2.04 of Title 2.

Title.

A title is a broad category under which ordinances on a related subject are compiled. This code contains about 15 to 20 titles. For example, the first title is Title 1, General Provisions, which may contain ordinances about the general penalty, code adoption and definitions. The titles in this code are separated by tabbed divider pages for quick reference. Some titles are Reserved for later use.

Chapter.

Chapters deal with more specific subjects, and are often derived from one ordinance. All of the chapters on a related subject are grouped in one title. The chapters are numbered so that new chapters which should logically be placed near certain existing chapters can be added at a later time without renumbering existing material. For example, Chapter 2.06, City Manager, can be added between 2.04, City Council, and Chapter 2.08, City Attorney.

Section.

Each section of the code contains substantive ordinance material. The sections are numbered by "tens" to allow for expansion of the code without renumbering.

Tables of Contents.

There are many tables of contents in this code to assist in locating specific information. At the beginning of the code is the main table of contents listing each title. In addition, each title and chapter has its own table of contents listing the chapters and sections, respectively.

Ordinance History Note.

At the end of each code section, you will find an "ordinance history note," which lists the underlying ordinances for that section. The ordinances are listed by number, section (if applicable) and year. (Example: (Ord. 272 § 1, 1992).)

Beginning with Supplement No. 7, a secondary ordinance history note will be appended to affected sections. Ordinance history notes will be amended with the most recent ordinance added to the end. These history notes can be cross referenced to the code comparative table and disposition list appearing at the back of the volume preceding the index.

Statutory References.

The statutory references direct the code user to those portions of the state statutes that are applicable to the laws of the municipality. As the statutes are revised, these references will be updated.

Cross-Reference Table.

When a code is based on an earlier codification, the cross-reference table will help users find older or "prior" code references in the new code. The cross-reference table is located near the end of the code, under the tabbed divider "Tables." This table lists the prior code section in the column labeled "Prior Code Section" and the new code section in the column labeled "Herein."

As of Supplement No. 7, this table will no longer be updated.

Ordinance List and Disposition Table.

To find a specific ordinance in the code, turn to the section called "Tables" for the Ordinance List and Disposition Table. This very useful table tells you the status of every ordinance reviewed for inclusion in the code. The table is organized by ordinance number and

provides a brief description and the disposition of the ordinance. If the ordinance is codified, the chapter (or chapters) will be indicated. (Example: (2.04, 6.12, 9.04).) If the ordinance is of a temporary nature or deals with subjects not normally codified, such as budgets, taxes, annexations or rezones, the disposition will be "(Special)." If the ordinance is for some reason omitted from the code, usually at the direction of the municipality, the disposition will be "(Not codified)." Other dispositions sometimes used are "(Tabled)," " (Pending)," "(Number Not Used)" or "(Missing)."

Beginning with Supplement No. 7, this table will be replaced with the "Code Comparative Table and Disposition List."

Code Comparative Table and Disposition List.

Beginning with Supplement No. 7, a Code Comparative Table and Disposition List has been added for use in tracking legislative history. Located in the back of this volume, this table is a chronological listing of each ordinance considered for codification. The Code Comparative Table and Disposition List specifies the ordinance number, adoption date, description of the ordinance and the disposition within the code of each ordinance. By use of the Code Comparative Table and Disposition List, the reader can locate any section of the code as supplemented, and any subsequent ordinance included herein.

Index.

If you are not certain where to look for a particular subject in this code, start with the index. This is an alphabetical multi-tier subject index which uses section numbers as the reference, and cross-references where necessary. Look for the main heading of the subject you need, then the appropriate subheadings:

BUSINESS LICENSE

See also BUSINESS TAX Fee 5.04.030 Required when 5.04.010

The index will be updated as necessary when the code text is amended.

Insertion Guide.

Each supplement to the new code will be accompanied by an Insertion Guide. This guide will tell the code user the date of the most recent supplement and the last ordinance contained in that supplement. It will then list the pages that must be pulled from the code and the new pages that must be inserted. Following these instructions carefully will assure that the code is kept accurate and current. Removed pages should be kept for future reference.

Page Numbers.

