Article 5 — Development Standards/Conditions—Uses

§ 5.1

VenturaCounty Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · VenturaCounty

5.1.1.2 if it meets all of the following:¶

(1)

The lot is zoned as one (1) of the following: Coastal Open Space (COS), Coastal Agricultural (CA), Coastal Rural (CR), Coastal Rural Exclusive (CRE), Coastal One-Family Residential (CR1), Coastal Two-Family Residential (CR2), Residential Beach (RB), Residential Beach Harbor (RBH) and Coastal Residential Planned Development (CRPD);

(2)

The accessory dwelling unit has independent exterior access;

(3)

The rear and side setbacks are deemed sufficient for fire safety as required by the Building Code; and

(4)

The creation of the accessory dwelling unit does not involve the addition of floor area to the existing structure.

Accessory dwelling units that meet the provisions of Section 8175-5.1.1.1(a) above shall comply with the following standards:

(b)

No parking requirements shall be imposed.

(c)

When a garage, carport or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, the replacement parking spaces for the principal dwelling unit may be located in any configuration on the same lot as the accessory dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, covered spaces, uncovered spaces, or tandem spaces, or by the use of mechanical automobile parking lifts.

(d)

No more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit is allowed on each lot.

(Ord. No. 4520, § 3, 2-27-2018)

8175-5.1.1.2 - Standards for all other accessory dwelling units.

An application for an accessory dwelling unit that does not meet the provisions of Section 8175-5.1.1.1 shall require a Coastal Development Permit, without a public hearing, and comply with the following standards:

(a)

An accessory dwelling unit is allowed only on a lot that conforms to the minimum lot area standard for the zone in which it is located.

(b)

The gross floor area of an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed seven hundred (700) square feet.

(c)

An existing principal dwelling unit that meets the development standards for an accessory dwelling unit and does not exceed the height limit for accessory structures in the zone, may be designated the accessory dwelling unit and a separate principal dwelling unit may be permitted on the site. In such cases both the new principal dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit shall meet development standards for each use, including off-street parking requirements in Section 8176-3.7.

(d)

A setback of no more than five (5) feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit that is constructed above a garage.

(e)

(f)

Parking requirements for accessory dwelling units listed in Section 8176-3.7 shall not apply if any of the following apply:

(1)

The accessory dwelling unit is located within one-half (½) mile of public transit; or

(2)

The accessory dwelling unit is located within a historic district; or

(3)

When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit; or

(4)

When there is a car share vehicle located within one (1) block of the accessory dwelling unit; or

(5)

The accessory dwelling unit is within the existing or proposed space of a permitted principal dwelling unit or within the existing space of a permitted attached accessory structure.

(g)

Parking for an accessory dwelling unit may be provided as tandem parking on a driveway. Additionally, the parking space for an accessory dwelling unit may encroach into a required front and/or interior side setback, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(1)

The long dimension of the space is parallel to the centerline of the nearest driveway on the lots; and

(2)

On interior lots, a minimum three-foot side area adjacent to one (1) side lot line remains unobstructed by vehicles.

(h)

Notwithstanding Section 8175-5.1.1.2(g), above, parking for accessory dwelling units located within fire hazard areas, identified below, may not be located within setback areas or as tandem parking, unless the Ventura County Fire Protection District Fire Marshal or his/her designee determines that the proposed location of the accessory dwelling unit is within an area without known barriers to emergency service vehicle access:

(1)

The North Coast Subarea shown in Coastal Area Plan, Figure 3-2; and

(2)

The South Coast Subarea shown in Coastal Area Plan, Figure 3-6 where the accessory dwelling unit is located within the Santa Monica Mountains Overlay (M) zone or the existing community of Solromar. The M Overlay zone map is accessible in the GIS Department of the Resource Management Agency.

(i)

An accessory dwelling unit will not be allowed in areas where adequate water supply, water quality and sewage disposal cannot be demonstrated.

(j)

No more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit is allowed on each lot.

(k)

No other accessory structure shall be combined with a detached accessory dwelling unit, unless the combined total area of the accessory structure and accessory dwelling unit does not exceed seven hundred (700) square feet. This provision does not apply to accessory dwelling units built above a garage.

(l)

Mobilehomes may be used as accessory dwelling units, in accordance with Section 8175-5.1(d).

(m)

Accessory dwelling units shall not be rented on a transient occupancy basis (rental terms of less than thirty (30) consecutive days).

(n)

At the time of application, the owner of the property shall reside in the accessory dwelling unit or the primary dwelling unit. If the application is for construction of both the accessory dwelling unit and the primary dwelling unit, the owner shall agree to occupy either the accessory dwelling unit or the primary dwelling unit after construction.

(Ord. No. 4520, § 3, 2-27-2018)

8175-5.2 - Standards relating to animals. 8175-5.2.1 - Apiculture.

Street Separation—No occupied apiary shall be located or maintained within 150 feet of any public road, street or highway, or as modified by the Agricultural Commissioner.

Apiary Location—An occupied apiary shall be located or maintained a safe distance from an urbanized area. For the purpose of this section, an urbanized area is defined as an area consisting of a minimum of 30 acres, with a minimum density of 90 dwelling units. As the size of the area increases, the number of dwelling units must increase proportionately by a minimum of three dwelling units per acre. A "safe distance" shall be determined after investigation by the Agricultural Commissioner.

Dwelling Separation—No occupied apiary shall be located or maintained within 400 feet of any dwelling on adjacent property.

Property Line Separation—No occupied apiary shall be located or maintained within 50 feet of any property line common to other property except that it may be adjoining the property line when such other property contains an apiary, or upon mutual agreement for such location with the adjoining property owner.

Water—Available adequate and suitable water supply shall be maintained on the property near the apiaries at all times.

8175-5.2.2 - Aviaries.

All aviaries are subject to the following standards:

No on-site retail sales are permitted.

The lot shall meet the minimum area requirements of the zone.

All birds shall be kept, confined, housed, or maintained not less than 40 feet from any residence, dwelling, or other structure used for human habitation on adjacent property.

All birds shall be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times and shall not cause or tend to cause conditions detrimental or injurious to the public health, safety, or general welfare.

Birds kept in an aviary shall be limited to domestic birds, as defined in Article 2.

8175-5.2.3 - Keeping of birds.

The keeping of birds of a type readily classifiable as being customarily incidental and accessory to a permitted principal dwelling is subject to the following:

(a)

The keeping of all birds provided for herein shall be for noncommercial purposes, shall be incidental to the principal dwelling, and shall conform to all other provisions of law governing same.

(b)

No bird, cage, or other enclosure shall be maintained within fifteen (15) feet of any window or door of any residence, dwelling, or other building used for human habitation other than the personal dwelling or residence of the owner or keeper thereof.

(c)

Such birds shall be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times and shall not cause or tend to cause conditions detrimental or injurious to the public health, safety, or general welfare.

(d)

The keeping of birds that are wild or nondomestic, or of a type not readily classifiable as being customarily incidental and accessory to a permitted principal dwelling, is not permitted.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.2.4 - Animals and fowl.

Animal husbandry, and the keeping of animals and fowl as accessory to dwellings, shall conform to the following standards. NOTE: The offspring of animals are allowed and shall not be counted until they are weanable or self-sufficient age. Dogs and cats shall be counted at four (4) months of age or more.

(a)

Pet Animals. Each dwelling unit is permitted the following (in addition to the animal units permitted under Section 8175-5.2.4(b)):

COS Up to 4 of any combination of 4 dogs 4 rabbits or other domestic Domestic birds (must be kept CA the following: Chickens and animals of similar size at inside the dwelling; see also CR (excluding roosters), cooped 4 cats maturity, caged. Sec. 8175-5.2.3). CRE Ducks and similar fowl, penned CR1 goose or turkey (limit 1), penned

CR2, RB, CRPD

RBH 2 dogs and 2 cats*

*Any combination of dogs and cats totaling not more than four animals.

(b)

Farm Animals. Farm animals are permitted in accordance with the following table:

Zone Minimum Number Minimum Setbacks (b) Lot Area of Animals Required (a) (c)

Santa Monica Mountains (M) 1 Acre Two animal units for first acre, one animal unit Farm animals and fowl shall not be housed, Overlay Zone for each additional acre, and a maximum of ten stabled, lodged, kept, maintained, pastured or animal units per lot. confined within ESHA or 100 feet of ESHA, except as permitted by Sec. 8178-2.6.11 (Confined Animal Facilities).

animal units per lot. confined within ESHA or 100 feet of ESHA, except as permitted by Sec. 8178-2.6.11 (Confined Animal Facilities).

CA and COS, except Santa Monica 20,000 Lots of 10 acres or less: one animal unit for Farm animals and fowl shall not be housed, Mountains (M) Overlay Zone sq. ft. each 10,000 sq. ft. of lot area (more with a stabled, lodged, kept, maintained, pastured or Conditional Use Permit). Lots over 10 acres: no confined within 40 feet of any school, church, limit. hospital, public place, business, dwelling or other structure used for human habitation, other than the personal residence of the owner or keeper thereof.

CR 20,000 One animal unit for each 10,000 sq. ft. of lot sq. ft. area.

Notes to Animal Unit Table.

One Animal Unit Equals:

•

1 cow, bull, horse, pony, llama, mule or donkey;

•

or 3 sheep and/or female goats (or a combination thereof totaling 3);

•

or up to 6 of any combination of geese, swans or turkeys;

•

or up to 10 of any combination of chickens, ducks or game hens;

•

or 2 miniature horses, pigs, male goats, ostriches, peacocks or guinea fowl (or a combination thereof totaling 2);

•

or 20 fur-bearing animals, such as rabbits, and others of a similar size at maturity.

Other Notes

•

In calculations for permitted animals, fractional numbers are to be rounded to the lower whole number.

•

These separation requirements do not apply to pet animals.

•

Abutting lots that are under unified control, either through ownership or by means of a lease, may be combined in order to meet minimum area requirements for animal-keeping or to keep a larger number of animals, but only for the duration of such common ownership or lease, and only in zones that allow the keeping of animals as a principal use.

