Ventura County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback (OS-REC)
- 20 ft
- Side setback (OS-REC)
- 10 ft
- Rear setback (OS-REC)
- 15 ft
- Reverse-corner street side
- 20 ft
Summary
Unincorporated Ventura County's Open Space-Recreation zone sets a 20-ft front, 10-ft side, 20-ft reverse-corner, and 15-ft rear yard setback.
OS-REC 10 acres See Section 8106-1.4. Building lot coverage depends on lot location. 20 ft 10 ft 20 ft 15 ft 25 ft Height may be increased above 25 ft (to maximum 35 ft) if each side yard setback is at least 15 ft or as specified by permit 15 ft, except as noted in Section 8106-7.4 OS 10 acres AE 40 acres RA 1 acre 5 ft 10 ft RE 10,000 sq. ft. RO 20,000 sq. ft. R1 6,000 sq. ft. 20 ft 5 R2 7,000 sq. ft. 4 RHD 0.80 acre 6 From adjacent street Interior Side Yard Rear Lot Line 35 ft 35 ft 10 ft 5 ft 10 ft RPD As specified by permit 7 See Section 8109-1.2.2 35 ft As specified by permit RES As specified in the Old Town Saticoy Development Code (Article 19) R/MU
1. Minimum lot area shall be determined by lot area suffix pursuant to Section 8103-1, which in some cases may be greater than the minimum lot area specified in Section 8106-1.1. For additional lot area exceptions see Section 8103-2.
2. Exceptions to required minimum setback requirements can be found in Sections 8106-5, 8106-6, 8107-1.7 and 8107-20. For minimum setbacks for flag and irregularly shaped lots see Section 8106-4.3.
3. Exceptions to height limits see Sections 8106-5, 8106-8 and 8107-1.7.
4. Minimum lot area per dwelling unit: 3,500 square feet.
5. Exceptions for "swing driveways" see Section 8106-5.11.
6. Section 65583.2(h) of the California Planning and Zoning Laws prescribes a minimum sixteen (16) units per site.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
Section 8106-1.1's development standards table sets, for the Open Space-Recreation (OS-REC) zone, a 20-foot front setback, 10-foot interior/corner side setback, 20-foot reverse-corner street-side setback, and 15-foot rear setback. Other unincorporated residential and open-space zones carry their own setback figures on the same table.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required setback without an exception under Article 6 is a zoning violation subject to correction or permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are setbacks the same in every unincorporated zone?
Can I build closer than the required setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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