8172-1 - Application of definitions.

Terms defined in Article 2 below are italicized whenever they appear in the main text of this Chapter.

Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions of words and term as follows shall govern the construction of this Chapter. Additional definitions may be found in Appendix 7 of the LCP Land Use Plan appendices.

Definitions — A

A-Frame Structure—A structure shaped in the configuration of the letter A, with angled exterior walls that also serve as a roof to the structure and that meet at the top ridge.

Abut—To touch physically, to border upon, or to share a common property line with. Lots that touch at corners only shall not be deemed abutting. Adjoining and contiguous shall mean the same as abutting.

Access—The place or way by which pedestrians and/or vehicles shall have safe, adequate, usable ingress and egress to a property or use as required by this Chapter.

Accessory Structure—A detached structure containing no kitchen or cooking facilities, and located upon the same lot as the building or use to which it is accessory, and the use of which is customarily incidental, appropriate and subordinate to the use of the principal building, or to the principal use of the land.

Accessory Use—A use customarily incidental, appropriate and subordinate to the principal use of land or buildings located upon the same lot.

Acquisition Area—Biologically significant areas that are identified for permanent conservation protection within planning documents of a natural resource agency or conservation organization.

Adjacent—A building, lot or geographic area that is nearby or in proximity to another building, lot or geographic area. Also, may be used to mean abut or adjoin (see abut).

Agency—Any federal, state or local governmental agency created by statute or official action.

Agricultural Activity, Operation, or Facility—Includes but is not limited to, the cultivation and tillage of the soils, dairying, the production, irrigation, frost protection, cultivation, growing, pest and disease management, harvesting and field processing of any agricultural commodity including timber, viticulture, apiculture, or horticulture, the raising of livestock, fish, or poultry, and any practices performed by a farmer or on a farm as incident to or in conjunction with such farming operations, including preparation for market, delivery to storage or market, or delivery to carriers for transportation to market.

Agriculture—Farming, including animal husbandry and the production and management of crops (including aquatic crops) for food, fiber, fuel and ornament.

Aircraft—Includes helicopters, all fixed wing airplanes, hang-gliders and ultra-light aircraft.

Airfields and Landing Strips, Private—An aircraft landing strip or heliport for agricultural crop dusting or personal use of the property owner or tenants, not available for public use, and with no commercial operations.

Albedo—A measure of a material's ability to reflect sunlight on a scale of zero (0) to one (1), with a value of 0.0 indicating the surface absorbs all solar radiation (e.g., charcoal) and a value of 1.0 representing total reflectivity (e.g., snow).

Alley—A private way permanently reserved as a secondary means of vehicular access to adjoining property.

Alluvial Scrub Habitat—A distinctive and rare plant community found mainly on the alluvial fans and floodplains (a mass of sediment, especially silt, sand, and gravel deposited by water) emanating from the coastal side of the Transverse ranges and in certain portions of the Peninsular ranges. See Appendix AE-1.2.3 for a more detailed description of the plant communities within ESHA Alluvial Scrub Habitat.

Alluvium—A deposit of clay, silts, sand, and gravel left by flowing streams in a river valley or delta but may be deposited at any point where the river overflows its banks. Loose alluvial material that is deposited or cemented into a lithological unit, or lithified, is called an alluvial deposit.

Alternatives Analysis—The evaluation of a range of alternatives (e.g., strategies) with the objective of selecting the least environmentally damaging feasible alternative.

Amortize—To require the termination of (a nonconforming use or structure) at the end of a specified period of time.

Animal Caretaker—A person employed full time on the same property for activities associated with animal husbandry or animal keeping.

Animal Husbandry—A branch of agriculture for the raising or nurturing and management of animals, including breeding, pasturing or ranching for such purposes as animal sales, food production, fiber production, ornament, or beneficial use (e.g., insectaries).

Animal Keeping—The keeping of animals other than for husbandry or pet purposes, with or without compensation; including such activities as boarding, stabling, pasturing, rehabilitating, training of animals and lessons for their owners, and recreational riding by the owners of the animals; but excluding such activities as the rental use of the animals by people other than the owners, and excluding events such as organized competitions, judging and the like.

Animals, Pet—Domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, and rabbits, which are customarily kept for pleasure rather than animal husbandry or animal keeping.

Animals, Wild—Animals that are wild by nature and not customarily domesticated. This definition does not include birds, small rodents or small, nonpoisonous reptiles commonly used for educational or experimental purposes, or as pets.

Antenna—A whip (omni-directional antenna), panel (directional antenna), disc (parabolic antenna), or similar device used for transmission or reception of radio waves or microwaves. Devices used to amplify the transmission and reception of radio waves, such as remote radio units, are not included.

Apiculture—Beekeeping, which includes one (1) or more hives or boxes, occupied by bees (hives or boxes includes colonies), but does not include honey houses, extraction houses, warehouses or appliances.

Appeal, Development Subject to Appeal—A development whose approval or denial by the County of Ventura may be appealed to the Coastal Commission. In compliance with Public Resources Code Section 30603(a), development subject to appeal consists of the following:

(1)

Development approved by the County between the sea and the first public road paralleling the sea, or within three hundred (300) feet of the inland extent of any beach, or within three hundred (300) feet of the mean high tide line of the sea where there is no beach, whichever is the greater distance.

(2)

Development approved by the County that is not included within paragraph 1 above and is located on tidelands; submerged lands, public trust lands; within one hundred (100) feet of any wetland, estuary, or stream; or within three hundred (300) feet of the top of the seaward face of any coastal bluff.

(3)

Any development approved by the County that is not designated as the principally-permitted use under this Chapter.

(4)

Any development that constitutes a major public works project or a major energy facility.

Applied Water—The portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the landscape area.

Aquaculture—A form of agriculture devoted to the propagation, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting of aquatic plants and animals in marine, brackish, and fresh water. "Aquaculture" does not include species of ornamental marine or freshwater plants and animals not utilized for human consumption or bait purposes that are maintained in closed systems for personal, pet industry, or hobby purposes.

Archaeological Resource—The material remains (artifacts, structures, refuse, etc.) produced purposely or accidentally by members of human cultures predating the 19[th ] century with one (1) or more of the following characteristics:

(1)

Possessing a special quality such as oldest, best example, largest, or last surviving example of its kind;

(2)

Are at least one hundred (100) years old; and possessing substantial stratigraphic integrity;

(3)

Are significant to Chumash or Native American prehistory or history;

(4)

Are significant to the maritime history of California including European exploration, Spanish Colonial and Mission period, Mexican period, and United States statehood.

(5)

Contain sacred, burial ground, traditional ceremonial material gathering sites, or other significant artifacts;

(6)

Relate to significant events or persons;

(7)

Are of specific local importance;

(8)

Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information in prehistory or history;

(9)

Can provide information that is of demonstrable public interest and is useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable research questions; or

(10)

Involve important research questions that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods.

Archaeologist, Qualified Consultant—A consultant who meets one (1) or more of the following professional qualifications in archeology, subject to approval of the Planning Director:

(1)

Holds an advanced degree from an accredited institution (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related discipline;

(2)

Holds a B.A. or B.S. degree including twelve (12) semester units in supervised archaeology field work experience; or

(3)

Has at least five (5) years of relevant research in field work experience or presents evidence of professional certification or listing on a Register of Professional Archaeologists (ROPA) as recognized by the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), Society of Professional Archeologists (SOPA), the Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA), and the governing board of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA).

Artificial Fill—A layer of well-graded soil material that is designed and compacted to engineered specifications in order to support a roadbed, building, or other improvement or structure.

Artificial Turf—A man-made surface manufactured from synthetic materials which simulate the appearance of live turf, grass, sod, or lawn.

Assembly Use—A building or structure where groups of individuals voluntarily meet to pursue their common social, educational, religious, or other interests. For the purpose of this definition, assembly uses include but are not limited to libraries, schools and hospitals, and do not include temporary outdoor festivals or outdoor sporting events.

Average Slope—The mean slope of an entire parcel of land before grading has commenced. Average slope is measured by the formula detailed in the Coastal Open Space (COS) or Coastal Agricultural (CA) Zones in this Chapter, and, in part, determines minimum parcel size(s) for proposed subdivisions.

Aviary—Any lot or premises on which domestic birds are kept for commercial purposes.

Definitions — B

Backflow Prevention Device—A safety device used to prevent contamination of the drinking water supply system due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation system.

Bathroom—A room with a sink, a toilet, and a bathtub and/or shower.

Beach Erosion—The removal and wearing away of the beach area by wave, wind or storm action.

Beach Grooming—The removal of driftwood, debris and beach wrack from beaches, which may include leveling sand.

Beach Wrack—Organic material (e.g., kelp, seagrass, and wood) that is cast up onto the beach by surf, tides, or wind.

Bed-and-Breakfast Inn—A single family dwelling with guest rooms where lodging and one (1) or more meals are offered for compensation to overnight guests.

Bed rock—The relatively solid, undisturbed rock in place either at the ground surface or beneath superficial deposits of alluvium, colluvium and/or soil.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)—A practice, or combination of practices, that constitute an effective and practicable means of conducting development in a manner that prevents or reduces impacts on the environment.

Biodiversity—The variety of life and its processes. Biodiversity includes the variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them, and describes the variability within species, between species, and between the ecosystems in which they occur. Implicit in the concept of biodiversity is the interrelationship among organisms and the ecological functions they collectively perform such as pollination, seed dispersal, and decomposition.

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Biogeographic Regions (Part) (Credit: David Magney

Biogeographic Regions—The grouping of similar plants and wildlife species and their spatial distribution on earth. Ventura's Coastal Zone contains seven (7) biogeographic regions (listed north to south): Rincon Mountain, Red Mountains, Lower Ventura River, Pierpont Bay, Santa Clara River, Oxnard Plain, and the Santa Monica Mountains (see mapped regions at right).

Biologist, Qualified—A person who graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor or higher degree in biology, botany, wildlife biology, natural resources, ecology, conservation biology or environmental biology, and who also possesses at least four (4) years of professional experience with the preparation of biological resources assessments. The County's staff biologist serves as a qualified biologist with the authority to review permit application materials prepared by other qualified biologists.

Bioretention—A water quality best management practice that consists of a depressed area that utilizes soil and plants to slow runoff velocity, remove pollutants, and temporarily retain stormwater to increase infiltration into the ground.

Bird-Safe Glazing/Window Treatments—Treatments that reduce the reflectivity of glass, windows or other similar surfaces to eliminate or significantly reduce bird mortality associated with birds striking the surface in flight.

Board and Care of Horses—The keeping, feeding, exercising, etc., of horses owned by others, for compensation.

Boardinghouse—A dwelling unit wherein two (2) or more rooms are rented to residents for whom daily meals are furnished.

Boarding Schools—Schools providing lodging and meals for the pupils.

Boatel—A building or buildings containing guest rooms or dwelling units that are used wholly or in part for the accommodation of boat transients, and are located near or abutting a river, lake or ocean.

Botanic Gardens and Arboreta—An area managed by a scientific or educational institution for the purpose of advancing and diffusing knowledge and appreciation of plants, and that meets all of the following criteria:

(1)

The area functions as an aesthetic display, educational display, or research site that may be open to the public;

(2)

Plant records are maintained for the area. At least one (1) staff member (paid or unpaid) experienced in horticulture that maintains and manages the area; and

(3)

Visitors can identify plants at the area through labels, guide maps, or other interpretive materials.

Breeding Colony—An aggregation of breeding animals, of one (1) or more species, which may include large numbers of individual animals. Also, referred to as a rookery (birds) or nursing site (bats).

Buffer Zone—An area that provides distance between two (2) incompatible uses to protect coastal resources. A buffer zone that protects ESHA is a transitional habitat between human activity or development and either an environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA) or a protected parkland/open space area acquired by natural resource agencies or conservation organizations for habitat protection. Buffer zones are sized and designed to protect the sensitive habitat/species, or protected parkland/open space area, from significant disruption or degradation.

Building—Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, or personal property of any kind.

Building Site—The primary, developed area of a legal lot that contains all structures for a residential, commercial, agricultural, or industrial use, including but not limited to the building pad, all primary structure(s) and accessory structures/uses (e.g., animal enclosures, barns, deck/patio, garages, parking areas, swimming pool, storage sheds, water storage tank). For example, the building site for industrial use includes oil/gas drilling operations (e.g., drilling pad, equipment storage areas, processing facilities, pumps or well sites, associated equipment). For agricultural use, the building site includes equipment storage areas, greenhouses, sales facilities, farmworker housing, row crops, and orchards. The building site is included in the development envelope. (See definition for development envelope).

Definitions — C

California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)—The program and associated GIS database through which the California Department of Fish and Wildlife inventories the status and locations of rare and special status plants and animals in California.

Camp—A rural facility with permanent structures for overnight accommodation and accessory structures and buildings, which is used for temporary leisure, recreational or study purposes, and provides opportunities for the enjoyment or appreciation of the natural environment.

Campground—A rural facility without permanent structures for overnight accommodation, but with limited accessory structures and buildings, which is used for temporary leisure or recreational purposes and provides opportunities for the enjoyment or appreciation of the natural environment.

Campground, Low-Impact—A campground consisting of camping sites that do not significantly alter the physical setting nor disturb the overall function of the surrounding ecosystem. Low-impact camping sites are used for carry-in, carry-out tent camping accessed by foot and have no access roads, no permanent structures, and few or no support facilities or services (e.g., picnic areas, trash removal, restrooms).

