Ventura County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Homeshare
- owner must be physically present
- Short-term rental
- owner not physically present
- Minimum ownership stake
- 20% interest for homeshare
- Meals
- no meals provided in either
Summary
In unincorporated Ventura County, a homeshare rental requires the owner to be physically present; a short-term rental permit is for when the owner is not present.
Homeshare—A dwelling which is the primary residence of an owner who possesses at least a twenty (20) percent ownership interest in the subject parcel, with any portion of the dwelling rented for a period less than thirty (30) consecutive days when said owner is physically present in the same dwelling, with no meals or food provided to the renter or renters. ... Short-Term Rental—A dwelling, any portion of which is rented for a period less than thirty (30) consecutive days when the owner is not physically present, with no meals or food provided to the renter or renters.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
County zoning law splits vacation rentals into two categories by owner presence. A homeshare is the owner's primary residence, rented out while the owner physically stays in the same dwelling, with no meals served. A short-term rental is a dwelling rented for under 30 days when the owner is NOT physically present. Each category carries its own permit track and eligibility rules under Section 8109-4.6. This applies only in the unincorporated county, not inside Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Port Hueneme or Ojai.
Violations & Fines
Renting as a homeshare without the owner present, or misrepresenting occupancy status, is a permit violation subject to revocation, fines, or criminal prosecution under Section 8109-4.6.7(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my whole house while I'm away in Ventura County?
Does this rule apply in the City of Ventura?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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