Ventura County Municipal Code Art. 3 General Provisions

This Chapter applies to all areas of special flood hazards within the unincorporated area of Ventura County.

(Ord. No. 4521, § 3.1, 3-27-2018)

The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the "Flood Insurance Study for Ventura County, California (Unincorporated Areas)" dated October 31, 1985, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Chapter. This FIS and attendant mapping is the minimum area of applicability of this Chapter and may be supplemented by studies for other areas which allow implementation of this Chapter and which are recommended to the County Board of Supervisors by the Floodplain Administrator. The Director shall maintain the current FIS, FIRMs and FBFMs on file at the offices of the Public Works Agency at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California, 93009.

(Ord. No. 4521, § 3.2, 3-27-2018)

(a) It is unlawful to construct, locate, extend, convert, alter, undertake or maintain any development without compliance with this Chapter, including any conditions of variances or permits issued pursuant to this Chapter. Such unlawful conduct shall constitute a violation of this Chapter and a misdemeanor. Each day a violation continues is a separate violation.

(b) Any development undertaken or maintained in violation of this Chapter, including any conditions of variances or permits issued pursuant to this Chapter, is hereby declare to be a public nuisance. The Director is authorized to abate such nuisances. The Director shall keep an account of the costs of abatement of the nuisance incurred by the County and shall mail a report of the costs of abatement to the owner of the property upon which the nuisance is or was located with a demand that the costs of abatement be paid. The owner of the property upon which the nuisance is or was located shall pay the costs of abatement within sixty (60) days from the mailing of the report and demand.

(c) Nothing herein shall prevent the County from taking any lawful action to prevent or remedy a violation.

(Ord. No. 4521, § 3.3, 3-27-2018)

This Chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where this Chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 4521, § 3.4, 3-27-2018)

The degree of flood protection required by this Chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This Chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This Chapter shall not create liability on the part of the County, any officer or employee thereof, the State of California, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this Chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder.

(Ord. No. 4521, § 3.5, 3-27-2018)

A schedule of fees shall be adopted by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors. Such fees shall reimburse the County for costs incurred in processing permits, appeals, variances and other work in the enforcement and administration of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4521, § 3.6, 3-27-2018)