Simi Valley, CA Local Ordinances Guide

Simi Valley is a mid-sized city in Ventura County, California, with about 126000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 136 ordinances across 42 categories that affect daily life in Simi Valley.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Simi Valley prohibits intentionally feeding crows or ravens anywhere in the City. Property owners cannot allow feeding of these birds on their land or the adjoining right-of-way, and the ban covers every species in the Corvus genus..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (restrictive), Pet Limits (moderate), Mandatory Spay/Neuter (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Simi Valley for details.

Special Events & Permits

Block Party Permits: Closing a Simi Valley street for a block party is a "public assembly" under Municipal Code Chapter 17, and it is unlawful to hold one without a permit approved by the Chief of Police under § 5-17.05. Applications must be filed 25 to 45 days ahead, and the City can require insurance, an indemnification agreement, and a traffic-control fee..

Also covered: Street Fair Rules (restrictive), Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (moderate), Park Event Permits (restrictive). See the full special events & permits guide for Simi Valley for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Table 2-3 sets Simi Valley's residential setbacks by zoning district: 50-foot fronts in OS down to 20 feet in RE through RVH, with 6 to 15-foot sides depending on stories and density and 20-foot rears citywide. Section 9-24.050 layers in exceptions for front porches, zero-lot-line projects, freeway-adjacent lots, and reduced setbacks near open space or HOA greenbelts..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Simi Valley for details.

Parking Rules

Driveway Rules: Simi Valley bars parking or storing any vehicle, camper, or vessel on an unpaved surface within a yard or setback area that's visible from the street, alley, or an adjoining property, under SVMC § 4-9.202. The rule reaches inoperative vehicles too, and code enforcement or police can cite violators under the California Vehicle Code's local-ordinance authority..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (permissive), Abandoned Vehicles (limited), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Simi Valley for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Simi Valley bans all signage advertising a home occupation. Under Municipal Code Section 9-44.090(B)(2), a home-based business operating under a Home Occupation Permit may display no sign of any kind identifying the business or directing customers to the residence.

Also covered: Home Daycare (restrictive), Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Simi Valley for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: California Proposition 64 allows adults 21 and older to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants per household for personal use. Simi Valley requires cultivation to be indoors and out of public view consistent with state law requirements..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Simi Valley for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Simi Valley regulates any holiday display carrying wording, a logo, or other message as a non-commercial temporary sign under Municipal Code Section 9-37.070. No permit or fee applies, but the display cannot stay up longer than 128 consecutive days, must stand six feet or under if free-standing, and cannot carry any internal or external illumination under the sign standards..

Also covered: Political Signs (moderate), Window Signs (moderate), Digital Billboards (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Simi Valley for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Under Simi Valley Municipal Code Chapter 9-38 (Mature Tree Preservation Ordinance), all mature native oak trees and all historic trees are protected citywide, and all other mature trees are protected except in single-family-home yards. Routine pruning that does not endanger the tree's life is permitted, but removing or heavily pruning a protected tree requires a Tree Removal Permit from the Environmental Services Director..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Composting (moderate), Artificial Turf (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Simi Valley for details.

Fire Regulations

Wildfire Zones: Significant portions of Simi Valley are designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE. Properties in these zones face enhanced building standards, defensible space requirements, and vegetation management obligations..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Simi Valley for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Simi Valley enforces property maintenance standards to prevent blight and maintain neighborhood quality. Properties must be kept free of junk, debris, inoperable vehicles, and conditions that create health or safety hazards..

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Simi Valley for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: Simi Valley bars permitted solicitors and canvassers from knocking between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., and separately makes it unlawful to solicit at any address posting a sign that says no solicitors.

Also covered: Solicitor Permits (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Simi Valley for details.

Fence Regulations

Fence Permit Requirements: Simi Valley requires a Zoning Clearance from the Planning Division before installing, altering, or replacing a property line wall or fence. A Building Permit is generally not required for standard residential fences at or under 6 feet, but is required for garden walls over 6 feet, retaining walls, and any fence over 24 inches in a Traffic Safety Sight Area..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate), Height Limits (limited). See the full fence regulations guide for Simi Valley for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: When a Simi Valley building permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa, California's Swimming Pool Safety Act requires at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features, typically including a code-compliant enclosure isolating the pool from the house..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Simi Valley for details.

Trash & Recycling

Dumpster Rules: Businesses in Simi Valley cannot drop a bin or roll-off box on public property without an encroachment permit, and every business owner must keep an accessible, clean storage area for its dumpster under Municipal Code Sections 6-3.12(d) and 6-3.21(a). Commercial haulers also face a collection-hours curfew and a 200-foot no-collection buffer around schools during drop-off and dismissal..

