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Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara County, CA

STR Investment Grade

Transparent Scoring
F
24/100
❌ AVOID
Score Breakdown
💰Cash-on-Cash
5/35
🏠Affordability
2/25
📅Year-Round Income
12/15
🤝Landlord Friendly
2/10
📈Room to Grow
3/15
Cash-on-Cash
-13.1%
Negative Cash Flow
Median Home
$1778K
Very Expensive
Room to Grow
3/15
Crowded Market
⚠️

STR Regulations Apply

Banned in R-1 zones; limited permits in other zones

Santa Barbara bans STRs in R-1 residential zones. Limited permits available in other zones with strict regulations.

Permit: HardPermit Cap in Effect
Grade Impact: Base score of 24/100 would be grade F, but capped at F (24/100) due to regulation risk.
Verified data as of February 2026 · Regulations change frequently
📞 How to Verify
Call the Santa Barbara City Clerk or Planning & Zoning Department and ask:
1. Are short-term rentals (under 30 days) allowed at [your address]?
2. What permits or licenses are required?
3. Are there owner-occupancy requirements?
4. Any caps on rental nights per year or number of permits?
Many cities have active short-term rentals operating legally with permits — restrictions don't always mean it's impossible.

Why Santa Barbara?

Beach Market

What drives short-term rental demand here

🏖️
Coastal Destination

Beach proximity drives premium nightly rates and strong seasonal demand from vacationers.

🔥
High Demand Zone

Strong traveler demand supports a competitive market with proven revenue potential.

Will This Deal Work?

Investment Grade
F
Negative Cash Flow
CoC: -13.1%
Can You Pay the Bills?
✗
Risky
May struggle with payments
THE BOTTOM LINE ❌

This market has STR regulations to be aware of. Many hosts operate successfully with proper permits. Research local ordinances before committing.

💵
$426
Avg ADR
📅
60%
Occupancy
💰
$7,667
Monthly Revenue
🏠
$1778K
Median Price

Market estimates · Updated June 2026

📊 Income by Property Size

Monthly revenue estimates by bedroom count

1BR
$4,217
2BR
$5,750
3BR
$7,667
4BR
$10,350
5BR
$12,651
6BR+
$14,951
⭐ Best

🏠 Top Amenities for This Market

Add these to boost your revenue

MUST HAVEPool
+25%
MUST HAVEOcean View
+20%
HIGH IMPACTBeach Gear
+10%
HIGH IMPACTOutdoor Shower
+8%
NICE TO HAVEBalcony/Deck
+12%

🎯 Your Next Steps

1
Search for 6BR+ properties
Best income potential at $14,951/month
2
Add a Pool
Boost revenue by +25%
3
Target $9,584/month
Top 25% performer income goal

📋 Regulation Status

RegulatedPermit: HardVerified Data

Regulations vary by city and county. Always verify local STR ordinances, permit requirements, and zoning laws before purchasing.

Research Comparable Listings

See active short-term rentals in this market

View Listings on Airbnb

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Take the Next Step

Find homes, agents, and lenders in this market

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📊

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Free STR calculator with comp data for any address

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Santa Barbara, California is rated F for Airbnb investment with a score of 24/100 (AVOID). The market has an average daily rate (ADR) of $426, 60% occupancy, and estimated monthly STR revenue of $7,667. Median home value is $1,778,342 with a cash-on-cash return of -13.1%. STR regulation status: Regulated. Data powered by Edge by Teeco using estimated market data.