Low-Impact—A campground consisting of camping sites that do not significantly alter the physical setting nor disturb the overall function of the surrounding ecosystem. Low-impact camping sites are used for carry-in, carry-out tent camping accessed by foot and have no access roads, no permanent structures, and few or no support facilities or services (e.g., picnic areas, trash removal, restrooms).

Caretaker—An employee who must be on the property for a substantial portion of each day for security purposes or for the vital care of people, plants, animals, equipment or other conditions of the site.

Certificate of Completion—A document provided by the Planning Division to the permittee that confirms the landscape area was planted, and irrigation was installed, as applicable, in accordance with the approved landscape documentation package.

Certification—Written documentation signed by an appropriate expert (as determined by the Planning Director) which states, in a manner consistent with this Chapter, his/her opinion that there is no reasonable and appropriate alternative to altering or removing a given tree. The term "certification" may also mean that a written statement is true or correct or that something or someone has met certain standards or requirements.

Chaparral Habitat—A vegetation type common to coastal areas of central and southern California that is dominated by drought-tolerant, woody shrubs with evergreen leaves adapted to the region's Mediterranean climate. See Appendix AE-1.2.3 for a more detailed description of the plant communities within ESHA Chaparral Habitat.

Check Valve—A valve located under a sprinkler head, or other location in the irrigation system, to hold water in the system and prevent drainage from sprinkler heads when the sprinkler is off.

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Examle of chokepoint

Chokepoint—A narrow, impacted, or otherwise tenuous wildlife movement corridor or linkage (like the chokepoint of an hourglass). See photo to right, which depicts an example of a chokepoint (the bridge over the freeway is a narrow point in the habitat connectivity corridor).

Class 1 Pathway—A right-of-way which is completely separated from the paved portion of the road (i.e., travelway, parking and shoulder) for use by bicyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized forms of transportation (e.g., equestrians).

Class 2 Bike Lane—A striped lane within the road right-of-way for one-way travel by bicyclists. Also includes "Bike Lane" signage.

Clear Sight Triangle—The area of unobstructed visibility at street intersections or driveways that allows a driver to see approaching vehicles.

Clubhouse—Any building or premises used by an association of persons, whether incorporated or

unincorporated, organized for some common purpose, but not including a gun club or an association or group organized to render, purchase or otherwise make use of a service customarily carried on as a commercial enterprise.

Coastal Access—The ability of the public to reach, use or view the shoreline, coastal waters, coastal recreation areas, inland public recreation areas or public trails, and other significant coastal resource areas such as natural open space and habitats. Coastal access includes all such public access areas within the coastal zone and is not limited to shoreline locations.

Coastal Access Parking—Parking areas that facilitate the ability of the general public to reach, use or view coastal resource areas including, but not limited to, the shoreline, coastal waters, public open space or recreation areas, and trails. These parking areas may be dedicated for coastal access purposes or may be available for general public use.

Coastal Bluff—An escarpment or steep face of rock, decomposed rock, or soil that is near or adjacent to the ocean and is caused by erosion, earthquake faults, or folding of the land mass. A coastal bluff is ten (10) feet or more in height, and the toe is subject to marine erosion (or was subject to erosion within the last two hundred (200) years). See Appendix AE-1.2.3 for a more detailed description of the plant communities within ESHA Coastal Bluff Habitat.

Coastal-Dependent Development or Use—Any development or use which requires a site on, or adjacent to, the sea to be able to function at all.

Coastal Development Permit—A discretionary permit required pursuant to this Chapter or subdivision (a) of Section 30600 of the Coastal Act. Conditional Use Permits, Planned Development Permits and Public Works Permits are Coastal Development Permits.

Coastal-Related Development or Use—Any development or use which is dependent on a coastal-dependent development or use.

Coastal Resources—Areas that include but are not limited to: public access facilities and opportunities; recreation areas and recreational facilities and opportunities (including for recreational water-oriented activities); visitor serving opportunities; scenic resources; public views; natural landforms; marine resources; water quality; watercourses (e.g., rivers, streams, creeks, etc.) and their related corridors; water bodies (e.g., wetlands, estuaries, lakes, etc.), and uplands; ground water resources; biological resources; environmentally sensitive habitat areas; wetlands; agricultural lands; and archaeological and paleontological resources.

Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) Habitat—A vegetation type found in discontinuous coastal areas of central and southern California dominated by semi-woody, low-statured, drought-tolerant, aromatic shrubs with droughtdeciduous leaves adapted to the region's Mediterranean climate. See Appendix AE-1.2.3 for a more detailed description of the plant communities that are included within ESHA Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat.

Coastal Zone—That portion of the land and water area of Ventura County as shown on the Coastal Zone maps adopted by the California Coastal Commission.

Colonial Roost—An area used as a resting location by a group of animals of one (1) or more species, such as birds, bats, or insects (e.g., Monarch butterfly). Animals may also breed in aggregations of many individuals, which is known as a breeding colony or nesting colony.

Commercial Vehicle—A motor vehicle designed or regularly used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or that is designed and maintained to carry freight or merchandise, whether loaded or empty, including buses. This definition does not include vehicles used for emergency purposes, vanpools, or recreational vehicles operating under their own power. Examples of a commercial vehicle include the following:

•

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rate (GVWR) greater than ten thousand (10,000) pounds.

•

A vehicle designed to transport ten (10) or more passengers including the driver.

•

A van or bus designed to transport fifteen (15) or more passengers including the driver.

•

Any size vehicles which requires hazardous material placards or is carrying materials listed as a select agent or toxin in Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 73.

Commission—The California Coastal Commission.

Community Center—A meeting place where people living in the same community may carry on cultural, recreational, or social activities, but excluding any facility operated as a business or for commercial purposes.

Conference Center/Convention Center—An urban facility for the assembly of persons for study and discussion, which includes permanent structures for dining, assembly and overnight accommodation.

Conservation Easement—A legally-binding instrument that retains the land predominantly in its natural, scenic, agricultural, forested, or open space condition or that preserves and protects native plants, animals and biotic communities. A conservation easement creates an interest in real property, is recorded in a deed and granted to a third party by, or on behalf of, the landowner and is binding upon successive owners of such land. Conservation easements must be held by a natural resource agency, a County-approved conservation organization, or the County of Ventura.

Conservation Instrument—A legal mechanism used to ensure the protection of coastal resources from development in the form of a deed restriction executed by, or on behalf of, the owner of the land that is binding upon successive owners of the land. Such instruments shall contain a written description of the legal arrangements − including site ownership, management, and enforcement of any use restrictions − and be legally sufficient, enforceable, properly recorded in the chain of title, and able to ensure the protection of the coastal resource in perpetuity.

behalf of, the owner of the land that is binding upon successive owners of the land. Such instruments shall contain a written description of the legal arrangements − including site ownership, management, and enforcement of any use restrictions − and be legally sufficient, enforceable, properly recorded in the chain of title, and able to ensure the protection of the coastal resource in perpetuity.

Conservation Organization—A natural resource agency or a private, non-profit organization, whose primary purpose is the preservation and protection of land in its natural, scenic, historical, recreational or open space condition. Qualifying private, nonprofit organizations must be chartered under the U.S. Code, Title 26, Part 501(c)(3) and must operate as an international, national, or statewide organization or, if the organization operates as a local or community-based organization, then its membership must include at least five hundred (500) individuals and/or businesses. Qualifying private, nonprofit organizations also must have owned or managed natural resource/open space property, at least fifty (50) acres in area, for at least one (1) year and must have the institutional and economic ability to conserve and maintain property.

Conversion Factor—The conversion factor of 0.62 required to convert acre-inches-per-acre-per-year to gallons-per-square-foot-per-year in the calculation of the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA).

Core Habitat Areas—Extensive areas of habitat, usually containing more than one (1) habitat type and supporting multiple wildlife species.

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)—A measure in degrees Kelvin (K) of the warmth or coolness of light. Lamps with a CCT of less than three thousand (3,000) K are yellowish and considered warm. Lamps with a CCT greater than four thousand (4,000) K are bluish-white and considered cool.

Critical Life Stage—A stage in the life cycle of a species where the species is vulnerable to disturbance. Disturbance to an individual animal/plant during its critical life stage can decrease its reproductive success or threaten its survival.

Cultural Heritage Site—An improvement, natural feature, site, or district that has completed the legally-required procedures to have it designated by the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board or the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, as a District, Landmark, Site of Merit, or Point of Interest.

Cumulative Effect—A term used to describe the incremental environmental effects of an individual project in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.

Definitions — D

Day Care Center—Any child care facility licensed by the State of California, except for a Family Day Care Home, such as infant centers, preschools, care of the developmentally disabled, and child extended care facilities.

Decision, Discretionary—Discretionary decisions involve cases that require the exercise of judgment, deliberation, or decision on the part of the decision-making authority in the process of approving or disapproving a particular activity, as distinguished from situations where the decision-making authority merely has to determine whether there has been conformity with applicable statutes, ordinances, or regulations. Examples of cases requiring discretionary decisions to be made by the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Planning Director include all those not classified as "ministerial" such as: Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Zone Changes, Planned Development Permits, Tentative Subdivision Maps and Time Extensions thereto, General Plan Amendments; and appeals, modifications and revocations, where applicable, of the above referenced decisions.

Decision-Making Authority—An individual or body vested with the authority to make recommendations or act on application requests. The final decision-making authority is the one that has the authority to act on a request by approving or denying it.

Decision, Ministerial—Ministerial decisions are approved by a decision-making authority based upon a given set of facts in a prescribed manner in obedience to the mandate of legal authority. In such cases, the authority must act upon the given facts without regard to its own judgment or opinion concerning the property or wisdom of the act although the statute, ordinance or regulation may require, in some degree, a construction of its language by the decision-making authority. In summary, a ministerial decision involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements without personal judgment.

Development—Shall mean, on land or in or under water, the placement or erection of any solid material or structure; discharge or disposal of any dredged material or of any gaseous, liquid, solid, or thermal waste; grading, removing, dredging, mining, or extraction of any materials; change in the density or intensity of use of land, including, but not limited to, subdivision pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act (commencing with Section 66410 of the Government Code), and any other division of land, including lot splits, except where the land division is brought about in connection with the purchase of such land by a public agency for public recreational use; change in the intensity of use of water, or of access thereto; construction, reconstruction, demolition, or alteration of the size of any structure, including any facility of any private, public, or municipal utility; and the removal or harvesting of major vegetation other than for agricultural purpose, kelp harvesting, and timber operations which are in accordance with a timber harvesting plan submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Act of 1973 (commencing with Section 4511).

As used in this section, structure includes, but is not limited to, any building, road, pipe, flume, conduit, siphon, aqueduct, telephone line, and electrical power transmission and distribution line.

Development Envelope—The full extent of allowable development on a legal lot. In addition to structures or other development within a building site, the development envelope may include, but is not limited to, driveway or road, fire department turnarounds, fuel modification zone, water tanks (firefighting), entry gate/fences, utility trenches and other site grading, septic systems, wells, and drainage improvements. (See definition for building site.)

Development, Upland—See upland development.

Diffused Light/Illumination—Soft light reflected from an adjacent surface or projected through a semitransparent material, such as frosted light bulbs.

District—An area possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development.

Domestic Birds—Doves, finches, mynah birds, parrots and similar birds of the psittacine family, pigeons, ravens and toucans.

Drilling, Temporary Geologic—Bona fide temporary search and sampling activities that, in the case of oilrelated testing, use drilling apparatus smaller than that used in oil production.

Drip Irrigation—An irrigation method that minimizes water use through the application of water that drips slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly into the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.

Drive Aisle—A driving area within a parking area or parking structure used by motor vehicles to maneuver, turn around, and/or access parking spaces.

Dune, Habitat—A fragile habitat that contains accumulations of sand in ridges, hummocks, or mounds that may be supported and stabilized by native and/or non-native species of vegetation that is associated with the immediate coastal environment. Also called "coastal dune habitat." Sand accumulations on privately owned inland properties within an existing community (i.e., lots that do not abut a beach in Rincon Point, Mussel Shoals, Seacliff, Faria, Solimar, Hollywood-by-the-Sea, Silverstrand, and Solromar) are not defined as a coastal dune habitat. See Appendix E1, Section AE-1.2.3 for additional information on the definition of a coastal dune habitat.

Dwelling—A building or portion thereof designed for or occupied exclusively for residential purposes.

Dwelling, Animal Caretaker—A dwelling unit occupied by animal caretaker(s), and their families, employed full time and working on the same lot on which the dwelling unit is located, or on other land in Ventura County that is under the same ownership or lease as the subject lot.

Dwelling, Caretaker—A dwelling unit occupied by a caretaker, and his or her family, employed full time and working on the same lot on which the dwelling unit is located or on other land in Ventura County that is under the same ownership or lease as the subject lot.

Dwelling, Farm Worker—A dwelling unit occupied by farm worker(s), and their families, employed full time and working on the same lot on which the dwelling unit is located or on other land in Ventura County that is under the same ownership or lease as the subject lot.

Dwelling, Multi-Family—A building, or portion of a building containing three (3) or more dwelling units.

Dwelling, Single-Family—A building constructed in conformance with the Uniform Building Code, or a mobilehome constructed on or after June 15, 1976, containing one (1) principal dwelling unit.