(c)

Notwithstanding the nonconforming use regulations in Section 8182-5, the farm animal regulations for the Santa Monica Mountains (M) overlay zone pursuant to Section 8175-5.2.4 shall only apply to animal keeping uses and structures that are established after 9-9- 2022. Legally-established farm animal keeping uses in existence as of 9-9-2022 that do not conform to the standards in the table above (subsection (b)) may continue until the use is discontinued or the project site is redeveloped.

(d)

Within the Santa Monica Mountains (M) overlay zone, or within five hundred (500) feet of habitats identified as habitat connectivity corridors (see Section 8178-2.7.5), the conditions of approval for new development shall include a requirement that any small to mid- size animal (e.g., chickens, goats, sheep, and llamas) that is subject to predation from wild animals (e.g., mountain lion, coyote, bobcat) will be kept in a wildlife-proof structure approved by the County. The Planning Director may grant an exception to this requirement based on a finding supported by substantial evidence that the applicant has proposed and will implement a recognized, alternative method for protecting livestock (e.g., use of Anatolian Shepard Dog). See Section 8178-2.6.11 for additional standards associated with animal keeping in ESHA or buffer zones.

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

8175-5.2.5 - Kennels.

The following standards shall apply to all kennels:

(a)

No more than one (1) adult dog over four (4) months old per four thousand (4,000) square feet of lot area shall be allowed as part of any kennel.

(b)

No more than fifty (50) dogs per lot shall be allowed as part of any kennel.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.3 - Campgrounds.

Campgrounds shall be developed in accordance with the following standards:

8175-5.3.1 - Minimum lot area shall be three acres. 8175-5.3.2 - At least 75 percent of the total site shall be left in its natural state or be landscaped, the remaining 25 per cent land is eligible for development.

(Am. Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.3 - Each individual camp site shall be no less than 1000 sq. ft. and there shall be no more than 9 sites per developable acre. Group camp sites shall be designed to accommodate no more than 25 people per acre.

(Add. Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.4 - Where needed to enhance aesthetics or to ensure public safety, a fence, wall, landscaping screen, earth mound, or other screening approved by the Planning Director shall enclose the campground. 8175-5.3.5 - Utility conduits shall be installed underground in conformance with applicable state and local regulations. 8175-5.3.6 - The design of structures and facilities, and the site as a whole, shall be in harmony with the natural surroundings to the maximum feasible extent.

(Am. Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.7 - Trash collection areas shall be adequately distributed and enclosed by a six (6) foot high landscape screen, solid wall or fence that is accessible on one (1) side.

(Repealed as 8175-5.3.10 and Re-enacted as 8175-5.3.7 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.3.8 - Off-road motor vehicle uses are not permitted.

(Repealed as 8175-5.3.3 and Re-enacted as 8175-5.3.8 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.9 - The following standards apply to structures on the site, apart from the personal residence(s) of the property owner, campground director/manager, or caretaker:

(Add. Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.9.1 - Structures are limited to restrooms/showers and a clubhouse for cooking and/or minor recreational purposes.

(Repealed as 8175-5.3.7 and Re-enacted as 8175-3.9.1 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.9.2 - There shall not be more than one set of enclosed, kitchen-related fixtures.

(Repealed as 8175-5.3.7, Re-enacted as 8175-5.3.9.2 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88).

8175-5.3.9.3 - There shall be no buildings that are used or intended to be used for sleeping.

(Repealed as 8175-5.3.9 and Re-enacted as 8175-5.3.9.3 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.10 - Campgrounds may include minor accessory recreational uses such as swimming pools (limit one) and tennis courts.

(Repealed as 5175-5.3.8 and Re-enacted as 8175-5.3.10 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.11 - Outdoor tent camping is permitted.

(Repealed as 8175-5.3.9 and Re-enacted as 8175-5.3.11 by Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.12 - No hook-ups for recreational vehicles are allowed.

(Add. Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.13 - Occupation of the site by a guest shall not exceed 30 consecutive days.

(Add. Ord. 3882—12/20/88)

8175-5.3.14 - Parking standards.

Parking Standards—See Article 6.

(Add. Ord. 3882—12/20/88; Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.4 - Camps.

Camps shall be developed in accordance with the following standards:

8175-5.4.1 - Minimum lot area shall be ten acres, except in the case of camps under permit prior to the adoption of this ordinance, in which case no minimum lot area is specified. 8175-5.4.2 - Overnight population of guests and staff shall be limited by the following calculations: 8175-5.4.2.1 - Camps on property zoned Coastal Rural (CR) - lot size in acres × 2.56 = the maximum number of persons to be accommodated overnight. 8175-5.4.2.2 - Camps on property zoned Coastal Rural Exclusive (CRE) - lot size in acres × 10.24 = the maximum number of persons to be accommodated overnight.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.4.3 - Total daily on-site population of guests and staff shall be limited by the following calculations: 8175-5.4.3.1 - Camps on property zoned Coastal Rural (CR) - 5.12 × lot size in acres = total population allowed on site.

8175-5.4.3.2 - Camps on property zoned Coastal Rural Exclusive (CRE) - 20.48 × lot size in acres = total population allowed on site. 8175-5.4.3.3 - A larger total daily population may be allowed for special events, the frequency to be determined by the camp's Use Permit.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.4.4 - Building intensity shall be limited by the following standards: 8175-5.4.4.1 - Overnight accommodations.

Structures or portions of structures intended for sleeping and restrooms/showers (excepting those for permanent staff as defined in Section 8175-5.4.4.3) shall be limited to a collective average of 200 square feet per overnight guest and staff allowed per Section 8175-5.4.2 (Overnight population).

8175-5.4.4.2 - All other roofed structures or buildings.

The total allowed square footage of all structures other than sleeping and restroom/shower facilities shall be limited to 100 square feet per person allowed per Section 8175-5.4.3 (Total daily on-site population).

8175-5.4.4.3 - The residence(s) of a limited number of permanent staff such as the director, manager or caretaker are exempt from the limitations of Section 8175-5.4.4.1 (Overnight Accommodations). 8175-5.4.4.4 - Since the two building intensity standards (Overnight and Total Daily) address distinctly different facilities, they shall not be interchangeable or subject to borrowing or substitutions. 8175-5.4.5 - Camp facilities shall have adequate sewage disposal and domestic water. 8175-5.4.6 - Camp facility lighting shall be designed so as to not produce a significant amount of light and/or glare at the first off-site receptive use. 8175-5.4.7 - Camp facilities shall be developed in accordance with applicable County standards so as not to produce a significant amount of noise. 8175-5.4.8 - Occupation of the site by a guest shall not exceed 30 consecutive days. 8175-5.4.9 - To ensure that the site remains an integral and cohesive unit, specific methods such as the following should be employed on a case-by-case basis: open space easements requiring CC&R's that restrict further use of the land with the County as a third party; low density zoning to prevent subdivision of the site; and merger of parcels to create one parcel covering the entire site. 8175-5.4.10 - To avoid the loss of the site's natural characteristics several methods should be employed on a case-by-case basis to preserve these values: 60% of the total site should remain in its natural state or be landscaped and only passive recreational uses should be permitted. 8175-5.4.11 - Parking standards.

Parking Standards—See Article 6.

(Add. Ord. 3882—12/20/88; Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.5 - Mobilehome parks. 8175-5.5.1 - Mobilehome parks shall be developed in accordance with all applicable standards, including density standards (number of dwellings per unit of lot area), of the zone in which the mobilehome park is located. 8175-5.5.2 - A mobilehome park may include, as part of an approved permit, recreational and clubhouse facilities and other accessory uses. 8175-5.6 - Film production, temporary.[3] Footnotes: --- (3) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4492, § 3, adopted June 21, 2016, amended § 8175-5.6 in its entirety, in effect repealing and replacing said section to read as herein set out. Former § 8175-5.6, pertained to motion picture and TV production, temporary, and derived from Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012.

8175-5.6.1 - Film permits required.

Film Permit. A film permit in the form of a Planned Development Permit or Zoning Clearance is required for all film production activities, unless exempt from film permit requirements pursuant to Section 8174-5.

A Coastal Development Permit or exemption is required from the Commission for areas where the California Coastal Commission retains coastal development permit authority as shown on the Post Local Coastal Plan Certification Permit and Appeals Jurisdiction Maps for the County (as available in the Planning Division). The California Coastal Commission Permit Jurisdiction includes state waters, lands below the mean high tide line, and lands subject to the public trust.

Possession of an approved California Coastal Commission Coastal Development Permit or exemption, Planned Development Permit or Zoning Clearance shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility of securing and complying with any other permit which may be required by other County, state or federal laws.

An approved County film permit, or an approved California Coastal Commission Coastal Development Permit, shall be in the possession of the permittee at all times during film production activities.

Film permits are non-transferable and cannot be assigned to any other person, agency, or entity. A copy of the film permit shall be kept onsite and located in an easily accessible location in the event the County or other government official requests verification that the film production activities are authorized by a film permit.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.6.1.1 - Planned development permit.

A Planned Development Permit shall be required for film production activities, or access to a film permit area, that meets one or more of the following criteria:

Film production activities would last more than fourteen (14) days and less than one hundred eighty (180) days in duration;

May directly or indirectly impact an environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA). For example, a direct impact could be the removal of major vegetation in order to construct a film set, and an indirect impact could be the introduction of loud and persistent noise or intense light that would harm animals with a low tolerance for these types of effects;

Would include grading or landform alteration;

Would restrict public access to public recreation areas; or

Would result in inadequate coastal access parking. For the purpose of this subsection, inadequate coastal access parking would occur if a base camp or temporary film production activities occupy one or more public parking spaces used for coastal beach access.

Planned Development Permits shall not be issued for film production activities located on a sandy beach within Ventura County's permit jurisdiction during weekends or holidays of the peak summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day).

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.6.1.2 - Zoning Clearance.

A Zoning Clearance is required for film production activities occurring in private homes or within legally developed areas that do not include ESHA.

A Zoning Clearance is required for film production activities located on improved roads that are adjacent to ESHA or an ESHA buffer. Neither the film set nor the film base camp shall encroach upon ESHA.

A Zoning Clearance is required for film production activities that will last 14 days or less in duration.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.6.1.2.1 - Temporary filming on the sandy beach.

