Santa Barbara is sharpening the blades against short-term rentals, which, despite being illegal in most of the city, continue under the radar — and out in the open — with an estimated 1,000-1,500 illegally operating in the city at any given time.
The City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to put $1.175 million toward a Short-Term Rental Enforcement Pilot Program in an earnest attempt to tackle the growing problem, which has caused an additional strain on the city’s already depleted housing stock.
“Because illegal short-term rentals are generally more lucrative than long-term rentals, their existence compounds the city’s existing housing crisis,” said City Attorney Sarah Knecht, who presented the proposed enforcement program to the council.