Dwelling, Two-Family—A building containing two (2) principal dwelling units.

Dwelling Unit—One or more rooms in a dwelling, with internal access between all rooms, that provide complete independent living facilities for one (1) family, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, but contain only one (1) kitchen.

Dwelling Unit, Accessory—A dwelling unit that is accessory to a principal dwelling. An attached or detached residential dwelling unit, or a unit within the existing space of a principal dwelling unit, which provides complete independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons, with no means of internal access to the principal dwelling. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same lot as the principal dwelling. An accessory dwelling unit also includes the following:

(1)

An efficiency unit, as defined in Section 17958.1 of the Health and Safety Code; and

(2)

A manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code.

Definitions — E—F

Ecological Integrity—The long-term capacity of an ecosystem to support and maintain its biological diversity, natural resources, and the full range of ecosystem function.

Economically Beneficial Use—A level of economic use or development of real property that would not otherwise constitute a nuisance or be prohibited pursuant to other background principles of property law and that is limited to the minimum necessary to avoid an unconstitutional taking of private property without just compensation under applicable law. This definition is not intended to increase or decrease the rights of any property owner under the U.S. or California Constitutions.

Ecosystem—An ecosystem is the combination of all living organisms (biotic) and the nonliving (abiotic) physical features of their environment (e.g., air, water and soil), which work or interact together as a system. An ecosystem is defined by the network of interactions among its organisms, and between those organisms and their environment. The biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. While an ecosystem can be of any size, it usually comprises a specific geographic area.

Ecosystem Function—The interaction between the components (e.g., plants, animals, water, air, and soil) or processes (e.g., water cycle, nutrient cycle) of an ecosystem. Ecosystem function is measured through changes in the types, numbers, and distribution of plants and animals that occupy the ecosystem and by changes to the water quality/quantity and soil types within the ecosystem. Also referred to as "ecological function" or "ecologically functional."

e.g., plants, animals, water, air, and soil) or processes (e.g., water cycle, nutrient cycle) of an ecosystem. Ecosystem function is measured through changes in the types, numbers, and distribution of plants and animals that occupy the ecosystem and by changes to the water quality/quantity and soil types within the ecosystem. Also referred to as "ecological function" or "ecologically functional."

Ecosystem Services—Ecosystem functions provide environmental services to human communities and are grouped into four (4) broad categories: (1) provisioning (e.g., production of food, water, raw materials, genetic resources, minerals); (2) regulating (e.g., carbon sequestration, pollination, pest and disease control, waste decomposition and detoxification, air and water purification); (3) supporting (e.g., soil formation, water cycling); and (4) cultural (e.g., recreational, scientific and educational benefits).

Emergency—A sudden unexpected occurrence demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss or damage to life, health, property, or essential public services. This may include such occurrences as fire, flood, and earthquake or other soil or geologic movements.

Energy Facility—Any public or private processing, producing, generating, storing, transmitting, or recovering facility for electricity, natural gas, petroleum, coal, or other sources of energy (see also major public works project and energy facility).

Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA)—Any area in which plant or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially valuable because of their special nature or role in an ecosystem and which could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and development. (For a definition of habitats classified as ESHA, see Section 8178-2.4).

ESHA Mitigation Plan—A plan that summarizes all ESHA compensatory mitigation requirements associated with a permitted development that includes a Habitat Mitigation Plan, and one (1) or more of the following components depending on the compensatory mitigation type: 1) Habitat Restoration Plan; 2) Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring Plan; or 3) Habitat Management Plan. See Appendix E2, AE-2.1 ESHA Mitigation Plan Requirements.

ESHA Vegetation Management Plan—A plan that identifies the location of protected ESHA and buffer zones that remain within fuel clearance areas of a permitted development. Current and future property owners are required to protect and maintain the retained ESHA for the life of the entitlement unless the Plan is amended by the Planning Division. See Appendix E2, Section AE-2.4.

Established Landscaping—The level of plant growth or coverage specified in the approved landscape documentation package that satisfies the landscape plan performance criteria.

Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU)—The annual total amount of water estimated to keep plants in a healthy state. ETWU is calculated from the evapotranspiration rate, the size of the landscaped area, plant water demand, and the efficiency of the irrigation system within each hydrozone.

Estuary—A partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water, with one (1) or more rivers or streams flowing into it, that is connected to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river and maritime environments. They are subject to riverine influences (e.g., influx of fresh water and sediment) and marine influences (e.g., tides, influx of saline water). The inflows of both sea water and fresh water provide high levels of nutrients, making estuaries among the most productive natural habitats in the world.

Evapotranspiration—The loss of water from a vegetated surface through the combined processes of soil evaporation and plant transpiration.

Exterior Storage—The outdoor placement or keeping of materials in an area not fully enclosed by a storage structure. (Also see Section 8175-5.1(j).)

Family—An individual, or two (2) or more persons living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, unless otherwise specified by state law.

Family Day Care Home—A home licensed by the State of California to provide care, protection, and supervision for periods less than twenty-four (24) hours per day for fourteen (14) or fewer children, including children under the age of ten (10) years who reside at the provider's home.

Farm Plan—A plan for new agriculture in text and map form which includes but is not limited to information on irrigated crop types, crop locations, and phased implementation.

Farm Worker—A person principally employed for agriculture or agricultural operations.

Feasible—Capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors.

Fence—Any type of fence, wall, hedge or thick growth of shrubs used as screens, but not including windbreaks for the protection of orchards or crops.

Fence, See-Through—A fence, such as the chain link type, that permits at least fifty (50) percent open visibility throughout the fence.

Field, Athletic—A level, open expanse of land intended to be used for organized team sports such as baseball, football and soccer.

Fill—Earth or any other substance or material, including pilings placed for the purposes of erecting structures thereon, placed in a submerged area.

Film, Base Camp—An area where trailers, vehicles, equipment, and catering services are located during film production activities.

Film Location—Each contiguous or noncontiguous parcel used for film production activities. Each film location may contain multiple film permit areas.

Film Permit—The written authorization issued by the Planning Division that allows the permit holder to conduct film production activities. Film permits may be issued as Zoning Clearances or Planned Development Permits as provided herein.

Film Permit Area—Areas that are temporarily dedicated to film production activities. Such areas include the film base camp and film set.

Film Production Activities—All uses, structures and activities including but not limited to film production preparation, film production striking, film base camp, and aviation services, that are related to the production of motion pictures, television programming, music and corporate videos, advertisements, web production, and film still photography for sale or use for a commercial purpose. For the purposes of this definition, film production activities do not include permanent film studios.

Film Production, Preparation—Onsite work or activities preceding film production activities including but not limited to the transportation of trailers, vehicles, equipment, catering services, and film crew to the film permit area(s); the installation of equipment (lighting, audio, cameras, etc.); construction of the film set; and rigging for stunts/film special effects.

Film Production, Striking—Onsite work or activities following film production activities including but not limited to dismantling film production equipment; un-rigging stunts/film special effects; and removing trailers, vehicles and equipment from the film permit area.

Film Production, Temporary—Film production activities of limited duration which do not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days and which do not involve permanent structures.

Film Pyrotechnics—The use of explosive materials during film production activities. The term "explosive" refers to incendiary devices or ingredients that ignite by fire, friction, or detonation to cause visual and/or auditory effects. Film pyrotechnics include but are not limited to dynamite and fireworks that require a state explosives license from the California State Fire Marshal.

Film Set—The geographic areas used for filming, which include scenery and props arranged for film production activities. The film set and film base camp constitute the two (2) areas used for film production activities.

Film Special Effects—An image or sound created during film production activities. Film special effects include but are not limited to snow, rain, wind, fog, smoke, fire, firearms, blank cartridges, and bullet hits (squibs).

Film, Still Photography—Taking photographs of people or objects for sale or commercial publication with assistance from a production crew and equipment used in photography (e.g., lighting, wardrobe, makeup, etc.). Still photography also includes a person who photographs a film production for purposes related to the film production.

Financial Assurance—A cash-equivalent deposit posted with the County by a permittee to ensure that required mitigation measures (or other conditions of approval) will be implemented in the event the permittee fails to do

so. Financial assurances can be cash deposits, certifications of deposit, escrow accounts, irrevocable letters of credit, or other mechanisms approved by the County.

Fire Frequency—The average interval between fires in an ecosystem or area of habitat. Plant species in naturally, fire-prone landscapes are evolutionarily adapted to a particular fire frequency, and their survival and reproduction may be adversely affected when fire frequency is altered by human actions.

Fire Resistant Plants—Plants that do not readily ignite from a flame or other ignition source. These plants can be damaged or even killed by fire, but their foliage and stems do not significantly contribute to the fuel load or the fire's intensity. Also referred to as "fire-resistant vegetation."

Forb—An herbaceous flowering plant (not woody like a shrub or tree) that is not a grass.

Friable—A soil condition that is easily crumbled or loosely compacted down to a minimum depth per planting material requirements, whereby the root structure of newly planted material will be allowed to spread unimpeded.

Fuel Modification—A method of modifying fuel load by reducing the amount of non-fire resistive vegetation or altering the type of vegetation to reduce the fuel load.

Fuel Modification Plan—A site plan depicting and stating a permittee's requirements to minimize and mitigate fire hazards associated with permitted development.

Fuel Modification Zone—The area around a legally established structure where the existing vegetation is altered (e.g., brush or vegetation removal,including thinning) to reduce fuel load for fire protection purposes.

Fuel Modification Zone, Expanded—The area of expanded vegetation thinning for fire protection around legally established structures located in the building site that is beyond the standard mandatory fuel modification zone. The maximum width of the expanded fuel modification zone is three hundred (300) feet from a legally established structure or to the property line, whichever distance is shorter, if it is determined by the Ventura County Fire Protection District that the expanded fuel modification zone is necessary to protect life, property, and natural resources from unreasonable risks associated with wild land fires.

Fuel Modification Zone, Mandatory—The minimum area of vegetation removal around legally established structures located in the building site that is required by the Ventura County Fire Protection District Ordinance. The standard width of the mandatory fuel modification zone is one hundred (100) feet, as measured from each side and from the front and rear of the legally established structure. Under unique site-specific conditions, the Ventura County Fire Protection District may determine that it is necessary to expand the mandatory fuel modification zone for new development up to two hundred (200) feet if needed to protect life and property from wildland fires.

Functional Connectivity—Describes the degree to which a physical setting facilitates or impedes the movement of organisms. Functional connectivity is a product of both the features of the physical setting (e.g., vegetation and physical development) and the response of plants and animals to these physical features.

Definitions — G—H

Geotechnical and Soils Testing—Exploratory borings and excavations conducted under the direction of a Soils Engineer or Engineering Geologist, but excluding the construction of access roads or pads for exploratory excavations.

GIS—Geographic Information System; within the coastal zone, the digital data system that includes zoning and land use data that conforms to the zoning and land use maps officially certified by the California Coastal Commission.

Grade—Adjacent ground level. For purposes of building height measurement, grade is the average of the finished ground level along the walls of a building. In the case where walls are parallel to and within five (5) feet of a sidewalk, the finished ground level is measured at the sidewalk.

Graywater—Untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by toilet discharge, has not been affected by infectious, contaminated, or unhealthy bodily wastes, and does not present a threat from contamination by unhealthful processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. Graywater includes but is not limited to wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.

Graywater System—A system of tanks, valves, filters, and pumps designed to collect and transport graywater for distribution to a landscape irrigation system.

Gross Floor Area—The area included within the surrounding exterior walls of all floors or levels of a building, exclusive of unenclosed shafts and courtyards, or, if the structure lacks walls, the area of all floors or levels included under the roofed/covered area of a structure.

Groundcover—Any low-growing plant that grows over an area of ground and is used to provide protection from erosion and to improve its aesthetic appearance by concealing bare soil. Groundcover does not include turf.

Groundwater—Water that occurs beneath the land surface and fills the pore spaces of the alluvium, soil, or rock formation in which it is situated. It excludes soil moisture, which refers to water held by capillary action in the upper unsaturated zones of soil or rock.

Gun Club—Any building or premises where there are facilities of any sort for the firing of handguns, rifles or other firearms.

Habitat—The natural environment of a plant or animal species.

Habitat Connectivity Corridor—An area of contiguous natural habitats of sufficient width to facilitate the movement, migration, foraging, breeding, and dispersal of multiple animal or plant species between two (2) or more core habitat areas. Habitat connectivity corridors facilitate important ecological functions such as seed and wildlife dispersal or pollination. Riparian habitats, streams, canyons, and wooded ridgelines function as habitat connectivity corridors and in some cases, areas of natural vegetation within developed areas may function as a movement corridor for certain species.

Habitat Fragmentation—The process by which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated remnants.

Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring Plan—A component of an ESHA Mitigation Plan that provides a detailed description of the required activities during the maintenance and monitoring period associated with the restoration, enhancement, or establishment of ESHA to help ensure the success of the mitigation actions.

Habitat Management Plan—A component of an ESHA Mitigation Plan that establishes the steps necessary to acquire and permanently preserve and maintain an undeveloped lot(s) containing intact ESHA, including the details of the conservation instrument or conservation easement.

Habitat Mitigation Plan—A required component of an ESHA Mitigation Plan that provides a summary of all compensatory mitigation measures required for the permitted development.

