Residents press Simi Valley council to ban short-term rentals as code revision advances to planning commission

Several residents used the public comment period at the Feb. 24 Simi Valley City Council meeting to press elected officials to ban short-term rentals (STRs), raising petitions, data and enforcement concerns ahead of an upcoming Planning Commission review.

Elin Eason said she submitted petitions with more than 430 signatures and urged Council to enact "a total ban" on STRs, arguing they operate like motels in residential neighborhoods and depress property values. "No one wants an STR next door to them," she said.

Anthony Eason urged stricter enforcement and cited newspaper reports and municipal registration statistics from other cities to suggest regulation alone does not prevent illegal listings. "It comes down to enforcement of laws," he said, and said Simi Valley is not currently enforcing its municipal zoning code against illegal STR activity.

James McGillis warned that revenues tied to large events — including FIFA 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics — could produce an incentive for property owners to convert long-term rentals to STRs if the city legalizes them. He told the council that event-driven host bonuses can make short-term hosting highly lucrative and argued legalization could reduce the long-term rental pool.

City staff told the council that STR code changes will go to the Planning Commission in March and that it would likely take about six weeks before the item returns to the City Council, placing a possible Council vote in April or early May. Several council members thanked speakers and said they would monitor enforcement and the Planning Commission process.

The council did not take action on STR policy at the meeting; members instead directed staff to proceed with the Planning Commission schedule and to continue public outreach.