Simi Valley, CA

Simi Valley prohibits amplified music and sound equipment that creates noise audible beyond property boundaries during nighttime quiet hours. Daytime amplified sound must stay within…

Simi Valley regulates the use of leaf blowers and similar powered garden equipment through noise ordinance provisions. Gas-powered leaf blowers are subject to operational hour…

Aircraft noise is federally preempted (FAA). No local noise ordinance applies to aircraft in flight. Camarillo Airport (CMA) is the nearest general aviation facility.

Simi Valley Municipal Code Chapter 22 establishes noise standards that prohibit excessive noise during nighttime hours in residential zones. The city enforces both qualitative nuisance…

Simi Valley treats persistent or habitual barking dogs as a public nuisance under the municipal code. Dog owners are responsible for preventing their animals from creating noise…

Simi Valley restricts construction activity to specific daytime hours on weekdays and Saturdays. Construction is generally prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays in residential…

Ventura County has no separate vehicle-noise decibel ordinance; on-road vehicle noise in the unincorporated county is controlled by California state law. The Vehicle Code requires an…

Ventura County's nighttime noise ordinance uses an audibility-at-50-feet test rather than a decibel number. Numeric dBA limits come from the General Plan's noise-compatibility…

Outdoor music at homes in unincorporated Ventura County is limited at night by Ordinance No. 4124, which bars amplified or instrumental sound audible 50 feet away between 9 p.m. and 7…

Ventura County controls industrial and stationary-source noise through General Plan Policy HAZ-9.2, applied when discretionary projects are reviewed. New noise generators near…

To keep chickens or other farm animals in Simi Valley, the parcel must be inside the City's Animal (A) Overlay Zone (or the more restrictive Limited (L) Overlay Zone), or must be at…

Simi Valley discourages and may prohibit the intentional feeding of wildlife including coyotes, deer, and bears. The city's proximity to open space and hillside areas creates frequent…

Under Simi Valley Development Code § 9-44.060 (Animal Keeping), a maximum of four (4) domestic dogs, cats, and/or Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (in any combination) may be kept on a…

Exotic and wild animal ownership in Simi Valley is regulated by both state law and the municipal code. California Fish and Game Code restricts many species, and Simi Valley may impose…

Simi Valley requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in any public area. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks within the city's park system.

Simi Valley does not have a breed-specific ban. California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683 prohibits any local dog-control program from being specific as to breed (except for…

Simi Valley permits beekeeping on residential properties subject to setback requirements and hive quantity limits. Beekeepers must maintain hives to prevent nuisance conditions and…

Ventura County does not have a standalone 'hoarding' statute, but excessive animals are controlled through the zoning pet/animal limits and the public-nuisance ordinance. Under Section…

Keeping livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs in unincorporated Ventura County is governed by the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance's animal husbandry standards. The…

California has no statewide cat leash law and no flat statewide cat limit. In unincorporated Ventura County, cats are treated as 'pet animals' under the zoning ordinance's…

Simi Valley enforces California Building Code pool barrier requirements mandating fences or walls at least 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates around all residential…

Simi Valley requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet in height and engineering for walls supporting surcharges. Retaining walls are common in the city's hillside areas…

Simi Valley does not allow chain-link residential fences pursuant to SVMC Section 9-30.030.A.6.e. Other materials (wood, vinyl, masonry block, wrought iron, stucco) are reviewed by the…

Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 9-30.050 limits residential fences to roughly 42 inches in the front yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards, measured from the highest adjacent…

Simi Valley requires a Zoning Clearance from the Planning Division before installing, altering, or replacing a property line wall or fence. A Building Permit is generally not required…

California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841) applies in Simi Valley, requiring adjacent property owners to share equally in the cost of maintaining boundary fences. The city…

Beyond height, Ventura County's ordinance regulates fence placement near streets and driveways, vehicle gate setbacks, clear sight triangles, and how fence height is measured. Vehicle…

Ventura County's ordinance distinguishes solid from see-through fencing, allowing taller see-through fences in setbacks. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified security fencing are…

