Note: This guide synthesizes public-facing information provided in the search results. Regulations change frequently; investors should confirm any current details with the city and county.

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

Yes—Fillmore permits short-term rentals, but under a regulated framework. In 2016, the Fillmore City Council adopted an ordinance requiring anyone renting a dwelling for fewer than 30 days to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), hold a city business license, pay the city’s 10% transient occupancy tax (TOT), provide adequate parking, and maintain 24/7 availability to respond to issues. CUPs are reviewed by the Planning Commission at a public hearing. As of 2016, the cost to obtain a CUP was reported at approximately $4,000 and took two to three months to process. [Source 1]

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Fillmore

• Confirm zoning and eligibility: The city treated short-term rentals like bed-and-breakfast uses in residential neighborhoods, requiring CUPs. If you are outside city limits in unincorporated Ventura County, see the county section for Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) rules. [Source 1]
• Prepare for the permit pathway:
  • Submit a Conditional Use Permit application to the City of Fillmore (Planning Commission) and schedule the required public hearing. [Source 1]
  • Obtain a City of Fillmore business license. [Source 1]
  • Register for and remit the city’s 10% transient occupancy tax. [Source 1]
  • Demonstrate compliance with parking, occupancy limits, and operations standards outlined in the city’s ordinance. [Source 1]
• Timeline and costs (2016 figures):
  • Process time: approximately two to three months.
  • CUP cost: approximately $4,000.
  • TOT rate: 10%. [Source 1]
• Manage operations:
  • Owner or designated manager must be available 24/7 to address tenant or neighbor issues. [Source 1]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

For the City of Fillmore (as codified in the 2016 ordinance):

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approved by the Fillmore Planning Commission after a public hearing. [Source 1]
• City of Fillmore business license. [Source 1]
• Transient Occupancy Registration and payment of TOT at 10%. [Source 1]
• Adequate on-site parking for guests. [Source 1]
• Evidence of availability for incident response (owner/manager availability at all hours). [Source 1]

For unincorporated Ventura County (applies to TRUs—Short-Term Rentals and Homeshares—outside city limits; only use if your property is unincorporated):

• County TRU permit and annual renewal. [Source 2]
• Business Tax Certificate and TOT registration with the County Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC). [Source 2]
• Insurance with minimum $500,000 per occurrence general liability coverage. [Source 2]
• Pre-permitting inspection and compliance monitoring deposit (varies by TRU type). [Source 2]
• Application package includes: property site plan, owner and property manager contact info, proof of insurance, proof of business tax/TOT compliance, and (for homeshares) homeowner’s exemption. [Source 2]
• Maximum permitted occupancy; noise and quiet hours (10 p.m.–7 a.m.); parking and signage requirements; posting of county permit number and manager contact info; compliance with event restrictions. [Source 2]

Ventura County TRU Costs and Term:

• Application fee: $1,525.00; compliance monitoring deposit: $500.00 for STRs; $100.00 for homeshares. Permits are issued for one year or until sale/transfer or revocation. [Source 2]

Specific Regulations: City of Fillmore, Ventura County (Unincorporated), and State

City of Fillmore (2016):

• STRs are allowed with a CUP and business license; city requires 10% TOT, parking availability, and 24/7 owner/manager responsiveness; CUPs are reviewed by the Planning Commission after a public hearing. [Source 1]

Ventura County (Unincorporated) TRU Program:

• Definitions and categories:
  • Short-Term Rental (STR): rented <30 consecutive days; owner not physically present; no meals provided.
  • Homeshare: owner’s primary residence; owner physically present during rental; no meals provided; only two bedrooms and up to five guests at night. [Source 2]
• Where county rules apply:
  • Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance applies to unincorporated areas outside the coastal zone. [Source 2]
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance applies within the coastal zone; pre-November 1, 2018 TRUs had a specified grace period. [Source 2]
• Operating standards (county-wide):
  • Occupancy: STRs up to two persons per bedroom (up to five bedrooms) plus two additional persons, up to 10 persons. Homeshares limited to two bedrooms and five guests. Only one rental agreement may be in effect at a time. [Source 2]
  • Noise and events: Quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m.; no outdoor amplified sound during quiet hours; event use is limited and cannot exceed occupancy/noise standards. [Source 2]
  • Parking: On-site spaces required; garages/driveways must be unobstructed if needed to meet parking requirements. [Source 2]
  • Advertising and listings: Must prominently display occupancy limits, quiet hours, event limitations, parking details, county permit number, and business license tax certificate ID (if required); homeshare ads must state owner-occupied status; on-site posted advertisements are prohibited. [Source 2]
  • Signage:
    • Exterior sign (max 8.5" x 11"): owner/manager and County Code Compliance contact info.
    • Interior posting (within six feet of main entrance): occupancy, quiet hours, noise rules, parking, waste collection/recycling schedule, contact info, legal warnings. [Source 2]
  • Management:
    • Homeshare owner must be on-site between 10 p.m.–7 a.m. and within 40 miles at all other times.
    • STR owner may self-manage or hire up to two property managers, with at least one available at all times and within 40 miles.
    • Owner remains ultimately responsible for compliance. [Source 2]
  • Taxes and insurance:
    • Business Tax Certificate required.
    • TOT applies to STRs operated by non-primary residents.
    • Insurance required with minimum $500,000 general liability coverage. [Source 2]
  • Enforcement:
    • Violations are criminal infractions/misdemeanors; civil administrative penalties up to $1,000 per day; online complaint process available. [Source 2]

California:

• State legislation addresses transient rental taxation via platforms, municipal regulation of STRs, and community association governance (e.g., limits on rental caps in common-interest developments and association power to regulate or prohibit short-term rentals). Consult current state statutes and case law for details. [Source 3]

Contact Information

• City of Fillmore (general; CUP and business licensing):
  • Phone: (805) 524-3700
  • Website: www.fillmoreca.com
  • City Manager (2016): David Rowlands [Source 1]
• Ventura County Resource Management Agency (RMA) – Code Compliance (for TRUs in unincorporated areas):
  • Phone: (805) 654-2494
  • Code Compliance complaint line: (805) 654-3506
  • Website: rma.venturacounty.gov [Source 2]
• Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Business Tax Certificate, TOT registration):
  • Phone: (805) 654-3727 [Source 2]

Source Pages

• Fillmore regulates short-term rentals, not a big business in town (Ventura County Star, 2016): www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/fillmore/2016/06/08/fillmore-regulates-shortterm-rentals-not-a-big-business-in-town/88748814/ [Source 1]
• Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) Ordinance – Ventura County RMA FAQs: rma.venturacounty.gov/divisions/planning/temporary-rental-unit-ordinance-frequently-asked-questions/ [Source 2]
• Short-Term (Vacation) Rentals and Community Associations – CAI Policy Paper (Updated Oct 2024): www.caionline.org/getmedia/a9752b5e-26ed-47d8-a5b9-8bea3b0014ab/Updated-2023-CAI-Short-Term-Vacation-Rental-Policy-Paper-Oct2024.pdf [Source 3]

Important reminders:

• City-level details above reflect 2016 requirements. Confirm current CUP fees, hearing procedures, TOT rate, and any occupancy/parking standards with the City of Fillmore before proceeding.
• County TRU rules only apply to properties in unincorporated Ventura County. If your property is inside Fillmore city limits, follow the city’s permit and tax regime. [Source 1, Source 2]