Simi Valley Moves to Regulate Short Term Vacation Rentals

The City of Simi Valley is taking a major leap toward managing the growth of vacation rentals in local neighborhoods. During a heavily attended meeting on December 15 the City Council agreed to move forward with a formal ordinance to regulate properties listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. This move is designed to balance the rights of homeowners with the concerns of residents who are tired of noise and parking issues.

📜 New Rules and Permit Requirements

Under the proposed plan every short term rental operator in Simi Valley would be required to get an annual permit from the city. The council is also looking at putting a cap on the total number of permits issued each year to prevent neighborhoods from being overrun by travelers. One of the biggest changes in the draft is that rentals would be strictly forbidden in garages or accessory dwelling units.

Property owners who want to rent out their homes will also have to follow some very specific standards. The city wants to limit occupancy to two adults per bedroom and there would be a total ban on hosting large events or parties. To make sure these rules are followed operators must carry liability insurance and get approval from their homeowners associations where applicable.

🚗 Parking and Nuisance Enforcement

Parking has been a major sticking point for many Simi Valley residents. The new ordinance would require guests to use off street parking spaces first to keep neighborhood streets clear. To handle complaints the city is considering hiring an outside vendor who can respond to issues 24 hours a day. If a neighbor calls about loud music or a wild party the operator would have only 30 minutes to fix the problem or face heavy fines.

The city also plans to take advantage of a new state law called SB 346. This law allows local governments to require rental platforms to share their data which makes it much easier to collect taxes and track down illegal listings. City officials estimate that about 100 short term rentals are currently operating in the area and they expect about a third of them to shut down once these strict new rules take effect.

🗣️ Community Feedback and Next Steps

The meeting on December 15 was much calmer than previous sessions but the debate is still very active. While some residents are calling for a total ban on all short term rentals others believe that responsible regulation is a better path forward. Councilmember Rocky Rhodes called the proposal a great leap toward a responsible solution that protects the character of the community.

The ordinance is not final yet. It still has to go through a public review process that includes all four of the local Neighborhood Councils and a hearing before the Planning Commission. City staff believe it could take up to a year to fully implement the new system. Residents are encouraged to stay involved and share their thoughts as the city fine tunes the rules that will shape the future of Simi Valley neighborhoods.