Westlake Village, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed?

Short‑term rentals are not expressly defined or authorized in the provided City documents. The City’s public “Temporary Use Permits” page addresses short‑term uses or events and temporary structures on private property; it does not confirm a standard STR program or ongoing STR licensing for dwelling units.
Given this, the practical path presented by the City is to pursue a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for each rental episode or event activity (e.g., “short‑term uses” on private property). A TUP is a case‑by‑case approval for the specific dates and scope of use.
As of the sources provided, there is no explicit prohibition identified for transient rentals of residential units; however, the TUP process and conditions control whether and how STR activity can occur on a given property.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Westlake Village (Practical Path)

Verify zoning and entitlement feasibility with Planning.
- Confirm your property’s zoning and whether STR‑type activities (lodging for fewer than 30 days, special events, gatherings) are permissible as a “temporary use” on your site.
Review deed restrictions, CC&Rs, HOA rules, and insurance.
- Many Westlake Village neighborhoods have CC&Rs; HOAs may restrict STR activity regardless of City approvals.
Prepare for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) per rental episode or event.
- A TUP is required for any “short‑term use or event” on private property; apply well in advance of any rental dates.
Satisfy fire/life safety requirements.
- For gatherings/events, comply with Los Angeles County Fire Department requirements; obtain any required fire permits or written exemptions.
If alcohol is served, secure ABC licensing.
- If applicable, obtain an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license.
Manage on‑site logistics and safety.
- Provide the required site and parking plans; ensure safe operations for attendees/guests and neighbors.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City (Westlake Village)

TUP Application including a notarized property owner signature.
- Source: City “Temporary Use Permits” page
Application Fee: $150 (charitable fundraising events are exempt).
Event description including:
- Date(s), time(s)
- Estimated number of attendees and event workers
- Number and types of activities
- Food or alcoholic beverage service
Site Plan showing:
- Event location
- Activities, booths, food service locations
- Permanent and temporary structures
- Property lines and streets
Parking Plan (and if applicable, transportation or pedestrian plan) showing attendee parking and movement from parking to the event.
Los Angeles County Fire Department permit for the event (or written exemption documentation).
Alcoholic Beverage Control license (if applicable).
Notarized property owner signature (must accompany application).

County/State Context

Los Angeles County Fire Department approvals or exemptions are required for events/gatherings on private property in this area.
State fire code and ABC licensing rules apply where alcohol service is involved; these are not city‑specific and vary by event type and occupancy conditions.

Note on Ongoing STR Licensing and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

The provided materials do not confirm an ongoing STR registration/licensing program or a TOT registration process in Westlake Village. Without an explicit ordinance, the TUP pathway is the only evidenced route for STR‑type activity episodes. Always confirm with Planning whether any local business license or tax registration applies.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State-Level Controls

City-Level Requirements (from provided sources)

Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) are required for any short‑term use or event, or temporary structure located entirely on private property.
- If the event or activity occurs partially or entirely on public property or within the public right‑of‑way, a Special Event Permit is required instead (not covered here).
Application content and submission standards are defined by the City (see Required Documents, above).
Charitable fundraising events are exempt from the $150 fee.

County/State Context

Los Angeles County Fire Department: events/gatherings in this jurisdiction require fire permits or written exemption; compliance with fire/life safety requirements is mandatory.
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC): if alcoholic beverages are served, an ABC license is required by state law.
Statewide occupancy/fire codes: adherence to applicable California Building and Fire Codes is implied for events; obtain County Fire guidance on specifics (occupancy, egress, sprinkler/standpipe, alarms, etc.).

What the Sources Do Not Cover

No explicit TUP process is provided for “long‑term” STR operations (e.g., repeating rentals across months without individual event applications). If you seek recurring rentals beyond episodic TUPs, confirm with Planning whether any additional authorizations or a distinct STR program exists.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

City of Westlake Village

Planning Department
- Address: 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91361
- Phone: 818‑706‑1613
- Contact Page: www.wlv.org/Directory.aspx

Related Contacts (for events/gatherings)

Los Angeles County Fire Department: coordinate with the agency for permits or exemption documentation; confirm local office based on your event location.
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control: obtain ABC licensing information and applications for on‑site alcohol service.

