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Article 9 — Overnight Camping

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

6309 - Camping.

(a)

No person shall camp or lodge in any designated site or location within the limits of a County Park without first registering for the camping space by completing the appropriate registration card and paying the appropriate use fees.

(b)

No person shall camp or otherwise park overnight in any space not designated for such use by the Director or an authorized representative. Camping is not permitted in a day use area without written permission from the Director.

(c)

No person shall fail to clean and completely remove all camping equipment and other personal property from the site before departure.

(d)

No person shall be allowed to camp or otherwise park overnight in a County facility when the camper's vehicle and/or trailer is not legally registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles or other state vehicle licensing entity.

(e)

No person shall fail to comply with the requests of a public officer to place trailers or other camping equipment in an orderly manner.

(f)

Campers shall keep their assigned camping space free of litter.

(g)

Automobiles of day use patrons shall be parked in areas posted for day-use parking.

(h)

Only those park patrons that have a valid camping permit are permitted to use the shower or laundry facilities.

(i)

No person shall modify any campsite in any matter. Only portable ground cover may be placed in a campsite (e.g., grass rug or carpet).

(j)

Only the person renting a camping space may park a recreational vehicle in the space. A third party who is not camping may not register a space for another person's use and may not transport and park a recreational vehicle in a space for another person's use. Violation can result in loss of fees, imposition of fines and/or banishment from use of the County Park system.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-1 - Camp fees.

No person or persons shall camp on the grounds of a County Park without having paid the established fee. All fees must be paid in advance. The applicant for camping permit shall furnish to the public officer such information as the Director may prescribe on the camping permit registration card.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-2 - Youth camping.

No person or persons under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be issued an overnight camping permit or be allowed to remain overnight unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, or an adult with proof of prior permission from a parent or guardian.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-3 - Camping space.

No person may trespass upon a camping space assigned to another or use facilities other than those designated for the specific use of the permittee or for the general use of campers.

(a)

Recreational vehicles must back into sites and be able to leave with the flow of traffic.

(b)

A camping space may contain no more than three (3) items: For example, one (1) recreational vehicle, one (1) non-recreational vehicle, and one (1) tent. Any vehicle or tent beyond this limit will be charged pursuant to the Rent and Fee Schedule. All vehicles and equipment must fit within the site and must not encroach into the road or into another campsite.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-4 - Erection of structures.

No person shall erect, construct or place within any County Park a structure without written permission to do so from the Director.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-5 - Removal of personal property/vehicles.

(a)

Personal property or equipment interfering with the safe or orderly management of any County Park or part thereof, may be removed and/or stored by an authorized representative at the owner's expense.

(b)

Any vehicle left abandoned in any of the County facilities may be removed and stored by an authorized representative of the County at the owner's expense.

(c)

Any personal property left in a County Park will be held for ninety (90) calendar days before it is disposed of pursuant to Civil Code section 2080.6, Government Code section 25500 et seq., Administrative Policy Manual Chapter VII (b)-8, and the Purchasing Agent's Surplus Property Policy & Procedures Manual.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-6 - Sanitation.

(a)

No person shall drain or dump refuse or waste, including, but not limited to, sewage, black water, or grey water from any trailer, recreational vehicle or other vehicle except in places designated for such or into a closed receptacle for such use. The use of an open bucket or container placed outside the vehicle or trailer for the purpose of retaining sewage, black water, or gray water is prohibited.

(b)

No person shall connect a water hose from a ground faucet to a recreational vehicle unit-holding tank or fill the tank while in a County facility, with the exception of full hookup and partial hookup campsites as described in Section II.C. of the Rent and Fee Schedule.

(c)

Users of the County Park system shall keep their assigned area free of litter. Equipment, supplies, and all other belongings must be kept neat and orderly at all times and must be completely removed from the area before departure. Firewood or water bottles must be kept out of sight either under or in the user's unit. Dishes and utensils must be stored out of sight when not in use.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-7 - Overnight camping limit.