When originally published, this code was numbered with consecutive page numbers. As it is amended, new material may require the insertion of new pages that are numbered with hyphens. (Example: 31, 32, 32-1.) Backs of pages that are blank (in codes that are printed double-sided) are left unnumbered but the number is "reserved" for later use.

Electronic Submission.

In the interests of accuracy and speed, we encourage you to submit your ordinances electronically if at all possible. We can accept most any file format, including Word, WordPerfect or text files. If you have a choice, we prefer Word, any version. You can send files to us as an e-mail attachment, by FTP, on a diskette or CD-ROM. Electronic files enable us not only to get you your code more quickly but also ensure that it is error-free. Our e-mail address is: ords@municode.com.

s electronically if at all possible. We can accept most any file format, including Word, WordPerfect or text files. If you have a choice, we prefer Word, any version. You can send files to us as an e-mail attachment, by FTP, on a diskette or CD-ROM. Electronic files enable us not only to get you your code more quickly but also ensure that it is error-free. Our e-mail address is: ords@municode.com.

For hard copy, send two copies of all ordinances passed to:

Municipal Code Corporation P.O. Box 2235 Tallahassee, FL 32316

Customer Service.

If you have any questions about this code or our services, please contact Municipal Code Corporation at 1-800-262-2633 or:

Municipal Code Corporation 1700 Capital Circle SW Tallahassee, FL 32310

THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES

OF THE

COUNTY OF VENTURA

Published by Order of the Board of Supervisors

           STEVE BENNETT

                   District No. 1

FRANK SCHILLO KATHY I. LONG District No. 2 District No. 3

JUDY MIKELS JOHN K. FLYNN District No. 4 District No. 5

Distributed and Serviced by

Clerk of the Board Division

Office of the County Clerk and Recorder

Codified March 3, 1953 Format Change and Zoning

By Ordinance No. 498 Ordinance Recodification

                        (#3658) November, 1983

Recodified May 14, 1968

By Ordinance No. 2053 Format Change July, 2001

Format Change June, 1978

SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE

The table below allows users of this Code to quickly and accurately determine what ordinances have been considered for codification in each supplement. Ordinances that are of a general and permanent nature are codified in the Code Book and are considered

"Included." Ordinances that are not of a general and permanent nature are not codified in the Code Book and are considered "Omitted."

In addition, by adding to this table with each supplement, users of this Municipal Code will be able to gain a more complete picture of the Code's historical evolution.