Tiny homes on foundations in Simi Valley are regulated as ADUs or standard dwellings and must meet California Building Code requirements. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs and…

Simi Valley regulates carports as accessory structures under SVMC 9-30.080 (Table 3-2 setbacks; accessory structures may not cover more than 40 percent of any yard) and as covered…

Simi Valley ministerially allows an attached or detached garage to be converted to an ADU under SVMC 9-44.160(E)(1) — no additional setbacks are required when keeping the existing…

Simi Valley permits one ADU plus one JADU per single-family lot ministerially under SVMC 9-44.160, conforming the city to state law (Gov't Code 65852.2 and 65852.22) with 4-ft…

Detached freestanding sheds and similar nonresidential accessory structures must sit at least 20 ft from the front, 3 ft from side and rear lot lines per SVMC 9-30.080 Table 3-2, may…

Hot tubs and spas in Simi Valley are subject to the same barrier, permit, and safety requirements as swimming pools. Portable hot tubs with locking covers may satisfy barrier…

Above-ground pools in Simi Valley must meet the same safety requirements as in-ground pools. Pools with walls at least 60 inches may use walls as part of the barrier system.

When a Simi Valley building permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa, California's Swimming Pool Safety Act requires at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety…

A new pool or spa in Simi Valley requires a Zoning Clearance from the Planning Division to confirm setbacks, followed by a building permit from the Building & Safety Division; both are…

Simi Valley swimming pool owners must maintain pools in a safe and sanitary condition, including proper chemical treatment, functioning equipment, and anti-entrapment drain covers…

Simi Valley has a tree preservation ordinance that protects native oaks and significant trees from unauthorized removal. Permits are required to remove protected trees, and replacement…

Simi Valley supports residential composting consistent with California SB 1383 organic waste diversion requirements. Backyard composting is allowed on residential properties with…

Simi Valley runs an annual Weed Abatement Program through the Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement that requires property owners to remove weeds, grasses, shrubs, and dead trees from…

Simi Valley does not set a numeric maximum lawn-grass height in the Municipal Code. Instead, vegetation is regulated through the Fire Marshal's annual Weed Abatement Program, which…

Under Simi Valley Municipal Code Chapter 9-38 (Mature Tree Preservation Ordinance), all mature native oak trees and all historic trees are protected citywide, and all other mature…

Simi Valley's Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 imposes year-round permanent water conservation standards under Ordinance WWD-08 (2009), including watering only before 9:00 a.m…

Rainwater harvesting is allowed and encouraged in unincorporated Ventura County. Collecting rooftop rainwater for landscape irrigation needs no state water-right permit under…

Ventura County's Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance landscaping rules do not ban artificial turf, but synthetic turf usually does not count toward landscape or water-efficiency requirements…

Ventura County encourages native and pollinator-friendly plants. The 2021 Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance landscaping update promotes native plants supporting bees, butterflies, and…

Simi Valley permits cottage food operations under California's Homemade Food Act (AB 1616/AB 1271). Residents may prepare and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their…

Simi Valley allows home-based businesses in residential zones through a home occupation permit process. Businesses must be clearly incidental to the residential use and comply with…

California state law permits small family daycare homes (up to 8 children) in residential zones as a matter of right. Simi Valley cannot prohibit small family daycare homes but may…

Simi Valley strictly limits signage for home-based businesses to maintain residential neighborhood character. Only small identification nameplates are permitted, and no advertising…

Simi Valley home occupation permits restrict client and delivery traffic to prevent impacts on residential neighborhoods. All client visits must be by appointment and total daily…

A home occupation in unincorporated Ventura County requires a Zoning Clearance from the Planning Division plus a Business Tax Certificate. Standards under Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance…

Significant portions of Simi Valley are designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE. Properties in these zones face enhanced building standards, defensible space…

Simi Valley requires property owners to maintain defensible space and clear brush within prescribed distances from structures. The Ventura County Fire Protection District enforces…

Open burning of yard waste, trash, and debris is prohibited in Simi Valley. The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and Ventura County Fire Protection District enforce strict…