(a)

County-Operated. Continuous camping in any County Park is limited to fourteen (14) consecutive days in the park. By the end (11:00 a.m.) of the 14 th day or after any length of stay, the camper must completely vacate the park (including the camper, any vehicle, and all camping equipment) and cannot re-occupy any County Park or Rincon Parkway except as expressly authorized by the Director as stated in the Rent and Fee Schedule. The Director or the Director's authorized representative shall designate the space(s) in which occupancy may be permitted. The Director may designate any such park for extended lengths of stay, not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days, during "off-season." The Director may authorize on a case-by-case basis an extension to these lengths of stay for persons directly affected by an emergency duly declared by the County. This section shall not apply to Park Hosts occupying sites under license agreements signed by the Director.

(b)

Non-County-Managed. Continuous camping in any Non-County-Managed regional park is limited to one-hundred eighty (180) consecutive days. The County Parks system must be vacated completely (both campers and camping equipment) for a minimum of four (4) days after any length of stay before reoccupation is permitted. Maximum length of stay is one-hundred eighty (180) calendar days in a Non-County-Managed regional park per twelve (12) month period.

(c)

The combination of camping in County-operated or Non-County-Managed regional parks is a maximum of one-hundred eighty (180) calendar days per twelve (12) month period. However, the maximum number of days may not exceed one hundred twenty (120) calendar days pursuant to subdivision (a) above in County-operated regional parks.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

6309-8 - Park host camping.

For purposes of providing security, public relations, and minor maintenance functions at County Park facilities, the Director may enter into license agreements with certain individuals as Park Hosts. This activity is considered a specialized camping use and is not restricted by the overnight camping limit provided by Section 6309-7. Park Host camping shall be governed by a license agreement between the County and the designated Park Host consistent with the Park Host Program Policies and Procedures established by the General Services Agency.