Ord. No. Date Included/ Supp. No. Adopted Omitted

4397  2- 3-2009 Included 7

4398  2- 3-2009 Included 7

4399  2-24-2009 Included 7

4400  4-14-2009 Omitted 7

4401  5- 5-2009 Included 7

4402  5-12-2009 Omitted 7

4403 10-20-2009 Included 7

4404 11-10-2009 Omitted 7

4405 11-10-2009 Omitted 7

4406 11-24-2009 Omitted 7

4407 10-20-2009 Included 7

4408 12-29-2009 Included 7

4409 12-29-2009 Included 7

4410  2- 9-2010 Included 7

4411  3- 2-2010 Included 7

4412  4- 6-2010 Omitted 7

4413  4- 6-2010 Included 7

4414  4-13-2010 Included 7

4415  6-22-2010 Omitted 7

4416  9-28-2010 Omitted 7

4417 10- 5-2010 Included 7

4418 11- 9-2010 Omitted 7

4419 11- 9-2010 Omitted 7

4420 11-23-2010 Omitted 7

4421 11-23-2010 Included 7

4422 11-23-2010 Included 7

4423 12- 7-2010 Included 7

4424  1-11-2011 Included 7

4425  1-25-2011 Omitted 7

4426  1-25-2011 Omitted 7

4427  3-22-2011 Included 7

4428  4-26-2011 Omitted 7

4429  5- 3-2011 Included 7

4430  5-24-2011 Included 7

4431  6-21-2011 Omitted 7

4432  6-21-2011 Omitted 7

4433  7-12-2011 Included 7

4434  7-19-2011 Omitted 7

4435  6-28-2011 Included 7

4436  6-28-2011 Included 7

4437  6-28-2011 Included 7

4438  6-28-2011 Omitted 7

4439  8- 9-2011 Included 7

4440  9-27-2011 Omitted 7

4441 11- 1-2011 Included 7

4443  1-24-2012 Omitted 7

4444  3-20-2011 Included 7

4445  4-24-2012 Included 7

4446  4-24-2012 Included 7

4448  6- 5-2012 Included 7

4450  7-17-2012 Included 7

4451 12-11-2012 Included 8

4452  5- 7-2013 Included 8

4453  5-21-2013 Included 8

4454 10- 8-2013 Included 8

28 12-10-2013 Included 9

4456 12-10-2013 Included 9

4457 12-10-2013 Included 9

4458 12-10-2013 Included 9

4459 12-10-2013 Included 9

4460  2-11-2014 Included 9

4455 10-22-2013 Included 10

4461  3-18-2014 Included 10

4462  5- 6-2014 Included 10

4463  7-20-2014 Omitted 11

4464  6-24-2014 Included 11

4465  7-22-2014 Omitted 11

4466 10-28-2014 Included 12

4467 12- 2-2014 Included 13

4468 12-16-2014 Included 13

4470  3-24-2015 Included 14

4471  4-21-2015 Included 14

4472  6- 2-2015 Included 15

4473  6- 2-2015 Included 15

4474  6- 9-2015 Omitted 15

4475  7- 7-2015 Omitted 15

4476  8- 4-2015 Omitted 15

4477  8- 4-2015 Omitted 15

4478  9-22-2015 Omitted 16

4479  9-22-2015 Included 16

4480  9-22-2015 Omitted 16

4481 10-16-2015 Included 16

4482 11- 3-2015 Included 16

4483 11-10-2015 Omitted 16

4484  1-26-2016 Included 17

4485  1-26-2016 Included 17

4486  1-26-2016 Omitted 17

4487  2-23-2016 Included 18

4488  3-22-2016 Included 18

4489  4- 5-2016 Included 18

4490  4-19-2016 Omitted 18

4491  6- 7-2016 Omitted 19

4492  6-21-2016 Included 19

4493  7-26-2016 Omitted 19

4494  7-26-2016 Included 19

4464(Rev.) 6-24-2016 Included 20

4495  9-27-2016 Omitted 20

29 11- 1-2016 Omitted 20

30 10-25-2016 Included 20

4496 11- 8-2016 Included 20

4497 12- 6-2016 Included 21

4498 12- 6-2016 Included 21

4499 12-13-2016 Included 21

4500 12-13-2016 Included 21

4501  1-10-2017 Included 21

4502  1-10-2017 Included 21

4503  2- 7-2017 Included 22

4504  2-28-2017 Included 22

4505  2-28-2017 Included 22

4506  3- 7-2017 Included 22

4507  3-14-2017 Included 22

4508  4-11-2017 Included 22

4509  4-18-2017 Included 22

4510  4-25-2017 Included 22

4511 11- 7-2017 Omitted 23

4512 11- 7-2017 Omitted 23

4513 11-14-2017 Included 23

4514 11-14-2017 Included 23

4479  9-22-2015 Included 24

4516  1- 9-2018 Omitted 24

4517  1- 9-2018 Omitted 24

4518  2- 6-2018 Included 24

4519  2-27-2018 Included 24

4520  2-27-2018 Included 24

4521  3-27-2018 Included 24

4522  6-12-2018 Included 25

4523  6-19-2018 Included 25

4524  6-19-2018 Included 25

4525  6-19-2018 Omitted 25

4526  7-17-2018 Included 25

4527  7-31-2018 Omitted 25

