Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter

8171-1 - Adoption and title of Chapter.

This Chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority vested in the County of Ventura by the State of California, including, but not limited to, the Government Code and the Public Resources Code. This Chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Ordinance for the Coastal Zone."

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

8171-2 - Purpose of Chapter.

The text, use matrix, and zoning maps of this Chapter constitute the comprehensive zoning plan and regulations for the unincorporated coastal zone of the County of Ventura. This Chapter is adopted to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare; and to provide the environmental, economic, and social advantages that result from an orderly, planned use of resources; and to protect public and private property, wildlife, marine fisheries, and other ocean resources, and the natural environment, by protecting the ecological balance of the coastal zone and preventing its destruction and deterioration. This Chapter shall implement the objectives and policies of Ventura County's General Plan including the LCP Land Use Plan.

(Am. Ord. 4378—1/29/08; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-3 - Application.

This Chapter applies to all development undertaken and proposed be undertaken by persons (including the County, any utility, any federal, state, or local government, or any special district or agency thereof) in the unincorporated portions of the coastal zone of Ventura County, except as provided for elsewhere in this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-3.1 - Unusual development.

Many types of development not usually found in a zoning ordinance are regulated by the ordinance from which this Chapter is derived in addition to those uses specified herein. Examples of such developments are: subdivisions; fill and deposition of dredged materials; public works projects; changes in intensity of the use of water or access thereto; and grading.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-3.2 - Standards and conditions.

All standards and conditions stated in this Chapter are considered to be minimums only. Any decision-making body has the right to impose more restrictive standards or conditions than those stated in this Chapter for any permit involving a discretionary decision.

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

8171-4 - General prohibitions. 8171-4.1 - No structure shall be moved onto a site, erected, reconstructed, added to, enlarged, advertised on, structurally altered or maintained, and no structure or land shall be used for any purpose, except as specifically provided and allowed by this Chapter, with respect to land uses, buildingheights, setbacks, minimum lot area, maximum percentage of building coverage and lot width, and with respect to all other regulations, conditions and limitations prescribed by this Chapter as applicable to the same zone in which such use, structure or land is located.

8171-4.2 - No person shall use or permit to be used, any building, structure, or land or erect, structurally alter or enlarge any building or structure, contract for advertising space, pay for space, or advertise on any structure except for the uses permitted by this Chapter and in accordance with the provision of this Chapter applicable thereto. 8171-4.3 - No permit or entitlement may be issued or renewed for any use, construction, improvement or other purpose unless specifically provided for or permitted by this Chapter. 8171-4.4 - No permit or entitlement shall be issued for any use or construction on a lot that is not a legal lot. 8171-4.5 - No permit or entitlement shall be issued for the following prohibited uses:

(a)

The operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, and the manufacturing, processing, storage or sales of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products. This prohibition does not apply to the delivery and transport of medical cannabis and does not apply to uses by a qualified patient or primary caregiver for which a permit is not required pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 19319. The definitions in Business and Professions Code section 19300.5 shall apply to this subparagraph.

(b)

The cultivation of medical cannabis as those terms are defined in Business and Professions Code section 19300.5 for which a license is required pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11362.777.

(Add Ord. 4055—2/1/94; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-5 - Severability.

If any portion of this Chapter is held to be invalid, that holding shall not invalidate any other portion of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-6 - Local Coastal Program (LCP).

The LCP for Ventura County consists of this Chapter and the certified Coastal Land Use Plan for the coastal zone. Both documents shall be used when analyzing development requests. Many policy statements found only in the Land Use Plan will, nevertheless, have a significant impact on development decisions. If there is a conflict between policy statements in the Land Use Plan, and uses or standards in this Chapter, or just between standards in this Chapter, the most restrictive requirement shall take precedence.

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

8171-7 - Vested rights.

The authority to make a determination on a claim of vested rights within the coastal zone rests with the Coastal Commission.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-8 - Interpretation and ambiguities.

The provisions of this Chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and welfare. If ambiguity arises concerning the appropriate classification or particular use within the meaning and intent of this Chapter, or if ambiguity exists with respect to matters of height, setback, or area requirements, it shall be the duty of the Planning Director to ascertain all pertinent facts and make a determination on said ambiguity.

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

8171-9 - Establishment of use zones.

In order to classify, regulate, restrict and segregate the uses of land and buildings; to regulate the height and size of buildings; to regulate the area of setbacks and other open spaces around buildings; and to regulate the density of population, the following classes of use zones are established along with their abbreviations and minimum lot areas. Alternative minimum lot areas may be established pursuant to Section 8171-9.1 et seq. Minimum lot area requirements are expressed in "gross" area for land uses and structures. The minimum lot area for subdivision purposes is expressed in "net" area for parcels of less than ten (10) acres, and "gross" area for parcels of ten (10) acres or more.

Zoning District Abbreviation Minimum Lot Area Base Zones

Coastal Open Space COS 10 Acres

Coastal Agriculture CA 40 Acres

Coastal Rural CR 1 Acre

Coastal Rural Exclusive CRE 20,000 sq. ft.

Coastal Single-Family Residential CR1 7,000 sq. ft.

Coastal Two-Family Residential CR2 7,000 sq. ft.

Residential Beach RB 3,000 sq. ft.

Residential Beach Harbor RBH *

Coastal Residential Planned Development CRPD As Specified by Permit

Coastal Commercial CC 20,000 sq. ft.

Coastal Industrial CM 10 Acres

Overlay Zones Abbreviation Minimum Lot Area

Santa Monica Mountains M / Not Applicable

*See Section 8175-2 for specifics.