Simi Valley allows recreational fire pits and outdoor fireplaces on residential properties subject to Ventura County Fire Protection District regulations. Fire pits must maintain…

All fireworks, including those labeled 'safe and sane,' are completely banned in Simi Valley. The city enforces a total prohibition due to extreme wildfire risk in the surrounding…

Backyard fires in unincorporated Ventura County split two ways. Burning yard waste or trash is open burning under VCAPCD Rule 56, with no permitted residential pathway. Small…

Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Ventura County follows California Fire Code Chapter 61, adopted by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (2022 CFC, Ordinance 32)…

In unincorporated Ventura County, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are required under the Ventura County Building Code, which adopts California Residential Code §R314 and §R315. When…

Simi Valley requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces and prohibits blocking sidewalks, driveways, and fire hydrants. Driveway modifications require permits from the Public…

Simi Valley enforces abandoned vehicle regulations on both public streets and private property. Vehicles that appear inoperable, unregistered, or have been stationary for extended…

Simi Valley does not impose a blanket overnight on-street parking ban for ordinary cars, but vehicles must be moved within 72 hours (CVC 22651(k)) and RVs or oversized vehicles cannot…

Vehicles parked on Simi Valley city streets must be moved every 72 hours or the Police Department may cite or tow them under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k) as authorized by…

Simi Valley restricts parking of RVs, boats, and other oversized vehicles or detached trailers on every city street under SVMC Section 4-9.402, with a 48-hour visitor/loading allowance…

Under SVMC 4-9.402, commercial and oversized vehicles longer than 23 feet, wider than 7 feet, or taller than 8 feet may not park on any Simi Valley city street, and commercial vehicles…

Designated communities ban oversized vehicles from county roads. Oak Park (Sec. 7251) bars vehicles over 25 ft long, 80 in wide, or 82 in high. Oak View and Casa Conejo (Sec. 7252…

On county roads, yellow curbs are for loading freight or passengers and white curbs for brief passenger loading or mail (Sec. 7200). For new development, the Non-Coastal Zoning…

On county roads, painted curbs set parking rights under Traffic Ordinance Sec. 7200: red means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time; green allows 24 minutes (8 a.m.-6 p.m.)…

Ventura County has no separate EV-parking ordinance in its zoning or traffic code. EV charging infrastructure for new construction in the unincorporated county is set by the statewide…

Simi Valley does not impose STR liability insurance minimums because short-term rentals are not an allowable land use under SVMC 9-22.030.A.1. A 2024-2026 draft ordinance would have…

The Simi Valley short-term rental ordinance approved on first reading May 11, 2026 caps overnight occupancy at two adults per bedroom (children are not counted), bans all events and…

As of early 2026, Simi Valley has NO STR ordinance. Short-term rentals are currently unregulated but the Planning Commission voted 4-0 in March 2026 to recommend a citywide ban…

On May 11, 2026 the Simi Valley City Council voted 5-0 to give initial approval to a new short-term rental ordinance that requires every operator to obtain an annual city permit…

Short-term rental properties in Simi Valley must comply with enhanced noise and nuisance standards. Guests and operators are responsible for ensuring rental activity does not disturb…

Short-term rental operators in Simi Valley must collect and remit transient occupancy tax on all stays of fewer than 30 days. The TOT rate is consistent with hotel and lodging taxes…

Short-term rental properties in Simi Valley must provide adequate off-street parking for guests. The city prohibits STR guest vehicles from blocking driveways, sidewalks, or creating…

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…

For homeshares, Section 8109-4.6.9.1 requires the owner to be on site between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and within 40 miles at all other times. For whole-home short-term rentals, a…

Ventura County's Temporary Rental Unit ordinance does not impose a fixed annual cap on the number of nights a property may be rented. Instead it controls use through permitting…

Simi Valley regulates outdoor lighting to minimize light pollution and glare affecting neighboring properties. The city's Development Code includes standards for shielding, intensity…

Countywide, NCZO Sec. 8106-8.6(d) requires that any outdoor light over 150 watts or 2,250 lumens be shielded, directed downward and maintained to avoid light trespass beyond the lot…

