Chapter 24.494

FIREARM AND AMMUNITION SALES

Sections:

• 24.494.010 Intent and purpose.

• 24.494.020 Chapter description.

• 24.494.030 DeKnitions.

• 24.494.040 Industrial zones only.

• 24.494.050 Locational criteria.

• 24.494.060 Reserved.

• 24.494.070 Existing Krearm and ammunition sales business that does not comply with Section 24.494.050, Locational criteria.

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

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The city council of the city of San Buenaventura Ynds, having reviewed land use studies concerning the e]ects of Yrearm and ammunition sales in other cities including, but not limited to: Sacramento, California; Los Angeles, California; Sunnyvale, California, that the violence and harm caused by and resulting from both the intentional and accidental misuse of Yrearms constitutes a clear and present danger to the populace, and Ynd that sensible Yrearm safety measures provide some relief from that danger and are of beneYt to the entire community.

It is not the intent of the city council of the city of San Buenaventura to establish community standards on gun control or to restrict free expression, but to enact a content-neutral ordinance which provides appropriate areas where Yrearm and ammunition sales can be operated without endangering nearby properties and the public.

It is further the intent of the city council of the city of San Buenaventura that Yrearm and ammunition sales shall exhibit the same high standards of site planning, architecture, landscape, and exterior design required of all commercial or industrial developments, while minimizing general public view of Yrearm and ammunition related materials or activities. (Ord. No. 2019-001, § 9, 3-18-19)

This chapter establishes regulations governing the establishment and operation of Yrearm and ammunition sales as deYned in this chapter. This chapter provides for the regulation of Yrearm and ammunition sales by allowing the concentration of Yrearm and ammunition sales only in certain areas of the city in order to, among other things, minimize deleterious e]ects on adjoining properties zoned for residential uses and other sensitive uses and otherwise further the purpose and intent set forth in Section 24.494.010. (Ord. No. 2019-001, § 9, 3-18-19)

Words and phrases used in this chapter shall be deYned as follows:

“Ammunition” means any cartridge or encasement containing a bullet or projectile, propellant, or explosive charge, and a primer that is used in the operation of a Yrearm.

“Day care center” means such a facility as deYned in Health and Safety Code Section 1596.76, and includes any child day care facility other than a family day care home and includes infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities and school age child care facilities, which involves the supervision of more than 14 children under 18 years of age for a period less than 24 hours per day. “Day care center” does not include any adult day care facility.

“Firearm” shall mean any device, designed to be used as a weapon or modiYed to be used as a weapon, that expels a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.

“Firearm and ammunition sales” means the selling, leasing, or transferring of any Yrearm or Yrearm ammunition in quantity, in series, in individual transactions, or in any other manner indicative of trade; or the preparation for

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

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such conduct as evidenced by the securing of applicable federal or state licenses; or the holding of one’s self out as engaging in such conduct. Only conduct or activities which constitute a regular and substantial course of conduct shall qualify for purpose of this section.

“Firearms dealer” means any person, corporation, partnership or other entity engaged in the business of selling, leasing, or otherwise transferring any new or used Yrearm or ammunition, which person or entity has obtained a law enforcement permit to sell, lease, or transfer Yrearms or ammunition.

“Park” means the land and easements owned or leased by the city of San Buenaventura which, by ordinance, resolution, regulation or agreement, is dedicated to or operated by the city for purposes of public recreation be it active or passive but does not include trails, bikeways or the like. The term shall include the buildings, parking lots, streets and sidewalks within the territorial boundaries establishing the park.

“Regular and substantial course of conduct” means:

1. Devoting more than 20 percent of the total display area to the display of Yrearms and/or ammunition; or

2. Deriving at least 50 percent of gross receipts from the sale, trade, display, or presentation of services and/or products pertaining to Yrearms and/or ammunition; or

3. Having 10 percent or more of its stock in trade consisting of Yrearms and/or ammunition.

“Religious institution” means a stand-alone structure where people regularly attend to participate in or hold religious services and incidental religious education, but not including private schools as deYned in this section. Any storefront religious institution that does not occupy the majority of a multi-tenant facility is not included in this deYnition.

