Santa Maria, California
Short-Term Rental Regulations — Santa Barbara County
STR Status
Permit & Licensing
Owner Requirements
Limits & Restrictions
Taxes & Fees
Zoning Restrictions
- Short-Term Rentals only allowed in commercial zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-S, CH, CM-LA, C-V, SC, OT-R/LC, OT-R/GC); prohibited in residential and agricultural zones
Official Sources
Short-term rental rules in Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria, California has no separate city ordinance, so Santa Barbara County rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit. The property must be owner-occupied.
Frequently asked questions
Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Maria, California?
Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Santa Maria, California. The property must be owner-occupied.
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Santa Maria?
A short-term rental permit is required.
Where do these Santa Maria short-term rental rules come from?
These details are verified against Santa Maria's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.
Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.