Habitat Restoration Plan—A component of an ESHA Mitigation Plan that describes how physical alterations to ESHA will be implemented to ensure the success of the proposed mitigation action.

Habitat Value—An area's ability to support one (1) or more species, including both the physical and biological features necessary to support the existence of a plant or animal — such as suitable temperature and moisture levels, food, water, shelter, protection from predators, and mates.

Hardscape—Paved areas (pervious or non-pervious), patios, walls, decks, water features, walkways and other nonliving or human-made fixtures of a planned landscape. For the purpose of Section 8178-8, hardscapes do not include parking lots.

Hazard Fire Area—Private- or publicly-owned land that is covered with grass, grain, brush, or forest that is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon such land would present an abnormally difficult job of suppression or would result in great and unusual damage through fire or resulting erosion. Such areas, which are designated by the fire code official, typically include any location within five hundred (500) feet of a forest, brush, grass, or grain covered land.

Hazardous Waste—A waste product, or combination of waste products, that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may do any of the following:

(1)

Cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality.

(2)

Increase serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness.

(3)

Pose a substantial present or potential future hazard to human health or environment due to factors including, but not limited to, carcinogenicity, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, bio-accumulative properties, or persistence in the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.

Unless expressly provided otherwise, the term hazardous waste shall be understood to also include extremely hazardous waste and acutely hazardous waste.

Hazardous Waste Facility—All contiguous land and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land used for the treatment, transfer, storage, resource recovery disposal, or recycling of hazardous waste. A hazardous waste facility may consist of one (1) or more treatment, transfer, storage, resource recovery, disposal, or recycling hazardous waste management units, or combinations of those units.

Height—The vertical distance from the adjacent grade or other datum point to the highest point of that which is being measured.

High Fire Hazard Areas—Certain areas in the unincorporated territory of the County classified by the County Fire Protection District and defined as any areas within five hundred (500) feet of uncultivated brush, grass, or forest-covered land wherein authorized representatives of said District deem a potential fire hazard to exist due to the presence of such flammable material.

High-Value Habitat—A habitat that exhibits a high ecological value due to its physical and biological features. Habitat value is measured by species diversity and abundance, biological productivity, size, and ecosystem services. For example, wet environments are considered high-value habitats because of their overall biological productivity and ecosystem services.

Historic Resource—A resource listed in, or determined to be eligible for listing in, the California Register of Historical Resources, the Ventura County Historical Landmarks and Points of Interest, or in an adopted local historic register. A historic resource has one (1) or more of the following characteristics:

(1)

Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California's history and cultural heritage.

(2)

Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past.

(3)

Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values.

(4)

Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Examples of a historic resources include but are not limited to an object, building, structure, site, area, place, record, or manuscript which the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board determines is historically or archaeologically important in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California.

Home Exchange—A practice in which the owner of a dwelling allows the use of that dwelling in exchange for the use of another person's dwelling for a limited time period with no rent exchanged.

Homeshare—A dwelling which is the primary residence of an owner who possesses at least a twenty (20) percent ownership interest in the subject parcel, with any portion of the dwelling rented for a period less than thirty (30) consecutive days when said owner is physically present in the same dwelling, with no meals or food provided to the renter or renters. A homeshare is not considered a home occupation under this Chapter. Use of a dwelling for occasional home exchange is not considered a homeshare.

Home Occupation—Any commercial activity that is clearly incidental and secondary to the residential use of a dwelling and does not change the character thereof.

Home Range—A biological term used to indicate the estimated area in which an animal lives and moves. Home range size is determined by the spatial distribution of the population and by the type/quality of resources

required for that organism to survive.

Hostel—Overnight sleeping accommodations that provide lodging for travelers, and that may provide kitchen and eating facilities. Occupancy is generally of a limited duration.

Hotel—A building with one (1) main entrance, or a group of buildings, containing guest rooms where lodging with or without meals is provided for compensation.

Hydromulch—A method for erosion prevention whereby water and a mixture of other ingredients (a combination of wood/cellulose fiber mulch, seed mix, and bonding agents) is sprayed through a hose onto disturbed soils.

Hydrozone—A portion of the landscaped area that contains plants with similar water needs and root depth. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non-irrigated.

Definitions — I—L

Important Bird Area (IBA)—An area designated by the American Bird Conservatory and the National Audubon Society as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations.

In-lieu Fee—A payment to the County, a natural resource agency (state, federal, or local) or a County-approved conservation organization for implementation of compensatory mitigation. The in-lieu fee is used to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements for a Coastal Development Permit.

Inoperative Vehicle—A vehicle that is not fully capable of movement under its own power, or is not licensed or registered to operate legally on a public right-of-way.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—An ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, etc. Pesticides are used only after monitoring the implementation of the integrated pest management plan and the observations indicate they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and nontarget organisms, and the environment.

Interpretive Center—A site, with or without structures, that is used for the display of architecture, art or other artifacts associated with the site and which may also depict the cultural and social history and prehistory of Ventura County.

Intertidal Area—The transition zone between land and sea, which is defined as the area between the ocean's highest high tide and its lowest low tide.

Inundation—Temporary flooding of normally dry land area caused or precipitated by an overflow or accumulation of water on or under the ground, or by the existence of unusual tidal conditions.

Invasive Plants—Species of plants not indigenous to Ventura County that can thrive and spread aggressively with potentially negative effects on native species and ecosystems. Also referred to as "invasive species," "invasive tree," or "invasive vegetation." Also see invasive watch-list invasive plant species.

Invasive Plants, Watch List—Any species of plant that has been classified by the California Invasive Plant Council to be at a high risk to become invasive in California in the future. Also referred to as a "invasive watch list tree species" or "invasive watch list species."

Kelvin—A unit of measure used to describe the hue (or correlated color temperature) of a light source.

Kennel—Any lot or premises where five (5) or more dogs or cats (or any combination thereof) of at least four (4) months of age are kept, boarded or trained, whether in special buildings or runways or not.

Kitchen—Any room in a dwelling designed or used as a place for food preparation and cooking, and containing two (2) or more of the following: (a) a counter sink; (b) a stove, hotplate, or conventional or microwave oven; (c) a refrigerator of more than four (4) cubic feet capacity.

Lagoon—A shallow body of water close to the ocean but separated from it by other shoreline features such as a sand bar, rocks, or a narrow strip of land. Coastal lagoons are partly or entirely enclosed, and many show variations of salinity throughout the year. Lagoons can be a shallow pond or lake close to a larger lake or river but separated from it by a barrier, such as a levee.

Land Division—The division of improved or unimproved land including subdivisions (e.g., parcel or tract maps, parcel map waivers), lot line adjustments, and any other divisions of land. including but not limited to lot splits, re-divisions, mergers, reversions to acreage, and legalization of lots purported to be created by a method that was not in compliance with applicable laws.

Landmark—A building or place that has been designated by either the County Cultural Heritage Board or the Board of Supervisors and satisfies one (1) of the following criteria:

(1)

It exemplifies special elements of the County's social, aesthetic, engineering, architectural or natural history;

(2)

It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Ventura County or its cities, regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the United States;

(3)

It is associated with the lives of persons important to Ventura County or its cities, California, or natural history;

(4)

It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of Ventura County or its cities, California, or the nation.

Landscape Area—Areas on a lot(s) that are required to be landscaped as part of development pursuant to Section 8178-8.

Landscape Contractor—A qualified landscape designer who holds a C-27 (landscaping contractor) license issued by the State of California to construct, maintain, repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape systems.

Landscape Documentation Package—The complete set of documents required to be submitted to the Planning Division pursuant to Section 8178-8.

Landscape, Licensed Architect—A person who is licensed to practice landscape architecture in the State of California.

Landscape Plan—A component of the landscape documentation package that includes a plan of the project site drawn to scale and superimposed on a plan sheet that includes, but is not limited to, the location of all landscaped areas, a plant list, and a planting plan.

Landscape, Qualified Designer—An individual who, through a combination of education, training, licenses and certificates for professional proficiency, and work experience, can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Planning Director that the individual possesses the necessary skills and abilities to design a landscape screen or other minor landscape improvements.

Landscape Screen—Materials used to: 1) hide or minimize views of a development or land use to promote visual compatibility with surrounding areas; 2) provide privacy or security; 3) mitigate environmental conditions such as wind, noise, dust, and light. Screening may consist of fencing, walls, plant materials, earthen mound, or any combination thereof.

Lateral Access—A recorded dedication or easement granting to the public the right to pass and repass over dedicator's real property generally parallel to, and up to twenty-five (25) feet inland from, the mean high tide line, but in no case allowing the public the right to pass nearer than ten (10) feet to any living unit on the property.

Lattice Tower—A structure, guyed or freestanding, erected on the ground, which generally consists of metal crossed strips or bars to support antennas and equipment.

Legally Established Structure—Structure or development established before the effective date of the Coastal Act (January 1, 1977) in conformity with all applicable local laws in effect at the time, or development established after the effective date of the Coastal Act and authorized by an effective coastal development permit or other required Local Coastal Program approval.

Light Fixture—A complete lighting unit that includes the lamp and all components directly associated with the distribution, positioning and protection of the lighting unit. Also referred to as a luminaire.

Light Fixture, Fully-Shielded—A luminaire or light fixture constructed and installed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture is projected below the horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light-emitting part.

Light Fixture, Partially-Shielded—A luminaire constructed and installed such that most light emitted by the fixture is projected below the horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light-emitting part. Light emitted above the horizontal plane arises only from decorative elements or diffusing materials such as frosted/colored glass or plastic.

Light Trespass or Light Spillover—Light emitted from a light fixture or luminaire that shines beyond the boundaries on which it is sited.

Lighting, Essential—A light fixture used for safety or security purposes. Safety lighting are outdoor light fixtures used by pedestrians to navigate safely along walkways between building entries, parking areas, and other

legally established structures within the building site. Security lighting are light fixtures found at entry gates, building entries, and in parking areas that are primarily intended to deter or detect intrusions or other unwanted activity. Also referred to as "essential light fixture."

Lighting, Glare—The sensation produced by a bright source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes are adapted causing annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.

Lighting, Outdoor—Any light fixture or luminaire that is installed outside the interior of a structure. The luminaire could be mounted to the exterior of a structure, mounted to poles, fences or other freestanding structures, or placed so as to provide direct illumination on any exterior area, object or activity. Outdoor lighting includes but is not limited to luminaires used for porches, hardscapes, landscapes, security lighting, driveways and walkways, parking areas, and outdoor recreation areas.

Lighting, Seasonal or Festive—Temporary lighting installed and operated in connection with holidays, traditions or festivities.

Lighting, Security—A light fixture that is primarily intended to deter or detect intrusions or other unwanted activity. Also see the definition for lighting, essential.

Littoral Drift—Longshore transportation of sediments by wave action.

Living Space—Any room other than a bathroom, closet, or stairwell.

Local Coastal Program (LCP)—The County's certified Coastal Land Use Plan, zoning ordinances, and zoning district maps.

Lot—An area of land.

Lot Area—The total area, measured in a horizontal plane, within the lot lines of a lot. For determining minimum lot size for subdivisions, the following areas shall be used: for lots ten (10) acres or larger, use gross area; for lots less than ten (10) acres, use net area.

Lot, Corner—A lot situated at the intersection of two (2) or more streets or highways, which streets or highways have an angle of intersection of not more than one hundred thirty-five (135) degrees.

Lot Depth—The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines, measured in the mean direction of the side lot lines.

Lot, Interior—A lot other than a corner lot.

Lot, Legal—A lot which met all local, Subdivision Map Act, and California Coastal Act of 1976 requirements when it was created, and which can be lawfully conveyed as a discrete unit separate from any contiguous lot. A legal lot is also a lot which has been issued a Coastal Development Permit pursuant to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance, and a certificate of compliance pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act and the Ventura County Subdivision Ordinance, and which can lawfully be conveyed as a discrete unit separate from any contiguous lot. A lot for which only a conditional certificate of compliance has been issued, pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act and County Subdivision Ordinance, is not defined as a legal lot under the Ventura County Local Coastal Program (see Sections 8174-4.4 and 8181-2).

Lot Line:

Front—A line separating an interior lot from the street, or a line separating the narrower street frontage of a corner lot from the street, except for flag lots (see setbacks).

Rear—A lot line that is opposite and most distant from the front lot line. For a triangular or irregular-shaped lot, the rear lot line shall mean a line ten (10) feet in length within the lot that is parallel to the front lot line, or parallel to the chord of a curved front lot line, and at the maximum distance from the front lot line.

Side—Any lot boundary line that is not a front line or a rear lot line.

See illustration below:

==> picture [396 x 297] intentionally omitted <==

Lot Line Adjustment—A lot reconfiguration that includes the modification of one (1) or more lines that form the boundary(ies) between two (2) or more adjacent lots, where the number of lots remains the same or is fewer than existed prior to the lot line adjustment.

Lot, Reverse-Corner—A corner lot, the rear of which abuts the side of another lot. Interior lots adjacent to flag lots are not considered reverse-corner lots.

Lot, Through—A lot, other than a corner lot, having frontage on two (2) parallel or approximately parallel streets.

Lot Width—The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at the front setback.

Low-Intensity Vegetation Removal Techniques—Techniques to remove vegetation (e.g., hand-pulling, mowing, mulching) that do not disturb the surrounding habitat or ecosystem when compared to alternative techniques, such as grazing or the use of heavy equipment that can compact or disturb soils or ESHA.