Simi Valley offers streamlined permitting for residential solar panel installations consistent with California Solar Permitting Guidebook requirements. Most rooftop solar systems…

California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code 714) protects homeowners in Ventura County from HOA restrictions that effectively prohibit solar panel installation. HOAs cannot increase…

Simi Valley requires permits to remove protected trees including native oaks and designated significant trees. The application process requires an arborist report and the city…

Simi Valley designates certain exceptional trees as heritage trees based on their size, species, historical significance, or ecological value. Heritage trees receive enhanced…

Ventura County requires replacement plantings when protected oak trees are removed in unincorporated areas. Replacement ratios range from 3:1 to 10:1 depending on tree size and…

Simi Valley allows temporary garage sale signs on the property where the sale occurs. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on traffic signs, and…

Simi Valley permits political signs on private property consistent with First Amendment protections and California Elections Code. Political signs may be displayed without a permit but…

Holiday decorations on private property in unincorporated Ventura County are generally unrestricted under First Amendment protections. Dark Sky overlay zone requirements apply to…

Simi Valley requires trash, recycling, and green waste bins to be stored out of public view except on collection days. Bins must be placed at the curb by specific times and retrieved…

Simi Valley enforces property maintenance standards to prevent blight and maintain neighborhood quality. Properties must be kept free of junk, debris, inoperable vehicles, and…

Unincorporated Ventura County regulates weeds and grass mainly as a wildfire hazard. Under the Fire Department's Fire Hazard Reduction Program, owners receive an annual Notice to Abate…

Ventura County does not publish a dedicated garage-sale permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Occasional residential yard sales are generally treated as a temporary accessory use…

Owners of vacant lots in unincorporated Ventura County must keep parcels free of fire-hazard vegetation, debris, junk, and inoperative vehicles. The Fire Department mails an annual…

Simi Valley enforces stormwater management regulations under the Ventura County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Construction projects must implement best management…

Simi Valley requires grading permits for significant earth-moving activities and enforces drainage standards to prevent erosion, sedimentation, and impacts on neighboring properties…

Portions of Simi Valley fall within FEMA-designated flood zones, primarily along the Arroyo Simi and its tributaries. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas must meet floodplain…

Construction projects in unincorporated Ventura County must implement erosion control BMPs. Projects disturbing 1 acre or more require a SWPPP under the state Construction General…

Unincorporated Ventura County areas within the California Coastal Zone require Coastal Development Permits under the California Coastal Act. The county administers a Local Coastal…

Simi Valley specifies how and where residents must place trash, recycling, and green waste bins for curbside collection. Proper placement ensures efficient collection and prevents…

Simi Valley provides curbside trash, recycling, and green waste collection through a contracted waste hauler. Residents must separate materials into designated bins and follow…

Under the County's residential collection agreements, unincorporated Ventura County single-family customers receive free bulky-item pickups each year (the agreements provide up to…

Unincorporated Ventura County provides weekly curbside recycling in a blue cart through franchised haulers. Recycling is mandatory under California law (AB 341/AB 939) and the County's…

California SB 1383 requires organic-waste recycling, and unincorporated Ventura County implements it through County Code (Division 4, Chapter 7, Article 3) and Ordinance 4590. All…

Simi Valley prohibits commercial cannabis businesses including dispensaries, cultivation facilities, manufacturing, and distribution operations within city limits. The city opted out…

California Proposition 64 allows adults 21 and older to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants per household for personal use. Simi Valley requires cultivation to be indoors and out of…

California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) applies to qualifying rental properties in Simi Valley, requiring landlords to have a just cause for eviction and providing relocation…

Unincorporated Ventura County does not have a mandatory rental registration program for standard housing. Mobile home parks are subject to the rent control program under Division 8…

Ventura County's Mobile Home Park Rent Control Ordinance (Division 8, Chapter 10) protects mobile home owners in unincorporated areas from unreasonable rent increases. Annual increases…

California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and…

California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat…

California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written…

California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is…

To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more…

California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10%…

As of July 1, 2024, California landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. The deposit, minus any lawful…

California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A…

Ventura County Ordinance Code §6249 addresses juvenile loitering in unincorporated areas. Parents may be cited for allowing minors to loiter. Violations are infractions under §6249-3.

