Chapter 24.325

SENSITIVE HABITAT (SH) OVERLAY ZONE

Sections:

24.325.010 Chapter description.

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

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• 24.325.020 Applicability. 24.325.030 Special use restrictions. 24.325.040 Planned development permit required. 24.325.050 Special standards. 24.325.060 Special procedures. 24.325.070 Sensitive habitat buNer.

This chapter establishes the sensitive habitat (SH) overlay zone in order to:

• A. Identify and protect environmentally sensitive habitat areas;

• B. Maintain and restore, to the extent feasible, the biological productivity and quality of environmentally sensitive habitats;

C. Insure, to the extent feasible, that only uses compatible with the sensitive habitat areas are allowed in the SH overlay zone;

D. Insure that development which lies adjacent to sensitive habitat areas shall not signiYcantly degrade the habitat and shall be compatible with such areas; and

E. Limit alterations to rivers and streams and require mitigation measures which provide the highest feasible degree of protection or restoration of environmentally sensitive habitats, for any such alterations which occur, unless overriding considerations are present. (Code 1971, § 15.425.010)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any site, or portion of a site, within the boundaries of an area that has been designated by the city council pursuant to Chapter 24.540 as a sensitive habitat (SH) overlay zone. Such areas may be designated “SH” on the o[cial zoning district map. The provisions of this chapter shall apply and be deemed enacted and e]ective as of December 8, 1983. (Code 1971, § 15.425.020)

Development in the SH overlay zone shall be limited to the types of development described in the intent and rationale statements of the comprehensive plan relating to sensitive habitats. (Code 1971, § 15.425.030)

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

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A planned development permit must be approved pursuant to Chapter 24.525 prior to any development in the SH overlay zone. Applications for planned development permits for development in the SH overlay zone shall be submitted and processed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 24.525 and this chapter, including, without limitation, the following:

• A. Information Required for Application. The applicant for a planned development permit in the SH overlay zone shall submit, as part of the application, the following information in addition to that required by Chapter 24.525:

  1. A detailed map of the site in its existing conYguration, including topographical lines, delineation of streams, rivers, water bodies, wetlands, sensitive habitats, and substantial vegetation types.

  2. A detailed map of all proposed site improvements, including all trails, fences, graded areas, buildings, access points, and sign plans.

  3. Elevations for all proposed buildings, shelters, and interpretive facilities.

  4. Any other information reasonably necessary, as determined by the director, for review of the proposed project.

• B. Agency Consultation. The applicant shall consult with the following agencies to identify and determine the extent of sensitive habitats, the need for bu]er areas, and appropriate mitigation measures based on the proposed development, and shall provide documentation of such consultation as part of the application:

  1. California Department of Fish and Game.

  2. California Department of Parks and Recreation.

  3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

  4. Other appropriate agencies, as determined by the director. (Code 1971, § 15.425.040)

In addition to being subject to all provisions of Chapter 24.525, a planned development permit for development in the SH overlay zone shall comply with all of the following:

A. All development shall be sited, designed, and constructed so as to minimize the impacts of grading, access, runo], and erosion;

B. No structures shall be allowed other than those required to support the permitted uses or those which would protect, restore, enhance, or improve the sensitive habitat; and

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

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C. All development shall meet every applicable development criterion identiYed in the intent and rationale statements of the comprehensive plan, particularly those which relate to sensitive habitat areas. (Code 1971, § 15.425.050)

The boundaries of an SH overlay zone shall be established or amended pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 24.540 and this chapter, including, without limitation, the following:

A. Determination of a Sensitive Habitat Area. Land included in the SH overlay zone should be an environmentally sensitive area or an ecologically appropriate bu]er to an environmentally sensitive area in which some of the plants or animals which occupy the area, or their habitats, are either rare or otherwise valuable or important because of their special nature or role in an ecosystem. Such land requires protection because it could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and development. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to diminish the city’s authority and discretion to address environmental impacts in any manner allowed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), nor shall any provision of this chapter be construed to modify the substantive or procedural requirements of CEQA or the city’s local guidelines implementing CEQA.

B. Adjustments to SH Overlay Zone Boundary. Minor adjustments may be made to the boundary of a sensitive habitat area through a zoning amendment, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 24.540, provided the city council makes a Ynding that any area to be excluded from SH overlay zone designation by the boundary adjustment is not a sensitive habitat, and that any area to be included within SH overlay zone designation is a sensitive habitat, in accordance with subsection D of this section. All adjustments to the SH overlay zone boundary must be consistent with the comprehensive plan.

C. Consistency With Comprehensive Plan. The determination and identiYcation of sensitive habitat and bu]er area locations, extents, types, and characters shall be in accordance with all provisions and policies of the comprehensive plan. Sensitive habitat areas within the SH overlay zone shall include, but are not limited to, those on the Santa Clara and Ventura Rivers, Alessandro Lagoon, and the wildlife lagoons between the Harbor and the Santa Clara River.

D. Review of Sensitive Habitat Area. All areas within the SH overlay zone shall be reviewed from time to time for consistency with the comprehensive plan and conformance with this subsection D. Such review shall be performed as part of any comprehensive plan update of an area containing a sensitive habitat, where new information or circumstances warrant review, or upon the Yling of a comprehensive plan amendment request. Any proposed changes to the boundaries of the land use designation in the comprehensive plan shall be processed according to the procedures for amending the comprehensive plan. Changes to the zoning district which are necessary for consistency with the comprehensive plan shall be performed pursuant to Chapter 24.540 (Code 1971, § 15.425.060)

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

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The following provisions apply to areas designated in the comprehensive plan as requiring a bu]er adjacent to sensitive habitat areas:

A. Extent of BuMer. The bu]er area shall extend at least 100 feet outward from the boundaries of the sensitive habitat.

B. Permitted Types of Development. The types of development permitted in the sensitive habitat bu]er shall be limited to the types of development described in the comprehensive plan provisions regarding sensitive habitat bu]er areas and shall require a planned development permit. (Code 1971, § 15.425.070)