One of the most common questions I get from buyers looking at beach and marina homes in Oxnard is:
“Can I use this property as a short-term rental?”
The answer is:
Maybe — but it depends heavily on the exact location, zoning, HOA, and permit availability.
And honestly, many buyers are surprised to learn how complicated short-term rental rules have become in Oxnard and Ventura County.
If you’re considering purchasing a property in ZIP code 93035 with Airbnb or VRBO income in mind, here are the most important things to know before you buy.
First — Location Matters More Than Anything
One of the biggest misconceptions is that all beach properties fall under the same rules.
They don’t.
Some areas of 93035 are located within:
- The City of Oxnard
- Ventura County jurisdiction
- Coastal Commission oversight
- HOA-controlled communities
Each can have completely different regulations regarding short-term rentals.
For example:
- Hollywood Beach and Silver Strand may fall under Ventura County jurisdiction depending on the exact location.
- Oxnard Shores and Mandalay areas are generally governed by the City of Oxnard.
- Condo communities often have separate HOA restrictions that may prohibit short-term rentals entirely.
The City of Oxnard Requires STR Permits
The City of Oxnard officially regulates short-term rentals citywide. Property owners must obtain permits and comply with operational requirements to legally operate an Airbnb or VRBO.
Current regulations include:
- permit requirements
- neighborhood caps
- spacing requirements between STRs
- occupancy limits
- parking requirements
- local contact requirements
- business licensing
- transient occupancy tax (TOT)
In many neighborhoods, permits are capped at approximately 5% of housing inventory. Some coastal beach areas may allow up to 10%.
This means:
Even if a property could qualify for short-term rental use, permits may already be maxed out in that area.
Ventura County Rules Are Different
Properties located in Ventura County coastal areas follow separate Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) regulations.
Some of the Ventura County requirements include:
- occupancy limits based on bedroom count
- quiet hour enforcement
- on-site parking minimums
- limits on the number of STR permits an owner may hold
- restrictions on ADUs being used as STRs
The county also differentiates between:
- full short-term rentals
- homeshare rentals where the owner remains on-site
HOA Rules Can Override Everything
This is one of the biggest issues buyers overlook.
Even if a city or county allows short-term rentals, the HOA may prohibit them entirely.
Some Oxnard condo and marina communities have:
- minimum rental periods
- strict leasing caps
- no-Airbnb rules
- guest registration requirements
I always recommend buyers review:
- HOA CC&Rs
- Rules & Regulations
- recent HOA meeting minutes
before assuming short-term rentals are allowed.
Short-Term Rentals Can Still Be a Great Opportunity
Despite stricter regulations, beach properties in 93035 still generate strong demand for vacation rentals due to:
- proximity to the beach
- Channel Islands Harbor
- summer tourism
- weekend travelers from Los Angeles
- harbor activities and boating
- concerts, farmers markets, and coastal events
Well-located beach and marina homes can still perform very well as vacation rentals when properly permitted and managed.
My Advice to Buyers
If short-term rental income is important to your purchase decision:
DO NOT assume anything.
Before purchasing:
- verify city vs county jurisdiction
- confirm permit eligibility
- check HOA rules carefully
- verify permit caps and spacing requirements
- review zoning
- confirm parking compliance
- understand TOT and business license obligations
Short-term rental rules continue to evolve throughout Ventura County, especially in coastal areas. What was allowed several years ago may no longer be permitted today.
Final Thoughts
The good news is that 93035 remains one of Southern California’s most desirable coastal rental markets.
The challenge is simply understanding the rules before you buy.
That’s why working with a local beach and marina specialist truly matters — especially when navigating coastal zoning, HOA restrictions, and short-term rental regulations.
If you’re considering buying or selling a beach property in Oxnard and want guidance on current short-term rental rules, feel free to reach out anytime.
— Ann Howarth
Ann Howarth Group | RE/MAX Gold Coast
Specializing in Oxnard Beach & Marina Homes