Also covered: Illegal Dumping (restrictive), Yard Waste Collection (moderate), Recycling Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Simi Valley for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: The Simi Valley short-term rental ordinance approved on first reading May 11, 2026 caps overnight occupancy at two adults per bedroom (children are not counted), bans all events and parties, and requires neighbor notification for unhosted units. Until the ordinance becomes effective on January 1, 2027, there is no city-specific guest cap, and the California Building Code (Title 24 CCR) occupant-load default applies..

Also covered: Short-Term Rental Permits (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Simi Valley for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) applies to qualifying rental properties in Simi Valley, requiring landlords to have a just cause for eviction and providing relocation assistance for no-fault evictions after 12 months of tenancy..

Also covered: Repairs & Habitability (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Simi Valley for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Simi Valley lets the City Council designate individual trees as "historic" by resolution for their tie to a historic event or person, or for outstanding size, condition, or beauty. Once designated, a historic tree keeps full protected-tree status even inside a private single-family yard, where most trees are exempt..

Also covered: Protected Tree Species (moderate), Parkway Planting (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Simi Valley for details.

Historic Preservation

Historic-Cultural Monuments: Simi Valley's City Council alone designates Cultural Heritage Sites under SVMC Section 2-3.508, acting on recommendations from the Cultural Heritage Board. Once the Council declares a property, building, or site a Cultural Heritage Site, the owner cannot deface, demolish, alter, remove, or add to it without first obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness under Section 2-3.509..

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Simi Valley bans camping in any public park, street, or public place unless the area is specifically designated or permitted, and restricts camping on private property within 2,000 feet of improved land under Municipal Code Section 6-5.01. Where limited residential-yard camping is allowed, the code requires a sanitary toilet within 100 feet of the campsite and caps it at three consecutive days..

Also covered: Sit-Lie Rules (restrictive). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Simi Valley for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Encroachment Permits: Simi Valley requires an encroachment permit from the Director of Public Services before anyone builds, places, or moves anything in a public right-of-way, from curbs and driveways to signs, fences, and street trees. Doing the work without one is a misdemeanor under Municipal Code section 7-1.205.

Also covered: Obstruction Rules (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for Simi Valley for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Simi Valley bans discharging anything but stormwater into the City's storm drain system, with a narrow list of exempt flows like firefighting water and dechlorinated pool discharge, and backs it with misdemeanor penalties up to $1,000 and six months in jail..

Also covered: Erosion Control (moderate), Flood Elevation Requirements (moderate), Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Simi Valley for details.

Public Conduct

Public Urination: Simi Valley bans urinating or defecating on any street, sidewalk, parking lot, park or other public area, or anywhere exposed to public view. The only exception is a restroom, portable toilet, or other enclosed facility built for sanitary waste disposal..

Also covered: Aggressive Panhandling (restrictive), Public Alcohol Use (restrictive), Skateboarding Rules (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Simi Valley for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Auto Repair on Residential Property: Simi Valley expressly forbids running an auto repair, reconditioning, or engine-servicing business from a residence. SVMC Section 9-44.090(C)(1) lists motor vehicle and engine repair among the uses that can never qualify as a home occupation, no matter how small the operation or how it is screened from the street.

Also covered: Adult Entertainment (restrictive), Pawnbrokers (moderate), Secondhand Dealers (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Simi Valley for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending: No one may vend from a sidewalk cart anywhere in Simi Valley without a Police Department-issued sidewalk vending permit. The permit sets cart size, hours, placement distances from crosswalks and schools, and carries administrative fines starting at $250 for unpermitted vending..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate), Food Truck Permits (restrictive). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Simi Valley for details.

Building Safety

Childcare Center Rules: A child day care center, as opposed to a small family day care home, needs a Conditional Use Permit in Simi Valley's RM, RMod, and RH residential zones under Table 2-2 of the Development Code, and isn't allowed at all in OS, RE, RVL, RL, RVH, or MH zones. The CUP goes through a public hearing before the Director or Planning Commission..

Also covered: Elevator Maintenance (moderate), Green Building Code (moderate), Door Locking Hardware (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Simi Valley for details.

Public Health Rules

Food Handler Certification: A sidewalk food vendor applying for a City permit must submit proof of a completed food handler course certificate along with a valid Ventura County Health Department permit before the Police Department will approve the application..

Accessory Structures

ADU Owner Occupancy: A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit in Simi Valley comes with a recorded owner-occupancy deed restriction. SVMC Section 9-44.160(D)(2) requires the property owner to record a deed restriction promising to occupy either the JADU or the primary home, and a new owner who breaks that promise must remove the JADU and vacate any separate rental within 90 days..

