Taxes & Fees: Ojai vs Ventura
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Ojai, CA and Ventura, CA?
Ventura has fewer restrictions than Ojai.
Ojai, CA
Ventura County
Ojai charges a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all short-term rentals of 30 days or less under OMC Chapter 3-2. Operators must register with the city and remit TOT quarterly. Failure to collect TOT results in operator liability plus penalties.
View full Ojai rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
Ventura (officially San Buenaventura) imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on all STR stays of 30 days or less under SBMC §4.115.030. Every short-term vacation rental operator must hold an STVR permit (SBMC §6.455.040), a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate, a business tax certificate (SBMC §6.455.050(B)), and post a $1,500 surety bond (SBMC §6.455.050(C)) unless waived under §6.455.125(G)(9).
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ojai | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| TOT Rate | 10% | - |
| Applies To | Stays of 30 days or less | - |
| Filing | Quarterly remittance | - |
| Late Penalty | 10% + 1.5% monthly interest | - |
| TOT rate | - | 10% of rent for stays of 30 days or less (SBMC §4.115.030) |
| Surety bond | - | $1,500 — waivable if rental contract bans 10 p.m.–7 a.m. parties (§6.455.050(C), §6.455.125(G)(9)) |
| Liability insurance | - | $1 million per-occurrence STR liability per city Quick Reference (program requirement) |
| Other certificates | - | Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate + business tax certificate required (§6.455.050(B)) |
| TOT remittance | - | Quarterly, due last day of month after quarter end |
| Code currency | - | SBMC current through Ord. 2024-005 (June 4, 2024) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Ojai FAQ
What is Ojai's TOT rate?
The Transient Occupancy Tax is 10% of the rental charge for stays of 30 days or less.
Does Airbnb collect TOT for Ojai?
Airbnb may collect TOT in some jurisdictions, but operators remain responsible for ensuring proper collection and remittance. Verify with the city.
When is TOT due?
Quarterly. Due on the last day of the month following each calendar quarter (April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31).
Ventura FAQ
What is Ventura's transient occupancy tax rate on STRs?
10% of the rent the operator charges for any stay of 30 consecutive days or less, set by SBMC §4.115.030. The STVR definition in §6.455.020 uses the same 30-day cutoff, so every Airbnb/Vrbo booking under one month is subject to the tax.
Do I have to post a surety bond?
Yes. SBMC §6.455.050(C) requires a $1,500 bond from a California-licensed surety with an A.M. Best 'A-' or better rating. The bond can be waived under §6.455.125(G)(9) if your rental agreement expressly forbids parties and loud social events between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Is liability insurance also required?
The city's published STVR Quick Reference states operators must carry $1 million per-occurrence short-term rental liability insurance. Chapter 6.455 itself does not codify that figure, but the city enforces it as a program condition tied to permit issuance.
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