Ventura, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Ventura, CA, subject to specific regulations and permitting requirements. However, it is crucial to understand that Ventura operates under a dual regulatory system with distinct rules for:

City of Ventura (incorporated areas)
Ventura County (unincorporated areas)

Current Status (December 2024): The City of Ventura has adopted an updated Short-Term Vacation Rental ordinance on December 10, 2024, but new permit applications are temporarily suspended until the California Coastal Commission certifies the city's Local Coastal Plan Amendment. There is no estimated timeline for this certification process.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ventura?

Ventura hosts earn a median $46,461/year with $284 ADR and 67% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $76,570+ per year.

See the full Ventura market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Ventura

For Properties Within City of Ventura:

Phase 1: Application Process (Currently Suspended)

Complete and file the STVR Application with required forms to the Business Tax Office
Pay non-refundable initial inspection fee, STVR permit fee, and business license fee
Application is forwarded to Code Enforcement for inspection scheduling
Upon approval, receive STVR permit, transient occupancy registration certificate, and "Good Neighbor Guidelines"

Phase 2: Operating Requirements

Collect and remit 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) monthly
Maintain active business license
Post nuisance response plan contact information
Maintain surety bond (unless waived)
Ensure compliance with performance standards

For Properties Within Ventura County (Unincorporated Areas):

Step 1: Create Citizen Access Account

Register at vcca.ventura.org/vcca.aspx
This is mandatory for permit applications

Step 2: Submit TRU Permit Application

Login to Citizen Access account
Navigate to "Code Compliance" → "Create an application"
Submit required documentation and fees

Step 3: Pre-Permitting Inspection

Code Compliance schedules property inspection
Inspection verifies bedroom count, safety compliance, parking, access, fire codes
Address any violations before proceeding

Step 4: Final Permit Issuance

Upon inspection approval and tax compliance, permit issued within approximately one week
Maximum permit term: one year from issuance date

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Ventura Requirements:

Permits and Licenses:

Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Permit
City of Ventura Business License
Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate
Surety Bond (unless waived)

Required Documentation:

Completed STVR Application
Nuisance Response Plan with 24/7 contact information
Property site plan
Proof of insurance
Business tax compliance documentation

Ventura County Requirements:

Permits and Licenses:

Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) Permit
County Business Tax Certificate
Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (for STRs only)

Required Documentation:

Property site plan (hand-drawn acceptable)
Contact information and signatures of all property owners and managers
Proof of compliance with business tax and TOT requirements
Proof of insurance (minimum $500,000 general liability coverage)
For homeshares: Homeowner's exemption proof from County Assessor

Application Fees:

Short-term rental: $1,525 application fee + $500 compliance monitoring deposit
Homeshare: $1,525 application fee + $100 compliance monitoring deposit

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Ventura Regulations:

Permit Caps by Area (Effective January 2025):

Downtown: Maximum 100 permits
Pierpont Area: Maximum 100 permits
Ventura Harbor and Keys: Maximum 35 permits
Ventura Avenue Area: Maximum 40 permits
Midtown and Eastside: Maximum 75 permits

Operating Standards:

Minimum Stay Requirements:
- June-August (summer): 7-night minimum
- All other times: 2-night minimum (no more than once per 7-day period)
Occupancy Limits: 2 persons per bedroom + 2 additional persons maximum
ADU Restriction: Properties with Accessory Dwelling Units may only rent for 30+ days; STVR permits prohibited for both primary dwelling and ADU
Advertisement Requirements: Must include "Ventura Permit No. _____" in all listings
Bond Requirement: Valid surety bond required (unless waived)

Performance Standards:

Comply with all fire, building, and safety codes
Post rental agreement and disclosures conspicuously inside unit
Maintain nuisance response capability within 45 minutes
Collect and remit TOT by last day of following month

Ventura County Regulations:

Zoning Districts:

Non-Coastal Zone: Governed by Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (effective July 19, 2018)
Coastal Zone: Governed by Coastal Zoning Ordinance (effective November 1, 2018)

Ojai Valley Overlay Zone Specific Rules:

Short-Term Rentals: Prohibited except on historic landmark properties (as of June 19, 2018)
Homeshares: Allowed with annual land use permit
Ownership Limits: Only property owners may obtain permits; permits expire upon ownership change
Unit Restrictions: Only one TRU per owner; ADUs, affordable, caretaker, and farmworker units ineligible

Operating Standards:

