Ventura County does not require all short-term rentals to be a primary residence; whole-home STRs with the owner absent are permitted. The primary-residence rule applies to homeshares, defined as the owner's primary residence with at least a 20% ownership interest. In the Ojai Valley overlay, whole-home STRs are restricted.
Ventura County draws a clear line between two TRU types, and only one of them carries a primary-residence requirement. A homeshare is defined in the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance as a dwelling that is the primary residence of an owner who possesses at least a 20 percent ownership interest in the parcel, with a portion rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days while the owner is physically present in the same dwelling. 'Primary residence' is defined as the owner's main living location, evidenced by the address of record on the property title, income tax returns, voter registration, or a current property tax bill. By contrast, a 'short-term rental' is a dwelling rented for fewer than 30 days when the owner is not physically present, meaning whole-home, non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed countywide if permitted, subject to eligibility limits. The most significant geographic exception is the Ojai Valley area overlay: according to the RMA, in that overlay short-term rentals are prohibited except on designated historic landmark properties, while homeshares remain permitted with the owner present in the same dwelling. Homeshare applicants must annually provide proof of a homeowner's exemption from the County Assessor and a statement confirming owner occupancy (Section 8109-4.6.7(d)). So while the County as a whole is not a primary-residence-only jurisdiction, the homeshare category and certain overlays effectively require owner occupancy.
Claiming homeshare status without the property being the owner's bona fide primary residence, or operating a whole-home STR in the Ojai Valley overlay where prohibited, violates the ordinance and can result in permit denial or revocation, fines, and enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme establishes maximum noise levels measured at property lines, with lower thresholds for residential zones. Nighttime limits are stricter than day...
Port Hueneme, CA
Vehicle noise on public streets is governed by CA Vehicle Code §27007 (95 dBA exhaust limit). CVC preempts local ordinances for vehicles on public roads.
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme Municipal Code Article III, Chapter 5 regulates amplified music and sound equipment. Loudspeakers, amplifiers, and PA systems creating noise aud...
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme regulates industrial and commercial noise under PHMC Article III, Chapter 5. The city's mix of port operations, Naval Base Ventura County activi...
Port Hueneme, CA
Nuisance barking violates PHMC noise and nuisance provisions. Port Hueneme Code Compliance administers the City's Animal Control Program and handles animal n...
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme regulates driveway construction, width, and surfacing under PHMC zoning and public works standards. Driveways must be paved with approved materi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Ventura County.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle primary-residence-only rule.
See how Port Hueneme's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.