Ventura, CA

Ventura imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on all stays of less than 30 days. Operators must collect, report, and remit TOT quarterly by the last day of the month following each calendar quarter.

Ventura requires an STVR Permit ($628 application fee) and initial property inspection ($128). Operators need a Business License, a Nuisance Response Plan, and either a rental agreement forbidding parties during quiet hours or a $1,500 surety bond. Note: New STVR permits were paused as of December 2024 pending Coastal Commission approval.

Ventura prohibits oversized vehicles (over 25 feet long, 80 inches wide, or 82 inches tall) from parking on city streets in residential/business areas between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily. Unattached trailers are completely prohibited. Oversized Vehicle Permits allow 5 consecutive days, with a maximum of 12 permits per calendar year.

Ventura offers residential parking permits at $25 in designated areas including Downtown, near high schools, Ventura College, and medical areas. Standard California Vehicle Code provisions apply for general street parking time limits.

Ventura prohibits domestic fowl within 35 feet of any place of business. Chickens must be kept at least 40 feet from neighboring houses. Up to 4 roosters may be allowed with exceptions for poultry fanciers and youth educational projects. Specific lot size requirements apply depending on zoning.

Dogs in Ventura must be securely leashed on all public property including streets, parks, and beaches. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed through Ventura County Animal Services. Licenses are available for 1, 2, or 3-year terms. Valid rabies certificate and spay/neuter certificate required for discounted rates.

Ventura enforces strict noise limits: 65 dB daytime (7 AM–10 PM) and 55 dB nighttime (10 PM–7 AM) for residential areas. Quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM during which all disturbing, excessive, and offensive noises are prohibited.

Ventura permits construction work from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week. Construction noise is limited to 55 dB in residential zones and 65 dB in commercial zones. No outside construction repair work is permitted between 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

Ventura limits front yard fences to 3 feet 6 inches from the adjacent sidewalk. Fences in street setback areas cannot exceed 3 feet. Interior lot line fences for parking lot screening may be up to 6 feet (3 feet in front setback). Taller fences up to 8 feet may be allowed on agricultural lots if 50% open.

Running a home business in Ventura requires a Business License and Zoning Clearance from the Planning Department. Under Chapter 24.125, home occupations must be incidental and secondary to the dwelling use. Specific requirements vary by zone.

Ventura County's tree protection ordinance (Section 8107-25) prohibits altering, felling, or removing protected trees except under specific provisions. Trimming is allowed if no more than 20% of the canopy is removed. In February 2026, the city adopted an emergency ordinance protecting trees in wildlife habitat areas with penalties up to $15,000 per tree.

Ventura uses the Ventura City Fire Department but follows VCFD standards. Recreational fires must be no more than 3 feet wide and 2 feet high (2 feet wide in wildland areas). A 25-foot clearance from structures is required (15 feet for approved containers). Fires are prohibited during Red Flag Warnings.

Burning trash, rubbish, garbage, or yard waste is prohibited in Ventura. Defensible space of 100 feet is required per California Fire Code. In February 2026, Ventura adopted an emergency ordinance prohibiting tree removal and trimming in protected wildlife habitat areas.