(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

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▸Contents — VenturaCounty Municipal Code
VenturaCounty Municipal Code
  1. 2.04 of Title 2.
  2. Division 1 — Government
  3. Chapter 1 — Business Taxes and Certificates
  4. Article 1 — General Provisions
  5. Article 2 — Definitions
  6. Article 3 — Imposition of Tax and Exemptions from Taxation
  7. Article 4 — Payment of Business Taxes
  8. Article 5 — Application and Renewal—Business Tax Certificate
  9. Article 6 — Penalties and Interest
  10. Article 7 — Refund of Overpayment
  11. Article 8 — Hearings and Appeals
  12. Article 9 — Enforcement and Violations
  13. Article 10 — Additional Tax Collector Powers
  14. Article 11 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  15. Chapter 2 — Licenses
  16. Article 2 — License Applications— Procedures and Appeals
  17. Article 1 — Temporary Shows
  18. Article 2 — Dance Halls
  19. Article 2.5 — Teen-Age Dances
  20. Article 3 — Billiard Rooms
  21. Article 4 — Motor Vehicle Races
  22. Article 5 — Card Rooms
  23. Article 1 — Auctioneer
  24. Article 2 — Collectors, Dealers and Brokers
  25. Article 3 — Peddlers, Solicitors, and Telephone Solicitors
  26. Article 1 — Rubbish Collection
  27. Article 2 — Ambulances
  28. Article 3 — Private Patrolmen
  29. Article 4 — Taxicabs
  30. Article 5 — Massage Businesses and Massage Technicians
  31. Article 5.5 — Solemnization of Marriages
  32. Article 6 — Kennels
  33. Article 1 — Licensing of Cannabis Operations
  34. Article 2 — Tax on Cannabis Operations
  35. Chapter 6 — Sidewalk Vending
  36. Chapter 1 — Standards and Permits
  37. Chapter 2 — Facilities Fees
  38. Article 1 — Sheriff's Facilities
  39. Article 2 — Fire Protection Facilities
  40. Article 1 — Nuisance
  41. Article 3 — Power of Arrest
  42. Article 1 — Tents and Lean-tos
  43. Article 2 — Enforcement
  44. Article 3 — Tents and House Courts
  45. Article 4 — Violation
  46. Article 1 — Camps
  47. Article 2 — Camp Fires
  48. Article 3 — Bathing, Surfing, Surfboards
  49. Chapter 4 — Animals
  50. Article 1 — License Tag
  51. Article 2 — Animal Shelter
  52. Article 3 — Dogs Used by Peace Officers
  53. Article 4 — Rabies Control
  54. Article 5 — Animal Control
  55. Article 6 — General
  56. Article 7 — Wild Animal Control
  57. Article 8 — Administrative Enforcement Alternative
  58. Article 9 — Roosters
  59. Chapter 5 — Hazardous Substances
  60. Article 1 — Unified Program Generally
  61. Article 1.1 — Unified Program— Hazardous Waste Producers
  62. Article 1.2 — Unified Program—Underground Storage of Hazardous…
  63. Article 1.3 — Unified Program—Aboveground Storage of Hazardous…
  64. Article 1.4 — Unified Program—Business Plan/Risk Management Plan
  65. Article 1.5 — Unified Program—Inspection of State Authorized F…
  66. Article 1.6 — Participating Agency Fees
  67. Article 1.7 — Unified Program Hearing Procedure
  68. Article 2 — Liability for Violation of Hazardous Waste and Sub…
  69. Article 3 — Medical Waste Management and Safe Body Art
  70. Article 5 — Business Plans and Risk Management and Prevention …
  71. Article 1 — General
  72. Chapter 7 — Regulation of Solid Waste Storage, Collection, Dis…
  73. Article 1 — Regulation of the Disposal and Handling of Solid W…
  74. Article 3 — Solid Waste Programs for Unincorporated Areas
  75. Article 4 — County Integrated Waste Management Plan Fee
  76. Article 1 — Groundwater Conservation
  77. Article 2 — Private and State Small Water Systems
  78. Article 3 — Administrative Enforcement of Private and State Sm…
  79. Chapter 9 — Alcoholic Beverage Warning Signs
  80. Chapter 10 — Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry
  81. Chapter 1 — Fire Protection
  82. Article 1 — Discharge
  83. Chapter 3 — Public Emergency
  84. Article 1 — General
  85. Article 2 — Emergency Planning Council
  86. Chapter 4 — Prices of Emergency Items and Services
  87. Chapter 5 — Courthouse Security Screening
  88. Article 1 — Preliminary Matters
  89. Article 3 — General Provisions
  90. Article 4 — Administration and Permitting
  91. Article 5 — Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction
  92. Article 6 — Variance Procedure
  93. Chapter 7 — Protection of Watercourses and Related Critical Pu…