(Am. Ord. 4055—2/1/94; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-9.1 - Lot area suffix.

Lot areas larger than the minimum specified by the Coastal Land Use Plan and this Chapter may be determined by a suffix number following the base zone designation on a given zoning map. The application of said suffixes shall be consistent with the Area Plan for the coastal zone and Article 5 of this Chapter. All other requirements of the base zone contained in this Chapter shall apply to the respective zone designated by a suffix. The suffix numbers shall only be assigned in 1,000-square-foot increments for lots less than one (1) acre in area (i.e., CRE-30 means: Coastal Rural Exclusive, 30,000-square foot minimum lot size), and in increments of one (1) acre for lots of one (1) acre or larger area (i.e., CRE 5Ac means: Coastal Rural Exclusive, five-acre minimum lot size). The application of suffix numbers shall not create lot areas smaller than the minimum area specified for the various base zones established by Section 8171-9. Where no suffix number appears, it is understood that the minimum lot area specified in Section 8171-9 for that zone shall apply.

(Am. Ord. 4055—2/1/94; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-9.2 - Suffix designators and maximum density for the CRPD Zone.

A designator suffix shall be assigned to each CRPD zone. The suffix shall indicate the maximum number of dwelling units per gross acre (excluding dedications for major thoroughfares and flood control channel rights-of-way), followed by the letter "U"; for example, CRPD-25U shall mean a maximum of twenty-five (25) dwelling units per acre. The designator suffix may be any number between 1U and 30U. A CRPD zone without a designator suffix shall allow a maximum of thirty (30) dwelling units per acre. The maximum density permitted for any property in the CRPD zone shall be established on the basis of LCP Land Use Plan compatibility, topography, orderly development principles, and infrastructure available to serve the development.

(Am. Ord. 4055—2/1/94; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-10 - Adoption of zoning maps.

The Board of Supervisors hereby adopts the Ventura County Coastal Zoning Maps as the official zoning maps pursuant to the following findings:

(Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-10.1 - Prior to the enactment of Ordinance 3654 in 1983, amending this Chapter of the Ventura County Ordinance Code, a zone classification was established on all land in the coastal zone in the unincorporated area of the County of Ventura. Said comprehensive zoning was affected by ordinance and included in the Ventura County Zoning Maps, Coastal Codification, that were contained in the previous Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article 9, Section 8179 and graphically depicted on portions of the Ventura County Assessor map books 8, 60, 80, 138, 183, 188, 206, 231, 234, 694, 700 and 701.

Zoning designations, locations, and boundaries are set forth and indicated in the "Ventura County Coastal Zoning Maps," which are referenced in Article 9, Section 8179.

Adoption of the Ventura County Coastal Zoning Maps does not change the zone classification of any land. In the event of any error in the transmission of the zoning classifications from the previous zoning maps to the new Coastal Zoning Maps, the zone classification of the land as shown on the 1983 certified zoning maps, as amended, shall prevail, and the new coastal zoning maps shall be changed to correct the error.

The Ventura County Coastal Zoning Maps are on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-11 - Uncertainty of zone boundaries.

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any zone district, indicated in the Ventura County Coastal Zoning Maps, the following rules of construction shall apply:

(Am. Ord. 4378—1/29/08; Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-11.1 - Boundaries following lot lines.

Where such zone boundaries are indicated as approximately following street and alley lines or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-11.2 - Boundary by GIS technology.

Where a zone boundary divides a lot, the locations of such boundaries, unless indicated by dimensions, shall be determined by the use of GIS tools and/or datasets.

(Am. Ord. 4378—1/29/08; Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-11.3 - Boundary upon street abandonment.

Where a public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the zoning regulations applicable to abutting property on each side of the center line of the vacated or abandoned street or alley shall apply to the property located within the vacated or abandoned street or alley.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-11.4 - Determination of uncertainties.

The Planning Director shall resolve uncertainties as to zone district boundary locations, and any challenge to his determination shall be resolved as provided in Section 8181-9.1. Any uncertainty as to the location of the coastal zone boundary shall be referred to the Coastal Commission for resolution in accordance with coastal zone maps adopted by the State legislature.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 1, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-12 - Terms not defined.

Terms not defined in this Chapter shall be interpreted as defined in conventional dictionaries in common use.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-13 - Misinformation.

Information erroneously presented by any official or employee of the County does not negate or diminish the provisions of this Chapter pertaining thereto.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-14 - Quantity.

The singular includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-15 - Number of days.

Whenever a number of days are specified in this Chapter, or in any permit, condition of approval, or notice issued, or given as set forth in this Chapter, such number of days shall be deemed to be consecutive calendar days, unless otherwise specified.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8171-16 - Rounding of quantities.

Whenever application of this Chapter results in required parking spaces or other standards being expressed in fractions of whole numbers, such fractions are to be rounded to the next higher whole number when the fraction is 0.5 or more, and to the next lower whole number when the fraction is less than 0.5, except that a) calculation for the number of permitted animals shall be in accordance with Article 5; b) quantities expressing areas of land are to be rounded only in the case of square footage, and are not to be rounded in the case of acreage; and c) calculations under Section 8175-6 shall be rounded in accordance with Government Code section 65915 et seq.

(Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021; Ord. No. 4640, § 1, 12-17-2024)

Article 2. - Definitions

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.

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.

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).

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.

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., travel-way, 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 drought-deciduous 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.

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.

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 semi-transparent 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 oil-related 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."

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