Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Goleta?

Short‑term rentals (rentals of 31 days or fewer) are allowed in the City of Goleta only with proper city authorization and ongoing compliance with municipal rules. The city issues a Short‑Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Business License and a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate; both are required and must be renewed annually. In practice, the city’s goal is to minimize neighborhood nuisances while enabling compliant operations. Investors should treat STVR activity as a licensed business that is subject to taxes, performance standards, and enforcement.

Note: Short‑Term Vacation Rentals are explicitly prohibited on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under Goleta Municipal Code 17.41.030. This is a material constraint for any investor considering an ADU for STR use.

How to Start an STR Business in Goleta

1. Confirm eligibility and property constraints

• Confirm the subject property is within Goleta’s city limits using the city’s mapping tool: goleta.onlinegovt.com/mapping/results
• Confirm the unit is not an ADU (ADU‑based STRs are prohibited: GMC 17.41.030).

2. Register for a city account and apply online

• Create or log into the City of Goleta Business License Portal and submit the STVR application and payment: goleta.onlinegovt.com/
• Required post‑application uploads must be completed in the portal under “My Account” after submission.

3. Compile and upload required documentation

• Recent property tax bill (showing the property owner’s name).
• Public Notice Form (City‑provided template). A delivery address list must be included; attach the Nuisance Response Plan to the form.
• Nuisance Response Plan (see document list below).
• Surety Bond (see requirements below).

4. Obtain the TOT certificate

• Goleta assesses a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and a 2% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment (TBID). The TOT certificate is issued alongside the STVR license and must be renewed annually with the license.

5. Operate and list with the permit number

• Include the city‑issued STVR permit number in all listings and marketing materials.
• Maintain a 24/7 contact through the Nuisance Response Plan and respond promptly to neighborhood issues.

6. Renewal and updates

• Annual online renewal is mandatory. Late payments after the grace period incur a 50% penalty. To obtain your renewal authentication code, contact businesslicense@cityofgoleta.gov and update any changes (including surety bond status).

Processing timeline

• Complete applications (with all required uploads and payment) typically take 4–8 business weeks to review and issue.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permits and approvals

• Short‑Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Business License (annual)
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate (annual)
• Permit number must appear in all STR listings and marketing

Required documents (uploaded to the portal)

• Most recent property tax bill (showing the property owner’s name)
• Public Notice Form (City‑provided) with delivery address list
• Nuisance Response Plan (attach to Public Notice Form)
• Surety Bond ($1,500; see details below)

Key operational documents and policies

• Nuisance Response Plan (host must be reachable 24/7 to address issues such as noise, parties, illegal parking, and excessive trash)
• Hosting platform responsibilities under the municipal code (GMC sections apply; hosts are responsible for compliance even when using platforms)

Surety bond

• Amount: $1,500
• Purpose: Ensures compliance with zoning, safety, health regulations and remittance of applicable taxes and fees; holds owners and tenants liable for damages or violations during a stay
• Compliance: Maintain continuously; promptly notify the City if canceled or changed

Fees (verify latest schedule with the City)

• License fee: $326 + State SB1186 fee $4 = total $330 (as published by the city’s platform partner; please confirm current fees on the City’s fee schedule)
• Taxes: 12% TOT + 2% TBID (collected from guests; remitted per city instructions)
• Renewal: Late penalty of 50% if paid after the 30‑day grace period

Annual renewal requirements

• Online renewal application and payment
• Upload updated Property Tax, Public Notice Form with address list, and Nuisance Response Plan
• Update any changes (owner info, contacts, bond status). Request renewal authentication code from businesslicense@cityofgoleta.gov as needed.

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (City, County, State)

City of Goleta

• STVRs are defined as rentals of 31 days or fewer.
• ADUs cannot be used as STRs (GMC 17.41.030).
• Hosts must obtain and maintain a $1,500 surety bond.
• Hosts must submit and keep current a Nuisance Response Plan and respond to neighborhood issues.
• Permit number must be included in all listings and marketing.
• 12% TOT and 2% TBID apply; both taxes must be remitted per City requirements.
• Hosting platform responsibilities are codified; hosts remain responsible for compliance.
• Application review typically takes 4–8 business weeks once a complete application is submitted.
• Annual license and TOT certificate renewals are required; late penalty of 50% after the 30‑day grace period.
• Continued unacceptable behavior or violations can result in citations and fines.

Santa Barbara County

• The County has a separate Short‑Term Rental Ordinance that applies to areas outside city limits. Investors should verify whether a given property lies within Goleta city limits or the unincorporated county: goleta.onlinegovt.com/mapping/results
• For county‑area STRs, consult the County’s STVR ordinance page for requirements: www.countyofsb.org/776/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance

State of California

• State Business License (SB1186) fee applies and is included in Goleta’s annual STVR license fee.
• Hosts are responsible for registration, collection, and remittance of applicable local transient occupancy taxes.

Pending policy changes (for planning purposes)

• City Council has indicated it may consider further restrictions on non‑owner‑occupied STRs, including limits on total nights, a waiting period after property purchase before permit eligibility, and prohibitions for properties recently subject to no‑fault evictions. Specific caps or time limits are under development and have not yet been adopted. Monitor City communications for updates.

Contact Information and Reporting

City of Goleta – Business Licensing (STVR permits)

• Email: businesslicense@cityofgoleta.gov
• Phone: 805‑562‑5503
• Application portal: goleta.onlinegovt.com/
• User Guide (portal): www.cityofgoleta.org/home/showpublisheddocument/30507/638503400982170000

Planning Division (STVR policy questions)

• Email: STVRlicense@cityofgoleta.gov
• For written guidance on application requirements: crubio@cityofgoleta.gov

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

• City TOT information and program: www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/finance/transient-occupancy-tax-tot
• TOT is collected from guests and remitted per city instructions; you will receive a TOT certificate once approved.

Nuisance and safety reporting (City Assist)

• Report noise complaints or safety concerns related to STVRs: goletaca.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(e1fgitef0mgzauk1jo41ge1w/RequestOpen.aspx?sSessionID=&rqst=28

General city contact

• Phone: 805‑961‑7500
• Address: 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA 93117

Links to Source Pages

• City STVR main page: www.cityofgoleta.org/live/short-term-vacation-rentals
• STVR application portal: goleta.onlinegovt.com/
• Goleta Municipal Code – Short‑Term Vacation Rental Ordinance: ecode360.com/44349787
• TOT program and requirements: www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/finance/transient-occupancy-tax-tot
• Property boundary checker (address verification): goleta.onlinegovt.com/mapping/results
• Nuisance reporting (City Assist portal): goletaca.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(e1fgitef0mgzauk1jo41ge1w/RequestOpen.aspx?sSessionID=&rqst=28
• County Short‑Term Rental Ordinance (unincorporated areas): www.countyofsb.org/776/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance
• News coverage of recent policy direction: www.noozhawk.com/goleta-council-supports-more-regulations-for-vacation-rentals/