(a)

Outside the peak summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, film production activities on all sandy beach areas within the County's permit jurisdiction shall be authorized by a Zoning Clearance, provided that all of the following criteria are met:

(1)

The film production activities will be fourteen (14) days or less in duration;

(2)

The film production activities are located at least one hundred (100) feet from all tide pools, coastal dune habitats, and tributaries that discharge into the ocean;

(3)

The film production activities are located outside any ESHA or buffer zone;

(4)

Public access will be maintained to and along the coast; and

(5)

Adequate coastal access parking is available for the general public.

(b)

During the peak summer months between Memorial Day through Labor Day, a Zoning Clearance shall only be approved if the film production activities meet all of the following criteria:

(1)

The film production activities comply with all requirements of Section 8175-5.6.1.2.1(a) above;

(2)

Film production activities that occupy a portion of the sandy beach area is scheduled on weekdays only, and not on any holiday; and

(3)

An off-site base camp will provide sufficient space for trailers, vehicles, equipment, catering services, etc.;

(4)

To avoid adverse impacts on the federally protected Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) and California Least Tern (Sterna antillarum browni), no filming shall be permitted on Hollywood Beach during the species' breeding season of March 1 through September 31.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8175-5.6.2 - Film Permit application requirements and processing.

A film permit application shall be signed by the applicant or authorized agent thereof and filed with the Planning Division in accordance with Section 8181-5. In addition to the information required pursuant to Section 8181-5, the application shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following information and materials:

A site map using an aerial image of the film location and film permit area(s). The site map shall include the following information:

Street address for all film permit locations;

ii.

Assessor Parcels Number(s) for all film permit locations;

iii.

Delineation of the film permit area boundary(ies);

iv.

Graphic representation and labeling of the film production activities including but not limited to the film base camp, location of generators, lighting and audio equipment.

Until a film permit is issued, the applicant may, upon written request to the Planning Division, change the film permit location, the film permit area, or the time or date of film production activities without the submittal of a new permit application or payment of permit modification fees.

Once a film permit is issued, a film permit modification and payment of film permit modification fee(s) shall be required for any change to a film permit.

Film permit applications shall be processed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 11, Entitlements—Process and Procedures.

Zoning Clearance—A minimum of three (3) working days is required to process a Zoning Clearance film permit. If neighborhood consent is a prerequisite to permit approval pursuant to Section 8175-5.6.5, a minimum of five (5) working days is required to process a film permit.

Planned Development Permit—The public hearing for a Planned Development Permit may be waived pursuant to Section 8181-6.2.3. Following the approval of a Planned Development Permit, the permittee shall obtain a separate Zoning Clearance prior to initiating the permitted use or activity in accordance with Section 8181-3.1.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.6.3 - Film Permit modifications.

A film permit modification application may be filed by the permittee with the Planning Division and shall be processed pursuant to Article 11, Section 8175-5.6.2, and the following provisions, as applicable.

Ministerial Modification. Notwithstanding Section 8181-10.4.1, ministerial modifications to Zoning Clearance or Planned Development Permit film permits shall be limited to the following, and shall be requested by the permittee as follows:

Adding and/or changing film production preparation, striking, filming days consistent with the duration in Section 8174-5, Film Production Temporary.

Adding and/or changing film production activities, film permit locations and/or film permit areas, consistent with Section 8175-5.6.1, as applicable.

Extending the film permit's time period provided that the total days authorized by the film permit were not used because of inclement weather or similar delay. The number of days added to the permit must be the minimum necessary to complete the filming and in no case shall exceed the total number of film permit days that may be authorized with a Zoning Clearance.

If adding or changing a film permit location and/or film permit area, a completed new film location form and revised site map pursuant to Section 8175-5.6.2(d) shall be submitted.

Modification applications shall be submitted to the Planning Division prior to the end of post-production film striking. If post production film striking has concluded, a new film permit is required.

A revised neighborhood consent may be required pursuant to Section 8175-5.6.5 to authorize the requested ministerial modification.

Modifications shall not lessen the effectiveness of the conditions of the issued film permit and must be consistent with all other provisions of Section 8175-5.6 and the Local Coastal Plan.

New Film Permit Required. If a Zoning Clearance or Planned Development Permit film permit is not eligible for a ministerial modification pursuant to Section 8175-5.6.3(a) above, a new film permit shall be required.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.6.4 - Standards for film production activities in all zones.

Film production activities shall be carried out in accordance with the following regulations:

(a)

Hours.

(1)

All film production activities shall occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekends.

(2)

Film production activities that occur outside the hours identified in subsection (1) above require neighborhood consent (see Section 8175-5.6.5).

(b)

Film Permit Area.

(1)

All film production activities, including but not limited to the operation of a film base camp, film equipment placement and operation, catering, film production preparation, striking, and filming, shall be confined to the boundaries of the film permit area(s) designated on the site plan approved with the film permit.

(2)

Removing, trimming or cutting of native vegetation or protected native and non-native trees is prohibited except where such activities are authorized pursuant to Section 8178-7.

(3)

Film production activities shall not change, alter, modify, remodel, remove or significantly affect any eligible or designated cultural heritage site.

(4)

Film production activities shall not result in permanent alteration to the filming location or surrounding area. The permittee shall restore the filming location to a condition equivalent to its pre-filming condition following film production, striking.

(5)

Production vehicles, cast, and crew responsible for the production of a motion picture, television show, music video, advertisement, web production or film still photography shall not arrive at the film location prior to the hours specified in the permit.

(6)

All film production activities, including but not limited to the film base camp, film equipment placement and operation, catering, film production preparation, striking and filming, shall comply with the provisions of Section 8175-5.6, and all other applicable provisions of this Chapter and the certified Local Coastal Program.

(7)

Film production activities shall not remove or alter vegetation or landforms within ESHA, its 100-foot buffer, or otherwise adversely impact an ESHA.

(8)

Except where permitted by a Planned Development Permit, film production activities shall not occupy a public recreational area in a manner that would preclude use by the general public.

(9)

Film production activities conducted at any time between Memorial Day through Labor Day, and located within one (1) mile of the beach, shall not cause traffic delays that exceed three (3) minutes on any public road.

(10)

Film production activities shall maintain public access to and along the coast including areas upcoast and downcoast of the subject film permit area and where feasible, passage around the site on wet sand or dry sand areas.

(11)

Film production activities shall minimize grading and landform alteration.

(c)

Noise and Lighting. Noise and lighting shall not create a nuisance upon nor otherwise negatively impact neighboring areas or ESHA as follows:

(1)

Film pyrotechnics and film special effects that emit sound associated with gunfire or similar devices shall be prohibited in ESHA or within one hundred (100) feet of ESHA.

(2)

Except as permitted with neighborhood consent (see Section 8175-5.6.5), lighting used for the illumination of film production activities (such as perimeter lighting, flood lighting, and external lighting) shall only be permitted when the light source is hooded or shielded so that no direct beams from the film production activities fall upon public streets, highways or private property not located within the film permit area(s).

(3)

Temporary exterior night lighting is prohibited in ESHA. Within areas adjacent to ESHA, temporary exterior night lighting may be allowed if the light source is hooded and shielded so that no light trespass from the film production activities fall upon ESHA.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016; Ord. No. 4586, 10-19-2021)

8175-5.6.5 - Neighborhood consent.

A neighborhood consent waiver form, described in subpart (c) below, that contains one or more names and signatures from occupants residing in the majority (more than fifty (50) percent) of the households located within the "surrounding community", as defined in subpart (b) below, shall be obtained by the applicant and submitted to the Planning Division prior to the issuance of a film permit for the following:

Temporary film production activities that occur in the Residential Beach (RB) and Residential Beach Harbor (RBH) zones.

Film production activities that occur outside the hours specified in Section 8175-5.6.4(a).

Road closures that exceed three minutes (see exception in Section 8175-5.6.4(b)(9)).

Loud noise emanating from such sources as gunfire, aircraft used for the purpose of film production activities, amplified music or amplified sound mixing.

Exterior night lighting that extends beyond the boundaries of the film permit area(s).

Film special effects that extend beyond the boundaries of the film permit area(s).

Surrounding Community. For purposes of Section 8175-5.6.5, "surrounding community" means:

Dwellings and dwelling units on parcels within three hundred (300) feet of the boundary of the film permit location when film production activities are located in areas designated CC, CRE, CR1, CR2, RB, RBH, and CRPD.

Dwellings and dwelling units on parcels within one thousand (1,000) feet of the boundary of the film permit area when film production activities are located in areas designated COS, CA, CR, and M Overlay.

Neighborhood Consent Waiver Form. The Planning Division shall provide the applicant with a radius map, address list, and neighborhood consent waiver form. The neighborhood consent waiver form shall include the following information relating to the proposed film production activities:

Date(s) and time(s);

A map, address, or description of the specific location if there is no assigned address;

A brief description of the film production activities that require neighborhood consent per Section 8175-5.6.5; and

Name and telephone number(s) of the location manager or representative of the production company.

For the purposes of Section 8175-5.6.5, "households" as used in subpart (a), mean all dwellings and dwelling units including accessory dwelling units, duplexes, mobile homes, etc., not having an assigned address but located within the surrounding community.

If the applicant fails to obtain the necessary neighborhood consent, the film production activities may be modified and a revised neighborhood consent waiver form can be recirculated to the surrounding community.

If the applicant fails to obtain the necessary neighborhood consent, the film permit shall not be approved unless modified to remove all film production activities that require neighborhood consent.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016; Ord. No. 4520, § 3, 2-27-2018)

8175-5.7 - Oil and gas exploration and production.[4] Footnotes: --- (4) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4567, § 1, adopted Nov. 10, 2020, repealed the former § 8175-5.7, §§ 8175-5.7.1—8175-5.7.8, and enacted a new § 8175-5.7 as set out herein. The former § 8175-5.7 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 4249, adopted Nov. 20, 2001; Ord. No. 4451, § 9, adopted Dec. 11, 2012; and Ord. No. 4492, § 3, adopted June 21, 2016.

8175-5.7.1 - Purpose.

