Ventura County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Ventura County, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, before any STR rental
- Issuing office
- Planning Director or designee
- Applies to
- Anyone collecting rent or fees
- Area covered
- Unincorporated Ventura County only
Summary
Renting a home for under 30 days in unincorporated Ventura County requires a County-issued homeshare or short-term rental permit before anyone collects rent, advertises, or facilitates the booking.
A valid permit issued by the County pursuant to this Section is required in order for any person that seeks or receives any rent, payment, fee, commission or compensation in any form, to rent, offer for rent, advertise for rent, or facilitate the rental of a homeshare or short-term rental in the unincorporated area of Ventura County. A temporary rental unit permit authorizing a homeshare or short-term rental shall be issued or renewed by the Planning Director or designee if the standards and requirements of this Section and those of Section 8181-3.1(a) are met.
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
In the unincorporated area of Ventura County, no one may seek or receive rent, fees, or compensation to rent, offer, advertise, or facilitate a homeshare or short-term rental without a valid permit under the County's temporary-rental ordinance. The Planning Director or designee issues or renews the permit if the applicant meets the ordinance's standards and the additional requirements of Section 8181-3.1(a). The rule targets the unincorporated county only; Oxnard, Ventura, Thousand Oaks and the other cities set their own short-term rental rules.
Violations & Fines
Advertising, offering, or facilitating a short-term rental without a valid County permit is a violation and grounds for citation, fines, or permit denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I advertise my unincorporated Ventura County home as a short-term rental without a permit?
Who issues short-term rental permits in unincorporated Ventura County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
How Ventura County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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