8205-5 - General design requirements.

a.

The provisions of this Section 8205-5 apply only to subdivisions for which a final map or parcel map is required. All tentative maps must be consistent with the General Plan and satisfy all applicable planning, zoning, design, and improvement requirements specified or incorporated in the NCZO, CZO and this Chapter. These design requirements are intended to enable optimal usability of each lot, preserve on- and off-site resources, minimize the potential for adverse impacts on adjacent property, minimize the need for additional infrastructure, and maintain consistency with appropriate General Plan policies and Zoning Ordinances.

b.

The advisory agency may waive or modify in whole or part the provisions of Section 8205-5.1 (Lot design) as applied to a subdivision being developed pursuant to a planned development permit in accordance with the zoning ordinances, or a conservation subdivision approved in accordance with Article 11 of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Unless otherwise excepted, all proposed lots shall conform to the minimum lot area requirements of the General Plan (Land use policies—Minimum parcel size), and zone designation in which the property is located. In determining whether a proposed lot having a gross area of less than ten (10) acres conforms to such minimum area requirements, only the net area of the lot shall be considered unless the General Plan or zoning ordinances provide otherwise.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Each sideline of a proposed lot shall be as close to perpendicular to the centerline of the street as is practicable at the point at which the lot sideline terminates.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

All proposed lots shall conform to the minimum lot width requirements of the zone in which the property is located. No lot, other than a flag lot, shall have less than forty (40) feet of frontage, unless the minimum lot width of the zone is less than forty (40) feet. No flag lot shall have an access strip less than twenty (20) feet.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

For all proposed lots, the average lot depth shall not be greater than three (3) times the average lot width unless the Planning Director, upon information presented by the applicant, determines that a greater depth is justified. The applicant shall use the following criteria to justify the modification of this requirement:

a.

Potential Amount of Grading — The amount and impact of on-site grading may be less with the provision of a greater lot depth.

b.

Usable Lot Area — The steepness of the topography of proposed lots, the configuration of the parent parcel, and the location of on-site natural features, such as barrancas, may necessitate a greater depth to provide usable lot areas.

c.

Flood Hazards — On-site and off-site flood hazards, such as streams, tributaries, and inundation areas subject to 100-year flood, may create a need for a greater depth to provide usable lot areas and buildable sites.

d.

Sun and Wind Orientation — A greater lot depth may be necessary to provide for passive and active solar heating and natural cooling opportunities.

e.

Other criteria relevant to unique or uncommon physical features of the property may necessitate a greater depth to provide usable lot areas and buildable sites or to mitigate adverse environmental effects.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Each proposed lot shall have at least one (1) buildable site, except:

a.

Those parcels dedicated or offered for dedication to the County or some other public entity or reserved by recorded restrictions for flood control purposes, natural resource preservation (e.g., conservation parcels), common open space, or other similar purposes; and

b.

Those lots created for such purposes as landfills, mining operations, or other similar, long-term uses which do not normally require a permanent, on-site principal structure and which lots are or will be subject to a discretionary permit issued by the County regulating their proposed use.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Each buildable site required by Section 8205-5.1.5 on a proposed lot shall be illustrated on the tentative map demonstrating that future and existing buildings can comply with the development standards of the zone designation pursuant to the applicable zoning ordinance and in accordance with Section J109, Ventura County Building Code, Appendix J. Whenever a subdivision results in a lot for which the only means of access is by way of an easement, that easement shall be considered a public road or street for purposes of determining setbacks for all lots over which the easement passes.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

There shall be approved access to the subdivision and all lots within the subdivision shall have ingress and egress that meets the regulations regarding road standards for vehicles and fire equipment access pursuant to Section 4290 of the Public Resources Code, the Ventura County Fire Code, and the Ventura County Road Standards. Street layout shall be designed to provide for future access to, and not impose undue hardship upon, property adjoining the subdivision.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Each proposed lot which is subject, in whole or in part, to a contract entered into pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Chapter 7, commencing with Section 51200, of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code) shall be capable of sustaining, independently of any other lot, a viable commercial agricultural use.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

The design of a subdivision shall not adversely affect the historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of a potential or designated cultural heritage site as defined in the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Ordinance. When required by the Cultural Heritage Ordinance, the design must be reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Board and be granted a certificate of appropriateness or certificate of review.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

