenue during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the third quarter of the city’s fiscal year.

Year to date, total sales tax revenues are about 5.3% below budget. For Fiscal Year 2025, the city’s sales tax revenue budget is $31.2 million.

View the Sales Tax Table here.

Transient Occupancy Tax Results

Santa Barbara collected $2.8 million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for April 2025, the 10th month in the city’s fiscal year.
 
Year to date, the city has collected $28.5 million in overall TOT, of which approximately $25.1 million came from hotels and $3.4 million from short-term rentals.

Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 1.0% 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.