Santa Barbara October Hotel Tax Improves

Source: City of Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara collected $2.7 million in transient occupancy taxes (TOT) for October 2021. TOT revenues in October 2021 were about $971,000 above October collections last year—which was significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and travel advisories.  Compared to October 2019, revenues were higher by 29%; however, this is largely due to increased average daily rates, which are 36% higher than October 2019.

 The local travel industry is now seeing increases in demand for rooms relative to recent months that is likely to continue throughout the fall as the State has lifted travel advisories and as access to vaccinations has become more widely available. As of October 2021, the occupancy rate has essentially reached pre-pandemic levels (75.0% in 2021 Vs 75.5% in 2019).

The City has collected $12.6 million through October, the fourth month in the City’s fiscal year. The City’s adopted TOT budget for all funds is $23.4 million, of which $19.5 million is budgeted in the General Fund. 

The Transient Occupancy Tax table can be viewed here. The City’s TOT tax rate is 12%.  10% goes to the City’s General Fund and the remaining 2% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund.