Camarillo, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Camarillo, CA?

Short-term rentals are allowed in Camarillo, California, but only under specific conditions and with proper permits. As part of Ventura County, Camarillo properties located in unincorporated areas fall under the county's Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) Ordinance, which regulates both short-term rentals (STRs) and homeshares. However, if your property is within the Ojai Valley TRU Regulation Overlay Zone, short-term rentals are prohibited unless the dwelling is classified as a historic landmark as of June 19, 2018.

It's crucial to note that regulations differ for properties in the Coastal Zone versus the Non-Coastal Zone, with more restrictive rules in the Ojai Valley TRU Regulation Overlay Zone. All STR operations require permits, business licenses, and compliance with occupancy, parking, noise, and other standards.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Camarillo?

Camarillo hosts earn a median $34,857/year with $154 ADR and 69% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,336+ per year.

See the full Camarillo market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Camarillo

Starting an STR business in Camarillo involves several key steps:

1. Determine Zoning Eligibility

Before applying for any permits, verify your property's zoning status:

Confirm whether your Camarillo property is in an unincorporated area of Ventura County
Check if it falls within the Ojai Valley TRU Regulation Overlay Zone (where STRs are prohibited)
Determine if it's in the Coastal Zone or Non-Coastal Zone, as regulations differ slightly

2. Understand STR Categories

Ventura County distinguishes between two types of temporary rentals:

Short-Term Rental (STR): A dwelling rented for less than 30 consecutive days when the owner is NOT physically present
Homeshare: The owner's primary residence (with at least 20% ownership) rented for less than 30 days when the owner IS physically present in the same dwelling

3. Apply for Required Permits and Licenses

Complete a TRU permit application through the County's Citizen Access portal
Obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Treasurer-Tax Collector
Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) if operating an STR

4. Prepare for Inspection

Schedule and complete a pre-permitting inspection to verify bedroom count and compliance with health and safety codes

5. Ongoing Compliance

Maintain permits, pay required fees, collect TOT, and ensure continued compliance with all operational standards

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

1. Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) Permit

Application fee: $1,525.00
Compliance monitoring deposit: $500.00 for STRs, $100.00 for homeshares
Application must include:
- Property site plan
- Contact information and signatures of all owners and property managers
- Proof of business tax certificate and TOT registration
- Proof of insurance ($500,000 minimum liability coverage)
- For homeshares only: Proof of homeowner's exemption from County Assessor
Permit validity: One year maximum, or until property transfer or revocation

2. Business Tax Certificate

Required for all STR operators
Contact Treasurer-Tax Collector at (805) 654-3727

3. Transient Occupancy Registration

Required for STRs (not homeshares)
TOT rate: 10% of rents received
Payment through Treasurer-Tax Collector

Operational Requirements

Insurance Requirements

Maintain commercial/general liability insurance with minimum $500,000 per occurrence limit

Documentation Requirements

All rental agreements, advertisements, and online listings must display:
- Permitted occupancy limits
- Quiet hours (10:00 PM - 7:00 AM)
- Parking availability
- County permit number
- Business license number
- Homeshare properties must state owner-occupied status

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits

Short-Term Rentals (STRs)

Maximum of two persons per bedroom, up to five bedrooms
Plus two additional persons, up to maximum of 10 persons
Only one rental group at a time
No more than one rental agreement effective per date

Homeshares

Maximum of two bedrooms available for rental
Maximum of five rental guests overnight
Only one rental group at a time

Parking Requirements

On-site parking spaces must be provided
Garages and driveways must be unobstructed and available for renter parking

Noise and Behavior Standards

Quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
No outdoor amplified music/sound during quiet hours
Maximum occupancy limits must be observed
No events exceeding occupancy or guest limits
Owner/manager must respond to complaints within 30 minutes (15 minutes during quiet hours)

Property Management Requirements

Homeshare Owners

Must be physically present during all rental periods
Must be onsite between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM
Must remain within 40 miles of property at all times
Cannot delegate these requirements to a property manager

STR Owners

Must be available at all times within 40 miles of property when rented
May hire up to two property managers, with one available at all times
Owners ultimately responsible for compliance regardless of management arrangements

Prohibited Activities and Ineligible Properties

STR operation in the Ojai Valley TRU Regulation Overlay Zone (except historic landmarks)
STR operation in guest houses or accessory buildings permitted as second or accessory dwelling units
More than one TRU per owner in the county
More than one unit per property in multi-family dwellings
Advertising notices posted on the property exterior

Ineligible Dwelling Types

Permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
Affordable housing units
Caretaker units
Farmworker units

Enforcement and Penalties

Violations punishable as misdemeanor/infraction criminal offense
Civil administrative penalties up to $1,000 per day for confirmed violations
Permit revocation possible for violations

Contact Information for Local Authority

Resource Management Agency (Planning Division)

Address: 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009
Phone: (805) 654-2494
Website: rma.venturacounty.gov/divisions/planning/

Code Compliance Division (for violations)

Phone: (805) 654-3506
Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Online Complaint Form: rma.venturacounty.gov/divisions/file-a-code-violations-complaint/

Treasurer-Tax Collector (for business license and TOT)

Phone: (805) 654-3727
Website: www.ventura.org/ttc/

Planning Division (zoning questions)

Phone: (805) 654-2488 or (805) 654-2451

Links to Source Pages

Ventura County Temporary Rental Unit Ordinance FAQ

Ventura County Code Compliance - Temporary Rental Units

Ventura County Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance

Ventura County Coastal Zoning Ordinance

TRU Permit Application

Business License Application Information

Camarillo Market Overview - RedAwning (general market information)

Note: This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with local authorities and qualified professionals before starting a short-term rental business.

Next step

Found a property in Camarillo?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Camarillo

Camarillo sits in Ventura County along the central California coast, roughly between the larger hubs of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. With a population of about 70,000, it is one of the more sizable communities in the county and offers a quieter suburban feel compared with the busier coastal cities nearby. The city is best known for the sprawling Camarillo Premium Outlets shopping center, a major retail draw that brings weekend visitors from across Southern California, and for its position as a convenient inland base for exploring the beaches, mountains, and islands of the region. Downtown Los Angeles is approximately 60 miles to the southeast, while Santa Barbara lies about 40 miles to the northwest, making Camarillo a natural stopping point along the Pacific coast corridor.

Just south of Camarillo, the Ventura Harbor area serves as the mainland launching point for Channel Islands National Park, a cluster of five rugged, lightly developed islands reachable by ferry. The park is known for its sea caves, kelp forests, and abundant marine life, including seals, sea lions, and seasonal whale and dolphin sightings. Ferry terminals are roughly 20 minutes from Camarillo by car, allowing day-trippers to combine a wilderness experience with the comforts of an inland stay.

On the western side of the city, Point Mugu State Park offers a different slice of the California coast, with jagged shoreline cliffs, tide pools, and miles of hiking trails that climb into the Santa Monica Mountains. The park's coastal entrance is about 15 minutes west of Camarillo, and its combination of beach access and backcountry trails in the Boney Mountain wilderness appeals to hikers, surfers, and campers who prefer a less developed alternative to the more crowded beaches to the south.

To the east, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in nearby Simi Valley draws a steady stream of history-minded visitors with its hilltop setting, retired Air Force One pavilion, and partial replica of the White House Oval Office. The library is roughly 25 minutes from Camarillo by car, while the neighboring city of Ventura, with its historic downtown, working pier, and long stretches of beach, is about 15 minutes south.

Camarillo works well as a short-term rental base largely because it sits at the intersection of so many Southern California experiences: outlets and restaurants for shopping and dining, the Pacific coast and Channel Islands within a short drive for outdoor adventure, and Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles all reachable as day trips. Its quieter residential streets, well-maintained infrastructure, and central Ventura County location give owners and guests a practical balance of convenience, value, and access to some of the most varied landscapes on the California coast.