Homeshare Limits:
- Maximum 2 bedrooms available for rental
- Maximum 5 overnight guests
- Owner must be physically present during rental periods
Short-Term Rental Limits:
- Maximum 2 persons per bedroom (up to 5 bedrooms) + 2 additional persons
- Maximum 10 persons total
Management Requirements:
- Homeshare owners must be on-site 10 PM - 7 AM and within 40 miles at all other times
- STR owners may serve as property manager or hire up to 2 managers
- One manager must be available 24/7 within 40 miles of property

Parking and Noise Requirements:

Parking: On-site parking spaces required; garages and driveways must be unobstructed
Noise: Quiet hours 10 PM - 7 AM; no outdoor amplified music during quiet hours
Events: Prohibited in Ojai Valley; occupancy limits apply in other areas

Advertisement Requirements: Must prominently display in all listings:

Permitted occupancy and guest limits
Quiet hours notification (10 PM - 7 AM)
No outdoor amplified music during quiet hours
No events exceeding limits or violating standards
Number of on-site parking spaces
County permit number
Business license tax certificate number
Homeshare must state "owner-occupied dwelling, owner present"

State-Level California Regulations

While this guide focuses on Ventura-specific regulations, California state law requires:

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collection for rentals under 30 days
Business licensing for operating accommodations
Compliance with local ordinances (Ventura's rules supersede general state requirements)

Contact Information for Local Authorities

City of Ventura (Incorporated Areas):

Business Tax Office

Address: 501 Poli Street, Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: (805) 658-4715
Fax: (805) 653-0634
Website: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1565/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals

Ventura Police Department (Parking Violations)

Phone: (805) 339-4395

General City Contact:

Phone: (805) 654-7800

Ventura County (Unincorporated Areas):

Resource Management Agency - Code Compliance

Address: 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009
Phone: (805) 654-2494
TRU Violation Hotline: (805) 654-3506
Business Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM
Website: rma.venturacounty.gov/divisions/code-compliance/temporary-rental-units/

Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector

Phone: (805) 654-3727
For business tax certificates and TOT questions

Key Links to Source Pages

Important Note: Given the current suspension of new permit applications in the City of Ventura pending Coastal Commission certification, investors should monitor both city and county websites for updates on the application process timeline and any regulatory changes.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Ventura

Ventura, California sits along the Pacific coast in Ventura County, with a population of roughly 110,000 residents. The city carries the laid-back feel of a classic Southern California beach town, with a walkable historic downtown, a long stretch of public beach, and a working harbor that gives it a more lived-in, less resort-polished character than some of its neighbors. It is best known as the mainland gateway to Channel Islands National Park and as a popular stop between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, lying approximately 60 miles northwest of downtown LA.

Just offshore, Channel Islands National Park is reached by ferry from Ventura Harbor in about an hour. The five islands offer hiking, kayaking, tide-pooling, and wildlife watching, with sea caves, sea lion colonies, and on Santa Cruz Island the historic Scorpion Ranch. Day trips and overnight camping trips are both possible, and the park is one of the least-visited in the national system, which keeps it feeling uncrowded even in summer.

Right in downtown Ventura, Mission San Buenaventura was the ninth of California's Spanish missions, founded in 1782 and named for Saint Bonaventure. The restored mission church, small museum, and surrounding gardens sit a few blocks from the city's main commercial street and remain an active parish, drawing visitors interested in California's early colonial history.

Closer to the surf, the Ventura Pier stretches out over the ocean at the foot of California Street and is one of the oldest wooden piers on the West Coast. Just south of the pier, Surfer's Point is a long, sand-bottom beach break that has long attracted longboarders and beginners alike, and the adjacent promenade is a popular spot for cycling, jogging, and watching the sun set over the Channel Islands.

About 20 minutes inland, the small valley town of Ojai sits at the base of the Topatopa Mountains and offers a quieter counterpoint to the coast. Visitors come for the boutique inns, the local olive oil and citrus scene, the Sunday farmers' market, and the hiking and horseback riding in the surrounding Los Padres National Forest, all close enough to be an easy day trip from a Ventura rental.

For short-term rental owners, Ventura offers a rare combination: a genuinely walkable, lived-in beach town with a real downtown, a deep bench of nearby outdoor and cultural attractions, and a location that places Los Angeles and Santa Barbara within easy reach. That mix of coastal character, national park access, and proximity to two of California's most-visited regions makes it a strong year-round base for guests.