Santa Barbara places interim policy for short term vacation rentals in coastal zones

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The City of Santa Barbara has worked out an interim policy for short term vacation rentals in the coastal zone area.

The policy will be called The Coastal Zone Short Term Vacation Rental, or STVR, Enforcement Policy.

It will be consistent with a Court of Appeal’s ruling.

The announcement of the interim policy comes one day after the Santa Barbara City Council also announced its decision to seek California Supreme Court review of the Court of Appeal ruling in Kracke v. City of Santa Barbara, or in the alternative, depublication of the case.

The City Council also directed staff to place consideration of coastal zone STVR regulatory options on the agenda for discussion at a future City Council meeting. 

The date of that future discussion has not been determined.

Earlier this month, a judge ended the city's 5-year ban on coastal STVR in residential zones. Critics said the city was violating the California Coastal Act.

Now, the city says it will enforce against illegal STVRs, but only when someone files a complaint about tenant behavior or nuisances. Also, the city is enforcing a new deadline.

Vacation rentals operating in the coastal zone without a business license and tax set up must contact the city's finance department by June 30.