Also covered: ADU Rental Restrictions (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate), ADU Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Simi Valley for details.

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: Simi Valley's drought conservation rules exempt recycled water from almost every restriction they impose on potable water. Municipal Code Section 6-11.103(c) frees recycled-water users from the city's mandatory watering-day and duration limits, keeping them subject only to the general watering-hours restriction cross-referenced in Section 6-11.104(a)..

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: Simi Valley's Development Code applies to all land uses regardless of any private HOA restriction, but the city will not enforce a homeowners association's CC&Rs, regulations, or private agreement unless the City itself is a signing party to it. Residents with an HOA dispute must go through the association or civil court, not Code Enforcement..

Filming & Production

Location Permits: Shooting a commercial motion picture, TV production, or still photography on public or private property in Simi Valley requires a location filming permit under Municipal Code § 5-32.03. News crews, personal video, studio filming, and on-site business ads are exempt, and the City Manager sets application rules, fees, and insurance requirements..

Also covered: Student Filming (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for Simi Valley for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Business Tax Classification: Every business operating in Simi Valley pays an annual business tax under SVMC § 3-1.201, either the flat rate the City Council sets by resolution or, if eligible, by electing to have the tax measured by gross receipts earned in the city instead. The Finance Director reviews rates annually, and businesses that switched schedules in the 1980s got a phased-in cap..

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Minors under 18 may not be in any public place or business establishment in Simi Valley between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Simi Valley for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Simi Valley charges a 10 percent transient occupancy tax on rent for any hotel stay of 30 consecutive days or less under SVMC § 3-5.303, and the code's broad 'hotel' definition in § 3-5.302(a) reaches any commercial lodging, so short-term rental hosts collect and remit the same 10 percent as a motel. Operators register with the Finance Director as Tax Collector..

Mobility & Curb Rules

Bike Lane Rules: Simi Valley requires cyclists to ride within a marked bicycle lane on any roadway that has one, and bars riding a roadway paralleled by a bike path within 75 feet, under SVMC § 4-3.17. Motor vehicles may only cross a bike lane to enter a driveway or alley or to park, and must yield to bicycles already in the lane under § 4-3.18..

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound: A business planning permanent amplified music or dancing in Simi Valley needs a Conditional Use Permit if the site sits within 250 feet of a church, hospital, school, or park, or within 250 feet of a residential zone. Occasional dances at churches, schools, or community centers are exempt but still need a Dance Permit..

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Simi Valley for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass & Shielding: Every light fixture in Simi Valley, residential or commercial, must be aimed away from neighboring property under Development Code Section 9-30.040(A), with no glare crossing onto adjacent land or streets. Flashing lights are banned outright under Subsection (B), with no exception for signs, holiday displays, or security devices..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Simi Valley for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

Generator Noise: Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 5-16.02(d) bars running a portable generator, motor or engine outdoors between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Also covered: Bar & Nightclub Noise (moderate), HVAC & Mechanical Noise (limited). See the full noise from specific sources guide for Simi Valley for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Density Bonus Law: Simi Valley grants a density bonus to any Housing Development that sets aside affordable units, starting at a 20% unit increase for a 5% very low-income or 10% low-income set-aside, up to a 35% maximum bonus, under Development Code Section 9-31.020(A). Developers can also request zoning concessions and standard waivers..

Solar Energy

Expedited Solar Permitting: Simi Valley must administratively approve a small residential rooftop solar system, up to 10 kW AC or 30 kW thermal on a single or duplex home, once the Building Official confirms the application matches the city's published checklist, and only one inspection is required. This tracks Government Code § 65850.5's mandate for streamlined, non-discretionary solar review..

Gambling & Gaming

Card Room Licensing: Card rooms are flatly illegal in Simi Valley. Municipal Code Section 5-6.02 makes it unlawful to keep, conduct, or maintain any card room, or to knowingly let a building or room you control be used as one.

Holiday Decorations

Lawn Ornament Rules: Simi Valley exempts holiday yard decorations from the Temporary Use Permit process under Municipal Code Section 9-52.080(C)(4), so lawn ornaments, inflatables, and seasonal displays generally need no City permit. The one carve-out is inflatable balloon displays: anything over two feet from tip to nozzle cannot be displayed at all, and roof-mounted balloons are capped at 30 feet high with no lettering or graphics..

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency, Duration & Permits: Simi Valley allows a garage or yard sale without a Temporary Use Permit only if it runs no more than three days and does not repeat more than once every 180 days. SVMC Section 9-52.080(C)(1) treats more frequent sales as an unpermitted commercial retail business in a residential zone, which the Development Code prohibits outright..

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Simi Valley. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.