The purpose of this Section 8175-5.7 is to establish reasonable and uniform limitations, safeguards and controls for oil and gas exploration and production operations within the coastal portions of the unincorporated area that will allow for the reasonable use of important resources. The regulations in this section shall also ensure that development activities will be conducted in harmony with other land uses and that the rights of surface and mineral owners are balanced. The standards of this section shall apply to all development activities as provided herein, even within areas covered by existing discretionary permits. However, the permitting requirements shall not apply to any specific development for which the applicant has been granted a claim of vested rights by the Coastal Commission on the basis of a discretionary permit. For any such development, no new discretionary permit is required pursuant to this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.2 - Application.

Section 8175-5.7 shall apply to all oil and gas exploration and production operations, as provided herein:

All existing oil and gas exploration and production operations are subject to the oil development operational standards set forth in Section 8175-5.7.8 to the extent: (i) such standards would impose greater restrictions than those set forth in existing permit conditions, laws, or regulations applicable to the operation, and (ii) application of such standards would not impair any vested right of an operator under California law.

The oil development design guidelines set forth in Section 8175-5.7.7 and the oil development operational standards set forth in Section 8175-5.7.8 shall be utilized to evaluate consistency of proposed development with this Chapter and to develop conditions of approval for all new, adjusted and modified discretionary permits authorizing oil and gas exploration and production operations.

Notwithstanding any provision set forth in Article 12 of this Chapter, a new conditional use permit or discretionary site plan adjustment or permit modification, as applicable, is required under this Chapter to authorize any new oil and gas exploration and production operation, or component thereof, including but not limited to: (1) the drilling of any new well unless specifically identified by location and number in an active discretionary permit issued under this Chapter; (2) the re-drilling or deepening of any existing well unless specifically authorized by an active discretionary permit issued under this Chapter; or (3) the installation of any permanent structure unless the structure is specifically identified by an active discretionary permit issued under this Chapter or unless the structure replaces an existing structure with the same dimensions at the same location. This subsection (c) does not apply to maintenance and repair activities.

The provisions of Section 8175-5.7 shall also apply to oil and gas exploration and production operations upon federally owned lands. Pursuant to the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. Section 181 et seq.), operations conducted on federally owned lands do not require issuance of a land use development permit from the County; however, the review and permitting of such projects by federal agencies should take into account the provisions of Section 8175-5.7.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.3 - Definitions.

Unless otherwise defined herein, or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definition of petroleum-related terms shall be that used by the California Geologic and Energy Management Division (CalGEM).

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.4 - Prohibition.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, new energy or industrial facilities, except onshore pipelines, are prohibited on: land between U.S. Highway 101 (Ventura Freeway) and the shoreline; Harbor Boulevard and the shoreline; Highway 1 and the shoreline; and on land in any "residential" or "recreational" designation on the LCP Land Use Plan, or identified as environmentally sensitive habitat or buffer area.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.5 - Required permits.

No oil or gas exploration or production related use may commence without or be inconsistent with a Conditional Use Permit approved pursuant to this Chapter. Furthermore, a Zoning Clearance must be obtained by the permittee to confirm consistency with this Chapter and Conditional Use Permit prior to drilling every well, commencing site preparation for such well(s), and/or expansion of existing facilities, including re-drilling of existing wells or changing from a producing well to a water injection well, or installing related appurtenances as defined by the Planning Director, or prior to abandonment.

A single Zoning Clearance may be issued for more than one (1) well, drill site, structure or appurtenance; however, the construction or installation of each separate improvement must commence within one hundred eighty (180) days of issuance. All well drilling conducted under a single Zoning Clearance must be completed within one (1) year of issuance or a new Zoning Clearance shall be required.

Possession of an approved Conditional Use Permit and Zoning Clearance shall not relieve the operator of the responsibility of securing and complying with any other permit that may be required by other County ordinances, or state or federal laws. No condition of a Conditional Use Permit for uses allowed by this Chapter shall be interpreted as permitting or requiring any violation of law, or any lawful rules or regulations or orders of an authorized governmental agency. When more than one (1) set of rules apply, the stricter one shall take precedence.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.6 - Development plan.

A development plan shall accompany the application for all new, adjusted or modified discretionary permits, and shall include the following information:

The location of drilling and/or production sites, storage tanks, pipelines and access roads.

Plans for the consolidation, to the maximum extent feasible, of drilling and/or production facilities, as well as accessory facilities.

A phasing plan for the staging of development that indicates the approximately anticipated timetable for project installation, completion and decommissioning.

A plan for eliminating or substantially mitigating adverse impacts on habitat areas, prime agricultural lands, recreational areas, scenic resources and archaeological sites due to siting, construction, or operation of facilities.

Grading plans for all facilities requiring the movement of greater than fifty (50) cubic yards of dirt. For any development requiring a grading permit, either (1) a Storm Water Pollution Control Plan (SWPCP) shall be prepared, submitted, and approved in accordance with the Ventura County Municipal Storm Water Permit, Order No. 00-108, Part 4 - Special Provisions, D. Programs for Construction

Sites, or (2) a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) shall be prepared submitted, and approved in accordance with the State General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activity, whichever is applicable.

A description of means by which all oil and gas will be transported off-site to a marketing point.

A description of the procedures for the transport and disposal of all solid and liquid wastes.

Oil spill prevention and control measures.

Fire prevention procedures.

Emission control equipment.

Procedures for the abandonment and restoration of the site.

Compliance with any other requirement of the Ventura County Ordinance Code related to oil and gas development.

All facilities supporting oil and gas development must comply with the terms and requirements of the State General Industrial Activities Stormwater Permit, including the development and submittal of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.7 - Oil development design guidelines.

The general oil development design guidelines that follow shall be used in the evaluation of projects and development of conditions that will help ensure that oil development projects generate minimal negative impacts on the environment. The guidelines shall be applied whenever physically and economically feasible and practicable, unless the strict application of a particular guideline would otherwise defeat the intent of other guidelines. An applicant should use the guidelines in the design of the project and anticipate their use as potential permit conditions, unless the applicant can demonstrate that they are not feasible or practicable. More restrictive requirements may be imposed on a project through the conditions of the permit.

Permit areas and drill sites shall generally coincide and shall be only as large as necessary to accommodate typical drilling and production equipment.

The number of drill sites in an area shall be minimized by using centralized drill sites, directional drilling, and other techniques.

Drill sites and production facilities shall be located so that they are not readily seen. All permanent facilities, structures, and aboveground pipelines on the site shall be colored so as to mask the facilities from the surrounding environment and uses in the area. Said colors shall also take into account such additional factors as heat buildup and designation of danger areas. Said colors shall be approved by the Planning Director prior to the painting of facilities.

Permittees and operators shall share facilities such as, but not limited to, permit areas, drill sites, access roads, storage, production and processing facilities and pipelines.

The following standards apply to the installation and use of oil and gas pipelines:

Pipelines shall be used to transport petroleum products offsite to promote traffic safety and air quality. Transshipment of crude oil through an onshore pipeline for refining shall be a condition of approval for expansion of existing processing facilities or construction of new facilities.

Where pipeline connections are not available or feasible, oil products may be removed by truck. All tanker trucking shall be limited to Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. of the same day. Except under emergency circumstances, as determined by the Planning Director, no more than two (2) equivalent round-trip tanker truck trips per day shall be permitted to haul oil and waste products generated from an area under an oil permit through residential streets unless the Planning Director authorizes additional trips.

New pipeline corridors shall be consolidated with existing pipeline or electrical transmission corridors where feasible, unless there are overriding technical constraints or significant social, aesthetic, environmental, or economic reasons not to do so. Installation of pipelines and utility lines (as applicable) shall be within the road prism of project access roads, to the extent practicable, to prevent additional loss of habitat.

When feasible, pipelines shall be routed to avoid important coastal resource areas, such as recreation, sensitive habitats and archaeological areas, as well as geological hazard areas. Unavoidable routing through recreation, habitat, or archaeological areas, or other areas of a significant coastal resource value, shall be done in a manner that minimizes the impacts of potential spills by considering spill volumes, duration, and projected paths. New pipeline segments shall be equipped with automatic shutoff valves, or suitable alternatives approved by the Planning Director, so that each segment will be isolated in the event of a break.

Upon completion of pipeline construction, the site shall be restored to the approximate previous grade and condition. All sites previously covered with native vegetation shall be re-seeded with the same, or recovered with the previously removed vegetative materials, and shall include other measures as deemed necessary to prevent erosion until the vegetation can become established, and to promote visual and environmental quality.

All offshore to onshore pipelines shall, where feasible, be located at existing pipeline landfall sites, and shall be buried from a point where wave action first causes significant bottom disturbance. In addition, landfall sites are prohibited from areas designated as "Residential" or shown as "environmentally sensitive habitat area."

Except for pipelines exempted from permit requirements under Section 30610 of the Coastal Act as defined by the State Coastal Commission's Interpretive guidelines, a survey by a qualified expert in biological resources shall be conducted along the route of any pipeline in the coastal zone to determine what, if any, coastal resources may be impacted by construction and operation of a pipeline and to recommend any feasible mitigation measures. The costs of this survey shall be borne by the applicant, and may be conducted as part of environmental review if an EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration is required for a particular project; or otherwise conducted prior to the issuance of any permit pursuant to this Chapter. The recommended mitigation measures shall be incorporated as part of the permit.

Prior to issuance of any permit or permit modification pursuant to this Chapter, a geologic investigation shall be performed by a qualified geologist or engineering geologist where a proposed petroleum pipeline route crosses potential faulting zones, seismically active areas, or moderately high to high risk landslide areas. This report shall investigate the potential risk and recommend such mitigation measures as pipeline route changes and/or engineering measures to help assure the integrity of the pipeline and minimize erosion, geologic instability, and substantial alterations of the natural topography. The recommended measures shall be incorporated as conditions of the permit.

Cuts or fills associated with access roads and drill sites shall be kept to a minimum to avoid erosion and visual impacts. They shall be located in inconspicuous areas, and generally not exceed ten (10) vertical feet. Cuts and fills shall be restored to their original grade once the use has been discontinued.

