Occupancy Limits: Santa Paula vs Ventura
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Santa Paula, CA and Ventura, CA?
Santa Paula and Ventura have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Santa Paula | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| 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.
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.
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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