Taxes & Fees: Simi Valley vs Ventura
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Simi Valley, CA and Ventura, CA?
Ventura has fewer restrictions than Simi Valley.
Simi Valley, CA
Ventura County
Short-term rental operators in Simi Valley must collect and remit transient occupancy tax on all stays of fewer than 30 days. The TOT rate is consistent with hotel and lodging taxes applied throughout the city.
View full Simi Valley 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 | Simi Valley | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Type | Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) | - |
| Applies To | Stays under 30 days | - |
| Filing | Quarterly returns required | - |
| Finance Department | (805) 583-6800 | - |
| 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.
Simi Valley FAQ
Do I need to collect hotel tax for my Simi Valley Airbnb?
Yes, operators must collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax on all stays under 30 days. Register with the Finance Department and file quarterly returns.
Does Airbnb collect the tax for me?
Airbnb may collect and remit some taxes on your behalf, but you must verify with the city that all required taxes are being properly collected and reported.
What happens if I do not pay TOT?
Penalties include back taxes, 1.5% monthly interest, administrative fines, and potential STR permit revocation for persistent non-compliance.
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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