Gas from wells shall be piped to centralized collection and processing facilities, rather than being flared, to preserve energy resources and air quality, and to reduce fire hazards and light sources. Oil shall also be piped to centralized collection and processing facilities, in order to minimize land use conflicts and environmental degradation, and to promote visual quality.

Wells shall be located a minimum of eight hundred (800) feet from occupied sensitive uses. Private access roads to drill sites shall be located a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from occupied sensitive uses, unless this requirement is waived by the occupant.

Oversized vehicles shall be preceded by lead vehicles, where necessary for traffic safety.

In the design and operation of new or modified oil and gas production facilities, best accepted practices in drilling and production methods shall be utilized, to eliminate or minimize to the maximum extent feasible any adverse impact on the physical and social environment. To this end, dust, noise, vibration, noxious odors, intrusive light, aesthetic impacts and other factors of nuisance and annoyance shall be reduced to a minimum or eliminated through the best accepted practices incidental to the exploration and production of oil and gas.

Any production shipping tanks(s) installed on the subject permit site shall have a collective rated capacity only as large as necessary to service any particular drill pad(s).

All proposed energy and industrial facilities shall be so sited and designed in compliance with CEQA requirements to eliminate or reduce, to the maximum extent feasible, impacts to biological, geological, archaeological, paleontological, agricultural, visual, recreational; air and water quality resources, and any other resources that may be identified.

In sensitive resource areas, the extent of construction and ground surface disturbance shall be reduced to a minimum by restricting construction activities and equipment within narrow, limited, and staked work corridors and storage areas.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.7.8 - Oil development operational standards.

The following are minimum operational standards and requirements, which shall be applied pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.2. More restrictive requirements may be imposed on a project through the conditions of the permit.

Setbacks. Wells shall be located a minimum of eight hundred (800) feet from an occupied sensitive use. Private access roads to drill sites shall be located a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from occupied sensitive uses, unless a waiver is signed pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w) In addition, no well shall be drilled and no equipment or facilities shall be permanently located within:

One hundred (100) feet of any dedicated public street, highway or nearest rail of a railway being used as such, unless the new well is located on an existing drill site and the new well would not present a safety or right-of-way problem. If aesthetics is a problem, then the permit must be conditioned to mitigate the problem.

Five hundred (500) feet of any building or dwelling not necessary to the operation of the well, unless a waiver is signed pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w), allowing the setback to be reduced. In no case shall the well be located less than one hundred (100) feet from said structures.

Eight hundred (800) feet of any institution, school or other building used as a place of public assemblage, unless a waiver is signed pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w), allowing the setback to be reduced. In no case shall the well be located less than three hundred (300) feet from said structures.

Three hundred (300) feet from the edge of the existing banks of "Red Line" channels as established by the Ventura County Flood Control District (VCFCD) and one hundred (100) feet from the existing banks of all other channels appearing on the most current United States Geological Service (USGS) 2,000-foot scale topographic map as a blue line. These setbacks shall prevail unless the permittee can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Public Works Agency that the subject use can be safely located nearer the stream or channel in question without posing an undue risk of water pollution, damage to wildlife and habitat, or impairment of flood control interests. In no case shall setbacks from streams or channels be less than fifty (50) feet. All drill sites located within the 100- year flood plain shall be protected from flooding in accordance with Flood Control District requirements.

The applicable setbacks for accessory structures for the zone in which the use is located.

One hundred (100) feet from any marsh, small wash, intermittent lake, intermittent stream, spring or perennial stream appearing on the most current USGS 2,000-foot scale topographic map, unless a qualified biologist, approved by the County, determines that there are no significant biological resources present or that this standard setback should be adjusted.

Obstruction of Drainage Courses. Drill sites and access roads shall not obstruct natural drainage courses. Diverting or channeling such drainage courses may be permitted only with the authorization of the Public Works Agency.

Removal of Equipment. All equipment used for drilling, re-drilling, and maintenance work on approved wells shall be removed from the site within thirty (30) days of the completion of such work unless a time extension is approved by the Planning Director.

Waste Handling and Containment of Contaminants. Oil, produced water, drilling fluids, cuttings, and other contaminants associated with the drilling, production, storage, and transport of oil shall be contained on the site unless properly transported off-site or injected into a well, treated or re-used in an approved manner on-site or, if allowed, off-site. Appropriate permits, permit modifications or approvals must be secured when necessary, prior to treatment or re-use of oil field waste materials. The permittee shall furnish the Planning Director with a plan for controlling oil spillage and preventing saline or other polluting or contaminating substances from reaching surface or subsurface waters. The plan shall be consistent with the requirements of the County, state and federal government.

Securities. Prior to the commencement or continuance of drilling or other uses on an existing permit, the permittee shall file, in a form acceptable to the County Counsel and certified by the County Clerk, a bond or other security in the penal amount of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for each well that is drilled or to be drilled. Any operator may, in lieu of filing such a security for each well drilled, re-drilled, produced or maintained, file a security in the penal amount of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to cover all operations conducted in the County of Ventura, a political subdivision of the State of California, conditioned upon the permittee well and truly obeying, fulfilling and performing each and every term and provision of the permit. In cases of any failure by the permittee to perform or comply with any term or provision thereof, the Planning Commission may, after notice to the permittee and a public hearing, by resolution, determine the amount of the penalty and declare all or part of the security forfeited in accordance with its provisions. The sureties and principal will be jointly and severally obligated to pay forthwith the full amount of the forfeiture to the County of Ventura. The forfeiture of any security shall not insulate the permittee from liability in excess of the sum of the security for damages or injury, or for expense or liability suffered by the County of Ventura from any breach by the permittee of any term or condition of said permit or of any applicable ordinance or of this security. No security shall be exonerated until after all of the applicable conditions of the permit have been met.

Dust Prevention and Road Maintenance. The drill site and all roads or hauling routes located between the public right-of-way and the subject site shall be improved or otherwise treated as required by the County and maintained as necessary to prevent the emanation of dust. Access roads shall be designed and maintained so as to minimize erosion, prevent the deterioration of vegetation and crops, and ensure adequate levels of safety. The permittee shall treat unpaved access roads by either oiling and chipping or use of an APCD- approved chemical dust palliative (such as Dust-Off - MgCI2) or use of other APCD-approved mechanisms.

Light Emanation. Light emanation shall be controlled so as not to produce excessive levels of glare or abnormal light levels directed at any neighboring uses. Lighting shall be kept to a minimum to maintain normal nighttime light levels in the area, but not inhibit adequate and safe working light levels. The location of all flood lights and an outline of the illuminated area shall be shown on the landscape plan, if required, or on the requisite plot plan.

Reporting of Accidents. The permittee shall immediately notify the Planning Director, the Fire Department and all other applicable agencies in the event of fires, spills, or hazardous conditions not incidental to the normal operations at the permit site. Upon request of any County Agency, the permittee shall provide a written report of any incident within seven (7) calendar days that shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the facts of the incident, the corrective measures used and the steps taken to prevent recurrence of the incident.

Painting. Drill sites and production facilities shall be located so that they are not readily seen. All permanent facilities, structures, and aboveground pipelines on the site shall be colored so as to mask the facilities from the surrounding environment and uses in the area. Said colors shall also take into account such additional factors as heat buildup and designation of danger areas. Said colors shall be approved by the Planning Director prior to the painting of facilities.

Site Maintenance. The permit area shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner so as not to create any hazardous or unsightly conditions such as debris, pools of oil, water, or other liquids, weeds, brush, and trash. Equipment and materials used for the operation and maintenance of the oil well located at the site may be stored on site. If the well has been suspended, idled or shut in for thirty (30) days, as determined by the Division of Oil and Gas, all such equipment and materials shall be removed within ninety (90) days.

Site Restoration. Within ninety (90) days of revocation, expiration, surrender of any permit, or abandonment of the use, the permittee shall restore and revegetate the premises to as nearly its original condition as is practicable, unless otherwise requested by the landowner.

Insurance. The permittee shall maintain, for the life of the permit, liability insurance of not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for one (1) person and one million dollars ($1,000,000) for all persons and two million dollars ($2,000,000) for property damage. This requirement does not preclude the permittee from being self-insured.

Noise Standard. Unless herein exempted, drilling, production, and maintenance operations associated with an approved oil permit shall not produce noise, measured at a point outside of occupied sensitive uses such as residences, schools, health care facilities, or places of public assembly, that exceeds the following standard or any other more restrictive standard that may be established as a condition of a specific permit. Noise from the subject project shall be considered in excess of the standard when the average sound level, measured over one (1) hour, is greater than the standard that follows. The determination of whether a violation has occurred shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the permit in question.

other more restrictive standard that may be established as a condition of a specific permit. Noise from the subject project shall be considered in excess of the standard when the average sound level, measured over one (1) hour, is greater than the standard that follows. The determination of whether a violation has occurred shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the permit in question.

Nomenclature and noise level descriptor definitions are in accordance with the Ventura County General Plan Goals, Policies and Programs and the Ventura County General Plan Hazards Appendix. Measurement procedures shall be in accordance with the Ventura County General Plan Goals, Policies and Programs, and General Plan Hazards Appendix.

The maximum allowable average sound level is as follows:

Average Noise Levels (LEQ)

Time Period Drilling and Maintenance Phase Producing Phase

Day (6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) 55 dBA 45 dBA

Evening (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) 50 dBA 40 dBA

Night (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) 45 dBA 40 dBA

For purposes of this section, a well is in the "producing phase" when hydrocarbons are being extracted or when the well is idled and not undergoing maintenance. It is presumed that a well is in the "drilling and maintenance phase" when not in the "producing phase."

Exceptions to Noise Standards. The noise standards established pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(m) shall not be exceeded unless covered under any of the following provisions:

Where the ambient noise levels (excluding the subject facility) exceed the applicable noise standards. In such cases, the maximum allowable noise levels shall not exceed the ambient noise levels plus three (3) dB(A).

Where the owners/occupants of sensitive uses have signed a waiver pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w) indicating that they are aware that drilling and production operations could exceed the allowable noise standard and that they are willing to experience such noise levels. The applicable noise levels shall apply at all locations where the owners/occupants did not sign such a waiver.

