Chapter 24.295 — CMXD COASTAL MIXED-USE ZONE

Sections:

• 24.295.010 Chapter description.

• 24.295.020 Uses permitted.

• 24.295.030 Uses – Subject to a use permit.

• 24.295.040 Reserved.

• 24.295.050 Uses – Special provisions.

• 24.295.060 Standards – Density.

• 24.295.070 Standards – Height.

• 24.295.080 Standards – Yards.

• 24.295.090 Standards – Building setbacks.

• 24.295.100 Standards – Parking setbacks.

• 24.295.110 Standards – Building types.

• 24.295.120 Standards – Access and frontage.

• 24.295.130 Standards – Other.

• 24.295.140 Standards – Nonconformance. 24.295.150 Standards – Density review.

This chapter establishes the CMXD coastal mixed-use zone and prescribes use types and other regulations for this zone. Any applicable overlay zones described in Chapters 24.300 through 24.399 may impose regulations in addition to those prescribed by this chapter for the CMXD zone. The provisions of this chapter are intended to:

A. Provide areas where California Coastal Act priority land uses such as visitor-serving commercial and recreational uses are encouraged and given priority; and

B. Allow residential use in conjunction with or adjacent to visitor-serving commercial and recreational uses in a manner that avoids conZicts between them;

C. Facilitate development that respects the desired pedestrian scale and character of Ventura’s coastal environment by avoiding massive, monolithic structures, and instead encouraging a series of smaller scale buildings fronting publicly accessible walkways, streets, and/or open space(s). (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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A. Residential.

Family Residential: Large Multifamily.

Family Residential: Single-Family.

Family Residential: Small Multifamily.

Family Residential: Two-Family.

Residential Care.

Residential Condominiums.

• B. General.

Automotive and Accessories: Parking.

Cultural and Library Services.

Dining Establishments: Ancillary Service.

Dining Establishments: Fast-Service Counter. Dining Establishments: Full Service.

Dining Establishments: Take Out.

Drinking Establishments.

Farmers’ Market, CertiYed.

Food and Beverage Retail Sales.

Lodging Services: Bed and Breakfast Inns.

Lodging Services: Hotels and Motels. Personal Services.

Recreation Services: Indoor Entertainment.

Recreation Services: Indoor Sports and Recreation.

Recreation Services: Outdoor Sports and Recreation.

Recreation Services: Public Parks and Playgrounds.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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Recreation Services: Amusement Centers.

Recycling Services: Consumer Recycling Collection Points.

Retail Sales.

Safety Services.

Shopping Centers: Small. Swap Meets.

Transportation Services.

• C. Agricultural.

None. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

• A. Residential.

None.

• B. General.

None.

• C. Agricultural.

None.

Incidental uses as deYned in Chapter 24.110 may be permitted. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

Uses listed in Sections 24.295.020 through 24.295.040 must also comply with the following special provisions:

• A. Design Review. Design review approval must be obtained to the extent required by Chapter 24.545.

• B. Coastal Development Permit. Approval of a coastal development permit pursuant to Chapter 24.515, or amendment pursuant to Chapter 24.570, is required prior to initiation of a use on an undeveloped site, or prior to

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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any construction of new structures or additions or alterations to existing structures in conjunction with, or in any way related to, the use types listed in Sections 24.295.020 and 24.295.030.

In addition to the Yndings required by Section 24.515.070(C), the decision-making authority must also Ynd that: (1) all reasonably foreseeable conZicts between residential and commercial uses, both on and o] site, have been minimized, by physical design solutions and/or use limitations; and (2) adequate commercial Zoor area for visitorserving commercial and/or coastal recreation uses, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, has been provided.

• C. Temporary Uses. Temporary uses may be conducted in the CMXD zone to the extent permitted by Chapter 24.120.

D. Domestic Animals. Domestic animals are permitted provided there are no more than four adult animals per establishment; and further provided, that no more than one adult dog shall be permitted per establishment.

• E. Livestock Animals. Livestock animals are not permitted in the CMXD zone.

• F. Wild Animals. Wild animals are not permitted in the CMXD zone.