The street layout of a proposed subdivision shall be consistent with all street right-of-way designations and general alignment shown on the circulation element of the General Plan. All streets that are to be offered for dedication and used for vehicular traffic shall be designed to conform to the Ventura County Road Standards

and the Ventura County Fire Protection District Fire Apparatus Access Code, subject to any deviations authorized by those standards or guidelines and duly approved by the Public Works Director and Fire Chief. All street design elements not dictated by those standards or guidelines shall conform to good engineering practices and be approved by the Public Works Director and the Fire Chief.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Whenever overhead utilities are allowed in a proposed subdivision by this Chapter, utility easements of sufficient width shall be located along the rear or side lot lines. Whenever possible, such easements shall extend an equal distance into each of two (2) abutting lots. This requirement may be modified or recommended for modification by the advisory agency if warranted by unusual circumstances in a particular proposed subdivision. To the extent practicable, underground utility easements, whenever necessary, shall be abutting and parallel to lot lines.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

The design of a subdivision drainage system shall conform to the Ventura County Flood Plain Management Ordinance, the Ventura County Building Code, Appendix J Grading, and Division 6, Chapter 9 of the Ventura County Ordinance No. 4450, as may be amended, relating to stormwater quality management for unincorporated areas, and shall provide for the proper drainage of the subdivision and all lots and improvements therein based on the runoff that can be anticipated from ultimate development of the watershed in accordance with the General Plan. The subdivision shall contain no undrained depressions. The subdivision and all lots and improvements therein shall be protected from off-site drainage or flood damage. All public facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems shall be located and constructed to minimize flood intrusion. Any concentrations or increases of surface water resulting from the development of the subdivision must be conveyed by means of adequate facilities to a suitable natural watercourse in the area. If any channels included in the Ventura County Watershed Protection District Comprehensive Plan for Flood Control lie within the parent parcel, the design shall depict all those channels and all rights-of-way reasonably necessary for their improvements and maintenance. Such rights-of-way shall include, in addition to the channels themselves, an access route complying with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District Design Manual alongside the entire length of open channels and directly over the entire length of underground channels.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

If an existing or proposed state highway abuts or crosses a proposed subdivision, the subdivider shall secure all pertinent road data and specifications and shall make the design of the proposed subdivision compatible with such state highway.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Whenever a proposed subdivision is located within the boundaries of a public water agency willing and able to provide water service to the lots, the public water agency shall be chosen as the water purveyor for the

proposed subdivision. At the time of tentative map approval, the advisory agency may waive the requirements of this Section for good cause shown.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Whenever a proposed subdivision is located within the boundaries of a public sewer agency willing and able to provide sewer services to the lots, the public sewer agency shall be chosen to provide sewer service to the proposed subdivision. In all cases where sewage disposal is not to be by means of a sewer operated by a public sewer agency, it shall be by means of an on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) located entirely on the lot generating the sewage. At the time of tentative map approval, the advisory agency may waive the requirements of the first sentence of this Section for good cause shown.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

Prior to recordation of the final map or parcel map, the subdivider shall cause the area within the subdivision to be included in a County service area or other special district providing street lighting. At the time of tentative map approval, the advisory agency may waive this requirement if it finds that inclusion within such a service area or other special district is unnecessary because of the size or location of the proposed lots.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

The County may require that improvements installed by the subdivider for the benefit of the subdivision contain supplemental size, capacity, number, or length for the benefit of property not within the subdivision, and that those improvements be dedicated to the public. Supplemental length may include minimum sized off-site sewer lines necessary to reach a sewer outlet in existence at that time. Any such requirement shall be subject to the condition precedent that the County or some other appropriate entity offer to enter into a reimbursement agreement with the subdivider pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 66485) of Chapter 4 of the Government Code.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)

8205-6 - Filing, processing, and approval. 8205-6.1 - Application of provisions.

a.

The procedures set forth in this Section shall govern the filing, processing and approval, conditional approval, or denial of tentative maps.

b.

A vesting tentative map shall be filed and processed in the same manner as a tentative map for that type of subdivision unless expressly provided otherwise in this Chapter. Also see Section 8205-6.8 of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4566, § 1, 6-16-2020)