Current Status:
Santa Barbara County Planning Commissioners are in favor of banning short-term vacation rentals in residential zones, but the majority of them found a soft spot this week for rentals operating on larger parcels in unincorporated areas of the county.
With a split 3-2 vote, the commission directed staff Wednesday to draft an ordinance allowing short-term rentals on all agricultural zoned lands, including land in agricultural preserve contract.
Planning officials unanimously voted in December to take a second look at ag zones, such as those in Santa Ynez Valley with multiple acres between a rental unit and a road or neighbor.
A home stay is a unit rented with the property owner present throughout the stay.
Recommendations from the County Planning Commission and the Montecito Planning Commission — also in favor of banning short-term rentals in residential zones — will go before the County Board of Supervisors this spring for a final decision.
Supervisors directed county planners last year to host public workshops, gathering input so officials could create a zoning ordinance.
Reports:
08/10/2016: Planning Commission compromises on short-term rental ban (Santa Maria Times)
02/24/2016: Planning and Development Department – Short-Term Rentals Presentation (County of Santa Barbara)
02/17/2016: Short-term Rentals on Agricultural Zoned Lands Staff Report – Planning Commission Hearing (County of Santa Barbara)
02/17/2016: Public Correspondence on Short-Term Rental Ordinance (County of Santa Barbara)
02/17/2016: The Local Economic Impact of Short Term Rentals in Santa Barbara, CA (TXP, Inc.)
12/09/2015: Planning and Development Department – Short-Term Rentals Presentation (County of Santa Barbara)
12/09/2015: Public Correspondence on Short-Term Rental Ordinance (County of Santa Barbara)
11/18/2015: Planning and Development Department – Short-Term Rental Staff Memorandum (County of Santa Barbara)
11/04/2015: Santa Barbara County Planning Commission Staff Report – Short-Term Rental Ordinance Briefing (County of Santa Barbara)
11/04/2015: Planning and Development Department – Short-Term Rentals Presentation (County of Santa Barbara)
11/04/2015: Public Correspondence on Short-Term Rental Ordinance (County of Santa Barbara)
08/18/2015: Short-Term Rental Ordinance Public Workshop Summary (County of Santa Barbara)
News:
02/25/2016: Santa Barbara County Planning Commission OKs Vacation Rentals in Agricultural Zones (Noozhawk)
02/18/2016: Study claims short-term rentals in SB County generated $471.6 million in 2014 (Pacific Coast Business Times)
02/18/2016: Report Says Vacation Rentals Generate $470 Million (Santa Barbara Independent)
12/17/2015: The Great Vacation-Rental Debate (Santa Barbara Independent)
12/11/2015: Santa Barbara County Planning Commission Favors Banning Short-Term Vacation Rentals in Neighborhoods (Noozhawk)
11/04/2015: Santa Barbara County Planning Commission Takes on Short-term Vacation Rentals (Noozhawk)
11/04/2015: Planning Commission favors ban of Airbnb units, stalls decision (Lompoc Record)