Short-Term Rentals in Ventura, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Ventura or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Ventura has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Insurance Requirements

Ventura requires a $1,500 surety bond to activate an STVR license. The bond guarantees compliance with City regulations and may be forfeited for violations. Operators should also carry appropriate liability insurance as a condition of their permit.

Key details: Surety Bond: $1,500 required. Purpose: Guarantees compliance with STVR regulations. Alternative: STVR lease agreement copy may substitute. Replenishment: Must be maintained to keep permit active.

The surety bond may be partially or fully forfeited for violations of SBMC 6.455. If the bond is depleted, the operator must replenish it to maintain the STVR permit. Failure to maintain the bond results in permit suspension.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Ventura actively enforces its insurance requirements requirements.

Permit Requirements

Ventura requires an active STVR permit under SBMC Chapter 6.455 to operate any short-term rental (30 days or fewer). Operators must also hold a City business license and collect 10% TOT. A $1,500 surety bond is required. As of December 2024, new permit applications are paused pending Coastal Commission certification of LCP amendments.

Key details: Permit Required: STVR Permit + Business License (SBMC 6.455). TOT Rate: 10% of rents received. Surety Bond: $1,500. Status: New applications paused (Dec 2024). 24-Hour Contact: Required for all STVRs.

Operating without a permit subjects owners to fines starting at $500 per day. Advertising without a valid permit number is a separate violation. The $1,500 surety bond may be forfeited for ordinance violations. Permits may be revoked for repeated compliance failures.

Compared to other cities, Ventura takes a harder line on permit requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parking Rules

Ventura STVR operators must provide adequate off-street parking for guests. The number of permitted occupants is tied to available off-street parking spaces. STVR performance standards require that guest vehicles do not create parking impacts in the neighborhood.

Key details: Off-Street Parking: Required for STVR guests. Occupancy Link: Parking spaces affect max occupancy. Instructions: Must be posted inside property. Code: SBMC 6.455 Performance Standards.

Parking violations may result in STVR permit conditions being tightened, fines, or permit revocation for chronic parking complaints from neighbors.

Occupancy Limits

Ventura STVRs are limited to one group at a time with no more than one rental agreement effective for any given date. Maximum occupancy is determined by the number of bedrooms and available off-street parking. Performance standards set specific overnight and daytime visitor limits.

Key details: Groups: One group at a time, one rental agreement per date. Limit Basis: Number of bedrooms + parking spaces. Posting: Occupancy limits must be posted inside property. Code: SBMC Chapter 6.455 Performance Standards.

Exceeding occupancy limits may result in fines, surety bond claims, and STVR permit suspension or revocation. Unauthorized events or gatherings exceeding occupancy limits face enhanced penalties.

This is one of the stricter rules in Ventura's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Noise Rules

Ventura STVRs must comply with a nuisance response plan addressing noise complaints. Operators must designate a 24-hour contact person available by phone to respond to nuisance complaints from tenants. General SBMC 10.650 noise provisions apply to all STVR guests.

Key details: Nuisance Plan: Required for all STVR permits. 24-Hour Contact: Must be available by phone. Noise Code: SBMC 10.650 applies to guests. Penalty: Permit suspension/revocation for repeated violations.

Noise violations at STVRs can trigger both noise citations under SBMC 10.650 and STVR permit enforcement under SBMC 6.455. The $1,500 surety bond may be used to cover fines. Repeated noise complaints can lead to STVR permit revocation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Ventura actively enforces its noise rules requirements.

Night Caps

Ventura's STVR ordinance (SBMC Chapter 6.455) does not impose a fixed annual cap on rental nights, but it limits booking frequency: outside summer, owners may rent only once per consecutive 7-day period with a 2-night minimum, and during summer (2nd Friday in June through last Friday in August) the minimum stay rises to 7 nights.

Key details: Authority: SBMC Chapter 6.455. Annual Night Cap: None set; turnover limited instead. Off-Season Rule: 1 booking per 7 days, 2-night minimum. Summer Minimum Stay: 7 nights (2nd Fri June - last Fri Aug). Maximum Tenancy: 30 consecutive days or less.

Renting more than once per 7-day window outside summer, accepting a stay shorter than 2 nights (or shorter than 7 nights during summer), operating without an active STVR permit, or failing to remit TOT can trigger permit revocation, citations, and forfeiture of the $1,500 bond under Chapter 6.455.

Registration Rules

Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) require an active STVR Permit plus a City business license. Application fee: $628 + $128 initial inspection. New permits are paused as of December 10, 2024, pending Coastal Commission certification of updated ordinance.

Key details: STVR Permit: Required ($628 application + $128 inspection). Business License: Required (annual renewal). New Permits: Paused since Dec. 10, 2024. Bond: $1,500 surety bond OR nuisance response plan.

Failure to collect or remit TOT results in penalties, interest, and potential permit revocation.

This is one of the stricter rules in Ventura's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Taxes & Fees

10% Transient Occupancy Tax applies to all rental stays of 30 days or less. TOT must be remitted monthly even if no rentals occurred. SBMC TOT chapter.

Key details: TOT Rate: 10%. Applies To: Stays ≤30 consecutive days. Remittance: Monthly. Delinquency: Penalties apply.

Failure to remit TOT: back taxes plus 10% late penalty and 1.5% monthly interest. The city can audit STR hosts for up to 3 years of unpaid TOT. Willful non-remittance may constitute misappropriation. Operating without TOT registration carries additional fines of $250-$500.

The Bottom Line

Ventura is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Ventura, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Ventura's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.