The Ventura County Planning Department is one of many departments within the Ventura County Government system. The function of this division is to regulate County Plans, Zoning Codes, and to write plans for Local Coastal Programs. The Ventura County Planning Department has no jurisdiction within Ventura county's cities. However, the unincorporated areas outside the cities within Ventura County are regulated by the planning department.
As a home owner in Ventura County, when you are considering to apply for any type of permit you have to be conscious of what zoning ordinance applies to your area. In Ventura County there are two types of zoning, Coastal, and Non-Coastal Zoning. Coastal Zoning covers a narrow area along the Coast as well as all the Santa Monica Mountains. The Non-Coastal Zoning ordinance applies to the rest of Ventura County.
The Ventura County Planning Department has set a flat fee for the more basic permits such as decks, spas, fences, and etc. But, when a home owner wants to obtain a more substantial permit such as a zoning change or subdividing a lot for multiple homes the Ventura County Planning Department requires the home owners to pay an hourly fee.
According to the Ventura County Star, Peter Foy, the representative of Simi Valley and Moorpark on Ventura County Board of Supervisors, wants to abolish this hourly fee and change all hourly fees into flat rates. By having flat fees the cost of getting a permit will rise, but at least the public would have a fixed fee for every different permit. The Board will hear Foy's proposal by mid September.
For now make sure:
- You make an appointment to meet with planning staff.
- Pay by Cash or checks, The Planning Division does not accept credit cards.
- Avoid Fridays.
- Have the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) of the property, the site address, owner's name and parcel size are also useful information to provide.
Ventura County Planning Department:
800 South Victoria Ave
Ventura Ca, 93009
(805) 654-5663.
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