4528  9-25-2018 Included 25

4529  9-25-2018 Omitted 25

4530  9-25-2018 Included 25

4531  9-25-2018 Included 25

4532 10-30-2018 Included 26

4533 11- 6-2018 Included 26

4534 12- 4-2018 Omitted 26

4535 12-11-2018 Included 26

4536  1- 8-2019 Included 26

4537  3-12-2019 Included 27

4538  3-12-2019 Included 27

4539  3-19-2019 Omitted 27

4540  3-19-2019 Included 27

4541  4- 9-2019 Included 27

4542  4-23-2019 Omitted 27

4543  5-21-2019 Omitted 28

4544  6- 4-2019 Omitted 28

4545  9-24-2019 Included 28

31 10-15-2019 Included 28

4546 10-15-2019 Included 28

4495  9-26-2016 Included 29

4547 11- 5-2019 Omitted 29

4548 11- 5-2019 Included 29

4549 11- 5-2019 Omitted 29

4550 11- 5-2019 Omitted 29

4551 12-10-2019 Included 29

4552 12-10-2019 Included 29

4553 12-10-2019 Omitted 29

4554 12-10-2019 Included 29

4555 12-10-2019 Included 29

4556 12-10-2019 Omitted 29

4557 12-10-2019 Omitted 29

4558  1-14-2020 Omitted 30

4559  2-11-2020 Included 30

4560  2-25-2020 Omitted 30

4561  3-10-2020 Included 30

4562  3-10-2020 Included 30

4563  3-31-2020 Omitted 30

4564  4-21-2020 Included 30

4565  5-28-2020 Omitted 31

4566  6-16-2020 Included 31

4567 11-10-2020 Included 32

4568 11-10-2020 Included 32

4569 11-10-2020 Included 32

4570 11-17-2020 Omitted 32

4571 11-17-2020 Omitted 32

4592 11- 3-2020 Included 33 (Initiative Measure "O")

4572 12- 8-2020 Included 33

4573 12-15-2020 Omitted 33

4574 12-15-2020 Included 33

4575  2- 9-2021 Included 33

4576  2- 9-2021 Included 33

4577  3- 9-2021 Included 34

4578  3- 9-2021 Included 34

4579  3-16-2021 Included 34

4580  4-13-2021 Included 34

4581  4-20-2021 Included 34

4582  4-27-2021 Included 34

4583  7-27-2021 Included 35

4584  9-21-2021 Included 36

4585 10-12-2021 Included 36

4588 11- 9-2021 Included 36

4587 10-19-2021 Included 36

4589 11- 9-2021 Omitted 36

4590 12- 7-2021 Included 37

4591 12-14-2021 Omitted 37

4592* *See Supp. No. 33

4593  1-25-2022 Included 38

4594  1-25-2022 Included 38

4595  2- 8-2022 Included 38

4596  3- 1-2022 Included 38

4597  3-22-2022 Included 38

4598  3-22-2022 Included 38

4599  4-26-2022 Included 38

4600  5-10-2022 Included 38

4601  5-10-2022 Included 38

4602  5-24-2022 Omitted 39

4603  5-24-2022 Omitted 39

4604  7-26-2022 Included 39

4586 10-19-2021 Included 40

4605  9-13-2022 Included 40

4606 11- 1-2022 Included 40

4607 11- 1-2022 Omitted 40

4608 11- 1-2022 Included 40

4609 12-13-2022 Included 41

4610 12-13-2022 Omitted 41

4611  1-10-2023 Included 41

4612  1-10-2023 Included 41

4613  1-10-2023 Included 41

4614  1-24-2023 Omitted 41

4615  2- 7-2023 Included 41

4616  3-28-2023 Included 42

4617  4-11-2023 Included 42

4618  7-25-2023 Included 43

4619  9-12-2023 Included 44

4620  9-26-2023 Included 44

4621  9-26-2023 Included 44

4622 10-17-2023 Included 44

4624  1- 9-2024 Included 45

4625  1- 9-2024 Included 45

4626  1- 9-2024 Omitted 45

4627  2-27-2024 Omitted 45

4447  4-24-2012 Included 46

4449  6-26-2012 Included 46

4469  1-13-2015 Omitted 46

4515 12-26-2017 Omitted 46

32 10-11-2022 Included 46

4623 12-19-2023 Included 46

4628  4- 9-2024 Included 46

4629  4- 9-2024 Included 46

4630  5-21-2024 Included 46

4631  5-21-2024 Included 46

4632  6- 4-2024 Included 47

4633  6- 4-2024 Included 47

4634  7-23-2024 Included 47

4635  9-10-2024 Included 48

4636  9-10-2024 Included 48

4637  9-24-2024 Included 48

4638 11-22-2024 Omitted 49

4639 12-17-2024 Included 49

4640 12-17-2024 Included 49

4641 12-17-2024 Included 49

4642 12-17-2024 Included 49

4643  3-18-2025 Included 49

4644  4-29-2025 Included 50

4645  5-13-2025 Included 50

4647  6-24-2025 Included 50

General Provisions

Sections:

General Provisions

1 - Title of code.