Links to Source Pages (Important)

Temporary Use Permits (Westlake Village)
- www.wlv.org/372/Temporary-Use-Permits
City Directory/Contact Information
- www.wlv.org/Directory.aspx
Westlake Village Municipal Code (general ordinance reference)
- library.municode.com/ca/westlake_village/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=ART6TALI_CH6.4TROCTA_6.4.100RE
City of Westlake Village Housing Element (2021–2029) — policy context
- www.hcd.ca.gov/housing-elements/docs/westlake-village-6th-adopted121421.pdf

Operational Notes for STR Operators

Owner Authorization Required: TUP applications require notarized property owner consent; landlords/property managers must obtain written owner approval before applying.
HOA/CC&R Compliance: Many neighborhoods in Westlake Village enforce CC&Rs that can limit or prohibit short‑term rentals; review and secure HOA approval as needed.
Fire and Alcohol Considerations: For guest occupancy and events, comply with County Fire requirements and secure ABC licensing if alcohol is served. If you intend to host gatherings larger than a standard residential event, expect stricter fire/life safety oversight.

If you need assistance preparing the site and parking plans or coordinating with County Fire/ABC, consider engaging local planning or permitting consultants familiar with Westlake Village and Los Angeles County standards. Always verify zoning and any local licensing or tax requirements with Planning before listing any property.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Westlake Village?

Westlake Village hosts earn a median $24,063/year with $251 ADR and 63% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $57,164+ per year.

See the full Westlake Village market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Westlake Village

Westlake Village sits in the western reaches of Los Angeles County, California, with a small slice of the community spilling across the county line into Ventura County. With a population of roughly 8,000 to 9,000 residents, the city reads as a quiet, affluent, master-planned enclave of the Conejo Valley, anchored by its namesake lake and ringed by the chaparral-covered ridges of the Santa Monica Mountains. It lies approximately thirty-five miles west of downtown Los Angeles, an easy run down the 101 Freeway, though peak-hour traffic can stretch the trip considerably. The community is best known as a residential retreat and as a gateway to the mountains, the beaches of Malibu, and the broader Thousand Oaks–Simi Valley corridor of Ventura County.

The community's defining feature is Westlake Lake, a roughly 125-acre artificial reservoir built in the late 1960s that winds through the heart of the residential neighborhoods. Walking paths circle the shoreline, paddleboards and kayaks are a common sight on calm mornings, and the lake supports year-round waterfowl that add to the area's resort-like feel. It is the visual and recreational centerpiece of the city, and a natural gathering point for visitors staying nearby.

Just minutes up Mulholland Drive and into the canyons lies the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a sprawling federal park threaded through the hills between Westlake Village and the coast. Trails wind through oak woodlands and open chaparral, ranging from gentle loops to more strenuous climbs that reward hikers with views of the Pacific on one side and the San Fernando Valley on the other. The recreation area also encompasses historic sites like Paramount Ranch, where generations of westerns and television shows have been filmed.

A short drive east on the 101 brings travelers to Simi Valley and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, set on a hilltop campus that includes a piece of the Berlin Wall, a retired Air Force One, and rotating exhibits on the fortieth president's life and times. It sits roughly twenty to twenty-five minutes from Westlake Village and pairs naturally with a morning at the lake or an afternoon in the mountains.

To the south, Mulholland and the canyon roads drop down toward Malibu and the broad sandy beaches of the Los Angeles County coast, reachable in about thirty to forty minutes depending on route. That proximity to both mountains and sea gives the area a rare flexibility: a single day can hold a sunrise hike, an afternoon on the sand, and a sunset dinner back at the lake.

Together, these qualities make Westlake Village a quietly appealing base for short-term rentals. Its calm streets, scenic shoreline, and easy reach of both wilderness and major Southern California attractions offer guests the best of both worlds — a peaceful residential setting that doubles as a launchpad for some of the region's most recognizable destinations.