Occupancy Limits: Camarillo vs Ventura
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Camarillo, CA and Ventura, CA?
Camarillo and Ventura have similar restriction levels.
Camarillo, CA
Ventura County
Camarillo does not have STR-specific occupancy limits since short-term rentals are not permitted. General building and housing code occupancy standards apply to all dwellings. California Building Code minimum room sizes and HOA occupancy restrictions provide the governing framework.
View full Camarillo rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
SBMC §6.455.125(E) caps overnight occupancy of every short-term vacation rental at two persons within the unit plus two persons per bedroom. A 3-bedroom STR is therefore capped at 8 overnight guests. The permit administrator may approve higher numbers only on a documented showing of unusual size, layout or parking.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Camarillo | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| STR Occupancy Limits | None (STRs not permitted) | - |
| Building Code | 70 sq ft first occupant, +50 each | - |
| Zoning | One family per dwelling unit | - |
| HOA Rules | Often have guest limits | - |
| Social Host Law | CMC 10.32 covers large gatherings | - |
| Default formula | - | 2 persons + 2 per bedroom overnight (SBMC §6.455.125(E)) |
| 3-bedroom example | - | 8 overnight occupants maximum |
| Increase process | - | Discretionary — 300-foot neighbor notice and possible site visit (§§6.455.100(B), 6.455.110) |
| Lease/posting requirement | - | Max overnight and daytime visitor counts must be in lease and posted inside unit (§6.455.125(G)(1)) |
| Primary occupant rule | - | Primary overnight/daytime occupant must be 18+ and provide ID (§§6.455.125(B), (C)) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Camarillo FAQ
How many people can live in a Camarillo home?
Occupancy is governed by the California Building Code as adopted in CMC Title 16, which requires minimum room sizes per occupant. Single-family zoning under Title 19 limits the dwelling to one family. Many Camarillo HOAs impose stricter occupancy limits in their CC&Rs.
Can my HOA set occupancy limits?
Yes. California law allows HOAs to set reasonable occupancy limits in CC&Rs. Many Camarillo HOAs restrict the number of occupants per unit and limit overnight guests, which effectively prevents high-occupancy vacation rental use.
What happens if too many people stay at a property?
Overcrowding violates the California Building Code. Large gatherings causing disturbances trigger the Social Host Responsibility ordinance (CMC 10.32), making the property owner liable for response costs. HOA violations result in association fines.
Ventura FAQ
How many guests can stay overnight in a Ventura STR?
Two persons plus two more per bedroom. A studio or 1-bedroom is capped at 4 overnight, a 2-bedroom at 6, a 3-bedroom at 8, and so on (SBMC §6.455.125(E)).
Can I get approval for more guests?
Yes, but only by application showing unusual size, interior layout, or parking. The city must mail notice to every property within 300 feet of yours, accept 30 days of written comments, and may require a site visit (§§6.455.100(B)–(C), 6.455.110).
Are daytime visitors capped separately?
Ordinance does not set a daytime cap, but §6.455.125(G)(1) requires the owner to specify the permitted number of daytime visitors in the rental agreement and post it inside the unit. Once written, that figure is enforceable as a performance standard.
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