Simi ballot measure targets lodging tax

For the first time in more than three decades, Simi Valley residents will get to weigh in on whether the city should charge visitors a little more to sleep here. The Simi Valley City Council unanimously voted on June 8 to place a measure on the November 2026 ballot that would raise the city's Transient Occupancy Tax — the hotel and short-term lodging "bed tax" — from 10% to 12%, according to the Simi Valley Acorn. The same night, the council gave final approval to a long-debated ordinance that brings Airbnb-style short-term rentals under city regulation for the first time.

Together, the two actions represent the most significant overhaul of Simi Valley's lodging policy in a generation — and could eventually funnel hundreds of thousands of new dollars into roads, public safety and city services without raising taxes on residents.

What the Measure Would Do

The proposed tax increase is narrow by design. It would apply only to hotel stays and short-term rental bookings — not to residents' property taxes, utility bills or any other local levy. Using an average hotel room rate of $175 per night, Assistant City Manager Luis Garibay said the 2-percentage-point hike would add about $3.50 to a guest's nightly bill, according to the Acorn's reporting.

If voters approve the measure in November, the city estimates it would generate roughly $400,000 in additional annual revenue on top of the approximately $2 million the current 10% tax already contributes to the city's general fund each year. That money can flow to public safety, street maintenance and other essential services.

Councilmember Elaine Litster said the measure's visitor-funded nature was a key reason she supported it. "What is unique about this is that it is paid by those visiting our community, and it is not out of line with our neighbors in any way," she told colleagues at the June 8 meeting.

Councilmember Joseph Ayala emphasized the value of a steady, recurring revenue source: "What's nice about this is it's a continuous funding stream, not just one-time dollars. So, this money we can count on year after year to continue to invest in those services."

How Simi Valley Compares Regionally

Simi Valley's current 10% rate has been frozen for more than 30 years, according to Garibay. A look at neighboring Ventura County cities shows the proposed 12% would still land squarely in the middle of the pack. Ojai sits at the top with a 15% TOT, while Camarillo charges just 9%. Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark all share Simi Valley's current 10% rate, the Acorn reported. Most cities, including Simi Valley, also tack on additional assessments — the city currently levies an extra 2% supplemental charge on top of the base TOT.

A voter survey conducted by True North Research before the council vote found solid public support: 63% of the 508 likely voters polled backed the measure initially, and 61% still supported it after hearing arguments both for and against, with 24% opposed. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.

During public comment, Simi Valley resident Jill Abele offered a note of caution alongside her encouragement. Citing April 2026 lodging data, Abele said Simi Valley's average daily hotel room rates trail those in nearby markets like Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Santa Clarita — even though local occupancy levels remain strong. "That indicates that the issue may not be demand alone, since our occupancy rates are good, but rather our ability to command higher prices," she said. Abele called on the council to look at ways to strengthen the city's hospitality sector overall, suggesting some properties may need reinvestment to compete and attract guests willing to pay higher rates.

The Short-Term Rental Ordinance: A Years-Long Debate Settles

The ballot measure doesn't exist in isolation. The same June 8 meeting marked the final approval of a short-term rental ordinance that has been in the works since at least late 2024 — and that nearly went in a very different direction.

The Simi Valley Acorn previously reported that the city's Planning Commission voted 4-0 in March 2026 to recommend an outright citywide ban on short-term rentals, reflecting opposition from all four city Neighborhood Councils. But a separate city-commissioned survey of 670 registered voters found about 72% supported allowing STRs to continue operating, with 63% backing regulation. The council chose to regulate rather than ban.

The ordinance that received final approval June 8 establishes a permit system requiring operators to pay roughly $741 in annual fees and submit to annual inspections. Rules govern occupancy limits, parking and noise monitoring, and a ban on parties and events. City officials estimate there are approximately 100 short-term rentals currently operating in Simi Valley with no oversight.

If the November TOT measure passes, those Airbnb-style properties will also be required to collect and remit the lodging tax — bringing them into parity with hotels. City staff project the STR program will cost about $40,000 annually to administer but generate roughly $200,000 in net revenue by its second full year of operation. The ordinance would make Simi Valley the fourth Ventura County city to formally regulate and tax short-term rentals, joining Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

What Residents Should Know Before November

Because the TOT is a general tax under California law, voter approval is required to increase it — which is precisely why the matter is headed to the ballot rather than taking effect automatically. A simple majority vote in November is needed to pass the measure.

For Simi Valley residents, the practical stakes are limited: the tax falls entirely on lodging guests, not on people who live here. But the revenue would flow into the city's general fund, available to shore up services that residents rely on daily — from police and fire response to street repair across the city's 346 miles of roadways.

Councilmember Ayala noted that voters will have months to consider the measure and encouraged residents traveling this summer to take note of how small hotel tax additions can add up to meaningful local funding. "We all have a few months to talk to our neighbors about it," he said.

The city has already launched an informational page at simivalley.org outlining the proposal. The November 2026 general election is when Simi Valley voters will have the final say.