Ventura, CA Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

Registration begins by filing the STVR Application and supporting forms — including the nuisance response plan form and surety bond — with the Business Tax Office at 501 Poli Street. The operator pays the non-refundable initial inspection fee, the STVR permit fee, and the business license fee under the city's Master Fee Schedule (Treasury Fees / Short-Term Rental Permit). After Code Enforcement clears the initial inspection, the permit administrator issues: (a) the STVR permit, (b) a transient occupancy registration certificate, and (c) the 'Good Neighbor Guidelines' that must be posted at the rental site. The city mails a notice of STVR use to owners and occupants within a 300-foot radius and publishes the nuisance response plan on the city website. Going forward the operator must report each STVR stay through monthly TOT returns and pay 10% tax by the last day of the month following the month earned (SBMC §4.115.030). Any change to the response plan — most commonly a change in the responsible contact's phone number — must be filed with the permit administrator and a Response Plan Change Fee paid (SBMC §6.455.150(3) makes failure to keep current contact info a misdemeanor). The business license tax certificate can be suspended or revoked when business is conducted in violation of state, county, or city law (SBMC §4.155.530).