Lumen—Unit of measure used to quantify the amount of light produced by a lamp or emitted from a luminaire (as distinct from a "watt," which is a measure of power consumption).

Luminaire—See definition of light fixture.

Definitions — M—O

Major Public Works Project and Major Energy Facility—Any public works project or energy facility that costs more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) with an automatic annual increase in accordance with the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index*, except for those governed by the provisions of Sections 30610, 30610.5, 30611 or 30624 of the Public Resources Code.

In addition, a major public works project also means a publicly financed recreational facility that serves, affects, or otherwise impacts regional or statewide use of the coast by increasing or decreasing public recreational opportunities or facilities.

*Data from the Construction Cost Index is available from Coastal Commission staff or online at www.ENR.com. This definition is consistent with Code of Regulations Section 13012(a), which became effective in January 1983. Construction costs of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) in 1983 were equal to two hundred eight thousand seven hundred seventy-one dollars and four cents ($208,771.04) as of December 2008.

Major Vegetation—Grassland, coastal scrub, riparian vegetation, and native and nonnative trees, other than landscaping with development.

Master Valve—An electrical valve that controls all water flow into the irrigation system.

Maximum Applied Water Allowance—A calculated maximum annual volume of water allowed to be applied peracre or per-square-foot of an established landscaped area.

Mechanical Parking Lifts—Automated or manual, indoor or outdoor, lift systems designed to stack one (1) or more motor vehicles vertically.

Mean High Tide Line—A line representing the intersection of a particular shoreline with the average height of all high waters over a 18.6-year lunar cycle. The mean high tide line may vary in location (or "ambulate") over time as a result of climatic and other influences.

Microclimate—The climate of a small, specific area that may contrast with the climate of the overall landscape area due to factors such as wind, sun exposure, plant density, or proximity to reflective surfaces.

Micro-spray Irrigation—A type of low-pressure irrigation system with outlets that include one (1) or more openings that operate at a flow rate of less than thirty (30) gallons per hour at a pressure of thirty (30) psi. Micro-spray irrigation may include but is not limited to microbubblers, micro-spinners and micro-spray jets.

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Minor Development—A development that satisfies all of the following requirements:

(1)

The development is consistent with the County of Ventura Certified LCP;

(2)

The development requires no discretionary approvals other than a Public Works Permit or a Planned Development Permit; and

(3)

The development has no adverse effect either individually or cumulatively on coastal resources or public access to the shoreline or along the coast.

Mitigation Bank—A mitigation bank is a natural resource area that has been restored, established, enhanced, or (in certain circumstances) preserved for the purpose of providing off-site compensation for unavoidable impacts to a similar resource A mitigation bank may be created when a government agency, corporation, nonprofit organization, or other entity undertakes these activities under a formal agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mitigation, Enhancement—The manipulation of the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of an existing habitat to heighten, intensify, or improve a specific ecosystem function(s). Examples of enhancement activities include fencing to restrict access and protect from erosion, or controlling non-native or invasive or invasive watch list plant species. Enhancement results in improvements to specific ESHA functions, but it does not result in increased acreage of ESHA.

Mitigation, Establishment—The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site to create ecologically functional habitat where it did not previously exist. When used as compensatory mitigation, the establishment of new ESHA may result in an increase in ESHA acreage.

Mitigation, In-kind—The replacement of adversely impacted habitat with similar habitat of equal or higher quality containing the same plant and animal species/communities and providing similar ecological functions as the impacted habitat.

Mitigation, Preservation—The protection of existing ESHA in perpetuity using legal instruments such as a conservation easement.

Mitigation, Restoration—The manipulation of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a site to bring back the site's original natural or historic habitat, species, and ecological functions. May include the reestablishment of habitat at sites where ecological function was wholly or partially lost or degraded.

Mixed Use Development—A development project that includes a mixture of two (2) or more of the following uses on the same site: residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial use.

Mobilehome—A structure, transportable in one (1) or more sections, designed and equipped to be used as a dwelling unit, but not including a recreational vehicle, commercial coach, or factory-built housing.

Monarch Butterfly Roost Sites or Habitat—Groves of native or non-native trees, water sources, and associated understory plants, occupied by groups of monarch butterflies typically during the October through March overwintering period. Roosts are typically (but not always) occupied every year, although the number of butterflies may fluctuate from year to year or during the overwintering season dependent upon microsite characteristics. Also referred to as overwintering habitat or overwintering roost habitat.

Monopole—A structure composed of a single spire or pole used to support antennas and connecting appurtenances for a non-commercial antenna or a wireless communication facility.

Motel—Building(s) that provide lodging in guest rooms primarily for tourists traveling by automobile. Motel buildings typically have direct access from the rooms to the outdoors. Motels include auto courts, motor lodges, and tourist courts.

Mulch—A layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil or mixed with the soil. Its purpose is to conserve moisture, improve the fertility and health of the soil, reduce weed growth, and enhance the visual appeal of the area. A mulch is usually but not exclusively composed of organic material such as leaves, grass clippings, weeds, yard trimmings, wood waste, branches, stumps, and whole plants or trees that are mechanically reduced in size. Mulch can be used as a ground cover or as a soil conditioner. Mulch may be permanent or temporary, and it may be applied to bare soil or around existing plants. Mulches of manure or compost will be incorporated naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms.

Native Vegetation—Vegetation that is indigenous to Ventura County. Native vegetation includes, but is not limited to, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, perennial grassland, California annual grassland, riparian and alluvial scrub habitats. Native vegetation does not include ruderal vegetation invasive or invasive watch list plant species. In addition, native vegetation does not include ornamental, landscape or crop vegetation, including sod and lawn grasses and actively managed fallow farmland.

ed to, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, perennial grassland, California annual grassland, riparian and alluvial scrub habitats. Native vegetation does not include ruderal vegetation invasive or invasive watch list plant species. In addition, native vegetation does not include ornamental, landscape or crop vegetation, including sod and lawn grasses and actively managed fallow farmland.

Natural Disaster—Natural disasters are catastrophic events with atmospheric, geological, hydrological, and/or biological origins (e.g., droughts, earthquakes, floods, typhoons, landslides, wildfires, disease and pest epidemics) that can cause fatalities, property damage, and the significant disruption to the current status of society and the environment.

Natural Resource Agency—Any federal, state or local governmental agency created by statute or official action to protect natural resources. Such agencies include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), State Parks, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Ventura County Watershed Protection District.

Nest, Active/Occupied—The nest of a bird that is under construction or that contains eggs or young. Nests which are critical to the life history of the individual (e.g., individuals of species that exhibit site fidelity, colonial nesters, and raptors) are considered an active nest year-round.

Nest, Inactive—An abandoned bird nest once occupied by nestlings or fledglings that are no longer dependent on the nest.

Net Area—The total land area of a lot exclusive of: (a) areas within an existing or proposed public or private street, road, or easement used for ingress or egress, and (b) the area within an existing or proposed easement where the owner of the lot or parcel is prohibited from using the surface of the ground. Included in the net area is the area lying within public utility easements (except as otherwise provided in Section 8241 of Chapter 2 of this Code), sanitary sewer easements, landscaping easements, public service easements, and tree maintenance easements.

Noise Sensitive Receptors—Within ESHA, this includes wildlife species sensitive to noise disruption (bird, mammal, insect, etc.) or locations that contain or support species that elicit a negative biological response to specific types or levels of noise.

Non-Commercial Antenna—A device for transmitting or receiving radio signals. Non-commercial antennas are used to operate amateur radios, such as HAM radios and citizen band antennas, for purposes of the noncommercial exchange of messages, including emergency response training and operations.

Nonconforming Structure—A structure, or portion thereof, that was lawfully erected or altered and maintained, but that no longer conforms with development standards, including standards for lot coverage, setbacks, height, parking, and buffer zones for environmentally sensitive habitat areas, solely because of revisions made to development standards of this Chapter, including standards for buffer zones, lot coverage, lot area per structure, height, and setbacks.

lawfully erected or altered and maintained, but that no longer conforms with development standards, including standards for lot coverage, setbacks, height, parking, and buffer zones for environmentally sensitive habitat areas, solely because of revisions made to development standards of this Chapter, including standards for buffer zones, lot coverage, lot area per structure, height, and setbacks.

Nonconforming Use—A use that was lawfully established and maintained but that, because of revisions made to this Chapter is (1) no longer permitted in the zone in which it is located or, (2) no longer in conformance with the parking requirements of the use in the zone in which it is located.

Nonprime Agricultural Land—Agricultural lands not defined as prime that are suitable for agriculture.

Off-Site Parking—Parking provided at a site other than the site on which the use served by such parking is located.

Oil and Gas Exploration and Production—The drilling, extraction and transportation or subterranean fossil gas and petroleum, and necessary attendant uses and structures, but excluding refining, processing or manufacturing thereof.

Ornithologist—A type of zoologist who studies ornithology, the branch of science devoted to birds.

Outdoor Festivals—Events such as amusement rides, animal and art shows, concerts, craft fairs, and itinerant shows.

Outdoor Sporting Events—Recreational events or activities, other than spectator-type animal events, that require a natural environment, are carried on by one (1) or more groups of people, and do not involve structures, motorized vehicles, aircraft or firearms.

Oversized Vehicle—An oversized vehicle is defined as one of the following:

•

Any single vehicle that exceeds twenty-five (25) feet in length, six (6) feet eight (8) inches in width, or six (6) feet ten (10) inches in height, exclusive of projecting lights or devices.

•

Boat and cargo trailers.

•

Recreational vehicles including but not limited to fifth-wheel travel trailers and travel coaches.

Overspray—Irrigation water that is delivered outside of the landscape area.

Definitions — P—Q

Paleontological Resource, Important—The fossilized remains or indications of once-living plant or animal life that are found in geologic formations and have one (1) or more of the following characteristics:

(1)

The fossils are well preserved;

(2)

The fossils are identifiable;

(3)

The fossils are type/topotypic specimens;

(4)

The fossils are age diagnostic, or can be used as index fossils in a biostratigraphic context;

(5)

The fossils are useful in environmental reconstruction;

(6)

The fossils represent rare and/or endemic taxa;

(7)

The fossils represent a diverse assemblage;

(8)

The fossils represent associated marine and non-marine taxa.

Paleontological Resources, Significant Fossils—Identified sites or geologic deposits containing individual fossils or assemblages of fossils that are unique or unusual, diagnostically or stratigraphically important, and add to the existing body of knowledge in specific areas, stratigraphically, taxonomically, or regionally.

Paleontologist, Qualified Consultant—A professional geologist licensed by the State of California or other person determined by the Planning Director to be qualified. An un-licensed person may be considered to be a qualified paleontologist consultant by the Planning Director if he or she meets all of the following standards:

(1)

Holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in paleontology, geology, or related discipline;

(2)

Has a minimum of five (5) years of experience performing paleontological, geological, or related studies;

(3)

Can demonstrate expertise in local and regional vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology;

(4)

Has experience in fossil collection, curation and report preparation; and

(5)

Can demonstrate professional experience and competency with paleontological resource mitigation procedures and techniques.

Parcel—For the purposes of this Chapter, the word parcel shall have the same meaning as the word lot.

Parking Lot—An improved, off street parking facility containing four (4) or more parking spaces and that is designed and used primarily for the parking of operable motor vehicles and bicycles. Parking lots may be located at grade, above-ground, or below-ground. Parking lots include parking spaces, drive aisles, loading areas, and required landscaping and screening. Parking lots do not include individual residential garages, parking spaces/areas for single-family or two-family dwelling units, including those used for caretaker or farmworker housing.

Parkway—The portion of a public road right-of-way that is typically reserved for public utility facilities, street trees or landscaping, and pedestrian access facilities (e.g., sidewalks or trails). The parkway is located between the outside edge of the road right-of-way and the road pavement (i.e., shoulder and travel-way), a boundary that is often defined by a curb and gutter.

Passive Restoration—Passive restoration allows natural succession to occur in an ecosystem after removing a source of disturbance.

Performance Criteria—An expectation of interim or final results, stated in the landscape documentation package or other plan requiring County approval, that identifies benchmarks for vegetative growth and coverage against which performance is measured.

Perimeter Landscaping—The area located within the required setbacks of a lot when such setbacks must be set aside and used primarily for landscaping.

Permitted Use—A use listed in Section 8174-5 as a permitted use, which may be allowed subject to obtaining the necessary permits and compliance with all applicable provisions of the LCP.

Person—Any individual, organization, partnership, or other business association or corporation, including any utility and any federal, state, local government or special district, or any agency thereof.

Pervious Pavement—A porous surface that allows the passage of water through the material and into the underlying soil. Pervious pavement is used to decrease the volume of stormwater runoff and to increase the infiltration of water into the ground.

Planned Development Permit—A Coastal Development Permit based upon a discretionary decision that is required prior to initiation of specified uses and development which are subject to site plan review and which may be conditioned in order to assure compliance with the requirements of the Local Coastal Program.

Planning Director—The Deputy Director, Ventura County Resource Management Agency, for the Planning Division, or his or her designee.

Plant Factor—A factor used in the water budget calculation to estimate the amount of water needed for plants. Plant factors range from 0.1 to 0.9 and are divided into four (4) categories: very low < 0.1; low 0.1—0.3; moderate 0.4—0.6; and high 0.7—0.9.

