8104-7 - Overlay zones.

The purpose of overlay zones is to superimpose particular zones on existing base zones, thus establishing additional regulations and either reducing or extending permitted uses.

The purposes of this overlay zone are to:

a.

Preserve and protect the visual quality within the viewshed of selected County lakes, along the County's adopted scenic highways, and at other scenic resource locations as determined by an area plan.

b.

Minimize development that conflicts with the value of scenic resources.

c.

Provide notice to landowners and the general public of the location and value of scenic resources which are of significance in the County.

(Am. Ord. 4390—9/9/08; Ord. No. 4639, § 4, 12-17-2024)

8104-7.2 - Mineral Resources Protection (MRP) overlay zone.

The purposes of this overlay zone are to:

a.

Safeguard future access to important mineral resources.

b.

Facilitate a long-term supply of mineral resources within the County.

c.

Minimize land use conflicts.

d.

Provide notice to landowners and the general public of the presence of significant mineral resource deposits.

e.

Not obligate the County to approve use permits for the development of the resources subject to the MRP Overlay Zone.

(Add Ord. 3723—3/12/85; Am. Ord. 3900—6/20/89; Ord. No. 4639, § 4, 12-17-2024)

8104-7.3 - Reserved for future use.

(Del. Ord. 4390—9/09/08)

8104-7.4 - Community Business District (CBD) overlay zone.

The purposes of this overlay zone are to:

a.

Identity community business districts with unique historic character which justify special permit requirements and standards so as to preserve or re-create the historic character of the district;

b.

Preserve the historic character of buildings and structures within the district; and

c.

Allow deviations of certain development standards, parking standards, landscape standards, and sign standards as required by this Chapter to permit the alteration or construction of buildings and structures,

consistent with the design guidelines adopted under the applicable area plan or specific plan, so as to preserve or re-create the historic character of the district.

d.

Encourage mixed-use development projects as a means to revitalize a community business district, encourage pedestrian circulation, maximize site development potential, create an active environment while promoting a traditional village-style mix of retail, restaurants, offices, civic uses, multifamily dwellings and other compatible land uses.

(Add. Ord. 4144—7/22/97; Am. Ord. 4393—12/16/08; Ord. No. 4639, § 4, 12-17-2024)

The purposes of this overlay zone are to establish standards and requirements for the temporary rental of dwellings as accessory uses thereof within the overlay zone boundaries in order to:

a.

Ensure that the use of dwellings as temporary rental units does not adversely impact long-term housing opportunities in the Ojai Valley.

b.

Safeguard affordable housing opportunities for individuals working in service and other relatively low-wage sectors in the Ojai Valley so that such individuals can live in close proximity to their places of work.

c.

Preserve the residential, small-town community character of the Ojai Valley, and ensure that temporary rental units are compatible with surrounding land uses.

d.

Protect the health, safety and welfare of the temporary rental units renters, occupants, neighboring residents, as well as the general public and environment.

(Ord. No. 4523, § 3, 6-19-2018; Ord. No. 4639, § 4, 12-17-2024)

The purpose of this overlay zone is to protect and promote the public health, safety, welfare, the quality of life and the ability to view the night sky and reduce sky glow, by establishing regulations and a process for review of outdoor lighting. This overlay zone is intended to accomplish the following:

a.

Protect and reclaim the ability to view the night sky and stars, and thereby help preserve the generally rural quality of life;

b.

Protect against direct glare and excessive lighting, thereby minimizing light pollution caused by inappropriate or misaligned luminaires;

c.

Minimize light pollution while ensuring that sufficient lighting can be provided where needed to promote safety and security;

d.

Provide standards for efficient and moderate use of outdoor lighting; and

e.

Promote energy efficient and cost-effective lighting, while allowing for flexibility in the style of luminaires.

(Ord. No. 4528, § 3, 6-19-2018)

The general purposes of the Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors overlay zone are to preserve functional connectivity for wildlife and vegetation throughout the overlay zone by minimizing direct and indirect barriers, minimizing loss of vegetation and habitat fragmentation and minimizing impacts to those areas that are narrow, impacted or otherwise tenuous with respect to wildlife movement. More specifically, the purposes of the Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors overlay zone include the following:

a.

Minimize the indirect impacts to wildlife created by outdoor lighting, such as disorientation of nocturnal species and the disruption of mating, feeding, migrating, and the predator-prey balance.

b.

Preserve the functional connectivity and habitat quality of surface water features, due to the vital role they play in providing refuge and resources for wildlife.

c.

Protect and enhance wildlife crossing structures to help facilitate safe wildlife passage.

d.

Minimize the introduction of invasive plants, which can increase fire risk, reduce water availability, accelerate erosion and flooding, and diminish biodiversity within an ecosystem.

e.

Minimize wildlife impermeable fencing, which can create barriers to food and water, shelter, and breeding access to unrelated members of the same species needed to maintain genetic diversity.

(Ord. No. 4537, § 3, 3-12-2019)

There are three (3) critical wildlife passage areas that are located entirely within the boundaries of the larger Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors overlay zone. These areas are particularly critical for facilitating wildlife movement due to any of the following: 1) the existence of intact native habitat or other habitat with important beneficial values for wildlife; 2) proximity to water bodies or ridgelines; 3) proximity to critical roadway crossings; 4) likelihood of encroachment by future development which could easily disturb wildlife movement and plant dispersal; or 5) presence of non-urbanized or undeveloped lands within a geographic location that connects core habitats at a regional scale.

(Ord. No. 4537, § 3, 3-12-2019)

The purposes of this overlay zone are to:

a.

Promote the continued use of mobilehomes and manufactured homes in the unincorporated County as an accessible housing option for households of all income levels.

b.

Respect the interests of tenants and owners of mobilehome parks in maintaining parks of desirable character, stable operation, and economic viability.

c.

Recognize mobilehome parks as communities in which residents are substantially invested, and to provide for security of tenancy comparable to that of other residential communities less vulnerable to redevelopment.

d.

Establish that for all land in the unincorporated County occupied by mobilehome parks, and as long as this ordinance is in effect, mobilehome parks shall be the primary land use allowed.

e.

Ensure a sufficient supply of land for this type of use in the future.

f.

Promote and preserve residential development that is high density and single family in character.

(Ord. No. 4554, § 4, 12-10-2019; Ord. No. 4639, § 4, 12-17-2024)

8104-7.10 - Senior Mobilehome Park (SMHP) overlay zone.

The purposes of this overlay zone are to:

a.

Recognize senior mobilehome parks as walkable communities where seniors may live actively and independently among peers, the preservation of those qualities being central to residents' continued health,

welfare and financial stability.

b.

Recognize that senior mobilehome parks provide one (1) of the few housing options within Ventura County available to seniors that are affordable and allow for independent living in a detached dwelling.

c.

Preserve a significant source of affordable, senior housing by ensuring that senior mobilehome parks within the unincorporated area remain predominantly available to seniors and are not converted to allow occupancy by persons of all ages.

d.

Meet the purpose of the federal Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (42 U.S.C. § 3607).

e.

Ensure a sufficient supply of land for this type of use in the future.

(Ord. No. 4555, § 4, 12-10-2019; Ord. No. 4639, § 4, 12-17-2024)

Article 5. - Uses and Structures by Zone