The City of Ventura recently prevailed in the Whitman case. Whitman contended that Short Term Vacation Rentals are a commercial enterprise like hotels which are prohibited in the residential zone. The City stated that they are used in a residential manner, and specifically allowed in the residential zone. Whitman contended that STVRs are a business that generates income so should be prohibited in residential zones, and the courts agree. However, long term rentals also generate income and, similar to STVRs, are not prohibited either. Ultimately, The City of Ventura is free to define STVRs as "not a hotel", and the courts uphold their discretion to define them as such.
https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/B289106.PDF