Short Term Vacation Rentals: What You Need to Know

Short term vacation rentals (lasting less than 30 days) are becoming more common throughout the Central Coast, along with home sharing (renting out a room or part of a unit while the primary resident is present). However, different areas have their own ordinances and regulations regarding renting out your home. Thinking of leasing your home temporarily? Check out these guidelines and requirements based on your location, provided by the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors.

Santa Barbara - Short term vacation rentals are prohibited in Santa Barbara, with certain exceptions that require you to get a business license. At the moment, the city is not issuing business licenses nor collecting Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). A Home Sharing Rental Ordinance is currently in the works.

Goleta - The city of Goleta requires several steps to be taken aside from obtaining a short term vacation rental permit. Goleta's ordinance takes into account the property owner, the vacationer, and the neighbors. In addition to a permit, Goleta requires a Nuisance Response Plan, a Transient Occupancy Tax Application for Certificate Registration, a Surety bond, a Declaration of Notification, and a General Business License Application.

Carpinteria - Carpinteria allows short term vacation rentals, but only in PRD zones (beach and downtown areas). The city also requires a business license and TOT.

Santa Barbara County - For unincorporated areas, there are no existing rules regarding short term vacation rentals, although this will likely change. A new ordinance addressing these rentals is expected to go into place next year. Currently, to have a short term vacation rental you are required to have a business license.

UCSB Welcomes Amazon.com Storefront: Amazon@IslaVista

Last Wednesday, UC Santa Barbara's beachside college town, Isla Vista, saw the opening of Amazon@IslaVista, an Amazon.com storefront that provides secure lockers for online orders. Amazon, the country's number one Internet retailer, is especially popular amongst college students, who order everything from snacks to clothes to college textbooks through the site. The new storefront is expected to increase security and reduce theft, a common occurrence in the small town where packages may be left unattended for hours at a time. Similar to long-term post office boxes, the Amazon storefront allows shoppers to select an Amazon locker for delivery rather than opting to receive a package delivery at home. Upon delivery, customers will receive a notification along with a personalized code for the locker. They then have up to five days to pick up the package before it is returned to the Amazon warehouse.

For students living on the UCSB campus or in Isla Vista, the new storefront will create a smoother and more secure shopping experience. This is especially true for students still living in on-campus dorms, whose packages are often left in common areas until the student returns to their room. For students with Amazon Student or Amazon Prime accounts, Amazon@IslaVista is also the first location to offer same-day delivery for eligible items - a game-changer for college kids who may have forgotten to order a textbook on time.

UCSB is one of several college campuses around the nation to provide a nearby Amazon storefront. While there are certain limitations to the store, such as restrictions on package size and weight, the store is expected to provide enhanced security and an easier shopping experience for the Isla Vista community.

Designer Revamps Historic Santa Barbara Bungalow

Check out the November issue of Architectural Digest for an article on designer Madeline Stuart's impressive remodel of her historic Santa Barbara bungalow!

Santa Barbara's El Caserio, an alluring neighborhood known for its Spanish Colonial Revivals, arose in the 1930s as an artistic community and has been popular with artists ever since. Los Angeles-based interior designer Madeline Stuart first learned about the area when she and her husband thought about purchasing a Santa Barbara getaway. After visiting a beautiful El Caserio bungalow, Stuart immediately made an offer, and ended up with a new project.

Originally looking for a fun side task, Stuart quickly discovered that her new property had more issues than she had initially realized. Facing structural problems and questionable design choices, Casa Caserio underwent expensive renovations, including rerouting the entrance to the bedroom (which had originally meant walking through a bathroom) and designing all-new doors and windows that were still consistent with the authentic 1930s detailing.

Though costly and time-consuming, Stuart's hard work and dedication paid off. Featuring both modern accents and traditional Spanish charm, Stuart has transformed the historic bungalow while staying true to its Spanish Revival roots. Read the full article here and take a look at these stunning before and after photos!

Photos by Richard Powers / Architectural Digest.

Santa Barbara Named One of the Best Counties to Retire!

Thinking about retirement and wondering whether or not you should relocate? Consider this: in a new report from the data experts at FindTheHome, Santa Barbara County led the pack as one of the best areas to retire in the country! Experts created a "retirement index" for each county in the U.S. based on five significant factors:

1. The quality of local hospitals, nursing homes, and home health centers; 2. The number of universities, recreational facilities, libraries, and parks per capita; 3. Grocery stores and restaurants per capita plus WalkIQ; 4. The percentage of the population over 65 with a college degree; 5. Real estate market health, median sales price, properties with rent under $1,500/month and more.