Planter, Finger—A landscape planter located at the end of a parking aisle that defines parking lot circulation aisles and that provides a place to plant trees within the parking lot.

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Examples of Finger Planters

Planter, Landscape—An area devoted to plants that is defined with a raised curb or other material that separates the landscape area from adjacent uses.

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Examples of Landscape Planters

Planter, Landscape Strip—A long, narrow landscape planter located in front of or between rows of parking spaces or adjacent to a property line that borders a public sidewalk or street.

Landscape Strip Planters are typically used to reduce storm-water runoff or to visually screen parking lots from public walkways or streets.

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Examples of Landscape Strip Planters

Point of Interest—The location of, or site of, a former improvement or natural feature or of an event possessing historical or cultural characteristics.

Pony—A small or young horse under fifty-eight (58) inches high at the shoulders.

Preliminary Processing—Basic activities and operations instrumental to the preparation of agricultural goods for shipment to market, excluding canning or bottling.

Prime Agricultural Land—Means any of the following:

•

All land which qualifies for rating as Class I or Class II in the Natural Resource Conservation Service land use capability classifications.

•

Land which qualifies for rating 80 through 100 in the Storie Index Rating.

•

Land which supports livestock used for the production of food and fiber and which has an annual carrying capacity equivalent to at least one (1) animal unit per acre as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.

•

Land planted with fruit- or nut-bearing trees, vines, bushes or crops which have a nonbearing period of less than five (5) years and which will normally return during the commercial bearing period on an annual basis from the production of unprocessed agricultural plant production not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) per acre.

Principal Use/Principal Structure—The primary use(s) or primary structure(s) on a lot to which other uses and structures are accessory. This term is unrelated to the definition of principally-permitted use, which indicates development that is not appealable to the Coastal Commission, unless located within an appealable area (see definition of Principally-Permitted Use).

Principally-Permitted Use—The primary use of land that clearly carries out the land use intent and purpose of a particular zone, as specified in Section 8174-5. Where a land use is identified as a principally-permitted use, the County's approval of a Coastal Development Permit for that development is not appealable to the Coastal Commission unless it otherwise meets the definition of Development Subject to Appeal. See definition of principal use/principal structure for development that is the primary use or primary structure on a lot.

Produce Stand—A structure used to sell raw, unprocessed fruits, nuts and seeds, and vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants.

Public Art—Art that is located in publicly-accessible places (e.g., government buildings, schools, public parks and waterfront areas), not including temporary arts activities or events such as street theatre, open-air music, or pavement artists.

Public Road or Street—Any road or street or thoroughfare of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel.

Public Viewing Areas—Public areas that afford views of scenic resources. Such views may be fleeting or expansive as experienced from individual locations or along transportation corridors. Public viewing areas include, but are not limited to, beaches, coastal streams and waters used for recreational purposes, coastal trails and accessways, highways, public parklands, public roads, public sidewalks or trails, scenic overlooks, vistas and vista points.

Public Viewshed—A geographical area that is visible from a public viewing area.

Public Works—Means the following:

(1)

All production, storage, transmission, and recovery facilities for water, sewerage, telephone, and other similar utilities owned or operated by any public agency or by a utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission, except for energy facilities.

(2)

All public transportation facilities, including streets, roads, highways, public parking lots and structures, ports, harbors, airports, railroads, and mass transit facilities and stations, bridges, trolley wires, and other related facilities.

(3)

All publicly-financed recreational facilities, all projects of the State Coastal Conservancy, and any development by a special district.

(4)

All community college facilities.

See also Major Public Works Project and Major Energy Facility.

Qualified Storm Water Designer—A licensed civil engineer, Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Practitioner (QSP), Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD), or Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist (CPESC).

Definitions — R

Rain Garden—A planted area that captures stormwater runoff. A rain garden is designed to withstand moisture and concentrations such as nitrogen and phosphorus found in rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways, and parking lots.

Raptor—Birds in the biological order called Falconiformes, which includes eagles, hawks, falcons, and ospreys and any bird dependent on consumption of other animals for food, including scavengers such as vultures and condors.

Rebuild—A rebuild or reconstruction occurs when extensive changes or repairs are made to the exterior envelope of any structure.

Reclaimed Water—Treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation and water features. This water is not intended for human consumption and must be appropriately identified with colored pipes and signage, if appropriate.

Recreational Area—Areas designed for shoreline/beach, water oriented, passive, and commercial recreation, including but not limited to, multiple-use paths and trails, natural or wilderness parks, and developed parks. Recreational areas include "public" and "privately-operated" recreational opportunities that are available to the general public.

Recreational Vehicle—A vehicle of any size that (a) is self-propelled or is towed by another vehicle, (b) is not designed to be used as a permanent dwelling, (c) has self-contained plumbing, heating and electrical systems

that may be operated without connection to outside utilities and, (d) does not meet the definition of a structure. Recreational vehicles do not fall within the definition of mobile homes.

Recreational Vehicle Park—Any area of land developed primarily for temporary use by recreational vehicles for which utility connections (sewer, water, electricity) are provided.

Rehabilitated Landscape—Any re-landscaping or landscaping modification project that would change fifty (50) percent or more of the total landscape area, and that requires the issuance of a new or modified discretionary permit.

Remodel—A remodel is an interior alteration to an existing approved, permitted and inspected structure where the foundation, exterior walls and roof structure remain in place without modification.

Rent—The terms rent, rented and rental mean allowing use of a dwelling or property, or any portion thereof, in exchange for consideration in any form.

Residential Care Facility—A residential facility providing nonmedical or incidental medical services on a 24hour basis or on a less than 24-hour basis to people who are mentally ill, handicapped, physically disabled, elderly, dependent or neglected children, wards of the Juvenile Court, or other persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of everyday living or for protection of the individual. Included within this definition are "intermediate care facilities/developmentally disabled-nursing" and "intermediate care facilities/developmentally disabled-habilitative" with six (6) or fewer beds, and congregate living health facilities, pursuant to the Health and Safety Code.

vision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of everyday living or for protection of the individual. Included within this definition are "intermediate care facilities/developmentally disabled-nursing" and "intermediate care facilities/developmentally disabled-habilitative" with six (6) or fewer beds, and congregate living health facilities, pursuant to the Health and Safety Code.

Residential (or "R") Zone—A base zone classification under this Chapter that contains the letter "R" in its abbreviation.

Resource-Dependent Uses—A use that is reliant on the resource (i.e., ESHA) to function. Resource-dependent uses include nature observation, research/education, and passive recreation, including low-impact camping and hiking.

Rest Home—A licensed facility where lodging and meals, and nursing, dietary and other personal services are rendered for nonpsychiatric convalescents, invalids, and aged persons for compensation. Excludes cases of contagious or communicable diseases, and surgery or primary treatments such as are customarily provided in sanitariums and hospitals.

Restoration Specialist—A County-approved, qualified biologist that has the knowledge and demonstrable experience to plan and implement a habitat restoration, establishment, or enhancement project for the environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA).

Retail Trade—Businesses engaged in retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. Examples of retail trade businesses are: bakeries, delicatessens, grocery stores and meat markets; retail stores for the sale of books, cameras, clothing, flowers, hardware, jewelry, pets, shoes, sporting goods and toys; bait and fishing tackle rental; drug stores; gift shops, hobby shops and music stores.

Ridgeline—A ridge or mountain ridge is a geological feature consisting of a chain of mountains or hills that form a continuous elevated crest for some distance. A ridgeline is the line along the crest of this geological feature, which is formed by the highest points, with the terrain dropping down on either side of the ridgeline.

Riding Stable—A facility where there are stables for horses that are rented to members of the public for recreational purposes, including riding lessons, whether or not the facility is advertised or promoted as such, and whether or not the riding occurs on the property on which the horses are kept.

Riparian Habitat—A zone of transitional habitat between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems dependent on the existence of perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral surface or subsurface water. The riparian vegetation community is located in an area adjacent to a natural watercourse, such as a perennial or intermittent stream, lake or other body of fresh water, where related vegetation and associated animal species live or are located. See Appendix E1, AE1.2.3(h)(8) for a more detailed description of the plant communities within riparian habitat/vegetation.

surface or subsurface water. The riparian vegetation community is located in an area adjacent to a natural watercourse, such as a perennial or intermittent stream, lake or other body of fresh water, where related vegetation and associated animal species live or are located. See Appendix E1, AE1.2.3(h)(8) for a more detailed description of the plant communities within riparian habitat/vegetation.

Rocky Outcrop Habitat—An outcropping of rock that provides habitat to many specialized and endemic species that are adapted to persist on generally dry, nutrient poor soils or that require rocky formations for different critical life stages. A visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the earth that forms a natural topographic feature of scenic or historic value. See Appendix AE-1.2.3 for a more detailed description of the plant communities within ESHA Rocky Outcrop Habitat.

Roof Structures—Structures located on the roof of a building for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans and similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building; fire or parapet walls, safety rails, skylights, towers, flagpoles, chimneys, smokestacks, solar collectors, residential satellite, and digital T.V. dishes less than one (1) meter in diameter, T.V. antennas and similar structures. A wireless communication facility is not included in the definition of roof structures.

Rooming House—A dwelling unit with one (1) family in permanent residence wherein two (2) to five (5) bedrooms, without meals, are offered for compensation.

Roosting Sites—Sites used by birds or other winged animals for nesting, breeding, resting, or sleeping.

Runoff—Water that flows across the earth's surface rather than being infiltrated into the ground or transpired by plants.

Definitions — S

Sandy Beach Area—A public or privately-owned sandy area fronting on coastal waters, regardless of the existence of potential prescriptive rights or a public trust interest.

Scenic Highway—A route or byway that is officially designated as a scenic highway pursuant to State law which travels through an area comprised primarily of scenic and natural features.

Scenic Highway Corridor—The visible area outside the right-of-way of an eligible or designated scenic highway comprised primarily of scenic and natural features.

Scenic Resources—The landscape patterns and features which are visually or aesthetically pleasing and which are visible from a public viewing area, including but not limited to the beach or ocean, coastline, mountains, canyons, ridgelines, significant hillsides and open space, estuaries, wetlands and lagoons, other unique natural or manmade features such as the Channel Islands Harbor.

Season, Breeding/Nesting (Bird)—January 1 through September 15 of each calendar year. Times during the calendar year when bird species nest and breed. While the breeding/nesting season varies for different species of birds, January through Mid-September of each calendar year is generally considered the breeding/nesting season for birds within Ventura County.

Season, Non-Breeding/Non-Nesting—September 16 through December 31 of each calendar year. Times during the calendar year when bird species are not nesting or breeding. While this period varies for different species of birds, Mid-September through December of each calendar year is generally considered the nonbreeding/nesting season for birds within Ventura County.

Second Dwelling—See dwelling, second.

Second Generation Rodenticides—Products used to poison certain types of rodents (e.g., rats, mice) containing the active ingredients brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, and difenacoum.

Service Infrastructure—Roads, electrical cable lines, water wells or pipes, sewer pumps and leach fields, and other development that provides essential services to a structure or facility.

Setback—The distance on an individual lot that is intended to provide an open area measured from a property line or other boundary line to a structure or use, and includes front (F), rear (R) and side (S) setbacks.

In the case of "flag" lots, the setbacks shall be measured from the applicable front, rear and sides of the lot as designated in the following diagram.

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If a = b, applicant designates C or D as front.

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Setback, Front—An open area that extends between side lot lines across the front of a lot, the depth of which is the required minimum horizontal distance between the front lot line and a line parallel thereto on the lot.

Setback, Rear—An open area that extends across the rear of the lot between the inner side lot lines that is the required minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line and a line parallel thereto on the lot.

Setback, Side—An open area that extends from the front setback, or the front lot line where no front setback is required, to the rear yard; the width of the required side setback shall be measured horizontally from the nearest part of the side lot line.

Shall and May—"Shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive.

Shared Parking—Shared parking is a means by which adjacent property owners share their parking areas and thereby reduce the number of parking spaces that each would provide on their individual properties. Shared parking is commonly applied when land uses have different parking demand patterns and are able to use the same parking spaces/areas throughout the day.

Shorebird Colony—A large congregation of shorebirds of one (1) or more species that nest or roost in proximity at a particular location. See definition for colonial roost.

Shoreline Protective Devices—Seawalls, revetments, breakwaters and other such construction that alter natural shoreline processes.

Sign—A communication device using words or symbols, illuminated or non-illuminated, that is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public and that directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise; or any emblem, painting, banner, pennant, placard or temporary display designed to advertise, identify or convey information.

that is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public and that directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise; or any emblem, painting, banner, pennant, placard or temporary display designed to advertise, identify or convey information.

Sign Area—The total area within the physical or visual frame of the sign, or the sum of the total area of graphical elements where there is no frame. For double-faced signs, the sign area is the total area of a single side of the sign. Time and temperature devices without advertising ;i©\i; are not included in the sign area. See Section 8175-5.13.9.1, to determine maximum sign area.

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Sign, Attached—Any sign posted, painted on, or constructed or otherwise attached to the wall, façade, canopy, marquee, or other architectural part of a building.

Sign, Canopy—Any sign attached to, or constructed in or on, a canopy or marquee.

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Sign or Message/Content, Commercial—A sign or message that relates primarily to economic interests such as the exchange of goods and services. Different types of commercial signs are more particularly defined in this Article.