Compliance with Noise Standard. When a permittee has been notified by the Planning Division that his operation is in violation of the applicable noise standard, the permittee shall correct the problem as soon as possible in coordination with the Planning Division. In the interim, operations may continue; however, the operator shall attempt to minimize the total noise generated at the site by limiting, whenever possible, such activities as the following:

Hammering on pipe;

Racking or making-up of pipe;

Acceleration and deceleration of engines or motors;

Drilling assembly rotational speeds that cause more noise than necessary and could reasonably be reduced by use of a slower rotational speed;

Picking up or laying down drill pipe, casing, tubing or rods into or out of the drill hole.

If the noise problem has not been corrected by 7:00 p.m. of the following day, the offending operations, except for those deemed necessary for safety reasons by the Planning Director upon the advice of CalGEM, shall be suspended until the problem is corrected.

Preventive Noise Insulation. If drilling, re-drilling, or maintenance operations, such as pulling pipe or pumps, are located within one thousand six hundred (1,600) feet of an occupied sensitive use, the work platform, engine base and draw works, crown block, power sources, pipe rack, and other probable noise sources associated with a drilling or maintenance operation shall be enclosed with soundproofing sufficient to ensure that expected noise levels do not exceed the noise limits applicable to the permit. Such soundproofing shall be installed prior to the commencement of drilling or maintenance activities and shall include any or all of the following: acoustical blanket, coverings, soundwalls, or other soundproofing materials or methods that ensure that operations meet the applicable noise standard. The requirements may be waived by the Planning Commission if the permittee can demonstrate that the applicable noise standard can be met or that all applicable parties within the prescribed distance have signed a waiver pursuant to 8175-5.7.8(w).

Waiver of Preventative Noise Insulation. The applicant may have a noise study prepared by a qualified acoustical consultant, approved by the County. If the findings of the study conclude that the proposed project will meet the County Noise standards contained in Section 8175-5.7.8(m) and do not constitute a nuisance, then the soundproofing requirement may be waived. If the findings show a noise level will be generated above and beyond the County standards, then soundproofing must be installed sufficient to meet the applicable noise standard. Where a waiver pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w) is signed, no preventative noise insulation will be required.

Soundproofing Material. All acoustical blankets or panels used for required soundproofing shall be of fireproof materials and shall comply with California Industrial Safety Standards and shall be approved by the Ventura County Fire Protection District prior to installation.

Hours of Well Maintenance. All non-emergency maintenance of a well, such as the pulling of pipe and replacement of pumps, shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. of the same day if the well site is located within three thousand d(3,000) feet of an occupied residence. This requirement may be waived by the Planning Director if the permittee can demonstrate that the applicable noise standards can be met or that all applicable parties within the prescribed distance have signed a waiver pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w).

Limited Drilling Hours. All drilling activities shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. of the same day when they occur less than eight hundred (800) feet from an occupied sensitive use. Night time drilling shall be permitted if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Director that the applicable noise standard can be met or that all applicable parties within the prescribed distance have signed a waiver pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.8(w).

Signs. Signs shall comply with Section 8175-5.13 and the development standards per Section 8178-5.13.10.7 Identification Signs, Oil and Gas Development.

Fencing. Fencing all active well sites (except submersible pumps), sumps and/or drainage basins or any machinery in use or intended to be used at the well site or other associated facilities shall be securely fenced, if required, based on the Planning Director's determination that fencing is necessary due to the proximity of nearby businesses, residences, or other occupied sensitive uses. A single adequate fence that is compatible with surrounding area, may be used to enclose more than one (1) oil well or well site and appurtenances. Location of fences shall be shown on a submitted plot plan and/or landscape plan, if required. Fences must meet all CalGEM regulations.

Screening and Landscaping. All oil and gas production areas shall be landscaped so as to screen production equipment in a manner consistent with the natural character of the area, if required, based on the Planning Director's determination that landscaping is necessary. Required landscaping shall be implemented in accordance with a landscape and irrigation plan to be approved by the Planning Director or his/her designee after consultation with the property owner. The landscape plan shall be consistent with Section 8178-8, Water Efficient Landscaping Requirements, or Coastal Area Plan policies, whichever are more restrictive. This landscape plan shall include, but not be limited to, measures for adequate screening of producing wells and permanent equipment from view of public roads or dwellings, revegetation of all cut and fill banks, and the restoration of disturbed areas of the site not directly related to oil and gas production. Low water usage landscaping and use of native plants shall be encouraged.

Landscaping and Above Ground Pipelines. Consideration shall also be given to above ground pipelines that are part of the project. Landscape maintenance shall be subject to periodic inspection by the County, in accordance with Section 8178-8.9 Landscape Documentation Package Approval and Inspections. The permittee shall be required to remedy any defects in landscape maintenance within thirty (30) days of notification by the County.

Landscaping and Well Drill Pads.

If wells are brought into production, the site shall be landscaped so as to screen production equipment from view from neighboring residences in a manner consistent with the natural character of the area.

ii.

The landscaping associated with the wells shall also be intended to provide screening from glare that may result from on-site facilities (e.g., tanks, buildings, other).

iii.

The permittee shall not install production equipment until the Planning Director has approved the landscaping plan and a Zoning Clearance has been issued.

iv.

At the expense of the permittee, the County, or a County approved landscape architect, shall determine whether the visual impacts of the production facilities have been screened from view. The timing and schedule for subsequent review shall be determined prior to the issuance of a Zoning Clearance for the production facilities.

Waivers. Where provisions exist for the waiver of an ordinance requirement, the waiver must be signed by the owner and all adult occupants of a dwelling, or in the case of other sensitive uses, by the owner of the use in question. Once a waiver is granted, the

permittee is exempt from affected ordinance requirements for the life of the waiver. Unless otherwise stated by the signatory, a waiver signed pursuant to Section 8175-5.7.7.n.(2) shall also be considered a waiver applicable to Sections 8175-5.7.7.p., 8175-5.7.7.s. and 8175-5.7.7.t.

Application of Sensitive Use Related Standards. The imposition of regulations on petroleum operations that are based on distances from occupied sensitive uses shall only apply to those occupied sensitive uses that were in existence at the time the permit for the subject oil operations was approved.

Inspection, Enforcement and Compatibility Review. To ensure that adequate funds are available for the legitimate and anticipated costs incurred for monitoring and enforcement activities associated with new or modified oil and gas related Conditional Use Permits, the permittee shall deposit with the County funds, determined on a case by case basis, prior to the issuance of a Zoning Clearance. The funds shall also cover the costs for any other necessary inspections or the resolution of confirmed violations that may occur. One (1) deposit may be made to cover all of the permittee's various permits. In addition, all new or modified Conditional Use Permits for oil and gas related uses shall, at the discretion of the Planning Director, be conditioned to require a compatibility review on a periodic basis. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the permit, as conditioned, has remained consistent with its findings for approval and if there are grounds for proceeding with public hearings concerning modification, suspension, or revocation of the permit.

(Ord. No. 4567, § 1, 11-10-2020)

8175-5.9 - Public works facilities.

Public works facilities are subject to the provisions of this Section and all other provisions of this Chapter and the LCP land use plan. The types of facilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Roads, turnouts for emergency vehicles, reservoirs, drainage channels, watercourses, flood control projects, pump stations, utility lines, septic systems, water wells and water storage tanks.

(a)

New or expanded public works facilities (including roads, flood control measures, water and sanitation) shall be designed to serve only the potential population of the unincorporated and incorporated areas within LCP boundaries, and to avoid impacts on agriculture, and open space lands to the maximum extent feasible, and ensure that environmentally sensitive habitats (ESHA) are protected against any significant disruption of habitat values. See Section 8178-2.5.2(c) if such facilities are proposed within ESHA or buffer zone.

(b)

New service extensions required beyond the stable urban boundary (as shown on the LCP Land Use Plan maps) must be designed to mitigate any effects on agricultural viability.

(c)

Electrical transmission line rights-of-way shall be routed to minimize impacts on the viewshed in the coastal zone, especially in scenic rural areas, and to avoid locations that are on or near sensitive habitats (ESHA), or recreational or archaeological resources, whenever feasible. Scarring, grading, or other vegetative removal shall be repaired and the affected areas revegetated with plants similar to those in the area to the extent that safety and economic considerations allow.

(d)

In important scenic areas or environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHA), where aboveground transmission line placement would unavoidably affect views or ESHA, undergrounding shall be required where it is technically and economically feasible unless it can be shown that other alternatives are less environmentally damaging. When aboveground facilities are necessary, design and color of the support towers shall be compatible with the surroundings to the extent that safety and economic considerations allow.

For information on permitting requirements for existing public works facilities, see Section 8174-6.3.2 and Section 8174-6.3.6(a)(9). For public works facilities in ESHA or buffer zone, also see Section 8178-2.

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

8175-5.10 - Recreational vehicle parks. 8175-5.10.1 - Applications.

All conditional use permit applications for such parks shall be accompanied by the following:

Site plan;

Complete topographic and geologic information for the site, including a soils report;

Reports that describe the existing on- and off-site systems, facilities and services that are available to serve the proposed development; such reports shall state the name of the responsible agency, present capacity, present level of demand or use, projected capacity and the anticipated load resulting from the proposed development;

Detailed landscaping and irrigation plans and specifications prepared by a State licensed landscape architect;

A biological survey of the site including the identification of any environmentally sensitive habitats.

8175-5.10.2 - Development standards.

Minimum lot area for an RV park shall be three acres. Minimum size of each recreational campsite shall be 1,000 square feet with a minimum width of 25 feet.

Maximum number of trailer spaces per net acre of land, computed as a simple geometric figure, shall be 18, unless a lower maximum is specified in the conditional use permit. The precise density to be allocated to the subject development will be based on the nature of the proposed site as it currently exists, particularly slope, erosion hazard, soil stability, fire hazard, water availability, seismic safety, septic tank suitability, accessibility to all-weather roads, adjacent land use, prevailing noise level, proximity to a flood plain, emergency ingress and egress, unique natural land features, proximity to environmentally sensitive habitats, and other pertinent factors.

At least 60 percent of the net area of each RV park shall be left in its natural state or be landscaped.

