Environmental Rules in Oxnard, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Oxnard, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Oxnard bans discharging anything but storm water into its storm drain system without a permit and outlaws illicit connections outright. The director can order cleanup, issue cease-and-desist orders, and recover abatement costs, with violations carrying civil, criminal, and administrative penalties under Article XII of Chapter 22.
Oxnard Stormwater Discharge Prohibitions
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 22-217
(A) The discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system is prohibited. (B) All discharges of material other than storm water into the storm drain system must be in compliance with the city's NPDES permit and any other NPDES permit applicable to the subject property. (C) No person may do any of the following: (1) Construct, use, maintain, operate or utilize an illicit connection; ... (3) Cau...
Erosion Control
Oxnard requires every grading, building, demolition or stockpile permit for construction that disturbs land to include a storm water pollution plan controlling erosion and sediment before work begins. Under Municipal Code § 22-222, the size of the disturbed area sets whether a contractor needs a basic control plan or a full state-standard prevention plan.
Oxnard Construction Erosion & Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 22-222
Any construction activity requiring a grading, demolition or stockpile permit that results in the disturbance of less than one acre of land will require the applicant for such permit to submit and obtain city approval a SWPCP, or equivalent, as required by the municipal storm water permit. Any construction activity requiring a grading, demolition or stockpile permit that results in the disturba...
Flood Zones
Oxnard requires a development permit before any construction, fill, or land alteration in a mapped area of special flood hazard. Building without one, or violating the chapter's construction standards, is a misdemeanor under City Code Chapter 18.
Oxnard Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 18-10
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdem...
Boat Dock Permits
Docking a vessel next to a vacant lot in Oxnard's inland waterway requires a city-issued docking permit under Code § 7-223. Only vacant-lot owners, or those with the owner's written permission, qualify, vessels over 50 feet are ineligible, and the permit does not transfer to heirs or successors.
Oxnard Inland Waterway Docking Permits
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 7-223
(A) Docking permit required - No vessel shall be docked adjacent to a vacant lot within the inland waterway unless a valid docking permit is obtained from the city manager. ... (C) Purpose of docking permit - ... (1) No vessel over 50 feet in length shall be eligible for a docking permit. (2) A docking permit will only be issued: (a) To the owner of a vacant lot; or (b) To anyone ha...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Oxnard's mapped Zone A and other special flood hazard zones, new construction and substantial improvements must set the lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Building without a floodplain development permit is a misdemeanor under the city's flood damage prevention chapter.
Oxnard Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 18-35(C)(1)
(C) Elevation and flood proofing. ... The lowest floor, including basement, of a residential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall: ... (b) In a Zone A, be elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Said base flood elevation shall be determined by one of the methods in section 18-21(B). (c) In all other zones, be elevated at least two feet above the base floo...
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