Sign, Construction—A temporary, on-site sign directly related to a construction project.

Sign Copy—The words and/or graphics printed on a sign.

Sign, Directional—Any on-site sign that serves solely to designate entrances or exits, or the location or direction of any onsite area.

Sign, Double-faced—A sign structure with messages on both sides of a sign board or panel; or a sign structure with two (2) attached parallel faces.

Sign, Freestanding—Any sign that is anchored directly to the ground or is supported from the ground and detached from any building or structure.

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Sign, Identification—An on-site sign that only indicates the name of the occupant, business and/or address.

Sign, Illuminated—A sign that is illuminated by a light source that is contained inside the sign.

Sign, Incidental—An on-site sign providing non-advertising information about a location or business such as hours of operation, contact information, and whether or not the location or business is open or has vacancy.

Sign, Interpretive—A sign that explains the meaning, origin, or purpose of an historical, natural, or cultural resource or site.

Sign, Legal Nonconforming—A sign that does not conform to the current applicable development standards of this Chapter but was lawfully in existence and in use prior to and at the time the provisions of this Chapter with which it does not conform became effective. (See Section 8175-5.13.11.)

Sign, Light Emitting Diodes (LED)—An internally illuminated sign that utilizes light-emitting diodes, or similar technology, and colored lens assembled in single and tri-color matrixes instead of incandescent light bulbs, neon, or fluorescent tubes. Does not include electronic variable message signs that would allow for images that appear to move with video-like quality such as but not limited to electronic message boards and marquee signs.

Sign, Locational—A sign that informs the public about the location of noncommercial destinations such as coastal access points, trailheads, parks and campgrounds, government facilities and other points of interest, and that is maintained by a public agency.

Sign Message/Content, Noncommercial—A sign or message which is not of a commercial nature. Such signs or messages typically relate to politics or public policy, civics, art, science, public service, social issues, religion, or spirituality.

Sign, Monument—A freestanding sign detached from a building sitting directly on the ground or near ground level and having a solid support structure as opposed to being supported by poles or similar support structures.

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Sign, Mural—A painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall.

Sign, Off-site—A sign that displays content related to property, goods, activities, or services not found on, or related to, the lot on which the sign is located.

Sign, On-site—A sign located on the same site as the occupant, business, trade or profession to which it relates.

Sign, Open House—A temporary, off-site sign providing direction to residential real property during the period it is on public display for sale or lease.

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Sign, Permanent—A sign intended to be displayed and maintained for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days.

Sign Permit—The written authorization issued by the Planning Division that allows the permit holder to place, erect, modify, alter, repaint or maintain a sign. Sign permits may be issued as Zoning Clearances or Planned

Development Permits as provided herein.

Sign, Political—A temporary sign with noncommercial content pertaining to an election for public office or to a ballot measure to be placed before voters in a federal, state, or local election.

Sign, Portable—A temporary sign that can be moved from one location to another. The term portable sign includes signs mounted on a trailer or other moveable object and towed by a motor vehicle. Such signs do not include a sign that is attached or magnetically affixed to the body or other integral part of the vehicle.

Sign Program—A plan that includes a range of sign types and styles that support the overall continuity of the design of the signs that will serve multiple buildings or tenants leasing space in a building(s) on one (1) or more parcels.

Sign, Projecting—An attached sign that projects outward perpendicularly or at an angle from a wall or building face.

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Sign, Promotional Temporary—A temporary on-site sign such as a banner, pennant, or inflatable object located, attached, or tethered to the ground, site, merchandise, or structure.

Sign, Real Estate—A temporary, on-site sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the property on which it is maintained.

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Sign, Residential Subdivision—A temporary sign advertising the sale of two (2) or more lots located within the same subdivision.

Sign, Road—A sign that provides information to control the flow of traffic, warns of hazards ahead, future destinations, or roadway services, and that is maintained by the State Department of Transportation or local agency.

Sign, Roof—Any sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof or on top of or above the parapet of a building.

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Sign, Symbol—A permanent on-site sign with a graphic representation of goods or services sold or rendered on the premises, or a traditional emblem associated with a trade, and that contains no written content, pictures or symbols such as business logos or trademarks.

Sign, Temporary—A sign displayed for a limited period of time not exceeding sixty (60) consecutive days or such other duration as specified for a particular sign in this Chapter.

Sign, Wall—A sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of such wall.

Sign, Window—A sign attached to, suspended behind, placed or painted upon the window or glass door of a building and is intended for viewing from the exterior of such building. Does not include merchandise offered for sale onsite, when on display in a window.

Site of Merit—Sites of historical, cultural, architectural or aesthetic merit which have not been officially otherwise designated and have been surveyed according to Federal standards and assigned a National Register Status Code of 1 through 5.

Sky glow—The brightness of the night sky caused by artificial lights used for development, which is most often noticed as a glowing dome over cities.

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Example of sky glow

Slope—The relationship between the change in elevation (rise) of land and the horizontal distance (run) over which that change in elevation occurs, measured along a straight line. The percent of any given slope is determined by dividing the rise by the run on the natural slope, and multiplying by one hundred (100).

Slope/Density Formula—An engineering formula based on the average slope of an existing lot that is used to determine the minimum lot area of all proposed lots of a land division in the COS zone, and in the CA zone when not prime agricultural land.

Soils Report—A report prepared by a geotechnical engineer or soils engineer licensed by the State of California for one (1) or more of the following purposes: identifying the nature and distribution of existing soils; stating

conclusions and recommendations for grading procedures; stating soil design criteria for structures, embankments or landscaping; and, where necessary, setting forth slope stability studies.

Sound Measurements, dB and dBA—Measured in decibels, these units on the logarithmic scale are based on the ratio between the actual measured sound pressure and the reference sound pressure. The dBA measurement for sound is adjusted to represent the way the human hearing system responds to sound/noise.

Sound Measurements, Leq(h) and L(max)—Measurements for sounds that vary over time. Leg(h) is the energy equivalent level of sound within a given time period. L(max) is the maximum sound level measured within a given time period.

Special Landscape Area—An area of the project site designated principally for one of the following purposes: (a) the production of food crops such as vegetable gardens or orchards; (b) irrigation with recycled water (i.e., water features); and (c) use for active recreation such as golf courses, sports fields, school yards, picnic grounds, or other areas where turf provides a playing surface or serves other high-use recreational purposes.

Special Status Species—A term used in the scientific community for species that are considered sufficiently rare that they require special consideration and/or protection. Groups categorized as special status species are recognized by federal, state and local natural resource agencies as threatened, endangered, rare, candidate species/species of special concern, California fully protected species, or are species listed as of "greatest conservation concern" due to the decline of the species. See Section 8178-2.4 for specific ranks and groups classified as special status species.

Stable, Private—An accessory building or structure used for the keeping of horses owned by the occupants of the premises and not kept for remuneration, hire or sale.

Stepping Stones—Isolated patches of suitable habitat used by a species, often only for temporary occupancy, to facilitate movement through the larger landscape.

Stopover/Staging Sites—A stopover area is a site used by birds to rest and feed during migration, while a staging area is a site that contains abundant, predictable food resources that attract large numbers of birds.

Store—An enclosed building housing an establishment offering a specified line of goods or services for retail sale.

Stormwater Management Landscaping—Landscape features that make use of vegetation, land forms, soil, or filtering media to provide retention, treatment, evapotranspiration, or infiltration of stormwater. Examples include bioretention areas, rain gardens, vegetated drainage swales, vegetated buffer zones, landscape strip planters, tree box filters, infiltration trenches, and dry swales.

Stream—A topographic feature that conveys water over the land perennially, intermittently, or ephemerally through a bed or channel with banks. This term also applies to watercourses having a surface or subsurface flow that support or have supported riparian or alluvial vegetation. Referred to as "creek," drainage or watercourse.

Structural Alterations—Any change in roof lines or exterior walls, or in the supporting members of a building such as foundations, bearing walls, columns, beams, girders, floor joists, roof joists, or rafters. This includes any physical change that could affect the integrity of a wall, including partial or total removal, moving a wall to another location or expanding the wall in terms of height or length. Minor actions such as adding a doorway,

walkway, passage or window, or attaching architectural features or adornments, are not considered to be structural alterations.

Structure—Anything constructed or erected on the ground, or that requires location on the ground, or is attached to something having a location on or in the ground.

Subsurface Irrigation—An irrigation system that uses perforated underground pipe to provide water to the plants' root zones.

Supportive Housing—Shall have the same definition as set forth in Government Code section 65582(n), as may be amended, which states: "'Supportive Housing' means housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to an onsite or offsite service that assists the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving their health status, and maximizing their ability to live and, when possible, work in the community."

Definitions — T—V

Tandem Parking—The placement of parking spaces one behind the other, so that the space nearest the driveway or street access serves as the only means of access to the other space.

Third-Party Provider—A natural resource agency, County-approved conservation organization or specialized business that is contracted to implement compensatory mitigation.

Through Lot—See lot, through.

Tidelands—All lands that are located between the lines of mean high tide and mean low tide.

Tide Pool—Rocky pools of water on the shoreline that are subject to the ebb and flow of ocean tides and which may exist as isolated pools at low tide or when the ocean recedes.

Topotypic—A specimen from the locality at which the type was first collected.

Townhouse Development—A subdivision consisting of attached dwelling units in conjunction with a separate lot or lots of common ownership, wherein each dwelling unit has at least one (1) vertical wall extending from ground to roof dividing it from adjoining units, and each unit is separately owned, with the owner of such unit having title to the land on which it sits.

Transitional Housing—Shall have the same definition as set forth in Government Code section 65582(q), as may be amended, which states: "'Transitional Housing' means buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that require the termination of assistance and recirculating of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at a predetermined future point in time that shall be no less than six months from the beginning of the assistance."

Trash Enclosure—An area where trash or recyclable material containers or any other type of waste or refuse containers are stored and which may include fences or walls to secure the area.

Tree—A perennial palm or plant that includes at least one (1) well-defined stem or trunk that may, at maturity, be kept clear of leaves and branches at least six (6) feet above grade.

Tree, Alter—To prune, cut, trim, poison, over-water, trench within a tree's roots, or otherwise transform or damage a tree.

Tree Canopy—The horizontal projection of a tree's limbs, branches, twigs, leaves and buds.

Tree, Certified Arborist—An individual who specializes in the care and maintenance of trees and is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture.

Tree, Diameter Measurements—The diameter of a tree trunk measured in inches at a height of four and onehalf (4.5) feet above the ground while standing on level ground or from the uphill side of a tree. If a tree splits into multiple trunks below four and one-half (4.5) feet, the trunk is measured at its most narrow point beneath the split. Where an elevated root crown is encountered which enlarges the trunk at four and one-half feet above grade, the trunk shall be measured above the crown swell where the normal trunk resumes. The diameter of limbs shall be measured just beyond the swell of the branch where the limb attaches to the main trunk or their supporting limbs.

Tree, Dripline—The area created by extending a vertical line from the outermost portion of the limb canopy to the ground.

Tree, Emergency—A natural occurrence, disaster, or disease that would jeopardize public health or safety due to a hazardous tree.

Tree, Encroachment—The direct or indirect invasion of the tree protected zone which may damage or transform any part of a protected tree or its root system including but not limited to such activities as: trenching; digging; placement of heavy equipment; paving; storing vehicles and other materials; irrigation and landscaping; grading; or placement of structures.

Tree, Fell—See tree removal.

Tree, Hazardous—A tree that has succumbed to disease or pests or a tree with one (1) or more structural defects that predispose it to failure. To be defined as hazardous, the tree must be located in an area where personal injury or damage to private property (e.g., a structure such as a house, garage, fence, carport, or access leading to such areas) could occur if the tree, or a portion of the tree, fails.

Tree, Heritage—A non-native, non-invasive or non-invasive watch list species of tree or group/grove of trees that has unique value or is considered irreplaceable because of its rarity, distinctive features (e.g., size, form, shape color), or prominent location with a community or landscape.

Tree, Historic—Any tree or group of trees identified by the County as having historic value to Ventura County, the State or the nation. The County may designate an historic tree as a landmark, or it may be identified on the Federal or California Historic Resources Inventory to be of historic or cultural significance, or otherwise identified as contributing to a site or structure of historical or cultural significance.

e or group of trees identified by the County as having historic value to Ventura County, the State or the nation. The County may designate an historic tree as a landmark, or it may be identified on the Federal or California Historic Resources Inventory to be of historic or cultural significance, or otherwise identified as contributing to a site or structure of historical or cultural significance.

Tree, Invasive—Any non-native tree or group of trees that spread into an area where they displace native plants or native trees or bring about changes in species composition, community structure, or ecosystem function.

Tree, ISA Standards—Pruning standards promulgated by the International Society of Arboriculture.

Tree, Multiple Trunk—A tree which has two (2) or more trunks forking below four and one-half (4.5) feet above the uphill side of the root crown.

Tree, Native—Any tree indigenous to Ventura County not planted for commercial agriculture.

Tree, Non-Native—Any tree not indigenous to Ventura County.

Tree Permit—A ministerial Zoning Clearance, discretionary Planned Development Permit, or Emergency Coastal Development Permit, issued by the Planning Division authorizing the alteration or removal of a protected tree.

Tree, Protected—Any tree that meets the criteria set forth in Section 8178-7.3.

