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Vacation Rentals
updated: Aug 17, 2012, 6:32 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Until this week I had never been aware of the many short term rentals are available in Santa Barbara. www.vacationrentals.com www.homeaway.com www.vrbo.com www.flipkey.com

To the credit of the owners of our neighborhood vacation rentals, not once has there been a noise or parking issue. I'm just surprised at the number and wonder if this affects hotel occupancy much. Also, was sent a listing on another site for a back yard tent rental for one person at $500 a month, with wi fi and laundry access included.

What are the pro's and con's to this according to Edhat readers?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 309749	2012-08-17 06:51 PM
I don't think there would be unusually high noise/parking problems with a vacation rental vs. a normal owner/renter occupancy. I'm fine with it. It lets an out-of-towner experience Santa Barbara, and usually visitors to a city and to a rental are equally or more respectful in terms of noise etc. Win-win.
COMMENT 309750	2012-08-17 06:56 PM
For some people they make enough money on renting their house out in the summer that it pays the mortgage for the entire year. Hard to blame them for it...
COMMENT 309751P	2012-08-17 06:56 PM
It sucks. Family reunions are the worst, lots of drinking combined with anxiety means lots of door slamming, loud yelling, BBQ activity, car door slams, etc. It's as if the Honey Badger had moved into your 'hood.
COMMENT 309758P	2012-08-17 07:26 PM
Are they paying the occupancy tax like hotel guests do?
COMMENT 309765	2012-08-17 07:40 PM
Lot of people rent out their houses for Fiesta and UCSB graduation. I think you can do it once a year and not have to pay taxes as if it was a rental. I would check with your tax person first
COMMENT 309766	2012-08-17 07:45 PM
Depends entirely on the renters. I've done the condo/home rental and it beats the heck out of a hotel. If you're going to be there for a month, it's cheaper than a decent hotel and you can actually live comfortably. As long as the owners don't rent out their properties for parties, you'll probably never notice that the neighbors change weekly/monthly.
COMMENT 309767	2012-08-17 07:49 PM
I don't like it. Residential zoning is just that. We have plenty of commercial lodging that could use the business. Friends recently participated in a VRBO in Palm Springs. they had 27 guys there for a bachelor party. I can't imagine what it would be like to live next to a party palace like that. Even if TOT is being paid, and I doubt it is, party palaces and neighborhoods with families, etc. do not mix. Time to put this to an end and keep our neighborhoods just that. Neighborhoods. If I wanted to live next to a vacation rental, I would move next to the Biltmore. And hey, they have a great big expensive VRBO right there. It's too bad people buy properties that they can't afford. Then they turn on the 'entrepreneurial' spirit and we all suffer.
COMMENT 309768	2012-08-17 07:53 PM
In our neighborhood, we have a number of rentals and timeshares. The renters seem to be well-behaved for the most part. On the down side, the majority of homes sold in the past few decades in our neighborhood have gone to out-of-towners who then turn them into rentals or timeshares. I think that lessens the sense of community. To be harsh, we're getting a lot of rich folks from out of town buying up our homes (I was born here so it's probably a unique perspective).
COMMENT 309771	2012-08-17 08:03 PM
Screwing your neighbors to score a quick buck is the American way.
COMMENT 309772	2012-08-17 08:09 PM
Wouldn't bother me much, so long as they weren't obnoxious. When I go places on vacation, I prefer to go where the "locals" go rather than tourist spots, and the vacation rental sites can be quite good and often find places that are cheaper than hotels in the area and higher quality. Then again we don't have a ton of money and probably put up with more in terms of "neighborly noise" than the people who live near places others would want to rent out for a weekend...
COMMENT 309775	2012-08-17 08:12 PM
Not legal to rent for less than one month no?
COMMENT 309783	2012-08-17 08:41 PM
Not a bad idea? hmmm? can you spell Kardashian Wedding? that's what the ruckus is about
COMMENT 309791P	2012-08-17 10:37 PM
I wish the would all have to get a business license and pay the occupancy tax. It takes away from residential neighborhoods and impacts the places that do pay taxes and employees and do it legally. There should also be a way for neighbors to complain if it overly impacts their neighborhood that will stop it.
COMMENT 309804P	2012-08-18 06:45 AM
Shouldn't the city and county be checking on the rentals to verify there are business licenses, proper insurance, smoke alarms, taxes being paid?
