Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Oak View, California?

Short-term rentals are allowed in Oak View, California under specific conditions. Oak View is located in unincorporated Ventura County within the Ojai Valley area. Under Ventura County's Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) Ordinance, both short-term rentals (STRs) and homeshares are permitted, but they are subject to comprehensive regulations, restrictions, and permit requirements.

Important distinction: Oak View falls under county jurisdiction, not the City of Ojai. While the City of Ojai has banned short-term rentals throughout the city (Resolution 16-07), this ban does not apply to unincorporated areas like Oak View, which are governed by Ventura County regulations.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Oak View

Starting an STR business in Oak View requires following Ventura County's TRU permitting process:

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

• Short-Term Rental (STR): Rent any portion of your dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days when you're not physically present
• Homeshare: Rent a portion of your primary residence for less than 30 consecutive days while you're physically present in the same dwelling
• Property must be in unincorporated Ventura County (which includes Oak View)
• Only property owners can obtain permits (renters/lessees are not eligible)

Step 2: Complete the Application Process

1. Submit a complete application to Ventura County Code Compliance Division
2. Pay required fees ($1,525.00 application fee + compliance monitoring deposit)
3. Undergo pre-permitting inspection to determine bedroom count and compliance
4. Obtain all required business licenses and tax certificates
5. Receive permit approval (typically within one week after inspection approval)

Step 3: Ongoing Compliance

• Annual permit renewal required
• Maintain active business tax certificate
• Pay transient occupancy taxes (TOT)
• Maintain required insurance coverage
• Adhere to all operating standards and restrictions

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Mandatory Permits and Licenses

1. TRU Permit (Primary Requirement)

• Ventura County Code Compliance Division permit
• Annual renewal required
• Valid for one year from issuance or until property sale/transfer

2. Business Tax Certificate

• Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office
• Required for all STR operations
• Contact: (805) 654-3727

3. Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate

• Required for non-primary residence STRs
• Must register for TOT payment
• Contact: (805) 654-3727

Required Documentation for Permit Application

Property Documentation:

• Property site plan (hand-drawn acceptable)
• Proof of homeowner exemption (for homeshares only)
• Insurance certificate with $500,000 minimum liability coverage

Owner Information:

• Contact information and signatures of all property owners
• Property manager contact information (if applicable)

Compliance Documentation:

• Proof of compliance with business tax requirements
• Proof of transient occupancy tax compliance
• Signed acknowledgment of all regulations

Insurance Requirements

• Commercial/general liability insurance
• Minimum coverage: $500,000 per occurrence
• Coverage for personal injury and property damage claims

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Jurisdiction and Zoning

Oak View operates under Ventura County regulations with specific Ojai Valley Overlay Zone requirements:

Allowed Activities:

• Homeshares (owner-occupied primary residence)
• Short-term rentals on historic landmark properties (pre-June 19, 2018)
• STRs and homeshares in Coastal Zone (with permit)

Prohibited Activities:

• STRs in Ojai Valley Overlay Zone (except historic landmarks)
• STRs in accessory dwelling units or second dwelling units
• Multiple TRUs on same property or by same owner
• On-site events and celebrations exceeding occupancy limits

Occupancy Limits

Homeshares:

• Maximum 2 bedrooms available for rental
• Maximum 5 overnight guests
• Owner must be physically present during rentals

Short-Term Rentals:

• Maximum 2 persons per bedroom (up to 5 bedrooms)
• Plus 2 additional persons
• Maximum 10 persons total
• STRs only allowed on historic properties in Ojai Valley

Parking Requirements

• On-site parking spaces must be provided
• Garages and driveways must be unobstructed and available for guest parking
• Limited to available on-site spaces
• Restrictions on on-street parking must be clearly communicated

Operating Standards

Quiet Hours:

• 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM daily
• No outdoor amplified music/sound during quiet hours
• No use or activity creating unreasonable noise at any time

Waste Management:

• Adequate waste collection facilities required
• Waste bins not visible except on collection days
• Recycling and green waste information must be provided
• Collection schedule must be included in rental agreements

Property Management Requirements

Homeshare Owners:

• Must be present between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM
• Must remain within 40 miles of property at all times
• Cannot delegate these requirements to property managers

STR Owners/Managers:

• Must be available within 40 miles during rental periods
• May serve as property manager or hire up to 2 property managers
• One manager must be available at all times during rentals

Advertisement Requirements

All listings, advertisements, and rental agreements must include:

1. Permitted occupancy and guest limits for day/night
2. Quiet hours notification (10:00 PM - 7:00 AM)
3. No outdoor amplified music during quiet hours
4. No events exceeding occupancy limits
5. Available on-site parking spaces and on-street parking discouragement
6. County permit number
7. Business license tax certificate number (if required)
8. Homeshare advertisements must state owner-occupied status

Signage Requirements

Exterior Signage:

• Maximum 8.5" x 11" size
• Must show property manager contact information
• Must show County Code Compliance Division contact information
• Posted on outside wall near main entrance or entry gate

Interior Signage:

• Same information as advertisements
• Property manager/owner contact information with 24/7 availability
• Waste collection and recycling information
• Notice of potential criminal citations and civil penalties for violations

Restrictions and Prohibitions

Property Use:

• No events exceeding occupancy limits
• No violation of quiet hours or noise standards
• No advertising signs posted on the property
• No use of permitted accessory dwelling units for TRU purposes

Ownership Limitations:

• Only one TRU per property owner
• Only one dwelling unit eligible per multi-unit property
• Permits expire upon property sale or transfer

Contact Information

Primary Authority

Ventura County Resource Management Agency

• Planning Division: (805) 654-2488 or (805) 654-2451
• Code Compliance Division: (805) 654-3506
• Main Office: (805) 654-2494
• Address: 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009

Business Tax and TOT

Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector

• Phone: (805) 654-3727
• Contact for: Business tax certificates, transient occupancy tax registration

Code Violations Reporting

Online Complaint Process: Available through County website Direct Contact: (805) 654-3506 during office hours

Building and Safety (for bedroom conversion questions)

Ventura County Building and Safety Division

• Phone: (805) 654-2488 or (805) 654-2451

Links to Source Pages

Primary Regulatory Documents

• Ventura County TRU Ordinance FAQ
• Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance
• Coastal Zoning Ordinance
• TRU Application Form
• TRU Inspection Checklist

City of Ojai (For Reference - Not Applicable to Oak View)

• City of Ojai STR Ban

Supporting Resources

• Code Violation Complaint Form
• Planning Division Fee Schedule
• County Contact Directory

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Disclaimer: This guide is based on current Ventura County regulations as of the provided materials. Regulations may change. Always verify current requirements with the Ventura County Resource Management Agency before beginning STR operations.