Santa Barbara moves closer to regulating short-term rentals, dividing community

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara is moving closer to adopting new rules on short-term rentals, a proposal that is highlighting a growing divide among community members.
The ordinance would regulate vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, an issue that has been debated for years by the Santa Barbara City Council.

Some residents say short-term rentals are disrupting neighborhoods.

Brandy Zender, who lives in Santa Barbara, says she has experienced ongoing issues near her home in a high coastal fire hazard zone.

“Quite frankly, it's people that want their homes for homes versus people who made this their business. I'm fighting for my home and they're fighting for their business.”

Zender says visitors staying in nearby vacation rentals have caused safety concerns and disturbances.

“Drug paraphernalia thrown over our fence line. People breaking in our fence line, people climbing over our fence line, people backing into trees.”

Short-term rentals—defined as stays under 30 days—are currently mostly prohibited in residential areas, but some continue to operate.

Zender says she would support limited use under stricter rules.

“In a perfect world, I'd like to say yes, but I'm also fair… I think the home share model does offer an opportunity… but we’re limiting that to 4 people.”

City officials say the proposed ordinance aims to create clear rules and protect housing.

“This has been something that the City Council has been discussing for many years,” said Community Development Director Allison DeBusk. “They have concerns about not only the nuisance impacts, but also the loss of residential units and also the loss of neighborhoods.”

The proposal would:

• Require permits for short-term rentals
• Limit where rentals are allowed
• Increase enforcement on illegal listings

Not all residents agree with stricter regulations.

Some say short-term rentals provide more affordable options for visitors and support the local economy.

“Short term rentals are filling a different niche than hotels fill,” said Santa Barbara resident Jarrett Gorin. “They are a more affordable form of occupancy… and if we cut out a huge segment of that… it's going to have impacts that cascade through our economy.”

Others are calling for more collaboration before a final decision is made.

“A more democratic process, really,” said resident Tiffany Haller. “We all need to get together, sit at the table and talk about what the problems are and solve it.”

The Ordinance Committee will continue hearing public input at its next meeting on April 21.

The proposal could then move to the full City Council for a final vote.

For now, the debate underscores a key tension in Santa Barbara—balancing neighborhood stability with tourism and economic activity.