Ojai Night Caps Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Ojai's short-term rental regulations in Title 10, Article 18 of the Municipal Code represent one of the more restrictive STR frameworks among small California resort communities. The ordinance was adopted in response to sustained community concern that the proliferation of vacation rentals was eroding Ojai's housing stock, transforming residential neighborhoods into transient commercial zones, and undermining the quiet character that defines the Ojai Valley. The city limits the total number of STR permits available citywide through a cap, ensuring that vacation rental density does not exceed levels that the community considers acceptable.

Individual permitted STR properties are subject to an annual night cap that restricts the total number of nights the property may be rented to short-term guests in a given calendar year. This cap applies regardless of whether the owner is present or absent during the rental period. Additionally, the city imposes a minimum stay requirement of at least two consecutive nights, which is designed to discourage single-night party rentals and reduce the turnover-related disturbances — noise, parking congestion, trash — that neighbors in Ojai's tight-knit residential areas find most disruptive. Maximum occupancy is determined by bedroom count, typically calculated as two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, and overnight occupancy may not exceed these limits.

STR operators must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit from the Community Development Department and register for a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate with the City. The TOT rate in Ojai applies to all stays of 30 days or fewer. The city actively monitors major booking platforms including Airbnb and Vrbo for unpermitted listings and conducts complaint-based investigations. Permitted operators are required to provide guests with a Good Neighbor Guide that details noise rules, parking requirements, trash collection schedules, and emergency contacts. A local contact person must be available 24 hours a day and able to respond to the property within 30 minutes of being notified of a complaint.

The combination of a citywide permit cap, annual night limits per property, minimum stay requirements, and strict operational standards gives Ojai one of the most comprehensive STR regulatory frameworks in Ventura County. These measures reflect the community's determination to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of Ojai's character as a small, livable residential town.