Tree, Protected Zone—The surface and subsurface area in which the loss, disturbance, or damage to any roots may adversely affect the tree's long-term health and structural stability. See Section 8178-7.4.3 to calculate Tree, Protected Zone.

Tree, Protected Zone Buffer—A distance measured from the edge of the tree protected zone which allows for future growth. See Section 8178-7.4.3.

Tree Protection, Planting, and Monitoring Plan—A plan required in the event that a protected tree is adversely impacted by proposed development. Examples of when a plan would be required, include but are not limited to: the relocation of a protected tree, the planting of replacement trees or the monitoring of a tree encroached upon by the development.

Tree, Pruning—Removal of all, or portions of, a tree's shoots, branches, limbs or roots.

Tree, Qualified Consultant—An individual who is a certified arborist or an individual who can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director, that he or she possesses the necessary certifications, experience, and skills to provide competent advice as required by the applicable provisions of this Chapter.

Tree, Qualified Service Company—A tree service company that has a qualified tree consultant on staff, holds a California C-61 Limited Specialty D-49 Tree Service License, and maintains current certificates of liability insurance.

Tree, Qualified Trimmer—A qualified tree trimmer shall have a minimum of three (3) years of full-time, practical work experience managing the establishment and maintenance of trees and shall be licensed to conduct business in Ventura County.

Tree Removal—The destruction or displacement of a tree by cutting, bulldozing, or using a mechanical or chemical method to physically destroy or otherwise cause the death of the tree, including transporting the tree from its site without ensuring the health and survivability of the tree.

Tree, Root Crown—The area of a tree where the trunk(s) meet the roots, sometimes called the collar of the tree.

Tree, Root System—The non-leaf, non-nodes bearing part of the tree that typically lies below the surface of the soil. The root system is responsible for absorbing and storing water and nutrients and anchoring the tree to the ground.

Tree Row—A row of trees planted and presently used for the purpose of providing shelter from wind for commercial agriculture; also known as a windbreak or windrow.

Tree, Sapling—A young tree that is typically no more than three (3) inches in diameter at existing grade.

Tree Seedling—A tree that is grown from seed and is less than three (3) feet in height.

Tree, Street—A tree whose trunk (all or part) is located within the County road right-of-way. The canopy of a street tree may extend beyond the County road right-of-way.

Tree Survey—A report that describes the general condition and health of all onsite protected tree(s) and includes but is not limited to identifying tree species, location, trunk diameter, extent of tree protected zone, proposed tree maintenance and alteration, and any necessary tree protection measures for trees that are to remain.

Tree Topping—Pruning the top of a tree, also known as the tree crown, for the purpose of providing safe and reliable utility service.

Tree, Transplant—The moving of living trees from one place to another.

Tree Well—The area around the trunk of a tree that creates a visual boundary between a tree and landscaped area or improved surface.

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Examples of Tree Wells

Tribal Cultural Resources—Sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places and objects with cultural value to a California Native American tribe that are included in one of the following: (a) state register of historical resources or resources determined to be eligible for inclusion in the state register, (b) local register of historical resources, or (c) resources identified by the County (at its discretion) as a tribal cultural resource.

Turf—An area planted with grass.

T.V. Antenna—An antenna designed to receive only television broadcast signals.

Unbroken, Glass/Glazed—The glass surface of a fence or building that is not visually (or physically) broken up by mullions or solid building materials.

Unique Vegetation—Plants found in the Santa Monica Mountains and elsewhere in the coastal zone, which are considered either rare and endangered, rare but not endangered, or rare in California but not elsewhere.

Upland Development—All development found in the valleys and mountain areas beyond the coastal shelf.

Use—The purpose for which land or a building or structure is arranged, designed or intended to be used, or for which it is or may be used, occupied or maintained.

Vegetated Swale—A form of bioretention designed as a broad, shallow channel densely planted with a variety of trees, shrubs and/or grasses that attenuate and infiltrate runoff volume from adjacent impervious surfaces.

Vegetation, Major—See major vegetation.

Vertical Access—A recorded dedication or easement granting to the public the privilege and right to pass and repass over dedicator's real property from a public road to the mean high tide line.

Visual Qualities—The distinctive visual characteristics or attributes of natural or man-made areas that are visible to the public.

Definitions — W—Z

Waste Treatment and Disposal—Public or private disposal facilities or transfer stations, operated for the purpose of recycling, reclaiming, treating or disposal of garbage, sewage, rubbish, offal, dead animals, oilfield wastes, hazardous waste, or other waste material originating on or off the premises.

Water Budget—An estimate of the annual volume of water required to irrigate a specific landscape area. Water budget calculations require measured areas of each irrigated hydrozone and reference evapotranspiration for the landscape area.

Water Feature—A design element within a landscape area that performs an aesthetic or recreational function in which water is supplied by plumbing fixtures. Water features include but are not limited to manufactured ponds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, and streams.

Water Harvesting—A method for inducing, collecting, storing and conserving local surface runoff for reuse.

Water Quality Best Management Practices—A program, siting criteria, operational method, or engineered system, to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants and sedimentation to the County storm drain system and receiving waters.

Water Use Classification of Landscape Species—A publication of the California Department of Water Resources which lists common landscape plants and their water requirements by region, using the categories high, moderate, low, and very low.

Watercourse/Drainage, Ephemeral—A natural watercourse, or portion thereof, which only flows after a rainfall and whose channel is always above the groundwater reservoir. An ephemeral watercourse/drainage may also be referred to as a stream.

Watercourse/Drainage, Intermittent—A well-defined channel that only flows continuously at certain times of the year. An intermittent watercourse may flow when it receives water from a spring or a ground-water source. A seasonal, intermittent watercourse may flow when water is received from melting snow or winter rains. At low flow, the watercourse may have dry segments that alternate with flowing segments. An intermittent or seasonally intermittent watercourse may also be referred to as a stream.

Wet Bar—A bar or counter used for mixing drinks that is located in an area separate from the kitchen and includes a sink with running water.

Wet Environment—Terrestrial environments that are associated with the presence of water, either perennially or ephemerally. Wet environments include wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, estuaries, lagoons, seeps, springs, and the vegetative communities associated with these physical settings. Does not include beaches that abut the sea, except where the beach includes an estuary, lagoon or wetland. See Appendix AE-1.2.3 for a more detailed description of a wet environment.

Wetland—Land which may be covered periodically or permanently with shallow water. A wetland includes, but is not limited to, saltwater marshes, freshwater marshes, open or closed brackish water marshes, swamps, mudflats, vernal pools, and fens.

Wildlife-Permeable Fence—Fencing that allows native wildlife (e.g., deer, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, ground rodents, amphibians, reptiles and birds) to freely pass through.

Wildlife-Safe Crossings—Structural passages that allow wildlife to move through areas where movement is impeded by a barrier (e.g., roadways, cliffs, water diversion facilities). These crossings, typically located above or below the barrier, are designed to facilitate safe wildlife movement using techniques such as fencing that funnels animals to a safe crossing, tunnels or bridges, and associated habitat creation or restoration within or adjacent to the crossing.

Wireless Communication Facility (or Facilities)—A facility that transmits or receives signals for television, satellites, wireless phones and data, personal communication services, pagers, wireless internet, specialized mobile radio services, or other similar services. The facility may include, but is not limited to, antennas, radio transmitters, equipment shelters or cabinets, air vents, towers, masts, air conditioning units, fire suppression systems, emergency back-up generators with fuel storage, fences, and structures primarily designed to support antennas.

Wireless Communication Facility, Building-Concealed—A stealth wireless communication facility designed and constructed as an architectural feature of an existing building in a manner where the wireless communication facility is not discernible from the remainder of the building. Standard building architectural features used to conceal a wireless communication facility include, but are not limited to, parapet walls, windows, cupolas, clock towers, and steeples.

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Examples of Building-Concealed Wireless Communication Facilities

Wireless Communication Facility, Collocation—The placement or installation of one (1) or more wireless communication facilities on a single tower, mast/pole, structure, or building with one (1) or more existing wireless communication facilities. Collocated wireless communication facilities may be separately owned and used by more than one (1) public or private entity.

Wireless Communication Facility, Data Collection Unit—A wireless communication facility used by utility companies to collect data from gas, water or electricity meters. Data collection units typically consist of a telemetry device, solar panel, and whip antennas. Wireless communication facilities operated by a telephone corporation or a commercial mobile telecommunications phone service provider are excluded from this definition.

Wireless Communication Facility, Faux Tree—A stealth, ground-mounted wireless communication facility camouflaged to resemble a tree, including mono-broadleafs, mono-pines, and mono-palms.

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Examples of Faux Trees (Wireless Communication Facilities)

Wireless Communication Facility, Flush-Mounted—A stealth wireless communication facility antenna that is attached directly to the exterior of a structure or building and that remains close and is generally parallel to the exterior surface of the structure or building.

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Examples of Flush Mounted Wireless Communication Facilities

Wireless Communication Facility, Ground-Mounted—A wireless communication facility that is placed on the ground, which consists of a monopole, lattice tower, or any other freestanding structure that supports an antenna.

Wireless Communication Facility, Modification—Any physical change to a wireless communication facility or a change to operational characteristics for that facility that are subject to existing permit conditions. Modifications do not include repair and maintenance.

Wireless Communication Facility, Non-Stealth—A wireless communication facility that is not disguised or concealed or does not meet the definition of a stealth facility or building-concealed facility. For the purpose of this Chapter, any facility that exceeds 80-feet in height is defined as a non-stealth facility.

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Examples of Non-Stealth Wireless Communication Facilities

Wireless Communication Facility, Prominently Visible—A wireless communication facility is considered to be prominently visible if it stands out as an obvious or noticeable feature within its setting when seen from a public viewing area without the aid of any magnifying equipment such as cameras, binoculars, etc.

Wireless Communication Facility, Propagation Diagrams—A set of maps showing the location of the service provider's existing wireless communication facilities, existing service coverage area, and the proposed service coverage area at varied antenna heights for the proposed facility. A propagation diagram also includes a narrative description summarizing how service coverage area changes with height in layman's terms.

Wireless Communication Facility, Roof-Mounted—A stealth wireless communication facility that is mounted directly on the roof of a building.

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----- Start of picture text -----
Antenna on roof, concealed behind a
Faux smokestack
parapet
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Examples of Roof-Mounted Wireless Communication Facilities

Wireless Communication Facility, Section 6409(a) Modification—A modification of an existing wireless tower or base station that involves the collocation, removal or replacement of transmission equipment that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such wireless tower or base station. Such modifications qualify for approval pursuant to Section 6409(a) of the federal 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (now codified at 47 U.S.C. §1455(a)).

Wireless Communication Facility, Slim-Line Pole—A ground-mounted, stealth wireless communication facility where the antenna is flush-mounted on a pole. This type of facility generally does not include a faux design, but

rather utilizes distance from public viewing areas, location (e.g., facility is hidden by existing buildings or trees), coloration, low height, and slim structural profile to blend with the surrounding environment.

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Examples of Slim-Line Poles

Wireless Communication Facility, Stealth—A wireless communication facility that blends into the surrounding visual setting. A stealth facility utilizes concealment elements such as design (size, height, color material, and antenna type) or siting techniques to camouflage, partially conceal, or integrate the wireless communication facility into the design of an existing facility, structure or its surrounding visual setting. Examples of stealth facilities include but are not limited to the following:

(1)

Facilities disguised as other objects typically found within a setting, such as faux trees, monorocks, and water tanks (photos 1 and 2);

(2)

Panel antennas flush-mounted on existing utility facilities, water tanks, and integrated with building facades (see photos under flush-mounted);

(3)

Facilities that are camouflaged or partially concealed by objects within an existing setting, such as a cluster of trees or utility poles (photo 3); or

(4)

Whip antennas and slim-line poles that use simple camouflage techniques, such as size and color, to render them virtually unnoticeable from public viewing areas (photo 4).

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Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4

Examples of Stealth Wireless Communication Facilities

Zoning Clearance—A permit that certifies that a proposed development and/or use of land meets all requirements of the Ventura County Zoning Code and, if applicable, the conditions of any previously approved permit.

Zoning Ordinance—An ordinance authorized by Section 65850 of the Government Code or, in the case of a charter city, a similar ordinance enacted pursuant to the authority of its charter.

(Add Ord. 3787—8/26/86; Am. Ord. 3788—8/26/86; Am. Ord. 3881—12/20/88; Am./Add Ord. 3882—12/20/88; Ord. 3946—7/10/90; Ord. 4219 § 1, 2001; Am. Ord. 4249—11/20/01; Am. Ord. 4378—1/29/08; Ord. No. 4435, § 1, 6-28-2011; Ord. No. 4451, § 2, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4492, § 1, 6-21-2016; Ord. No. 4498, § 1, 12-6-2016; Ord. No. 4522, § 2, 6-12-2018; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021; Ord. No. 4640, § 2, 12-17-2024)

Article 3. - Purposes of Zones

8173-1 - Coastal Open Space (COS) Zone.

The purpose of this zone is to provide for the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of natural and recreational resources in the coastal areas of the County while allowing reasonable and compatible uses of the land.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8173-2 - Coastal Agricultural (CA) Zone.

The purpose of this zone is to preserve and protect commercial agricultural lands as a limited and irreplaceable resource, to preserve and maintain agriculture as a major industry in the coastal zone of Ventura County, and to protect these areas from the encroachment of nonresidential uses that, by their nature would have detrimental effects on the agriculture industry.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)