  94. Article 1 — Alcoholic Beverages
  95. Article 1.1 — Social Hosts Liability
  96. Article 2 — Nudism
  97. Article 3 — Prostitution & Lewd Acts
  98. Article 4 — Unlawful Exposure of Private Parts and Female Brea…
  99. Article 5 — Harmful Substances
  100. Article 6 — Sale and Display of Drug Paraphernalia to Minors
  101. Article 7 — Place of Business Where Drug Paraphernalia is Kept…
  102. Article 1 — Imprisonment
  103. Article 2 — Juvenile Confinement
  104. Article 3 — Registration of Hotel and Motel Guests
  105. Article 4 — Miscellaneous
  106. Article 4.5 — Bingo Game Licenses
  107. Article 5 — Enclosing Swimming Pools and Other Bodies of Water
  108. Article 6 — Bicycle Registration and Licensing
  109. Article 7 — Abandoned or Inoperative Motor Vehicles
  110. Article 7.1 — Abandoned Vehicles
  111. Article 8 — Alarm Systems
  112. Article 9 — Commercial Weighing and Measuring Instruments
  113. Article 9.5 — Consumer Protection Business Permit
  114. Article 10 — Graffiti
  115. Article 11 — Loud or Raucous Nighttime Noise in Residential Zo…
  116. Chapter 3 — Ventura County Parks
  117. Article 1 — Applicability and Authority
  118. Article 2 — Definitions
  119. Article 3 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  120. Article 4 — Permits
  121. Article 5 — General Regulations
  122. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  123. Article 7 — Public Safety
  124. Article 8 — Preservation of County Parks
  125. Article 9 — Overnight Camping
  126. Chapter 4 — Ventura County Harbor Ordinance
  127. Article 1 — Definitions
  128. Article 2 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  129. Article 3 — Applicability and Authority
  130. Article 4 — Regulations Concerning Speed and Safety
  131. Article 5 — Navigation
  132. Article 6 — General Regulations
  133. Article 7 — Regulations Covering Mooring, Floats, and Other Ha…
  134. Article 8 — Health and Sanitation
  135. Article 9 — Severability and Preeminence
  136. Article 10 — Parking Area Regulations
  137. Chapter 5 — Ventura County Airport
  138. Article 3 — Powers and Duties
  139. Article 4 — Fire Regulations
  140. Article 5 — Aircraft Fuel Servicing
  141. Article 6 — Aircraft Operations/Aeronautical Activities
  142. Article 7 — Airports Regulations
  143. Article 8 — Traffic Regulations
  144. Article 9 — Health, Environment and Sanitation
  145. Article 11 — General Conditions
  146. Article 12 — Administration of System
  147. Article 13 — Wastewater Discharge Into County Sewerage System
  148. Article 14 — Pretreatment Requirements
  149. Article 15 — Industrial Discharge Permit System
  150. Article 16 — Industrial Wastewater Monitoring & Reporting
  151. Article 17 — Fees, Charges and Computations
  152. Article 18 — Enforcement
  153. Article 19 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  154. Chapter 6 — Regulation of Parking Facilities
  155. Chapter 6.5 — Regulation of Skateboarding and Similar Activiti…
  156. Chapter 7 — Ventura County Comprehensive Smoke-Free Regulations
  157. Chapter 8 — Regulating Tobacco Vending Machines
  158. Chapter 8.5 — Sale of Flavored Vaping Products and Flavored Va…
  159. Chapter 9 — Stormwater Quality Management
  160. Article 2 — Prohibition of Non-Stormwater Discharges
  161. Article 3 — Prohibition of Illicit Connections
  162. Article 4 — Reduction of Pollutants in Stormwater
  163. Article 5 — Requirements for the Control of Urban Runoff
  164. Article 6 — Inspections
  165. Article 7 — Enforcement
  166. Article 8 — Permits
  167. Article 9 — Miscellaneous
  168. Chapter 10 — Rincon Parkway
  169. Article 1 — Applicability and Authority
  170. Article 2 — Definitions
  171. Article 3 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  172. Article 4 — Permits
  173. Article 5 — General Regulations
  174. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  175. Article 7 — Public Safety
  176. Article 8 — Recreational Vehicle Parking Meter Zone
  177. Article 9 — Preservation of Rincon Parkway
  178. Chapter 1 — Traffic Ordinance
  179. Chapter 2 — Regulation of Riding and Hiking Trails in the Los …
  180. Chapter 3 — Large Truck Terminal Access
  181. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  182. Article 3 — Establishment of Zones, Boundaries and Maps
