1. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed?

Short‑term rentals are permitted in Oak Park, California. No ordinance or ban specific to Oak Park appears in the supplied sources. Oak Park is an unincorporated community in Ventura County; therefore, the default California state rules apply, and any local restrictions would be imposed at the county level (or later by a city‑wide ordinance). Investors may operate STRs (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) provided they meet state tax, licensing, safety and county requirements.

2. How to Launch an STR Business in This Market

| Step | Action (California‑wide) | Relevance to Oak Park | |------|--------------------------|------------------------| | 1. Market feasibility | Analyze demand, seasonal patterns, and competition. | Oak Park’s proximity to Simi Valley and the broader Ventura County tourism market can drive demand. | | 2. Property compliance | Verify zoning (residential use, no HOA prohibition) and fire‑safety standards. | County fire‑inspection requirements apply; no city‑specific zoning limits identified. | | 3. Obtain a business license / tax registration | Register with Ventura County (the governing authority for unincorporated areas). | County license is required for all commercial activity. | | 4. Register for Transient‑Occupancy Tax (TOT) | File TOT registration with the Ventura County Treasurer‑Tax Collector and set up monthly remittance. | TOT is the primary source of tax revenue for short‑term rentals in California. | | 5. Secure insurance | Liability coverage (minimum $1 M) and property damage protection. | Standard practice for any rental activity. | | 6. Platform compliance | Register listing with Airbnb, VRBO, etc.; enable automatic TOT collection if required by SB 346. | Platforms will start collecting/remitting TOT when state law is enacted. | | 7. Safety & maintenance | Install smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and post emergency instructions. | Ventura County Fire Department conducts inspections on request. | | 8. Ongoing compliance | Keep records of bookings, taxes, and any county inspection reports. | Failure to remit TOT or maintain safety standards can result in fines. |

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Document / Requirement | Issuing Authority | Typical Requirement (per California law) | |------------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------| | Business License | Ventura County (or City of Simi Valley if annexed) | Proof of identity, property ownership/lease, and payment of license fee. | | Transient‑Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration | Ventura County Treasurer‑Tax Collector | Owner/operator information, rental address, projected nights rented. | | Certificate of Insurance | Private insurer | Liability coverage (minimum $1 M). | | Fire‑Safety Inspection (if required) | Ventura County Fire Department | Smoke/CO detectors, egress pathways, fire extinguishers. | | Zoning Verification | Ventura County Planning Department | Confirm the property is in a residential zone allowing short‑term rentals. | | Platform‑Specific Compliance | Airbnb, VRBO, etc. | Listing must display TOT registration number (once SB 346 is in effect). | | Owner‑Operator Contact Information | Local county/city | Phone, email, and mailing address for enforcement contact. |

Note: No Oak Park‑specific permit application forms were found in the supplied material; county‑level forms apply.

4. Specific Regulations – City, County & State

4.1 State of California

• Transient‑Occupancy Tax (TOT) – Every jurisdiction in California levies a TOT (often 2‑14 %). The tax is collected from guests and remitted by the operator.
• SB 346 (pending, 2025) – Would require short‑term‑rental platforms to (1) verify that operators hold a valid TOT registration, (2) share property‑level data with local jurisdictions, and (3) collect and remit TOT directly from guests. The Simi Valley article notes that this bill is advancing in the Legislature and could be finalized by the end of 2025. [Source 1]
• State‑wide safety standards – California Building Code, California Fire Code, and local health ordinances apply; no state‑wide ban on STRs exists.

4.2 Ventura County (Unincorporated Oak