COMMENT 309820	2012-08-18 07:51 AM
This is still a free country. Your neighbors don't pay the mortgage so they have no say on how you use your property, short of zoning restrictions. If they want to control your property they should have bought it themselves or establish a rapport with you so you'd care about their wishes and sensibilities. Another case of minding every one else's business but one's own.
COMMENT 309822	2012-08-18 07:59 AM
I don't like it one bit. It's disturbing and it takes away from the tax paying hotel/motels in Santa Barbara. The city and the county need to get some ordinances put in place to resolve this problem. I've heard about this complaint from many folks this summer and I personally think it's getting out of control.
COMMENT 309825	2012-08-18 08:10 AM
We've lived here full time since 2000, and recently we downsized to a senior living community. When our California children come to visit we rent a house. All the lodging taxes are included in the rental. We've stayed in lovely places near the beach on the Mesa. Seven of us, including a seven year old, love the convenience of a home with a full kitchen. Instructions form the owner have always included warnings about noise and any issues with parking.
SBJULES	2012-08-18 08:22 AM
We have had them in our neighborhood and they have not been a problem.
FLICKA	2012-08-18 08:37 AM
You might want to complain if every house on your street but yours was a vacation rental, but I doubt that's the case. Of course they pay taxes, the county/city check ads and know who is renting. I'm always happy to see out-of-towners enjoying our area; just hope they don't decide to move here, too many now.
COMMENT 309841P	2012-08-18 08:46 AM
OMG!!! out of towners in our neighborhood!!!! Call the morality police--this can't be good. Watch out for the children, cats and sanitary system too. What's with this? When you visit somewhere else you are an out of towner as well. Should they fear your conduct?
COMMENT 309843	2012-08-18 08:48 AM
waaaaaa
COMMENT 309856	2012-08-18 09:34 AM
I don't like it. We live in Franciscan Villas where there are affordable units mixed with "market rate" units. The market rate people have all kinds of extra perks, such as being able to rent their units out and bring in vacation renters. The groups of young men are the worst, smoking and drinking beer in the pool area.
COMMENT 309865	2012-08-18 10:05 AM
I was really surprised when I saw the number of vacation rentals advertised on VRBO, I had no idea this was so prevalent in SB. As long as they are licensed, are paying TAT tax as any reputable B&B does and have a local management company to address any problems and have off street parking for all guests and limit the number of guests I don't see a problem. This was a huge problem on Maui until all short term rentals that were single family residences were required to be licensed by the county and adhere to all the above regulations. Before these regulations were enforced homeowners had to put up with large, noisy groups, cars taking up all the street parking, and no on island management company to oversee what was happening.
COMMENT 309876	2012-08-18 10:31 AM
Everyone I know with a rental on a site like VRBO collects and pays an occupancy tax, similar to a hotel.
8111989	2012-08-18 11:26 AM
We have a vacation rental in a beach community and rent for a minimum of one month and prefer senior citizens and small families. Currently we have two sisters, in their 70's escaping the heat from their homes in Palm Springs. We always tell tenants about using only the parking in front of their house and we do not rent to surfer boys with trucks or groups. I think if you are not greedy, take good care of your home, and want to share with people who cannot pay motel rates or need a kitchen or privacy, you can be as good a landlord as any other person who rents his house or apartments. It's a recession, folks, we need to share.
COMMENT 309895	2012-08-18 11:39 AM
76 I highly doubt that in an unregulated market like VRBO or Craiglist rentals that "all" are as honest as the people you know. If and when short term rentals must be licensed then everyone will pay their fair share as it should be.
COMMENT 309913	2012-08-18 12:38 PM
We have one across the street that rents out a couple of rooms, mostly on weekends, but is still owner-occupied. It's never been a problem. They tell their customers to be respectful of parking. In fact its much better than when the owners had to leave town and rented the whole place out. Its kind of nice to see visitors come to town and be able to blend in to the neighborhood scene. On the other hand, I've done the Labor Day vacation rental thing in Cambria and if you had to live next to one of those party pads, you would be seriously bummed.