G. Recycling Services: Consumer Recycling Collection Points. Uses classiYed in the Recycling Services: Consumer Recycling Collection Point use type must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.485. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 30, 12-13-21)

A. Lot Area or Lot Width. There shall be no general minimum lot area or lot width standards for the CMXD zone. However, the desired pedestrian scale and character of Ventura’s coastal environment requires that new project development not appear as massive, monolithic structures, but instead as a series of smaller scale buildings fronting publicly accessible walkways, streets, and/or open space(s). Larger projects should be designed as carefully conceived groups of separate structures, that each contribute to an attractive streetscape and the overall quality of the coastal environment. Because of this, sites exceeding 200 feet in width shall be subdivided, through either nominal or real lot lines, to provide individual lots or, in the case of nominal lots, individual building sites. When creating the nominal or real lot lines, the following shall be required:

1. Internal public streets, alleys, or walkways that connect with o]-site streets to create a series of smaller, walkable blocks. No gates shall be allowed across public walkways, alleys, or streets;

2. Public open space(s) such as a plaza, square, courtyard, promenade, park, and/or passive recreation area for pedestrians encompassing an area no less than 20 percent of the total area of the parcel. Where a project encompasses two or more parcels, the parcels may be considered as one parcel for the purposes of locating and determining the area of the public open space(s). Public streets that meet the following criteria may be considered public open spaces, in which case they shall be subject to all requirements of this chapter regarding public open spaces, including the requirement that they be fronted by general use types. The public open space(s) shall be accessible and visible from adjacent public streets, as depicted on the approved local

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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coastal program circulation plan, and shall be identiYed by directional signage prominently displayed along such streets. The public open space(s) (other than promenades and public streets that are considered public open spaces) shall front internal public streets. Public open spaces shall welcome the public through signage, design, and, as appropriate, public amenities that distinguish these spaces from adjacent residential areas;

3. General use types, as identiYed in Section 24.295.020, at the ground level of buildings fronting the required public open space(s) listed above in subsection (A)(2) of this section; building frontage types of forecourt, storefront, gallery and arcade should be used for the ground-level of buildings fronting the required public open space(s);

4. Adjacent properties held in the same ownership shall be jointly developed in order to assure the land use plan’s objective to “obtain a mixture of visitor-serving commercial uses and residential uses in a manner that provides su[cient Zoor area for commerce and conZict avoidance between each use” is achieved.

In addition, the following should be considered:

5. Maximum on-street parking opportunities through a minimization of driveway curb cuts;

6. Service alleys within the new block(s);

7. Multiple buildings and building types, as generally described by Section 24.295.110, on the site, with their entrances on bordering streets;

8. Each proposed lot or building site should not exceed one acre;

9. Each proposed lot frontage shall not exceed a maximum width of 180 feet;

10. No more than 30 percent of dwelling units on the overall site may be stacked Zats.

An application for development on a site exceeding 200 feet in lot width shall include a regulating plan consisting of (a) diagram(s) illustrating: (1) nominal and/or real lot lines; (2) introduced streets and/or alleys; (3) public open space(s); (4) building sites; (5) building fronts and backs; (6) coastal access parking; and (7) dwelling unit and commercial business access points. Regardless of whether a nominal or real subdivision is proposed, the decisionmaking authority may specify minimum lot width or lot area standards for a particular site as a condition of approval of a coastal development permit, or amendment thereto, pursuant to Chapter 24.525.

• B. Lot Coverage. There shall be no general maximum lot coverage for structures in the CMXD zone.

• C. Density per Gross Acre. The average number of units per gross acre in the CMXD zone shall not exceed 30 units per gross acre. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 30, 12-13-21)

A. Height Determination. The height of buildings and other structures in the CMXD zone shall be determined in accordance with Section 24.405.040.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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B. Maximum Height. Regardless of the number of stories comprising a building or structure, no portion of a building or other structure in the CMXD zone shall exceed 35 feet in height above that speciYed in Section 24.405.040 and except as provided in Section 24.405.030. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

Fences, walls, and other uses of yards in the CMXD zone shall comply with the yard regulations set forth in Chapter 24.410. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

Buildings and other structures not used for parking, not including fences or walls, on a lot in the CMXD zone shall comply with the following setback requirements:

• A. Street Setbacks. Zero feet minimum ground Zoor commercial/Yve feet minimum ground Zoor residential.

• B. Side Street Setbacks. Same as street setbacks.

• C. Rear Setbacks. Five feet minimum (with alley)/15 feet minimum (no alley). (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

On-site parking, whether located in a structure or not and unless located underground, shall be placed within the rear 50 percent of each lot. However, no setback shall be required for coastal access parking spaces required by Section 24.295.130(A)(2). (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

Development within the CMXD zone should respect the desired pedestrian scale and character of Ventura’s coastal environment. New project development should not appear as massive, monolithic structures, but instead as a series of smaller scale buildings. When assessing the merits of an application’s ability to fulYll this objective, the decision-making authority should consider the use of building types generally described as follows:

A. Front Yard House. A detached building designed as a residence for one household. The primary entrance is accessed from the fronting street sidewalk.

B. Side Yard House. A detached building designed as a residence for one household. A side yard house is Zanked by a side yard of a width comparable to the required front yard. The entrance of the side yard house is accessed via a walkway along one side of the lot.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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C. Duplex, Triplex and Quadplex. A large house containing two, three or four dwelling units, respectively. Each unit is individually accessed from the street.