“Residentially zoned property” means any property within the city carrying a zoning classiYcation that allows residential use as of right or allows for residential use with a planned development permit when no other use permit is required.

“School” means any child or day care facility, or an institution of learning for minors, whether public or private, o]ering instruction in those courses of study required by the California Education Code and maintained pursuant to standards set by the State Board of Education. This deYnition includes nursery school, kindergarten, elementary school, middle or junior high school, senior high school, or any special institution of education for grades K through 12, but it does not include a vocational or professional institution of higher education, including a community or junior college, college, or university, nor does it include tutoring centers such as Kumon or Mathnasium. (Ord. No. 2019-001, § 9, 3-18-19)

Firearm and ammunition sales may be established, subject to all other provisions of this chapter and this title, only in M-1, M-2, and M-P-D zones. For purposes of this chapter, the establishment of any Yrearms sales shall include the locating and opening of such a business as a new business, the relocation of such business, the conversion of

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

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an existing business location to any Yrearm and ammunition sales use, or the expansion of an existing Yrearm and ammunition sales use. (Ord. No. 2019-001, § 9, 3-18-19)

In the M-1, M-2, and M-P-D zones, where the Yrearm and ammunition sales regulated by this chapter are permitted, no Yrearm and ammunition sales may be established:

A. Within 500 feet of any daycare center, as deYned in Section 24.494.030. The distance between the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the daycare center shall be measured from the closest exterior wall of the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the nearest property line of the daycare center, along a straight line extended between the two points, without regard to intervening structures;

B. Within 500 feet of any park, as deYned in Section 24.494.030. The distance between the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the park shall be measured from the closest property line of the park and the closest exterior wall of the Yrearm and ammunition sales business, along a straight line extended between the two points, without regard to intervening structures;

C. Within 500 feet of any religious institution, as deYned in Section 24.494.030. The distance between the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the religious institution shall be measured from the closest exterior wall of the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the nearest property line of the religious institution, along a straight line extended between the two points, without regard to intervening structures;

D. Within 500 feet of any residentially zoned property, as deYned in Section 24.494.030. The distance between the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the residentially zoned property shall be measured from the closest exterior wall of the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the nearest property line included within the residential zone, along a straight line extended between the two points, without regard to intervening structures;

E. Within 500 feet of any school, as deYned in Section 24.494.030. The distance between the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the school shall be measured from the closest exterior wall of the Yrearm and ammunition sales business and the nearest property line of the school, along a straight line extended between the two points, without regard to intervening structures; or

F. Within 200 feet of another legally authorized Yrearm and ammunition sales business. The distance between the Yrearm and ammunition sales businesses shall be measured from property line of one Yrearm and ammunition sales business to the nearest property line of the other Yrearm and ammunition sales business, along a straight line extended between the two points, without regard to intervening structures.

G. The sites of all uses that exist as of the e]ective date of the ordinance codiYed in this chapter shall permanently remain as designated on the map and list of sites both of which are included as exhibits to the sta] report. Any subsequent establishment of a use shall not eliminate any potential Yrearm and ammunition sales

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

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business site(s) which meets the locational requirements of this chapter and the ordinance adopting the same as of its e]ective date. (Ord. No. 2019-001, § 9, 3-18-19)

A. Any Yrearm and ammunition sales business lawfully operating on the date the locational standards for Yrearm and ammunition sales businesses set forth in Section 24.494.050 become e]ective is hereby deemed a nonconforming use. A nonconforming use may be permitted to continue, but any such nonconforming use shall be subject to the nonconformity regulations set forth in Chapter 24.465, excepting that amortization shall not apply.

B. A Yrearm and ammunition sales business lawfully operating as a conforming use shall not be rendered a nonconforming use by the location, subsequent to the grant or renewal of a business license for that Yrearm and ammunition sales business, of a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, or any other noncommercial establishment operated by a bona Yde religious organization, public or private school, educational facility, preschool, nursery, day care center, residential zone, or residential use within 500 feet of the Yrearm and ammunition sales business. This subsection applies only to the renewal of a valid business license and does not apply when an application for a business license is submitted after a business license has expired or has been revoked or otherwise terminated. (Ord. No. 2019-001, § 9, 3-18-19)