COMMENT 309916	2012-08-18 12:42 PM
Unless I missed something it would seem that of all these posts only one person has actually been impacted by a local vacation rental (& that was boys smoking & drinking at the pool). So, it would seem that the local VRs are doing a good job of screening their guests. As the OP stated they didn't even realize there were so many in SB. I've used VRBO many times for out-of-town getaways and each and every one collects tax.... Whether they pass them on or not is purely speculation. I know for a fact that the VRs in our neighborhood have much less impact than the college rentals! Our next door rental changes just about every semester but we are fortunate enough to have a conscientious out-of-town owner who rights in many rules and holds the, accountable to any complaints.
COMMENT 309942	2012-08-18 02:02 PM
We have a vacation rental in our neighborhood, and the on site parking is inadequate for the number of guests. The Monday after July 4 my neighbor could not get out of his driveway for his commute to LA at 5am. He's a super nice guy and actually apologized for waking them so early. They became verbally abusive. So there you have it.
BONNER	2012-08-18 07:34 PM
These posts are sooo naive or written by the few vacation rental folks who are ethical. On our small, narrow street there are 3 short term rentals and the weekends are filled with weddings, corp. retreats, and film shoots (that we finally shut down) and the owner says "these are not commercial, just friends and family events" and snubs his nose at the neighbors who are constantly under siege. The short termers do not have the long-term interest in our community, streets, parking, or noise restrictions and when you complain to county their hands are tied by loop holes and lack of enforcement. We are constantly calling the sheriff to remove cars illegally parked for fire safety and some can't even get out of their driveways due to cars filling narrow street. When caught with illegal or no permit the owner gladly pays the $100 fine compared to the huge amt. they get for 3-day rentals and events. There are homes and areas that may be appropriate for this but in residential small lot tracts short term rentals are a nightmare and no, they DO NOT pay bed tax, we called down to find out; also they don't apply for a permit which is required for commercial events in residential zoning. County must update and keep some of this stolen money for their badly needed services.
COMMENT 310090P	2012-08-19 08:02 AM
If everyone behaved with decorum and thoughtfulness, there would be no problem as long as applicable taxes were fairly paid and collected. In some respects, those who don't pay or get permits are just scamming the system; creating a strain on community services and neighborhood livability with local taxpayers paying the bill and dealing with the disruption. There are boobs and boors everywhere, even in campgrounds; they are hard to get away from. When they invade your neighborhood it can overload tolerance circuits. Perhaps the rental owner should pay a hefty fine if there are more than, say, three complaints called on a property. That might make them think twice before renting to partiers.
COMMENT 310135	2012-08-19 09:44 AM
According to a report I read, the Chamber of Commerce claimed that there was an annual 87% occupancy rate of hotels and motels in Santa Barbara. This information was shocking to me but if it is accurate, almost all rooms are occupied almost all of the time. I can't imagine that vacation rentals by owner is having much of an effect. I say live and let live!
IRISROSE	2012-08-19 11:11 AM
We live in a quiet residential neighborhood and our wealthy neighbor rents his house out all summer long and on every holiday possible. With a pool, jacuzzi, and trampoline RIGHT next door, it is always loud and party time - often WAY into the night! Very annoying and takes away from the otherwise quiet, friendly neighborhood feeling.
COMMENT 310301	2012-08-20 09:05 AM
Agree with 090. If everyone behaved like an adult, there wouldn't be an issue (given all fees are paid). The problem I foresee is that a vacation rental is simply that, a vacation. People behave a bit differently when they are on vacation. Not to say everyone does, but many do get a bit out of hand with parties many nights when others have to work the next day. The only real options are to continue with it, allowing it to bother certain groups of neighbors, stop it completely and shut out the vacationers, or police it (which we know won't have much effect if its a new crop of people every year).
COMMENT 310309	2012-08-20 09:38 AM
Up in the Santa Barbara Highlands, several of the townhouses here are used for vacation rentals. Unless you lived next door to one and saw different people coming and going throughout the year, you would never know they were vacation rentals. Quite often you hear people hanging out at the pool speaking a foreign language, and that's the only giveaway that they are here on vacation. Not a problem here. The biggest problems always seem to be in the neighborhoods that are close to the beach. The area behind the Cabrillo and Santa Barbara Inns is a big vacation rental area, as is the whole West Beach area. But they have been like that for decades, so anyone moving in there should have known what they were getting into.
COMMENT 310541	2012-08-20 04:53 PM
The same people who complain about threats to freedom and paying taxes also want to curtail the right to rent rooms and the loss of bed taxes.

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