A Positive Outlook on Short-Term Rentals

Short Term rentals and the city of Santa Barbara have a love-hate relationship. Lately, the city has been looking at “cracking down” on those that are operating “illegally”. There are many sides to this story, and I can understand and am aware of the arguments by those on both sides. Those that want them to stay and those that don’t want them or only in particular areas. I think a clear, common sense city ordinance with some easy-to-follow rules, locations, perhaps a particular number of them available to be permitted, and a straightforward way for those to apply for them, makes a lot of sense. We are missing this now with a lot of confusion around them. This article explores some of the pros of short-term rentals, those properties rented for under 30 days.

To state the obvious first but sometimes overlooked point in this conversation, Santa Barbara is a tourist town and a highly sought-after vacation destination known for its beautiful beaches, scenic coastline, and mild climate. In recent years, shortterm Airbnb rentals have become increasingly popular around the world and in Santa Barbara. Just like many cities throughout the world, there is currently a mix of hotels, motels, bed, and breakfasts, and short-term rentals that co-exist to allow visitors to choose how they would like to stay while visiting this amazing area.

Short-term or “Airbnb” rentals, as they are referred to sometimes, offer visitors more affordable and often larger accommodation options compared to traditional hotels. Santa Barbara is known for its luxury hotels and resorts, which can be quite expensive, especially during peak tourist season, and are incredible experiences. On the other hand, Airbnb rentals provide a range of options to fit different budgets. Visitors can find everything from cozy apartments to spacious beachfront homes, depending on their needs and preferences. Also, Airbnb rentals often offer more amenities than traditional hotels, such as full kitchens, laundry facilities, and outdoor spaces, especially when traveling with larger groups, saving visitors money on dining and entertainment. A hotel simply just does not provide this option.

Short-term rentals can help support the local economy in Santa Barbara. Many Airbnb hosts are local residents who rely on income from short-term rentals to supplement their income or by choosing to stay in an Airbnb rental, visitors are directly supporting these local hosts and contributing to the local economy. Short-term rental owners “should be” paying the 12% TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) to the city. This would be gladly paid for with clear ordinances by those wanting to run a shortterm rental. Now, many of the “illegal” short-term rentals do not pay because they do not want to be known by the city. This additional income with clear guidelines would greatly help our city address bigger issues of homelessness, our downtown corridor, roads, and drainage, or others facing the city. Plus, visitors who stay in Airbnb rentals are more likely to spend money at local restaurants, shops, and attractions, further boosting the local economy.

Lastly, short-term rentals in the city of Santa Barbara offer our very own locals, in a time of crisis or evacuations, which has been more prevalent in the past number of years, a place go. As a REALTOR® with clients in the area, in evacuated areas, I helped find these local’s homes to stay in with hotels booked solid by putting them in shortterm rentals many times over the past few years. I was also proud to assist with housing for 12 out-of-the-area police officers through a client who has a house they rent short-term. These 12 police officers were up to assist our local officers during one of the heavy rain events a couple of months ago, and talking to the police officer that reached out to me, said they would have nowhere else to stay and would be sleeping on the floor at the station. Instead, each stayed in a bed for 3 days, and the owner did not charge them anything.

Short-term Airbnb rentals offer numerous benefits to locals, visitors, and to the City of Santa Barbara, including affordability, size, authenticity, local support, flexibility, convenience, and community connection. Whether traveling to Santa Barbara for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Airbnb rentals provide a unique and personalized way to experience all the city has to offer. I hope the city can not just eliminate and “crackdown” on short-term rentals in the city. But instead, adopt a common sense, smart city ordinance to still make these an option in the city of Santa Barbara.