This Code shall be known as the "Ventura County Ordinance Code."

1-1 - Citing in prosecutions.

In any prosecution for the violations of any provision of this code, it shall be sufficient to refer to the Code as the "Ventura County Ordinance Code."

1-2 - Amendatory ordinance.

Any ordinance adding to, amending or repealing a part of this Code may be designated as an addition, or amendment to or repeal of a part of the "Ventura County Ordinance Code."

2 - Former ordinances.

The provisions of this Code, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuation thereof and not as new enactments.

3 - Violations.

Prosecution for violation of ordinances committed prior to the effective date of this Code shall not be affected by the adoption of the Code or by its repeal of such ordinances.

3-1 - Licenses and penalties.

Neither the adoption of this Code nor its repeal of any ordinance shall be construed as a waiver of any license or penalty due and unpaid under such ordinance at the effective date of the Code; nor shall such adoption or repeal be construed as affecting any provision of such ordinance relating to the collection of any such license or penalty or the penal provisions applicable to the violation thereof.

3-2 - Bonds and deposits.

Neither the adoption of this Code nor its repeal of any ordinance shall affect the validity of any bond or cash deposit required to be posted, filed or deposited pursuant to such ordinance; and all rights and obligations thereunder shall continue in full force and effect.

4 - Matters of record.

This code shall not affect deposits or other matters of record which refer to, or are otherwise connected with, ordinances which are therein specially designated by number or otherwise and which are included in the Code; but such references shall be construed to apply to the corresponding provisions of the Code.

5 - Repeal.

All ordinances or portions thereof in conflict with this Code are hereby repealed.

Construction

6 - General.

The provisions of this Code and all proceedings under it are to be construed to effect its object and to promote justice.

7 - Headings.

Division, Chapter, Article and Section headings contained herein shall not govern, limit, modify or affect scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of this Code.

8 - Territorial limitations.

This Code shall refer only to the omission or commission of acts within the territorial limits of the County of Ventura and that territory outside of the County over which the County has jurisdiction or control by virtue of the Constitution, or any law, or by reason of ownership or control of property.

8-1 - Local signification.

All references in this Code to places, acts, persons or things shall be construed to mean that the same are applicable to this County, whether the County is mentioned in each particular section or not.

9 - Titles.

The use of the title of any officer, employee, office, board, commission or ordinance shall mean such officer, employee, office, board, commission or ordinance of the County of Ventura, unless otherwise designated.

10 - Definitions.

As used in this Code, unless a different meaning is apparent from the context or is specified elsewhere in the Code:

"County" means the County of Ventura, and geographically means the unincorporated area within the territorial county lines of the County of Ventura and such territory outside of the County over which the County has jurisdiction or control by virtue of any constitutional provision or any law.

"Oath" includes affirmation.

"Person" means any natural person, firm, corporation, organization, company, association, business, trust, joint-stock organization, partnership, joint venture, club, or the agent, servant, manager, officer, employee or lessee of any of them.

"Written" includes printed, typewritten, mimeographed or multigraphed.

"Section," "Article," "Chapter" and "Division" mean, respectively, Section, Article, Chapter, and Division of this Code.

"Street" means any street, highway, land, public drive or alley.

10-1 - Civil Code provisions.

The provisions of the Civil Code of California, Sections 13 and 1645, are hereby adopted in the interpretation of words and phrases, unless otherwise provided herein.

10-2 - Non-technical meaning.

Words and phrases used in this Code and not specifically defined shall be construed according to the context and approved usage of the language.

11 - Number, gender and tense.

The singular number includes the plural and the plural includes the singular. Any gender includes the other genders. Words used in the present tense include the past and future tenses; and vice versa.

