Environmental Rules in Ventura, CA (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for Ventura, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Chapter 8.600 of the San Buenaventura Municipal Code bars discharging anything but stormwater into the city's storm drain system, backed by the city's Clean Water Act permit obligations. The director of public works enforces the rules with inspections, administrative citations, and nuisance abatement, and construction sites need an approved pollution control plan before grading begins.
Stormwater Discharge Rules in Ventura
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 8.600.210
Except as specified by this chapter, discharging any material other than stormwater to the storm drain system is prohibited. ... It is unlawful for any person to throw, deposit, leave, maintain, keep, or permit to be thrown, deposited, kept, or maintained, in or upon any public or private driveway, parking area, street, alley, sidewalk, or component of the storm drain system or watercourse, any...
Erosion Control
Ventura caps rainy-season grading and requires erosion control devices under Municipal Code Section 12.215.030(L). Between November 1 and April 15, no grading job over 250 cubic yards can start on a permitted site if the City Engineer finds it a safety risk. Contractors must install anti-erosion devices, desilting basins and drainage controls before November 1 each year, enforced by the City Engineer's office.
Rainy-Season Erosion Control Rules in Ventura
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.215.030(L)
That period between the first day of November and the following fifteenth day of April is hereby determined to be the period in which heavy rainfall normally occurs in the city of San Buenaventura. During this period, no grading work in excess of 250 cubic yards will be authorized to start on any single grading site under permit where the city engineer determines that such work will endanger th...
Flood Zones
Ventura requires a flood area development permit before any construction or development starts in a mapped special flood hazard area, or in a locally known area with a history of flooding. Municipal Code Section 12.440.010 makes this permit mandatory in addition to any other city permit, and the floodplain administrator reviews it against Chapter 12.430 standards.
Ventura Flood Area Development Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.440.010
A flood area development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area identified on the floodplain insurance rate map as being within a special flood hazard area and within a locally known area that has known flooding. Such permit shall be in addition to any other permits required by this code.
Boat Dock Permits
Ventura's Floating Piers chapter, Municipal Code Section 12.140.060, sets material and structural standards for private slips, piers, docks, wharves and appurtenances, including 36-inch railings rated for a 30-pound load. Section 12.140.090 limits the whole chapter to residential marinas, excluding the H-C harbor commercial zone.
Ventura Dock and Pier Construction Standards
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.140.060; § 12.140.090
12.140.060 Structural slips, piers, docks, wharves and appurtenances. A. ... All materials used shall be new and shall conform to current applicable ASTM standard specifications. They shall be fabricated, placed, installed or otherwise applied to the project in a workmanlike manner conforming to standard practices. Only experienced workmen shall be used where skilled work is required. ... D. .....
Defensible Space
In fire hazard areas of the City of Ventura, Appendix J105.1 of the wildland-urban interface code requires a 30-foot defensible-space zone around every structure: dead vegetation removed, grasses cut to 4 inches, tree limbs pruned 6 to 15 feet up, and wood piles over 55 cubic feet relocated outside the zone.
Ventura Defensible Space Zone 1 Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.165.020, Appendix J105.1
J105.1 Zone 1: This is a limited planting area within 30 feet of structures. A. Remove portions of any tree or combustible material that extends within 10 feet of a chimney or 5 feet of a roof. B. Remove leaves, needles or other vegetation on roofs, gutters, decks, porches, stairways, etc. ... D. ... Remove all dead and dying grass, plants, shrubs, trees, branches, leaves, weeds and needles and...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In most flood zones, Ventura requires new and substantially improved residential structures to elevate the lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Municipal Code Section 12.430.020(C)(1)(c) sets that freeboard, with different rules for mapped depth numbers in A, AE, AH and AO zones, and a licensed engineer or surveyor must certify the final elevation.
Ventura Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.430.020(C)(1)(c)
C. Elevation and Floodproofing. Residential and nonresidential structures shall be floodproofed as follows: 1. Residential Construction. All new or substantial improvement of a residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement: ... c. ... In all other zones, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation as determined in the manner provided for provided for in Cha...
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