Occupancy Limits: Santa Paula vs Simi Valley
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Santa Paula, CA and Simi Valley, CA?
Santa Paula has fewer restrictions than Simi Valley.
Santa Paula, CA
Ventura County
Santa Paula limits short-term rental occupancy based on the number of bedrooms: two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, to a maximum determined by the approved floor plan. No events or parties exceeding the posted occupancy are permitted.
View full Santa Paula rules →Simi Valley, CA
Ventura County
Simi Valley does not set STR occupancy limits because short-term rentals are not an allowable land use under Simi Valley Municipal Code section 9-22.030.A.1. A 2024-2026 city effort to license STRs (proposing a two-adults-per-bedroom cap) was rejected by the Planning Commission on March 4, 2026, which recommended a continued citywide ban.
View full Simi Valley rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Paula | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | 2 per bedroom + 2 | - |
| 3-Bedroom Example | 8 guests maximum | - |
| Posting | Must be posted inside unit | - |
| Events/Parties | Prohibited over occupancy limit | - |
| Violation Fine | $500+ per incident | - |
| STR Status | - | Not an allowable use |
| Code Section | - | SVMC 9-22.030.A.1 |
| Occupancy Cap | - | None (banned, not regulated) |
| Proposed Cap | - | 2 adults per bedroom (rejected) |
| Planning Commission | - | 4-0 ban recommendation, Mar 4, 2026 |
| ADUs | - | Cannot be used as STR |
| Long-Term Rentals | - | 31+ days governed by state/zoning |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Paula FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Santa Paula STR?
The formula is 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. A 2-bedroom allows 6 guests; a 3-bedroom allows 8 guests.
Can I have a party at my Santa Paula STR?
Events and parties exceeding the posted occupancy limit are prohibited. Violations may result in fines and permit revocation.
Do children count toward the occupancy limit?
Children under 2 years old are not counted. All other guests, including children, count toward the maximum occupancy.
Simi Valley FAQ
How many guests can stay at a Simi Valley short-term rental?
There is no STR occupancy cap because Simi Valley does not allow short-term rentals at all under SVMC 9-22.030.A.1. A proposed two-adults-per-bedroom rule has not been adopted.
Did the city ever pass a short-term rental occupancy ordinance?
No. The Planning Commission voted 4-0 on March 4, 2026 to recommend keeping the citywide ban rather than adopting the licensing draft.
Do Ventura County STR occupancy rules apply inside Simi Valley?
No. The county STR ordinance covers unincorporated areas. Inside Simi Valley city limits, the city's prohibition controls.
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