The maximum size of a recreational vehicle occupying a space in the park shall be 220 square feet of living area. Living area does not include built-in equipment such as wardrobes, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, or bath and toilet rooms.

Building height and setbacks shall be as prescribed in the applicable zone, except where Title 25 of the California Administrative Code is more restrictive.

No recreational vehicle, travel trailer or accessory building shall be located less than six feet from any other recreational vehicle, travel trailer or accessory building on an adjacent space.

All setback areas from streets and other areas in an RV park not used for driveways, parking, buildings or service areas shall be landscaped.

Trash disposal areas shall be adequately distributed and enclosed by a six foot high landscape screen, solid wall or fence.

Where needed to enhance aesthetics or to ensure public safety, a fence, wall, landscaping screening, earth mounds or other means approved by the Planning Director that will complement the landscape and assure compatibility with the surrounding environment shall enclose the park.

Asphalt pavement or other suitable materials for dust abatement as approved by the Planning Director shall be provided for all interior roadways and parking areas and shall be suitably marked for traffic flow.

Any cut and/or fill slopes shall be revegetated and adequately maintained to prevent erosion.

All existing trees with a four-inch or greater diameter shall be preserved unless their removal is approved by both the Planning Director and the County Landscape Coordinator.

Any of the foregoing standards may be modified, subject to the provisions of Title 25, if evidence presented at the public hearing establishes that such modification is necessary to ensure compatibility with the established environmental setting.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.10.3 - Site design criteria.

Signs shall be in accordance with Section 8175-5.13, Signs.

Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with Article 6.

The front of each space should include a level, landscaped area with picnic table and a grill or campfire ring.

The office should be located near the entrance, which should also be the exit.

The site should be designed to accommodate both tent and vehicle campers (travel trailers, truck campers, camping trailers, motor homes).

Drive-through spaces should be provided for travel trailers.

There should be a minimum six-foot-wide walk in parking areas.

Walls or landscaped earthen berms should be used to minimize noise from highway sources.

The distance from any picnic table to a toilet should be not less than 100 feet nor more than 300 feet.

Each site plan should also incorporate a recreational or utility building, laundry facilities and an entrance sign in accordance with Section 8175-5.13, Signs.

At least 30 percent of the spaces should have full hookups, including electricity, water and sewer. Permitted utilities shall be installed underground in conformance with applicable state and local regulations.

Each park shall be provided with sewer connections or dump stations, or a combination thereof.

Roadways and vehicle pads shall not be permitted in areas of natural slope inclinations greater than 15 percent or where grading would result in slope heights greater than ten feet and steeper than 2:1.

(Ord. No. 4451, §§ 5, 9, 12-11-2012; Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.10.4 - Additional provisions.

Each park may include a commercial establishment on-site, not exceeding five hundred (500) square feet of floor area, for the sole use of park residents.

Each park is permitted one on-site mobilehome to be used solely for the management and operation of the park, pursuant to Title 25.

No permanent building or cabana shall be installed or constructed on any trailer space; however, portable accessory structures and fixtures are permitted.

No travel trailers, trailer coaches, motor homes, campers or tents shall be offered for sale, lease or rent within an RV park.

Off-road motor vehicle uses that might cause damage to vegetation or soil stability are not permitted.

The maximum time of occupancy for any family or travel trailer within any RV park shall not exceed 90 days within any 120 day period.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.11 - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4451, § 5, adopted December 11, 2012, repealed §§ 8175-5.11—8175-5.11.2 in their entirety. Former §§ 8175-5.11—8175-5.11.2 pertained to satellite dish antennas and were derived from original Code.

8175-5.12 - Shoreline protection devices.

8175-5.12.1 - The following standards shall apply to the construction or maintenance of shoreline protective devices such as seawalls, jetties, revetments, groins, or breakwaters:

Proposed shoreline protective devices shall only be allowed when they are necessary to protect existing developments, coastal- dependent land uses, and public beaches.

All shoreline protective structures that alter natural shoreline processes must be designed to eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts on local shoreline sand supply.

Permitted shoreline structures shall not interfere with public rights of access to the shoreline.

A building permit will be required for any construction and maintenance of protective shoreline structures, such as seawalls, jetties, revetments, groins, breakwaters and related arrangements.

The County's Building and Safety Department will routinely refer all permits for seawalls, revetments, groins, retaining walls, pipelines and outfalls to the Flood Control and Water Resources Division of the Public Works Agency to be evaluated not only for structural soundness, but environmental soundness as well whenever necessary. This includes a survey of potential environmental impacts, including (but not limited to) the project's effects on adjacent and downstream structures, net littoral drift, and downcoast beach profiles. If the potential environmental impacts of the proposed structure are considered significant by the Public Works Agency, the applicant will then be required to obtain an engineering report that specifies how those impacts will be mitigated.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.12.2 - Prior to the construction of any shoreline protective device, the County may require the preparation of an engineering geology report at the applicant's expense. Such report shall include feasible mitigation measures that will be used, the following applicable information to satisfy the standards of Section 8178-4.1, as well as other provisions of the ordinance and Land Use Plan policies:

(a)

Description of the geology of the bluff or beach, and its susceptibility to wave attack and erosion.

(b)

Description of the recommended device(s), along with the design wave analysis.

(c)

Description of the anticipated wave attack and potential scouring in front of the structure.

(d)

Depth to bedrock for vertical seawall.

(e)

Hydrology of parcel, such as daylighting springs and effects of subsurface drainage on bluff erosion rates, as it relates to stability of the protective device.

(f)

Plan view maps and profiles of device(s), including detailed cross-section through the structure.

(g)

Type of keyway, location of tie backs or anchor devices, and depth of anchor devices.

(h)

Bedrock analysis.

(i)

Accessway for construction equipment.

(j)

Use and type of filter fabric.

(k)

Projected effect on adjacent properties.

(l)

Recommendations on maintenance of the device.

(m)

Use of wave deflection caps.

(Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012)

8175-5.13 - Signs.[5] Footnotes: --- (5) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4492, § 3, adopted June 21, 2016, repealed the former § 8175-5.13, and enacted a new § 8175-5.13 as set out herein. The former § 8175-5.13 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 4451, § 9, 12-11-2012.

8175-5.13.1 - Purpose.

The purpose of this Section 8175-5.13 is to promote and safeguard the life, health, property, and public welfare, including traffic safety and the aesthetics of the visual environment, by regulating the design, quality of materials and construction, illumination, location and maintenance of all signs within the unincorporated areas of the coastal zone.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.2 - Permit requirements.

No person shall place, erect, modify, alter or repaint any sign unless the sign and sign-related activity is exempt from a permit pursuant to Section 8175-5.13.4. If the sign or sign-related activity is not exempt from a permit, it either requires the issuance of a Zoning Clearance pursuant to Section 8175-5.13.5 and/or a Planned Development Permit pursuant to Section 8175-5.13.6 in accordance with the provisions of the Sign Permit Application Procedures of Section 8175-5.13.7.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.3 - Prohibited signs.

The following signs are prohibited:

A-frame or sandwich-board signs;

Examples of Prohibited Freestanding Signs

Any sign that emits sound, smoke or bubbles.

Any sign located within ESHA or its associated buffer except:

A road sign;

An interpretive sign that describes the ESHA, provided that the sign is located and designed in accordance with Section 8175- 5.13.10.12.1(c) and Section 8175-5.13.10.12(b); or

A temporary sign that is intended to protect ESHA, such as a sign restricting access to an active shorebird nesting area in accordance with Section 8175-5.13.6(e)

Except as authorized under Section 8175-5.13.9.2(d), any sign located within the public right-of-way.

Any sign erected in such a manner that it may interfere with, obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic.

Any sign erected in such a manner that any portion of the sign or its support is attached to or will interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe, or will obstruct any stairway, door, ventilator or window.

Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe or constitutes a hazard to health or safety by reason of design, location, or inadequate maintenance.

Any sign that obstructs or degrades public views to scenic resources, except as authorized by Section 8175-5.13.9.2(d).

Any sign that is intended to deter, without legitimate purpose, public access to or along tidelands, shorelines, beaches and public waterways, public trails, public parks, public open space, or public access easements to any of the foregoing locations.

Bench signs, except for the following: (1) memorial placard attached to a bench as authorized by Section 8175-5.13.4(b); and (2) at bus stops as authorized by Section 8175-5.13.10.2.

A banner, pennant, or inflatable object used as commercial sign, except if used as a promotional temporary sign in accordance with Section 8175-5.13.5(d).

Except for road and locational signs, new freestanding signs greater than six (6) feet in height;

Except for temporary signs painted on a window as authorized pursuant to Section 8175-5.13.5(b)(4), permanent signs attached to the exterior surfaces of windows;

Off-site commercial and subdivision signs including but not limited to billboards.

Trailer mounted portable signs that are parked within the public right-of-way, in coastal access parking areas, recreational areas (beaches and parks), or are otherwise no longer mobile, unless parked wholly on the lot of the owner of the portable sign.

Roof signs.

Examples of Prohibited Roof Signs

Commercial signs in residential zones, except for real estate and open house signs.

Signs that automatically change color;

Signs that flash, move or rotate, except for clocks and time and temperature signs in accordance with Section 8175-5.13.6(a);

The use of any item of merchandise or other commodity related to the business as a sign, except as such commodity may be permanently incorporated into a sign structure as otherwise permitted by this Article;

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.4 - Signs exempt from a permit.

The following signs are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Planned Development Permit or Zoning Clearance sign permit except when the sign is proposed as part of a larger development project that requires a discretionary permit under this Chapter:

One (1) identification sign up to two (2) square feet in sign area affixed directly to the exterior wall of a building or structure. One (1) identification sign up to six (6) square feet in sign area, if affixed directly to an exterior wall of a building or structure for agricultural uses (i.e., produce stands, barns, stables, etc.)

One memorial bench plaque, up to 36-inches in area (e.g., 18 inches × 2 inches), that is attached directly to the bench.

Flags with noncommercial content affixed to a building and temporarily displayed to commemorate an event or holiday, consistent with Section 8175-5.13.10.9, Flags.

