Ventura County Industrial Market Report

The following reflects Ventura County industrial market conditions as of Q3 2026.

MARKET DRIVERS

Ventura County’s industrial market showed signs of moderating during the third quarter following a stronger first half of the year. Direct net absorption turned negative at -144K SF, ending two consecutive quarters of occupancy gains, although YTD absorption remains positive at 336K SF. Vacancy increased modestly QOQ to 4.7%, while availability reached 7.7%, continuing the gradual upward trend that has emerged as demand has normalized from earlier-cycle levels.

Leasing activity slowed to 363K SF during the quarter, as occupiers remained selective with expansion decisions. Smaller transactions continue to account for much of the market’s activity, while demand from larger users remains more limited. Performance also varied by submarket, with occupancy losses concentrated primarily in Oxnard/Pt. Hueneme and Thousand Oaks, partially offset by gains in Ventura, Central Ventura and Moorpark/Simi Valley.

New deliveries have remained limited, reducing near-term supply pressure despite a larger pipeline of projects underway. As construction reaches completion, however, new inventory could place upward pressure on vacancy and availability if leasing activity does not accelerate.

ECONOMIC REVIEW

The unemployment rate for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura MSA was 5.0% in August, down 30 basis points (bps) from 5.3% one year earlier, but up 20 basis points from the month prior.

Amgen’s $600 million Center for Science and Innovation is under development at its Thousand Oaks headquarters following its groundbreaking in late 2025. The investment is expected to support highly skilled jobs and reinforce the region’s established biotechnology and life sciences sector.

NEAR-TERM OUTLOOK

Ventura County’s industrial market enters the final quarter of 2026 with fundamentals that remain relatively stable despite softer near-term demand. Positive YTD absorption provides some support, but rising availability, slower leasing and the current construction pipeline could place additional pressure on vacancy as new space delivers.

Market performance is expected to remain uneven, with demand and new supply varying considerably by submarket. Limited large-user activity could keep leasing subdued, while a sustained improvement will depend on stronger expansion activity and the market’s ability to absorb projects currently underway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the industrial vacancy rate in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

The direct industrial vacancy rate in Ventura County was 4.7% in Q3 2026, according to Kidder Mathews research. That is up from 4.5% in Q2 2026 and down 40 basis points from 5.1% in Q3 2025. The total vacancy rate was 5.3%. By submarket, direct vacancy ranged from 2.2% in Ventura to 8.1% in Moorpark/Simi Valley.

What is the industrial availability rate in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

The industrial availability rate in Ventura County reached 7.7% in Q3 2026, according to Kidder Mathews research. That compares with 7.1% in Q2 2026 and 6.7% in Q3 2025, a 100 basis point increase year over year. The increase continues a gradual upward trend as demand has normalized from earlier-cycle levels.

What are industrial asking rents in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

Average asking industrial lease rates in Ventura County were $1.27 per square foot per month NNN in Q3 2026, unchanged from Q2 2026 and down 0.8% from $1.28 in Q3 2025 (Data source: CoStar). Submarket averages ranged from $1.09 in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme to $1.38 in Moorpark/Simi Valley.

How much industrial space was leased in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

Industrial leasing activity in Ventura County totaled 362,584 SF in Q3 2026, according to Kidder Mathews research. Year-to-date leasing reached 1,484,051 SF, down 16.5% from 1,777,302 SF in the same period of 2025. Smaller transactions accounted for much of the activity, while demand from larger users remained limited. Moorpark/Simi Valley led all submarkets with 140,847 SF of leasing activity in the quarter.

What was industrial net absorption in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

Direct net absorption in Ventura County was -144,291 SF in Q3 2026, ending two consecutive quarters of occupancy gains, according to Kidder Mathews research. Net absorption measures the change in occupied space, so a negative figure means more space was vacated than newly occupied. Year-to-date absorption remains positive at 335,767 SF, compared with -469,102 SF in the same period of 2025.

Which Ventura County industrial submarkets gained or lost occupancy in Q3 2026?

