Permit Requirements: Ojai vs Ventura
How do permit requirements rules compare between Ojai, CA and Ventura, CA?
Ojai and Ventura have similar restriction levels.
Ojai, CA
Ventura County
Ojai requires a Short-Term Rental Permit (STRP) under OMC Chapter 10-10. STRs are defined as rentals of 30 days or less. The city caps total STR permits and requires a conditional use permit (CUP) in residential zones. Owner-occupied hosted rentals have fewer restrictions.
View full Ojai rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
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.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ojai | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Required | Short-Term Rental Permit (STRP) | STVR Permit + Business License (SBMC 6.455) |
| Non-Hosted CUP | Planning Commission approval required | - |
| Insurance | $1 million liability minimum | - |
| Renewal | Annual | - |
| TOT Rate | - | 10% of rents received |
| Surety Bond | - | $1,500 |
| Status | - | New applications paused (Dec 2024) |
| 24-Hour Contact | - | Required for all STVRs |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Ojai FAQ
Can I Airbnb my home in Ojai?
Yes, but you need a Short-Term Rental Permit. Hosted stays (you're present) have a simpler process. Whole-home rentals in residential zones require a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission.
Is there a cap on STR permits in Ojai?
Yes. The city limits the total number of non-hosted STR permits. Check with Community Development at (805) 646-5581 for current availability.
What insurance do I need?
You must carry at least $1 million in liability insurance covering short-term rental activities.
Ventura FAQ
Can I get a new STVR permit in Ventura?
As of December 10, 2024, the City Council paused issuance of new STVR permits. New applications will be accepted after the Coastal Commission certifies the updated Local Coastal Plan Amendment.
What do I need to apply for an STVR permit?
You need an STVR permit application, business license application, nuisance response plan, and a $1,500 surety bond or STVR lease agreement. All listings must include your City permit number.
How much is the transient occupancy tax?
The TOT rate is 10% of rents received on stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. Operators must report and remit TOT monthly by the last day of the following month.
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