Repair and maintenance of an existing permitted sign, provided the proposed repair and maintenance activities:

Do not result in an addition to or enlargement of the existing sign;

Comply with the sign copy requirements in Section 5.13.9.5, Message Substitution;

Will not result in any disturbance to ESHA or ESHA buffer, See Section 8175-5.13.6(e); and

Are consistent with Section 8175-5.13.9.4, Maintenance.

Natural gas, chilled water and steam facility signs placed by a public utility, which conveys information on the location of facilities in the furtherance of service or safety, provided there is no removal of major vegetation, the sign(s) is located within a public utility easement, and the sign is the minimum size necessary to convey the information.

Temporary signs and incidental signs limited to the following:

Incidental signs attached directly to a building. One (1) sign of not more than six (6) square feet, on a developed legal parcel, or if multiple businesses are located on a parcel, one (1) sign for each business.

Construction signs, provided that:

Only one (1) sign is displayed per construction site;

ii.

The sign does not exceed six (6) square feet in total sign area in Coastal Open Space (COS), Coastal Agricultural (CA), Coastal Rural (CR), Harbor Planned Development (HPD), and coastal residential zones (CR1, CR2, RB, RBH, CRPD, and M Overlay), or twenty-four (24) square feet in total sign area in Coastal Commercial (CC) and Coastal Industrial (CM) zones;

iii.

The sign is used only to indicate the name of the construction project and the names and locations (state and city or community only) of the contractors, architects, engineers, landscape designers, project or leasing agent, and/or financing company;

iv.

The sign is displayed during construction only;

The sign does not exceed six (6) feet in height, if freestanding;

vi.

The sign is not located in the clear sight triangle pursuant to Section 8175-3.8; and

vii.

The sign is located not less than five (5) feet from the inside line of the sidewalk or, if there is no sidewalk, from the property line.

Real estate signs. One (1) unilluminated real estate sign subject to the following:

The sign may be single- or double-faced and shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) square feet in total sign area and six (6) feet in height. See also Section 8175-5.13.10.1.

ii.

The sign shall only contain information on the sale or rental of the premises on which located.

iii

The sign is not located in the clear sight triangle pursuant to Section 8175-3.8;

iv.

The sign shall be situated no less than five (5) feet from the inside line of the sidewalk, or if there is no sidewalk, from the property line.

The sign shall remain on the premises only during the period of time that the premises are being offered for sale or lease and shall be removed seven (7) days after the property is sold or rented or the offer for sale or rent is terminated.

Open house signs subject to the following provisions:

Such signs are only permitted during the period when real estate is offered for sale or rent and while an agent is physically present on the premises.

ii.

Only one (1) such sign is allowed on each street frontage of the property on which the open house is being held.

iii.

Such signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area.

iv.

Such signs are only allowed during daylight hours.

A maximum of three (3) temporary, noncommercial signs on a residential-zoned lot pursuant to Section 8175-5.13.10.15.

Political signs pursuant to Section 8175-5.13.10.17.

Memorial tablets or signs, including those indicating names of buildings and dates of construction, when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building, or when constructed of bronze or similar noncombustible material affixed to the building. The total maximum sign area shall not exceed two (2) square feet.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.5 - Zoning Clearance.

A Zoning Clearance sign permit is required for all of the following signs:

A physical modification or alteration of an existing permitted sign or legal nonconforming sign if the change is consistent with the development standards in Section 8175-5.

Signs affixed directly to a non-residential structure, other than public works facilities, in compliance with Section 8174-6.3.4 including but not limited to:

Identification signs larger than two (2) square feet in sign area affixed directly to the exterior wall of a structure or building, or identification signs larger than six (6) square feet in sign area if affixed directly to the exterior wall of a structure or building for agricultural uses (i.e., produce stands, barns, stables, etc.). See Section 8175-5.13.9.1 for allowable number and dimensions.

Memorial tablets or signs larger than two (2) square feet but less than ten (10) square feet. Such signs may include names of buildings and dates of construction, when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building, or when constructed of bronze or similar noncombustible material affixed to the building.

Projecting sign (See Section 8175-5.13.10.18).

Window signs ten (10) square feet in area or twenty-five (25) percent of the window area, whichever is less; consistent with the provisions of Section 8175-5.13.10.22.

Replacement of existing permitted signs (other than legal nonconforming signs) destroyed by a disaster pursuant to Section 8174- 6.3.5.

Promotional temporary signs provided that:

Such signs are only displayed on a developed parcel zoned Coastal Commercial (CC) for a maximum of thirty (30) days;

Such signs are not located in the clear sight triangle pursuant to Section 8175-3.8; and

Such signs are located not less than five (5) feet from the inside line of the sidewalk or, if there is no sidewalk, from the property line.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.6 - Planned Development Permit.

The following signs require a Planned Development Permit:

New free standing signs including but not limited to the following:

Road and locational signs.

Clocks and thermometers not directly affixed to a building or structure, see Section 8175-5.13.10.4.

Directional signs, see Section 8175-5.13.10.5.

Sign display structures, not affixed directly to a building, see Section 8175-5.13.10.6.

One freestanding flag affixed to a flagpole per developed parcel, see Section 8175-5.13.10.9.

Interpretive signs, see Section 8175-5.13.10.12.

Menu board, see Section 8175-5.13.10.13.

Monument signs, see Section 8175-5.13.10.14.

Illuminated signs, see Section 8175-5.13.10.11.

Sign mural.

A new sign program not associated with a larger development project for which a new discretionary permit is sought.

Temporary signs in ESHA or ESHA buffer, provided that:

The temporary sign has a maximum cumulative sign area of sixteen (16) square feet.

The sign is installed prior to the start of the nesting season of each calendar year (March 15 th ) and is removed after all shorebirds have fledged.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.7 - Sign Permit application requirements and processing.

When a Zoning Clearance sign permit or Planned Development Permit is required for a sign or sign-related activity, an application shall be filed with the Ventura County Planning Division in accordance with Section 8181-5. The application shall be signed by the owner and applicant or authorized agent thereof. In addition to providing the information and materials required pursuant to Section 8181-5, the application shall also set forth and contain the following information and materials, as applicable:

A site plan showing the dimensions of the parcel, location and size of any existing or proposed buildings or structures on the property, and adjacent streets and land uses.

The location of off-street parking facilities, including major points of entry and exit for motor vehicles where directional signs are proposed.

The proposed sign dimensions, sign copy, height, colors, materials, lighting, and location of the sign or sign structure.

The method of attachment of the proposed sign to any structure.

Other information that the Planning Division may require to secure compliance with this Chapter.

Signs requiring a Planned Development Permit shall provide a sign maintenance plan that describes future requirements for sign repair or replacement, sign cleaning or repainting, and the clearing of vegetation, other than major vegetation, that blocks the sign.

A separate permit application is required for each legal lot where signs are located.

Permit applications for a sign or sign-related activity shall be processed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 11, Entitlements—Process and Procedures. Following the approval of a Planned Development Permit, the permittee shall obtain a separate Zoning Clearance prior to initiating the permitted use or activity in accordance with Section 8181-3.1.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.8 - Design criteria.

The following design criteria apply to signs and sign-related activities requiring a sign permit and shall, to the extent applicable, be utilized during the County's review, consideration and conditioning of the requested permit:

The size, color and style of sign structures should be designed to complement the visual character of the surrounding buildings and landscape features.

Sign poles and other non-copy elements should blend visually with the color(s) and texture(s) of the background, including any buildings.

The number of light fixtures shall be kept to a minimum and integrated into the design of the structure.

On developed sites, landscaping should be used to enhance the appearance of the sign and to allow the sign to blend with the remainder of the site.

Planter boxes should be used to improve the appearance of the sign base, and trees should be used to mask the unused side of a single-faced sign.

The location of the proposed sign and the design of its visual elements (lettering, words, figures, colors, decorative motifs, spacing, and proportions) should be legible under normal viewing conditions where the sign is to be installed.

The location and design of the proposed sign should not obscure from view or unduly detract from existing or adjacent signs;

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.9 - General sign standards.

The following standards shall apply to the specified sign types and locations unless otherwise stated in the regulatory notes.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 3, 6-21-2016)

8175-5.13.9.1 - Number and dimensions of signs.

                                        COASTAL OPEN SPACE (COS)
                                        COASTAL AGRICULTURAL (CA)
                              COASTAL RESIDENTIAL (CR, CR1, CR2, RB, RBH, CRPD) (a)

                                                     On-Site                                                             Off-Site

                     Attached                             Freestanding (n)                                     Freestanding

                                                                                                           Display
  Sign Type
                                    Identification/                                                                Structure/
                                                                                                                                   Residential
                          Noncommercial             Monument Sign          Flags              Interpretive/
                                                                                                                             Subdivision (b)
                                     Sign(o)                                                             Location and
                                                                                    Road (m)

 Maximum
                        1                  1                          (c), (d)                1                  1                  1

number per lot

 Maximum                                                                 See Sec.
                  Lesser of 20 or F*/20  Lesser of 25 or F*/10   48 sf including the
   sign area                                                                          8175-                         6(f)               12 (g)
                                       (e)               (square feet)            base
    (sq. ft.) (n)                                                                                 5.13.10.9

Maximum Not above the wall Height to which it is 6(i) 6(i) 6(i) 6(i) (feet) attached.

 Maximum
   Length                                   (j)                 10                 10                                    3                 12
       (feet)

                                      COASTAL COMMERCIAL (CC)(a), (k)
                                         COASTAL INDUSTRIAL (CM)

On-Site Off-Site

                          Attached                                               Freestanding (n)

   Sign Type                                                                                                                    Residential
                              Identification/
                                                                                                                           Subdivision (b)/
                       Commercial         Monument Sign         Directional Signs             Flags
                                                                                                                           Locational and
                             Sign
                                                                                                   Road (m)

                                                               1 per entrance to the lot

Maximum number per No limit (d) (see Sec. 8175- 1 1 lot 5.13.10.5)

Maximum sign area (l) 48 sf including the base 4 12 (g) (sq. ft.) See Sec. 8175- Maximum Height (ft.) (h) 6(i) 3 6(i)

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VenturaCounty Municipal Code

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