Short-Term Vacation Rental Clarification

Source: City of Goleta

There has been a lot of discussion about short-term vacation rentals in our region and many questions are popping up because of the differences between the cities and County. 

Goleta’s Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance requires that all non-owner occupied properties be subject to the STVR Ordinance if rented 30 days or less.  Non-owner occupied means owner lives at a different address OR a separate dwelling unit on the property (i.e., guesthouse, granny flat, mother-in-law-unit).

SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL OVERVIEW:

Provided below is a detailed explanation of each type of rental activity:

NON-OWNER OCCUPIED SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS (LESS THAN 30 DAYS):

Non-owner occupied properties are subject to the STVR Ordinance.  This means you are required to apply for a STVR Permit, provide a nuisance response plan, public notice form, and surety bond. You are also required to have a general business license and collect and remit TOT and Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) taxes.

OWNER OCCUPIED SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS (RENT 30 DAYS OR LESS):

Owner occupied properties are not subject to the STVR Ordinance.  You are required to have a general business license and collect and remit TOT and TBID taxes. 

NON-OWNER AND OWNER OCCUPIED RENTALS (RENT MORE THAN 30 DAYS):

If you rent for more than 30 days at a time, you are exempt from STVR Ordinance and not required to collect and remit TOT and TBID. Exemption forms for TOT and TBID are required if you have been issued a TOT Certificate. All rental activity is required to have a general business license.

If you participate in all three different types of rental activities described above at various times of the year that includes renting 30 days or less you are subject to TOT collection and may be subject to the STVR ordinance.

To learn more and to obtain the forms needed to register your rental, please visit our website at http://cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/finance/short-term-vacation-rentals or contact Brenda Robinson at brobinson@cityofgoleta.org or 961-7529.