Airbnb-style rentals likely to remain

Council Chooses Regulation Over Ban

Simi Valley's short-term rentals will stay in business, but they'll face strict new oversight beginning next year. The City Council voted unanimously May 11 to give initial approval to an ordinance that regulates Airbnb-style properties instead of banning them outright.

The decision follows nearly two years of debate and comes after the council's Planning Commission and three of four Neighborhood Councils recommended a complete ban. The measure still requires a second reading and final approval, scheduled for June 8.

New Rules Take Effect in 2027

The ordinance would take effect January 1, 2027, giving the city time to notify operators and establish enforcement systems. Under the new rules, short-term rental operators must obtain annual permits, submit to city inspections, and pay approximately $741 in yearly fees, according to multiple sources tracking the ordinance.

Each owner or legal entity would be limited to one short-term rental permit total, regardless of how many properties they control. Apartments would not be eligible, and properties with code violations would be disqualified.

The rules also require off-street parking, noise monitoring devices, a 30-minute response plan for complaints, and ban parties or events. The Simi Valley Acorn reported that city staff estimates about 100 short-term rentals currently operate in Simi Valley, though that number could decline under the stricter requirements.

Voters Supported Regulation Despite Official Opposition

The council's decision aligned with public opinion but went against official recommendations. A city-commissioned poll of 670 registered voters found 72% supported allowing short-term rentals, while 63% supported the proposed regulations, according to survey results from True North Research.

The $30,000 poll represented "a statistically valid sample" of Simi Valley's roughly 86,000 registered voters, city officials said. However, opponents gathered more than 430 signatures supporting a ban, and dozens attended the May 11 meeting to voice concerns about neighborhood character and parking issues.

Regional Context and Revenue Projections

If adopted, the ordinance would make Simi Valley the fourth city in Ventura County to regulate and tax short-term rentals, joining Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme. Nearby Moorpark and Camarillo ban them entirely.

City staff estimates the program will cost about $40,000 annually but generate roughly $200,000 in revenue in the second year, for a net gain of about $163,000. The city has contracted with HdL Companies to administer tax collection and enforcement, including tracking listings and identifying non-compliant operators.

What Comes Next

Currently, short-term rentals in Simi Valley operate largely unregulated, though they must follow existing noise and nuisance rules. Data presented to the council showed only 10 complaints last year, with half tied to a single property.

"It's been easy to have an STR before," Councilmember Joseph Ayala said, according to the Simi Valley Acorn. "The ordinance we're considering actually creates more barriers to entry, not fewer."

If the final vote passes June 8, property owners will have seven months to prepare for the new requirements. Operators who continue without permits after January 2027 could face fines ranging from $360 for first violations to $8,000 if the city takes legal action to shut them down.