Ventura council accepts Coastal Commission edits, advances short‑term rental LCP update

The Ventura City Council on May 5 accepted suggested edits from the California Coastal Commission to the city’s updated short‑term vacation rental and homestay ordinance and moved the measure forward for adoption, staff said.

City staff and city attorneys described the commission’s recommended non‑substantive clarifications — updates to chapter references, map displays showing coastal boundaries, and wording changes to make the ordinance clear on coastal versus non‑coastal portions of the city. Staff told council that the Commission conditionally certified the local coastal program amendment with minor suggested modifications and that staff’s next step is to submit the amended LCP to the Commission’s executive director for final processing so the ordinance can take effect citywide.

The measure, originally adopted for first reading in December 2024, includes a five‑year sunset window for certain pre‑existing nonconforming permits. Several speakers urged council to replace the five‑year sunset with a three‑year window and to clarify whether the five‑year clock should run from the council’s original vote in December 2024 or from the Commission’s final certification. Staff said the ordinance as adopted expressly ties the sunset period to the Commission’s certification date; changing the sunset language would require a separate ordinance and might trigger another Commission review.

Public comment included property- and homeowner‑association representatives who said they expect the change to affect owner‑operators and long‑term housing availability; STVR proponents argued for certainty and sufficient time for property owners to adjust. County and state coastal rules were discussed as constraints on local drafting.

What happens next: Staff will submit the amended LCP to the Coastal Commission’s executive director as instructed during the meeting. If the executive director determines the submission is legally adequate the certification is expected to be reported at an upcoming Commission hearing. Council and staff said they will evaluate options for the sunset period if members ask for a change.