Camarillo Municipal Code Ch. 19.34 O-S Open Space Zone

It is the intent of this chapter to provide for the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of valuable natural, environmental and recreational resources while permitting reasonable and compatible uses of land. In order to properly manage these resources, criteria and regulations must be formulated to guide uses in the following open space capacities as defined in the open space element: productive, protective, structural, recreational and scenic preservation. The purpose and intent of this chapter shall be the advancement of the following objectives:

A. To assure the continued availability of agricultural land for the production of food and fiber;

B. To protect and preserve land areas for the managed production of natural resources;

C. To protect, maintain and enhance watershed management to assure as a continuing supply of safe water;

D. To protect, maintain and enhance air quality;

E. To maintain and promote the historical and cultural heritage of the county;

F. To promote the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens of the county, through the protective management of hazard areas;

G. To shape and guide urban development through open space management;

H. To assure the continued availability of open space lands for the enjoyment of outdoor recreation;

I. To preserve and enhance areas of significant scenic amenity, unique natural features, and areas of educational and scientific research;

J. To maintain and enhance land areas necessary for the continued survival of valuable wildlife and vegetation;

K. To implement the conservation and open space elements of the general plan;

L. To seek coordination of open space lands with the county;

M. To promote the multiple use of open space lands for the maximum social, economic and ecological benefit to the general public;

N. To promote a wide range of land use options for future generations.

(Ord. 405 § 1 (part), 1978: prior code § 9413.)

In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, particular land types are to be incorporated in the open space zone. Such types may include, but are not limited to:

A. Agricultural lands for the production of food and/or fiber;

B. Areas of mineral and oil extraction;

C. Land areas vital to water resources in terms of supply, recharge and/or critical watersheds;

D. Lands for public and private recreational uses;

E. Forested areas;

F. Areas of scenic value and unique natural features;

G. Floodplains;

H. Geologic hazard areas including active faults, areas subject to ground shaking, landslides and unstable soils;

I. Fire hazard areas.

(Ord. 405 § 1 (part), 1978: prior code § 9413.1.)

Uses permitted within the open space zone are as follows:

A. Agricultural uses as follows; uses may not be within a critical watershed or groundwater recharge area except when located within those areas defined by the general plan open space and conservation element, as adopted:

1. Trees for fruit, nut or timber;

2. Bushes or vines for berries and grapes;

3. Field, vegetable, and truck or row crops;

4. Orchards, vineyards, and bushes for fruit or nuts;

5. Forest land;

6. Drying of crops, hay, straw and seed;

7. Storage and wholesaling of crops grown on the property;

8. Animal breeding, pasturing or ranching;

9. The growing and harvesting of flowers, ornamentals and turf;

B. Petroleum products, storage of, required for permitted agricultural uses on the premises;

C. Single-family dwelling upon land not located within a critical watershed or groundwater recharge area, including employee housing accommodations for six or fewer employees;

D. [Reserved.]

E. Wells for the production of water on any lot or parcel of land if water from the well is used only upon the lot or parcel upon which the well is located;

F. Flood control and water conservation facilities;

G. Designated cultural heritage sites and historical monuments;

H. The keeping of farm animals and fowl for recreation, agricultural and school projects;

I. Stand (temporary); one stand on forty or more acres of land is permitted for the sale of agricultural, horticultural, floricultural or farming products, grown or produced on the premises and must conform to the following conditions and limitations:

1. The floor area per stand may not be more than four hundred square feet;

2. The stand must be located or maintained not less than twenty feet from any property line, public road, street or highway;

3. The stand must be removed when not in use for a period of thirty days.

J. Temporary movie sets or locations in connection with motion pictures, television programs or commercials;

K. Parks owned by public agencies;

L. Nurseries and greenhouses without retail sales;

M. Commercial or private stables and riding academies; boarding and care of horses, including living quarters for grooms and caretakers located within the same building;

N. The production and dispensing of water together with normal appurtenances accessory thereto on any lot or parcel of land under the ownership of any mutual water company, established water district or other public water supply agency;

O. Fire stations and facilities for federal, state and county law enforcement, excluding jails, prisons and other places of confinement;

P. Cottage food operations as set forth in Chapter 19.74.

(Ord. 405 § 1 (part), 1978: prior code § 9413.2.)

