Simi Valley, CA

Simi Valley restricts construction activities to daytime hours to minimize noise disturbance. Construction must occur during the least noise-sensitive hours of the day. Building permits are required for all construction projects.

Simi Valley regulates noise through Chapter 16 of its municipal code. Residential noise standards limit exterior noise exposure to 63 dBA CNEL and interior noise to 45 dBA CNEL. The city enforces noise restrictions through its Code Enforcement Section.

Simi Valley is served by the Ventura County Fire Department. Recreational fires must be no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height (2 feet wide in wildland areas). A 25-foot setback from structures is required for open fires, 15 feet for approved containers. Gas fire pits are exempt from burn bans.

Open burning for vegetation disposal is prohibited in Simi Valley. CAL FIRE has expanded wildfire hazard zones in the city, requiring 100 feet of defensible space around structures. Zone Zero requires a 5-foot non-combustible buffer. A 3-year compliance timeline applies for existing structures in high-hazard zones.

Simi Valley allows chickens only on properties within an Animal Overlay Zone (A, L, or H). Zone A allows all farm animals. Up to 5 chickens may be kept without a special permit. Roosters are not permitted. Properties outside overlay zones require a Conditional Use Permit to keep any farm animals.

Dogs in Simi Valley must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet on public property. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed through Ventura County Animal Services. License fees are $20 for spayed/neutered dogs and $60 for intact dogs. Current rabies vaccination is required. Simi Valley has its own animal shelter at 670 W. Los Angeles Ave.

Running a home business in Simi Valley requires a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Division and a Business Tax Certificate. Applications are available online with decisions typically within 14 days. Home businesses cannot store hazardous materials and must comply with zoning district restrictions.

Simi Valley protects mature trees under Chapter 9-38. A Tree Removal Permit is required to remove mature trees on multi-family, commercial, industrial, or vacant property. Replacement trees of equal value must be planted. Emergency removals for safety hazards are exempt. Pruning is allowed without a permit if it does not endanger the tree.

Short-term rentals are currently prohibited in Simi Valley under Section 9-22.030.A.1. The City Council has approved development of a new STR ordinance that would establish an annual permit system with liability insurance requirements, occupancy limits, and off-street parking mandates.

Simi Valley imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on hotel and lodging stays. Since short-term residential rentals are currently prohibited, the TOT applies primarily to licensed hotels and motels. A proposed STR ordinance would require operators to collect and remit TOT, estimated to generate $125,000 in annual revenue.

Simi Valley limits street parking to 72 hours for standard vehicles. Oversized vehicles (over 23 feet long, 7 feet wide, or 8 feet tall) are prohibited on all city streets except with a temporary permit. The Simi Valley Police Department handles parking enforcement.

Vehicles over 23 feet long, 7 feet wide, or 8 feet tall are prohibited from street parking. Residents may park for up to 48 hours for recreation preparation at their registered address. On-property storage is allowed on driveways, side yards, or rear yards on an approved pad. Temporary permits are available case-by-case from the Police Department.

Simi Valley limits front yard fences to 42 inches (3.5 feet). Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet. See-through fences up to 6 feet are allowed at the front setback line. Fences along arterial streets or near commercial/industrial zones may be up to 8 feet with approval. No building permit is needed for standard fences under 6 feet.