D. Rowhouse. Two or more attached two- or three-story dwellings with zero lot line side setbacks. The main entrance to each unit is accessed directly from and faces the street.

E. Live/Work. An integrated housing unit and working space, occupied and utilized by a single household in a structure, either single-family or multifamily, that has been designed or structurally modiYed to accommodate joint residential occupancy and work activity. The main entrance to the ground Zoor Zex space is accessed directly from and faces the street. The upstairs dwelling is accessed by a separate entrance and by a stair. There is also an internal connection between the live and the work portions of each unit. The work activity shall be limited to general use types speciYed in Section 24.295.020.

F. Side Yard Housing. A building or group of buildings containing dwelling units that are arranged on the site in a row with the Yrst unit facing the street. The primary entrance to each unit is from the side yard or, in the case of units facing the street, the front yard. Access to no more than three second-story dwellings occurs through an open or roofed stair.

G. Courtyard Housing. A group of dwelling units arranged to share one or more common courtyards, where the individual units are townhouses, Zats, or Zats located over or under Zats or townhouses. The courtyard is intended to be a semipublic space that is an extension of the public realm. Each ground Zoor dwelling is accessed directly o] of a courtyard or directly from the street. Access to no more than three second-story dwellings occurs through an open or roofed stair. Access to dwellings at the fourth story level occurs through single loaded corridors.

over or under Zats or townhouses. The courtyard is intended to be a semipublic space that is an extension of the public realm. Each ground Zoor dwelling is accessed directly o] of a courtyard or directly from the street. Access to no more than three second-story dwellings occurs through an open or roofed stair. Access to dwellings at the fourth story level occurs through single loaded corridors.

H. Stacked Dwellings. A single-Zoor dwelling unit in a structure with other dwelling units of similar conYguration either above or below. The building entrance is through a street level lobby. Access to ground Zoor dwellings facing a street occurs from the street and secondary access occurs through an elevator and corridor.

I. Commercial Block. A building designed for occupancy by retail, service, and/or o[ce uses on the ground Zoor, with upper Zoors also conYgured for those uses or for dwelling units. The main entrance to each ground Zoor shop or dwelling occurs directly from the street. Entrance to residential portions of the building occurs through a street level lobby, elevator and corridor. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 30, 12-13-21)

Buildings and their accompanying entrances should front public spaces such as a street and/or courtyard. Access needs di]er by intended building function and relationship to such public spaces. The decision-making authority shall, when reviewing a project, consider access through the use of the following frontage types:

A. Door Yard. A facade is set back from the frontage line with an elevated garden or terrace. This type can e]ectively bu]er residential quarters from the sidewalk, while removing the private yard from public

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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encroachment. The terrace is also suitable for restaurants and cafes as the eye of the sitter is level with that of the standing passerby.

B. Forecourt. The facade is aligned close to the frontage line with a portion of it set back. The resulting forecourt is suitable for gardens, vehicular drop o]s, and utility o]-loading. This type should be used sparingly and in conjunction with the stoops and shop fronts. A fence or wall at the property line may be used to deYne the private space of the yard. The court may also be raised from the sidewalk, creating a small retaining wall at the property line with entry steps to the court.

C. Porch. A facade is set back from the frontage line with an encroaching porch appended to the facade. A great variety of porches designs are possible, but to be useful, none should be less than eight feet deep and 12 feet wide. A fence or wall at the property line may be used to deYne the private space of the yard. The front yard may also be raised from the sidewalk, creating a small retaining wall at the property line with entry steps to the yard.

D. Stoop. The facade is placed close to the frontage line with the ground story elevated from the sidewalk, securing privacy for the windows. This type is suitable for ground Zoor residential uses at short setbacks. This type may be interspersed with the shop front. A porch may also cover the stoop.

E. Storefront. The facade is placed at or close to the right-of-way line, with the entrance at sidewalk grade. This type is conventional for retail frontage. It is commonly equipped with cantilevered shed roof or awning. The absence of a raised ground Zoor story precludes residential use on the ground Zoor facing the street, although this use is appropriate behind and above.

F. Gallery. The facade of a building with an attached colonnade. Balconies may overlap the sidewalk while the ground Zoor remains set at the lot line. This type is ideal for retail use, but only when the sidewalk is fully absorbed within the arcade so that a pedestrian cannot bypass it. An easement for private use of the right-of-way may be required. To be useful, the arcade should be no less than eight feet wide clear in all directions.

an attached colonnade. Balconies may overlap the sidewalk while the ground Zoor remains set at the lot line. This type is ideal for retail use, but only when the sidewalk is fully absorbed within the arcade so that a pedestrian cannot bypass it. An easement for private use of the right-of-way may be required. To be useful, the arcade should be no less than eight feet wide clear in all directions.

