8103-6 - Absence of zoning.

In the event a parcel of land has no zoning designation assigned to it, or the assigned zoning is from a jurisdiction other than the County of Ventura, regulation of land uses on the parcel shall be governed by the General Plan land use designation and related policies until an action is taken by the County to assign a new zoning designation.

(Add Ord. 4054—2/1/94)

8103-7 - Limitations on zoning of parcels as Open Space—Parks and Recreation.

The following limitations shall apply to the establishment of parcels as Open Space—Parks and Recreation:

a.

This zone shall not apply within the Mineral Resource Protection Overlay Zone.

b.

This zone shall not apply within areas subject to an active permit authorizing oil and gas exploration and production as of January 9, 2024 [adoption date of Ord. No. 4625].

c.

This zone shall not apply to parcels identified in the Housing Element Sites Inventory of the General Plan Background Report Appendix 5.A, as may be amended.

d.

This zone shall not apply to parcels within an "affected county", as defined in Government Code section 66300, as may be amended, which states "'Affected County' means a census-designated place, (as may be amended) based on the 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, that is wholly located within the boundaries of an urbanized area, as designated by the United States Census Bureau."

(Ord. No. 4625, § 1, 1-9-2024)

Article 4. - Purposes of Zones

8104-0 - Purpose.

The categories and purposes of land use zones in Ventura County are established as follows:

8104-1 - Open space/agricultural zones. 8104-1.1 - Open Space (O-S) zone.

The purpose of this zone is to provide for any of the following on parcels or areas of land or water that are essentially unimproved:

a.

The preservation of natural resources including, but not limited to: areas required for the preservation of plant and animal life, including habitat for fish and wildlife species; areas required for ecologic and other scientific study purposes; rivers, streams, bays and estuaries; and, coastal beaches, lakeshores, banks of rivers and streams, and watershed lands.

b.

The managed production of resources, including but not limited to: forest lands, rangeland, agricultural lands and areas of economic importance for the production of food or fiber; areas required for recharge of

groundwater basins; bays, estuaries, marshes, rivers and streams which are important for the management of commercial fisheries; and, areas containing major mineral deposits, including those in short supply.

c.

Outdoor recreation, including but not limited to: areas of outstanding scenic, historic and cultural value; areas particularly suited for park and recreation purposes, including access to lakeshores, beaches, and rivers and streams; and, areas which serve as links between major recreation and open-space reservations, including utility easements, banks of rivers and streams, trails, and scenic highway corridors.

d.

The public health and safety, including, but not limited to areas which require special management or regulation because of hazardous or special conditions such as earthquake fault zones, unstable soil areas, flood plains, watersheds, areas presenting high fire risks, areas required for the protection of water quality and water reservoirs and areas required for the protection and enhancement of air quality.

e.

The formation and continuation of cohesive communities by defining the boundaries and by helping to prevent urban sprawl.

f.

The promotion of efficient municipal services and facilities by confining urban development to defined development areas.

g.

Support of the mission of military installations that comprises areas adjacent to military installations, military training routes, and underlying restricted airspace that can provide additional buffer zones to military activities and complement the resource values of the military lands.

h.

The protection of places, features, and objects described in Sections 5097.9 and 5097.993 of the Public Resources Code.

(Ord. No. 4411, § 2, 3-2-2010)