Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Santa Paula vs Ventura
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Santa Paula, CA and Ventura, CA?
Santa Paula and Ventura have similar restriction levels.
Santa Paula, CA
Ventura County
Ventura County does not require all short-term rentals to be a primary residence; whole-home STRs with the owner absent are permitted. The primary-residence rule applies to homeshares, defined as the owner's primary residence with at least a 20% ownership interest. In the Ojai Valley overlay, whole-home STRs are restricted.
View full Santa Paula rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
Ventura's current SBMC Chapter 6.455 does not restrict STVR permits to owner-occupied primary residences — non-resident owners may obtain a permit. However, the city imposes a hard primary-dwelling-plus-ADU restriction: if a property contains an Accessory Dwelling Unit, neither the primary dwelling nor the ADU can be used as an STVR, and both must be rented for terms longer than 30 days (SBMC §24.430.041; consistent with Gov. Code §65852.2 state ADU framework). On Dec. 10, 2024, City Council paused new STVR permit issuance pending Coastal Commission certification of the updated ordinance under the city's Local Coastal Plan Amendment, which is widely expected to introduce tighter owner-occupancy and density caps. Until the LCP amendment takes effect, existing permits continue under the rules described here.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Paula | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Countywide rule | Whole-home STRs allowed (owner not required to reside) | - |
| Homeshare requirement | Must be owner's primary residence | - |
| Ownership threshold | At least 20% ownership interest (homeshare) | - |
| Primary residence proof | Title, tax returns, voter reg, or tax bill | - |
| Ojai Valley overlay | STRs prohibited except landmark properties; homeshares allowed | - |
| Code reference | Section 8109-4.6 (homeshare definition) | - |
| Owner-Occupancy Required? | - | No — Ch. 6.455 does not currently limit STVRs to primary residences |
| ADU + Primary Restriction | - | Both must rent for 30+ days; no STVR permit for either (SBMC §24.430.041) |
| State ADU Framework | - | Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2 (ADU/JADU preemption) |
| New Permit Moratorium | - | Adopted Dec. 10, 2024 — no new permits until Coastal Commission LCP certification |
| Update Driver | - | Pending Local Coastal Plan Amendment (Coastal Act compliance) |
| Existing Permits | - | Continue to operate and renew under current Ch. 6.455 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Paula FAQ
Does my Ventura County short-term rental have to be my primary residence?
Not necessarily. The County allows whole-home short-term rentals where the owner is not present, subject to permitting and eligibility limits. The primary-residence requirement applies specifically to homeshares, which must be the owner's primary residence with at least a 20% ownership interest.
Are there areas where only owner-occupied rentals are allowed?
Yes. In the Ojai Valley overlay, the RMA states that short-term rentals are prohibited except on designated historic landmark properties, while homeshares (owner present in the same dwelling) remain permitted. Confirm your parcel's overlay status with the County before applying.
Ventura FAQ
Do I have to live in my Ventura STVR as my primary residence?
Not under the current SBMC Chapter 6.455 as adopted in 2019. The ordinance regulates the dwelling unit and the rental term, not the operator's residency. However, the December 2024 moratorium on new permits and the pending updated ordinance (still under Coastal Commission review) may change that — investor-owners should monitor the city's STVR program page for the certified text.
Can I rent my ADU on Airbnb?
No. Ventura SBMC §24.430.041, consistent with the state ADU framework in Gov. Code §65852.2, requires that any ADU on a parcel be rented for terms of more than 30 days, and bars STVR permits for either the ADU or the primary dwelling on that parcel.
Can I get a new STVR permit today?
No. The Ventura City Council paused new STVR permit issuance on December 10, 2024, and the pause remains in effect until the California Coastal Commission certifies the city's Local Coastal Plan Amendment containing the updated STVR ordinance.
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