Santa Barbara County scored high on the charts with a retirement index score of 94.7502! With our abundance of sunshine, beaches, and outdoor activities, Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas offer plenty of ways for you to relax, unwind, and enjoy your retirement. Convinced? Contact us today and let us help you find your perfect home in sunny Santa Barbara!

Annual Santa Barbara Beer Fest Returns Saturday, October 17

It's time for the annual Santa Barbara Beer Festival! Experience some of the best brews on the West Coast on Saturday, October 17 at Elings Park from 12-4pm. Featuring live music, fresh fare, and over 20 different microbrews from breweries both local and (foreign), the yearly event is Santa Barbara's oldest festival honoring beer. For the cost of a ticket, you get a tasting glass and access to all of the fun the festival has to offer. Plus, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards promoting two local nonprofits: Elings Park and the Santa Barbara Rugby Association. Sound like a fun time? Head to http://www.sbbeerfestival.com/default.php for tickets and get ready to drink for a cause!

$100K Price Reduction! 121 W. De La Guerra #7

Newly reduced! This award-winning luxury town home in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara is only steps away from renowned amenities and has a walk score of 97! Large 1 bdrm+loft unit showcases an open concept floor plan w/wood floors, gourmet kitchen, Granite counters, stainless steel appliances, gas fireplace & private patio. Luxurious bdrm features Juliette balcony, en-suite bathroom w/double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Loft is perfect for overnight guests or as a dedicated office. Completely gated building with elevator to street level and parking garage.

Less than 1 mile to waterfront and beautiful Santa Barbara beaches and close to acclaimed restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, historic sites, boutiques and shopping. One Twenty One is the winner of The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award for excellence in design and has been awarded the coveted Santa Barbara Beautiful Award for 2014.

Newly offered at $1,450,000!

Just Sold! 3810 Pueblo Avenue

We are excited to have represented a fantastic family in the purchase of their ideal home! This charming 3BD/2.5BA custom-built Tudor home has expansive views and excellent proximity to schools and shopping.  Sold for $1,080,000

Just Sold! 4680 La Espada, Santa Barbara CA

We are excited to have successfully represented another client in the purchase of their dream home! Spacious, Spanish-tiled roof home is located in the beautiful and serene San Antonio Creek neighborhood.  Features include 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, impressive vaulted ceilings, courtyard, 2-car garage and panoramic views of the surrounding Santa Barbara foothills.

Sold for $1,900,000

121 W De La Guerra #7 featured in the Independent!

Grab a copy of The Santa Barbara Independent and check out the feature on our downtown listing, 121 West De La Guerra #7! Located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and less than a mile from the beach, this 1BD/2BA unit is located in the Spanish-themed One Twenty One complex. Recipient of both the American Institute of Architects' award for excellence in design and the coveted Santa Barbara Beautiful Award in 2014, this luxury condo is bright, modern, and authentic both inside and out. Featuring a loft, a private patio, and a gated garage, 121 W De La Guerra #7 seems removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, even though it's only a few steps from the shops and restaurants of Paseo Nuevo. Click here to read more about One Twenty One and thank you Santa Barbara Independent for the fantastic writeup!

Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties Ranked Most Desirable in US

We're not the only ones who have fallen in love with the beautiful Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties! Based on the USDA's Natural Amenities Index, Ventura County has been named the most desirable place to live in America, followed closely by Santa Barbara County at #3. The Index looks at the best and worst places to live according to scenery and climate, and combines six measures of "environmental qualities most people prefer." Home to year-round sunshine, mild winters, and pristine beaches, it's no surprise that the Santa Barbara area has made it to the top of the list!

Just Sold! 2869 Ben Lomond Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

 

We are incredibly happy to have negotiated a great price for our Buyer on this very special view property in Mission Canyon! This 2BD/1BA single story home is ideally situated to capture dazzling panoramic views of the ocean, islands, and the city from nearly every room!

Sold for $959,624

121 W. De La Guerra #7, Santa Barbara

121 W De La Guerra #7 Santa Barbara CA 93101

Award winning luxury town home in downtown Santa Barbara w/a walk score of 97! Large 1 bdrm+loft unit showcases an open concept floor plan w/wood floors, gourmet kitchen, Granite counters, S.S. appliances, gas fireplace & private patio. Luxurious bdrm features Juliette balcony, en-suite bathroom w/double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Loft is perfect for overnight guests or dedicated office.

Completely gated building with elevator to street level and parking garage. Steps away from renowned amenities - including restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, historic sites, boutiques and shopping. Less than 1 mile to waterfront and beaches.One Twenty One is the winner of The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award for excellence in design and has been awarded the coveted Santa Barbara Beautiful Award for 2014.

List Price $1,550,000

MLS #15-905