Thousand Oaks Night Caps Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Thousand Oaks has adopted a short-term rental regulatory framework that focuses on registration, tax compliance, and operational conduct rather than on capping the number of nights a unit may be rented annually. Unlike cities such as Los Angeles (which restricts unhosted rentals to 120 nights per year) or Santa Monica (which bans unhosted rentals outright), Thousand Oaks allows registered STR operators to rent their properties on a year-round basis without a fixed annual night limit. This approach reflects the city's more suburban, low-density character — the Conejo Valley's STR market is smaller and less contentious than coastal cities — and a regulatory preference for compliance-based oversight over blunt night caps.

To operate legally, STR hosts in Thousand Oaks must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit and a city Business License from the Community Development and Finance departments. The city's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) ordinance requires hosts to collect 10% TOT on all rental income from stays of 30 days or fewer and remit it to the city on a regular schedule. Online platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO may facilitate TOT collection on behalf of hosts under agreements with the city, but the host retains legal responsibility for compliance. Occupancy limits are set at the time of permit issuance and are based on the number of bedrooms and the property's infrastructure capacity, typically capping at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants.

Although there is no annual night cap, operational requirements function as de facto constraints on problem properties. Hosts must ensure guests comply with the city's noise ordinance (quiet hours after 10 PM), parking regulations, and trash disposal rules. Violations by guests may be attributed to the host for enforcement purposes. Repeat nuisance complaints at a registered STR address can result in permit suspension or revocation, which effectively removes the ability to rent until reinstatement. Properties in HOA-governed communities may also face additional private deed restrictions or HOA rules that prohibit or further limit STRs independent of city rules.