Santa Barbara committee hears hours of public comment and splits over proposed short‑term rental rules

Dozens of residents, short‑term rental hosts and industry representatives filled the Santa Barbara Ordinance Committee meeting on April 21 to debate a proposed ordinance that would sharply limit unhosted short‑term rentals (STRs) in the city’s residential and coastal zones.

The committee reopened public comment and set a two‑minute limit per speaker. Neighbors from Yankee Farm and the Mesa described narrow, single‑access roads and dense vegetation and urged prohibitions on STRs in extreme‑ and high‑fire hazard areas. "We have only one narrow road for both entry and evacuation," said Eve Leeds, representing about 20 neighbors on Yankee Farm, urging that safety outweigh tax revenue arguments.

Other residents recounted repeated late‑night parties, noise complaints and police calls. "These STRs are like mini‑motels where everybody stays in one room," said Bill Stark, who asked the committee not to allow STRs in parcels zoned for single‑family residential use. At the same time, numerous hosts described family‑run…