Occupancy losses in Q3 2026 were concentrated in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme, with direct net absorption of -183,362 SF, and Thousand Oaks, with -86,736 SF, according to Kidder Mathews research. Those losses were partially offset by gains in Ventura (76,287 SF), Moorpark/Simi Valley (28,816 SF), and Central Ventura (20,704 SF).

How much industrial space is under construction in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

Ventura County had 1,197,527 SF of industrial space under construction in Q3 2026, according to Kidder Mathews research. The largest project is 101 Logistics Center – Bldgs 1-4 in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme at 737,730 SF, owned by Stream Realty Partners, LP, with delivery expected in 4Q 2026. New deliveries have remained limited, with 47,987 SF of completions year to date, all in Central Ventura.

What was the largest industrial sale in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

The largest industrial sale in Ventura County in Q3 2026 was 111 S Rose Ave in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme, a 70,864 SF property that sold for $16,500,000, or $232.84 per SF, according to Kidder Mathews research. The buyer was Advanced Structural Technologies, Inc. and the seller was Duesenberg Investment Co. Total sales volume was 628,929 SF in the quarter and 1,552,702 SF year to date, down 3.4% from 1,607,902 SF in the same period of 2025.

What was the largest industrial lease in Ventura County in Q3 2026?

The largest industrial lease in Ventura County in Q3 2026 was 25,786 SF at 4120 E Los Angeles Ave in Simi Valley (Moorpark/Simi Valley submarket), signed in September 2026, according to Kidder Mathews research. The landlord was Stream Realty Partners, LP. The next largest were 741 Arcturus Ave in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme at 24,000 SF and 45 W Easy St in Moorpark/Simi Valley at 22,469 SF, both in July 2026.

What is the economic backdrop for the Ventura County industrial market in Q3 2026?

The unemployment rate for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura MSA was 5.0% in August 2026, down 30 basis points from 5.3% one year earlier but up 20 basis points from the prior month (Data source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics). Amgen’s $600 million Center for Science and Innovation is under development at its Thousand Oaks headquarters following its groundbreaking in late 2025, and is expected to support highly skilled jobs in the region’s biotechnology and life sciences sector.

What is the outlook for the Ventura County industrial market after Q3 2026?

According to Kidder Mathews research, Ventura County industrial market performance is expected to remain uneven, with demand and new supply varying considerably by submarket. Fundamentals remain relatively stable despite softer near-term demand, and positive year-to-date absorption provides some support. Rising availability, slower leasing, and the current construction pipeline could place additional pressure on vacancy as new space delivers, and a sustained improvement will depend on stronger expansion activity.

Last updated: Q3 2026. Data source: Kidder Mathews Research, CoStar, United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compiled by the Kidder Mathews Research Group.

Q3 2026 Ventura County Industrial Market: Key Data Points

Explore our full Ventura County industrial market review for deeper insights into leasing trends, sale activity, and submarket performance.

• Direct Vacancy: Direct vacancy was 4.7% in Q3 2026, up from 4.5% in Q2 2026 and down 40 basis points from 5.1% in Q3 2025. Total vacancy was 5.3%.
• Availability: The availability rate reached 7.7%, up from 7.1% in Q2 2026 and 100 basis points above the 6.7% recorded in Q3 2025.
• Asking Rents: Average asking lease rates held at $1.27 PSF NNN quarter over quarter, down 0.8% from $1.28 in Q3 2025.
• Net Absorption: Direct net absorption was -144,291 SF in Q3 2026, led by Oxnard/Pt Hueneme at -183,362 SF. Year-to-date absorption remains positive at 335,767 SF.
• Leasing Activity: Leasing totaled 362,584 SF in the quarter and 1,484,051 SF year to date, down 16.5% from the same period of 2025.
• Construction Pipeline: 1,197,527 SF is under construction, including the 737,730 SF 101 Logistics Center in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme, expected to deliver in 4Q 2026.
• Sales Activity: Sales volume was 628,929 SF in Q3 2026. The largest sale was 111 S Rose Ave in Oxnard/Pt Hueneme, 70,864 SF for $16,500,000 ($232.84/SF).

Submarket Statistics

Significant Sale Transactions Q3 2026

Significant Lease Transactions Q3 2026

Significant Under Construction