Ventura County parks operate under Division 6, Chapter 3 of the County Ordinance Code (Ordinance No. 4446). Sec. 6305-7 (County Park Hours) bars anyone, except valid overnight campers…

Food trucks in unincorporated Ventura County need a county business license, a Mobile Food Facility permit from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, and a California…

Food truck vending in unincorporated Ventura County is subject to zoning regulations and right-of-way rules. The California Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) limits local restrictions…

Unincorporated Ventura County has no specific limit on garage sale frequency. Sales must be occasional and incidental to residential use. Regular or frequent sales may constitute…

Occasional garage sales in unincorporated Ventura County do not require a specific permit. Sales are treated as a temporary accessory use of residential property and must comply with…

No specific garage sale hours ordinance exists for unincorporated Ventura County. Sales creating noise before 7 AM or after 9 PM may violate the nighttime noise ordinance (§6299-1)…

Maximum building lot coverage in unincorporated Ventura County varies by area plan, existing community, and General Plan designation. Agricultural and open-space lots are typically…

Setbacks in unincorporated Ventura County vary by zone. In most residential and open-space/agricultural zones, the front setback is 20 feet, with interior side setbacks of 5 to 10 feet…

In most unincorporated Ventura County residential, open-space, and agricultural zones, principal structures are limited to 25 feet, which may increase to a maximum of 35 feet if each…

Backyard barbecuing at single-family homes in unincorporated Ventura County is generally allowed and unlicensed, but follows the adopted California Fire Code (2022 CFC, VCFPD Ordinance…

Backyard smokers — charcoal, pellet, or propane — are outdoor cooking devices under the California Fire Code adopted by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (2022 CFC, Ordinance…

Commercial drone operations in unincorporated Ventura County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operations near Camarillo, Oxnard, and Santa Paula airports require LAANC…

No Ventura County-specific drone ordinance exists for unincorporated areas. Recreational drones follow FAA rules: fly below 400 feet, maintain line of sight, yield to manned aircraft…

Residents in unincorporated Ventura County can post 'No Soliciting' signs. Solicitors ignoring posted signs and refusing to leave may be cited for trespass under CA Penal Code 602…

Commercial door-to-door solicitors in unincorporated Ventura County may need a county business license. California's Home Solicitation Sales Act (Civil Code 1689.5) gives homeowners a…

Ventura County has no data-center-specific ordinance. A data center belongs in the industrial zones — M-1 Industrial Park, M-2 Limited Industrial, or M-3 General Industrial — and needs…

Ventura County caps stationary-source noise at a noise-sensitive use at 55 dBA Leq daytime, 50 dBA evening, and 45 dBA at night, or ambient plus 3 dBA if higher. Data-center cooling…

California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, $16.90 per hour for all employers as of January 2026. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher…

California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours…

California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant…

California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However…

California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition…

California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or…

California HOAs may levy regular and special assessments, charge late fees and interest, record liens, and ultimately foreclose on delinquent owners under the Davis-Stirling Act. State…

California tightly regulates HOA governance. The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955) governs board meetings and member access, sections 5100-5145…

California HOAs enforce recorded CC&Rs and architectural rules, but Civil Code section 4765 requires architectural decisions to be fair, reasonable, and in good faith, and sections…

California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice…

California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag…

California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Labor Code 2812. The…

The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies…

The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use…

The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The…

California prohibits grocery stores and large retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags under Public Resources Code 42280-42288, enacted by SB 270 (2014) and ratified…

California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that…

California Public Resources Code 42270-42273, enacted by AB 1884 (2018), prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer…

California prohibits sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide under Business and Professions Code 22958, enacted by SBX2-7 in 2016. The Tobacco 21 standard…

California bans retail sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide under Health and Safety Code 104559.5, enacted by SB 793 (2020) and upheld by voters via Proposition 31 in…

California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970…