Santa Barbara’s Hotel Tax Now Half-Percent Above Budget as of September

The City of Santa Barbara collected $3.6 Million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for September 2024, the third month in the City’s fiscal year.

Year to date, the City has collected $11.7 Million in overall TOT, of which approximately $10.3 Million came from hotels and $1.4 Million from short-term rentals. Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 0.5% above budget.

The Transient Occupancy Tax (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. 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.