  183. Article 4 — Purposes of Zones
  184. Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone
  185. Article 6 — Lot Area and Coverage, Setbacks, Height and Relate…
  186. Article 7 — Standards for Specific Uses
  187. Article 8 — Parking and Loading Requirements
  188. Article 9 — Standards for Specific Zones and Zone Types
  189. Article 10 — Sign Requirements
  190. Article 11 — Entitlements—Process and Procedures
  191. Article 12 — Limitations on Issuance of Building Permits in th…
  192. Article 13 — Nonconformities and Substandard Lots
  193. Article 14 — Enforcement and Penalties
  194. Article 15 — Amendments to This Chapter
  195. Article 16 — Density Bonus and Affordable Housing Incentives P…
  196. Article 17 — Mobilehome Park Closure Permit Requirements
  197. Article 18 — Official Zoning Data
  198. Article 19 — Specific Standards for Area Plans
  199. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  200. Article 3 — Purposes of Zones
  201. Article 4 — Permitted Uses
  202. Article 5 — Development Standards/Conditions—Uses
  203. Article 6 — Parking and Loading Requirements
  204. Article 7 — Standards For Specific Zones
  205. Article 8 — General Development Standards/Conditions—Resource …
  206. Article 9 — Zoning Maps
  207. Article 11 — Entitlements—Process and Procedures
  208. Article 12 — Nonconformities and Substandard Lots
  209. Article 13 — Enforcement and Penalties
  210. Article 14 — Amendment to the local coastal program
  211. Chapter 2 — Subdivisions
  212. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  213. Article 3 — Fees and Charges
  214. Article 4 — Parcel Map Waivers
  215. Article 5 — Tentative Maps
  216. Article 6 — Final and Parcel Map Requirements
  217. Article 7 — Amendment of Recorded Final and Parcel Maps
  218. Article 8 — Improvements, Dedications, Reservations and Fees
  219. Article 9 — Lot Line Adjustments
  220. Article 10 — Voluntary Mergers
  221. Article 11 — Conservation Subdivision
  222. Article 12 — Reversions to Acreage
  223. Article 13 — Mobilehome Park Conversions to Resident Ownership…
  224. Article 14 — Certificates of Compliance and Conditional Certif…
  225. Article 15 — Notice, Hearings, and Decisions
  226. Article 16 — Appeals
  227. Article 17 — Enforcement
  228. Article 18 — Amendments to this Chapter
  229. Chapter 3 — Places
  230. Article 1 — House Numbering
  231. Chapter 4 — Urban Area Development
  232. Chapter 6 — Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees for Maintenance and…
  233. Chapter 7 — Protection of Flood Control Facilities
  234. Chapter 8 — SE (Miscellaneous) Projects
  235. Chapter 9 — School Facilities Fee/Dedication Ordinance
  236. Chapter 10 — Mobile Home Park Rent Control
  237. Chapter 11 — Augmented Piru Transportation Impact Mitigation Fee
  238. Article 1 — Fees
  239. Article 2 — Right-To-Farm
  240. Article 3 — Mediation Services
  241. Article 1 — Regulations
  242. Article 1 — Identification of Agricultural Commodities Being T…
  243. Article 1 — Certification
  244. Chapter 5 — Apple Maggot Infestation Control
  245. Chapter 6 — Cultivation of Industrial Hemp
  246. Division 10 — Domestic Partnership Registration
  247. Chapter 1 — General
  248. Chapter 2 — Specific Provisions
  249. Article 1 — Imposition of Tax
  250. Article 2 — Registration
  251. Article 3 — Reporting and Remitting
  252. Article 4 — Penalties and Interest
  253. Article 5 — Failure to Collect and Report Tax
  254. Article 6 — Appeal
  255. Article 7 — Refunds
  256. Chapter 3 — Enforcement
  257. Article 1 — Civil Action
  258. Article 2 — Violations
  259. Division 12 — Highway Encroachments
  260. Chapter 1 — Definitions and Construction of Division
  261. Chapter 2 — General Provisions
  262. Chapter 3 — Encroachment Work Standards
  263. Chapter 4 — Application Requirements
  264. Chapter 5 — Permit Issuance
  265. Chapter 6 — Permit Fees and Deposits
  266. Chapter 7 — Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks
  267. Chapter 8 — Wireless Telecommunication Facilities-Public Right…
  268. Chapter 9 — Transportation Permits
  269. Chapter 10 — Appeal and Violation
  270. Division 13 — Abatement of Public Nuisances

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