Port Hueneme Night Caps Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Port Hueneme Municipal Code Title 10, Chapter 7 (Short-Term Rentals) establishes the city's regulatory framework for vacation and short-term rental properties. The ordinance distinguishes between hosted rentals — where the property owner or a designated operator is physically present on the premises during the entire guest stay — and unhosted rentals where the guest has exclusive use of the property. Hosted rentals by primary-residence owners operate without an annual night cap, subject to all other permit conditions. Unhosted rentals, where the owner vacates the property for the guest's stay, are capped at 90 nights per calendar year. The night count resets on January 1 each year and is tracked through mandatory quarterly activity reports submitted to the Community Development Department. The city also cross-references host reporting with data obtained from major listing platforms.

The ordinance defines primary residency as occupying the property as one's principal place of residence for a minimum of 275 days per calendar year. This threshold must be met for an owner to qualify for an STR permit. Non-owner-occupied properties — including investment properties, second homes, and properties where the owner resides elsewhere for more than 90 days per year — are categorically prohibited from obtaining STR permits in all residential zoning districts within Port Hueneme. This prohibition is among the more restrictive in Ventura County and reflects the city's policy concern that short-term rental conversion in a community of only approximately 22,000 residents and roughly 4.5 square miles could significantly impact the availability and affordability of long-term rental housing. The presence of Naval Base Ventura County creates housing demand from military-connected families and civilian base employees, adding pressure to an already constrained rental market.

STR permits are issued annually by the Community Development Department and require a complete application including proof of ownership, proof of primary residency (utility bills, voter registration, or DMV records), evidence of adequate liability insurance ($1,000,000 minimum), and designation of a local contact person reachable 24 hours a day who can respond to the property within 30 minutes. The STR permit number must be displayed on all online listings and advertising. Operators must collect and remit the city's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) at a rate of 10% of gross rental receipts. Major platforms such as Airbnb collect and remit TOT on behalf of hosts under existing agreements with the city. Operators using platforms that do not automatically remit TOT are responsible for direct monthly remittance to the Finance Department.

The city also imposes occupancy limits on STR properties: a maximum of two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, with an overall cap of 10 overnight guests regardless of the number of bedrooms. Quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM apply to all STR guests under the city's noise ordinance. Operators must provide guests with a copy of the STR rules of conduct, including noise restrictions, parking requirements, and trash collection schedules.