12 - Severability.

If any section, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this code is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the Code. The Board would have adopted this Code and each section, sentence, clause, phrase, and portions thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, sentences, clauses, phrases or portions be invalid or unconstitutional.

Enforcement

13 - Violations: Misdemeanor or infraction.

Each and every violation of any provision of this code is a misdemeanor unless designated by this Code to be an infraction or a misdemeanor/infraction. (Rep. & Reen. Ord. 3187—4/20/76)

13-1 - Prosecution of misdemeanor/infraction.

Every violation of this Code designated a misdemeanor/infraction shall be a misdemeanor; provided that, where the District Attorney has determined that such action would be in the best interests of justice, the District Attorney may specify in the accusatory pleading that the violation shall be an infraction and the violation shall then be prosecuted as an infraction.

(Rep. & Reen. Ord. 3187—4/20/76)

13-2 - Penalty.

Any person convicted of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which is not otherwise prescribed, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of an infraction, the penalty for which is not otherwise prescribed, shall be punished by (a) a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first violation; (b) a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second violation of the same provision within one year; (c) a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each additional violation of the same provision within one year.

(Rep. & Reen. Ord. 3187—4/20/76—Am. Ord. 3662—11/8/83, shall become operative 1/1/84)

13-3 - Imprisonment pending payment of a fine for a misdemeanor.

A judgment that a person convicted of a misdemeanor be punished by payment of a fine, with or without other punishment, may also direct that he be imprisoned in the county jail until the fine is satisfied and may further direct that such imprisonment begin at and continue after the expiration of, or run concurrently with all or part of, any imprisonment imposed as a part of the punishment. Every such judgment shall specify the extent of the imprisonment for nonpayment of the fine, which shall not be more than one (1) day for each twenty dollars ($20) of the fine nor exceed in any case the term for which the defendant might be sentenced to imprisonment for the offense of which he has been convicted. A defendant held in custody for nonpayment of a fine shall be entitled to credit on the fine for each day he is so held in custody at the rate specified in the judgment. When the defendant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a judgment that defendant pay a fine may also direct that he pay the fine within a limited time or in installments on specified dates and that in default of payment as therein stipulated he be imprisoned in the discretion of the court either until the defaulted installment is satisfied or until the fine is satisfied in full; but unless such direction is given in the judgment, the fine shall be payable forthwith.

Except as otherwise provided in case of fines imposed as conditions of probation, the defendant must pay the fine to the clerk of the court, or to the judge thereof if there is no clerk, unless the defendant is taken into custody for nonpayment of the fine, in which event payments made while he is in custody shall be made to the officer who holds him in custody and all amounts so paid shall be forthwith paid over by such officer to the court which rendered the judgment. The clerk shall report to the court every default in payment of a fine or any part thereof, or if there is no clerk the court shall take notice of such default. If time had been given for payment of a fine or it has been made payable in installments, the court shall, upon default in payment, immediately order the arrest of the defendant and order him to show cause why he should not be imprisoned until the fine or installment thereof, as the case may be, is satisfied in full. If the fine, or installment, is payable forthwith and it is not so paid, the court shall, without further proceedings, immediately commit the defendant to the custody of the proper officer to be held in custody until the fine is satisfied in full.

(Rep. & Reen. Ord. 3187—4/20/76)

13-4 - Failure to pay fine.

Any person willfully failing to pay a lawfully imposed fine for a violation of any provision of this Code, regardless of whether such violation is a misdemeanor or an infraction, within the time authorized by the court and without lawful excuse having been presented to the court on or before the date the fine is due is guilty of a misdemeanor regardless of the full payment of the fine after such time.

(Rep. & Reen. Ord. 3187—4/20/76)

Miscellaneous

14 - Notices.

Whenever a notice is required to be given under this Code, unless different provisions are otherwise specifically made herein, such notice may be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified, or by deposit in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified, at his last known business or residence address as the same appears in the public records or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed. Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit in the post office.

14-1 - Proof.

Proof of giving any notice may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the County, or by affidavit of any person over the age of eighteen (18) years, which shows service in conformity with this code or other provisions of law applicable to the subject matter concerned.