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  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. California
  6. ·
  7. Ojai

Ojai

Prohibited
CaliforniaUpdated Mar 25, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (stays of less than 31 consecutive days) are strictly PROHIBITED in all residential zones within the City of Ojai per Municipal Code § 10-2.805. The city aggressively enforces this ban with fines starting at $1,000 per violation.

Restriction level

Severity 100
Classification
Prohibited
100
Severity

Why this classification

  • Residential STRs prohibited
  • Banned in all/most residential zones
  • All residential property types prohibited
  • Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
  • Long minimum stay: 31 nights
  • Tenants cannot host
  • No STR-specific permit required
  • No primary residence requirement
  • No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Ojai, your stay must be for 31 days or longer. The city has a complete ban on short-term vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods to protect local housing and community character. If you operate an unpermitted rental for less than 31 days, you face steep fines of at least $1,000 per day. Only legally licensed hotels or bed and breakfasts in commercial zones are allowed to offer short-term stays.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitYes
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1PROHIBITED: You cannot legally rent your home for less than 31 days in any residential zone.
  2. 231-Day Rule: Stays must be for 31 consecutive days or more to be considered legal long-term rentals.
  3. 3Fines are high: Ojai issues a $1,000 fine for the first offense, which is much higher than most neighboring cities.
  4. 4ADU Ban: Even if you live on-site, you cannot rent an Accessory Dwelling Unit (guesthouse) on a short-term basis.
  5. 5City vs. County: If your address is in 'Ojai' but located in unincorporated Ventura County, different (and more permissive) rules apply. Check your property tax bill to see if you pay taxes to the City of Ojai.
  6. 6Enforcement: The city active monitors platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to identify and cite illegal listings.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • Ojai prohibits STRs in the following property types: All residential dwellings, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Single-family homes, Multi-family units.
  • Ojai: ADU Ban: Even if you live on-site, you cannot rent an Accessory Dwelling Unit (guesthouse) on a short-term basis.
  • Ojai, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Requirements12 rules
  • Ojai STR warning: Enforcement: The city active monitors platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to identify and cite illegal listings.
  • Ojai STR warning: 31-Day Rule: Stays must be for 31 consecutive days or more to be considered legal long-term rentals.
  • Ojai, CA: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Application process4 rules
  • STR regulations overview for Ojai: Short-term rentals (stays of less than 31 consecutive days) are strictly PROHIBITED in all residential zones within the City of Ojai per Municipal Code § 10-2.805. The city aggressively enforces this ban with fines starting at $1,000 per violation.
Taxes2 rules
  • Ojai: City vs. County: If your address is in 'Ojai' but located in unincorporated Ventura County, different (and more permissive) rules apply. Check your property tax bill to see if you pay taxes to the City of Ojai.
Limits & restrictions2 rules
  • Ojai enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
  • Ojai requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.
Penalties4 rules
  • Ojai enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $1,000. Second offense: $2,000. Third offense: $5,000. Daily fine: Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. Maximum fine: Cumulative based on days of operation. Criminal penalties may apply.
  • Ojai: Fines are high: Ojai issues a $1,000 fine for the first offense, which is much higher than most neighboring cities.
Exemptions3 rules
  • Ojai, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Ojai exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Licensed hotels, Licensed motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts in specific commercial zones.

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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