Have you ever thought about buying a beachside Airbnb? Maybe you're wondering what are the VRBO rules in Ventura California. Well heads up! The City of Ventura has approved major changes to how short-term vacation rentals (STVRs), like Airbnb and VRBO, are permitted and managed. If you own a property in Ventura, or you're thinking about investing in a short term vacation rental here, this update is for you.
As a local realtor, I’m keeping a close eye on these changes so you don’t have to. Here's everything you need to know about the proposed ordinance and how it could affect your property.
✅ Permits Were Always Required, But Now They’ll Be Limited
Ventura has always required permits for short-term vacation rentals. What’s new is that the city is now proposing limits on how many STVR permits can be issued in certain neighborhoods.
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Downtown and Pierpont will each be capped at 100 short-term rental permits.
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In Pierpont, there will also be a street by street cap, limiting permits to no more than 10% of homes per lane.
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A lottery system will be introduced in high demand areas if applications exceed available slots.
📍 Areas Where STVRs Will Be Banned
Under the new rules, short-term rentals will no longer be allowed in:
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Midtown Ventura
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East Ventura
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The Avenue
The only exception in these areas will be homestays, which are defined as rentals where the owner lives on site full time and rents out part of the home.
🏡 Homestays Are Still Permitted Citywide
Homestays are allowed across all areas of Ventura under the new ordinance. To qualify:
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The property must be your primary residence
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You must be present during the guest’s stay
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You can only rent out part of the home (such as bedrooms), not the entire unit
This model is still viable for owners who want to earn income while living on the property.
🚫 Other Key Restrictions to Know
Several types of properties will no longer be eligible for short-term rental permits:
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ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
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RVs or mobile homes
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Properties owned by corporations or LLCs
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Properties with more than one permit per owner. Only one permit is allowed per individual
These changes are designed to restrict commercial scale vacation rental activity in residential zones.
⏳ What Happens to Existing Permits?
If you already have a valid short-term rental permit but your property no longer qualifies under the new rules, you’ll get a 3 year grace period to continue operating. After that, your permit will expire and cannot be renewed.
This phase out provision gives current operators time to adjust or transition their rental strategy.
🌊 Still Waiting on Coastal Commission Approval
It’s important to note that this ordinance is not yet in effect. The California Coastal Commission must still review and approve the changes. Until then, existing rules remain in place.
I’ll post an update as soon as the Coastal Commission issues a decision.
🧭 What Should You Do Next?
Whether you’re already operating an Airbnb in Ventura or just considering a vacation rental investment, it’s essential to understand how these changes could affect your plans.
If you need help reviewing your property’s eligibility, exploring homestay options, or navigating the permit process, I’m happy to walk you through it.
📩 Reach out any time, and follow along here for updates on Ventura zoning changes, development news, and smart real estate strategy.
You can reach me at [email protected] or on my cell 805.707.4121.
