The Board of Supervisors on July 9 voted to place a 2% Transient Occupancy Tax increase (Santa Barbara County Essential Community Services Measure) on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot.

If authorized by voters, the measure would update the county’s existing transient occupancy tax (TOT) from its current 12% rate to 14%. If passed the ballot measure would provide some $3 million annually.

The TOT would be paid by hotel/lodging guests in unincorporated areas, though all countywide registered voters would be eligible to vote on the measure. The measure only requires a simple majority to enact.

“The budget outlook in upcoming fiscal years shows a deficit, which will make it increasingly difficult to fund local priorities that improve the quality of life in our county,” said county Executive Officer Mona Miyasato.

“If voters pass this measure it would generate additional, locally controlled ongoing revenue,” Miyasato said.

The measure proposes to fund general local services such as:

  • Maintaining 911 emergency communications;
  • Gang prevention;
  • Repairing deteriorating bridges, potholes, roads, transportation infrastructure;
  • Protecting groundwater;
  • Addressing homelessness;
  • General county services/purposes.

The Santa Barbara County Essential Community Services Measure ballot question reads:

“To fund local services such as: maintaining 911 emergency communications; gang prevention; repairing deteriorating bridges, potholes, roads, transportation infrastructure; protecting groundwater; addressing homelessness; and general county services/purposes, shall the ordinance increasing Santa Barbara County’s Transient Occupancy Tax (paid only by hotel/ short-term rental guests), in unincorporated areas (excluding cities), from 12% to 14%, providing approximately $3 million annually until ended by voters; requiring public audits; all funds locally controlled, be adopted?”

The county currently collects TOT from 24 hotels/motels/lodging and 520 short-term rentals in the unincorporated county area. The tax would continue to apply in the unincorporated county, not in cities.

If passed by voters, funds raised by the measure would be spent in Santa Barbara County to maintain and support local county services and programs.

For more on the measure, visit the county’s website.