(Ord. No. 1069, § 10, 1-11-2012; Ord. No. 1079, § 4(Exh. B), 9-25-2013; Ord. No. 2008, § 4(Exh. A), 4-12-2023)

The following uses may be permitted if a conditional use permit is obtained in the manner provided in the zoning ordinance and such use conforms to every term and condition of the permit. A permit for any of these uses may be granted by the planning commission if the applicant produces sufficient proof that the use will not be injurious or detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or to the property in the vicinity or zone in which the use will be situated; that the effects can be prevented with the imposition of conditions, and that the permit is necessary for the owner of the property to make reasonable use of the property:

A. Public and privately owned recreational centers, clubhouses and similarly used buildings open to the public including tennis, swimming or similar activities, other than arcades;

B. Cemeteries, columbariums, crematories and mausoleums;

C. Buildings, structures and maintenance yards owned by public utilities and all other public entities;

D. Feed lots for the raising of livestock;

E. Radio and television towers and related facilities excluding studios;

F. Rifle, pistol, skeet or trap ranges;

G. A mobile home used as temporary housing for a caretaker on parcels of forty acres or more, where an employee must be on the property for a substantial portion of each day for vital functions or protection from vandalism;

H. Oil exploration and extraction;

I. Golf courses with or without clubhouses and restaurants within the clubhouse;

J. Campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks;

K. Any operation performed in a permanently fixed structure or establishment on the farm or on a moving packing plant on the farm for the purposes of preparing agricultural horticultural, egg, poultry, meat, rabbit or dairy products for market where such operations are done on the premises owned and operated by the same person who produce the products referred to herein and includes all operations incidental thereto;

L. Satellite dish antennas in a side yard or at heights greater than fifteen feet.

(Ord. 593 § 19, 1985: Ord. 590 § 19, 1985; Ord. 537 § 5, 1982: Ord. 405 § 1 (part), 1978: prior code § 9413.3.)

The following development standards shall apply to all developments within the O-S open space zone and all buildings or structures hereinafter erected shall conform to the following:

A. Lot Area. Minimum parcel size shall be ten acres unless designated for greater lot area by a suffix after the zone designation.

B. Lot Dimensions.

1. Lot width shall be a minimum of three hundred feet.

2. Lot depth shall be a minimum of four hundred feet.

C. Setbacks.

1. Front Yard. All buildings shall be setback a minimum of fifty feet.

2. Side Yard. All buildings shall be setback a minimum of fifty feet.

3. Rear Yard. All buildings shall be setback a minimum of fifty feet.

D. Accessory Buildings and Structures. An accessory building and structure shall not occupy any portion of the front yard. There shall be a minimum of fifty feet between buildings used for human habitation and accessory buildings and structures, except as provided in subsection K of this section.

E. Parking. Parking shall be provided as set forth in the parking regulations, Chapter 19.44.

F. Fences and Walls.

1. A fence, wall or hedge, not to exceed six feet in height, may be located or maintained along the side or rear lot lines provided such fence, wall or hedge does not extend within twenty feet of the front property line or within a corner cutback area in which case such fence or wall shall be limited to three feet in height.

2. No fence, wall or hedge shall exceed three feet in height in any corner cutback area.

G. Building Height. Building height shall not exceed twenty-five feet.

H. Utilities. All utilities shall be placed underground in accordance with provisions of Chapter 13.08.

I. Signs. Signs may be erected in the O-S zone in accordance with the residential section of the sign ordinance codified in Title 17.

J. Animals and Fowl Maintenance. The keeping of animals and fowl shall be maintained in accordance with the following:

1. The area where animals and fowl are maintained shall not create a nuisance in relation to adjoining property and shall be kept in a healthful manner.

2. The animals and fowl shall be contained in such a manner to restrict their movement onto the public right-of-way or adjoining property.

3. The area where animals or fowl are maintained shall be a minimum of fifty feet from any building used for human habitation excepting domestic pets such as dogs or cats.

K. Satellite Dish Antenna, Rear Yard. A satellite dish antenna may extend into a rear yard; provided, that such antenna is not more than fifteen feet in height, and not less than six feet from the main building. A roof-mounted satellite dish antenna is strictly prohibited. The placement of such antenna in a side yard, or at heights greater than fifteen feet, may be permitted upon the granting of a conditional use permit. The antenna shall incorporate an earth-tone or background color which blends with adjacent structures and land features, and corrosive resistant material. The antenna shall be erected in a secure, wind resistant manner, and shall conform to applicable city building code regulations.

(Ord. 593 § 20, 1985; Ord. 590 § 20, 1985; Ord. 405 § 1 (part), 1978: prior code § 9413.4.)