G. Arcade. Arcades are facades with an attached colonnade that is covered by upper stories. Arcades must be designed according to the following provisions: (1) arcades should be no less than 10 feet wide in all directions; (2) along primary retail frontages, the arcade shall correspond to storefront openings; and (3) primary storefront openings should be at least 65 percent of the Yrst Zoor wall area and not have opaque or reZective glazing. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 30, 12-13-21)

The following development regulations and standards shall also apply within the CMXD zone:

A. Parking. O]-street parking shall be provided for all uses as may be required by Chapter 24.415 or 24.345 with two exceptions:

1. If a dwelling unit is designed as a combined live/work space, incorporating both a residential use type and a general use type, the o]-street parking space requirement shall be calculated based solely on the

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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parking requirement for the applicable general use type existing or proposed at the site and no additional parking for the residential use type shall be required, but only if the following standards are met:

• a. The living space shall be contiguous with and made an integral part of the work space, with direct access between the living and working areas to be provided and maintained at all times. If the living space is not contiguous and integral with the work space and the required direct access is not provided, the o]-street parking space requirement shall be based on the general use type and residential use type requirements combined, unless an administrative variance is obtained in accordance with Chapter 24.535.

b. Living and working areas within one live/work space shall not be rented separately. The coastal development permit required by Section 24.295.050 shall contain a condition to implement this requirement in relationship to a particular application.

• c. All regulations, requirements, and conditions of the city’s building and safety division and Yre department shall be met.

2. A number equal to 10 percent of the total number of parking spaces otherwise required for an entire project site shall be made available for exclusive use for public parking for coastal access. Such parking shall be aggregated in either a: (a) surface parking lot; or (b) parking garage with directional signage to such spaces. Prominent signage within the public right-of-way shall be installed for coastal parking spaces. No variance may be granted to obviate compliance with this requirement.

3. O]-street parking requirements for the seaward parking corridor, as deYned in Chapter 24.110, shall not apply to lots zoned CMXD.

4. Covered, secure bicycle parking shall be provided as follows: one bicycle locker per residential unit without attached garage or live/work unit; one public bicycle parking space per 1,500 square feet of commercial space; and one public bicycle parking space per coastal access parking space. Each bicycle parking space shall be at least two and one-half feet wide. At least Yve feet of space shall be allowed behind each space to allow room to maneuver. Bicycle parking shall be separated from vehicle parking for safety and ease of use. Bicycle racks shall be covered to protect bicycles from rain and sun. Covers shall be located at least seven feet above ground, and may include building awnings. Bicycle racks shall be located in well-lit areas visible from commercial storefronts and public areas. Prominent signage within the public right-of-way shall be installed for public bicycle parking spaces. No variance may be granted to obviate compliance with this requirement.

B. Visitor-Serving Commercial. All ground-level Zoor area, excluding that used for stairs, elevators, bathrooms or other comparable ancillary building facilities, fronting a public street, as depicted on the approved local coastal program circulation plan, or fronting the public open space(s) required under Section 24.295.060, shall consist of a general use type identiYed in Section 24.295.020 or a public open space such as a plaza, square, courtyard, promenade, park, or passive recreation area for pedestrians. Public open spaces shall welcome the public through signage, design, and, as appropriate, public amenities that distinguish these spaces from adjacent residential

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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areas. Building frontage types of forecourt, storefront, gallery and arcade should be used for the ground-level Zoor and general use types addressed by this section.

• C. Signs. All signs must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.420.

• D. Coastal Development. All development within the CP overlay zone must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.515. The requirements of Section 24.310.080 shall not apply to lots zoned CMXD.

E. Open Storage. Open storage of materials and equipment shall be permitted only when incidental to a permitted use on the same lot as that occupied by said use. All areas of a site intended to be used for such open storage shall be shown on the site plan and approved as part of the design review, planned development permit and coastal development permit. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

All nonconforming uses, nonconforming structures, and nonconforming lots are subject to the provisions of Chapter 24.465. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)

Prior to issuance of building permits, Zoor plans may be reviewed by the director to determine that density standards will not be exceeded. In order to preclude or lessen the possibility that density standards will be exceeded, or that unlawful density increases will occur in the future, no more than one kitchen shall be allowed per dwelling unit. In the density review process, additional changes may be required in the placement of exterior doors, windows, stairways, hallways, utility connections, or other Yxtures or architectural features when determined by the director to be necessary or desirable to preclude or lessen the likelihood of unlawful density increases. (Ord. No. 2006-015, § 11, 9-11-06)