Environmental Rules in Ventura County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Ventura County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Ventura County bans non-stormwater discharges into the county storm drain system and receiving waters unless permitted or on an approved exempt list, under the county's Clean Water Act-driven stormwater ordinance.
Ventura County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Some RestrictionsVentura County Ordinance Code § 6920
No person shall cause, commit, allow, or contribute to a non-stormwater discharge to the County Storm Drain System or to Receiving Waters, unless: (i) in compliance with a discharge permit or (ii) the discharge is listed below and has not been determined to cause or contribute to a Municipal Stormwater Permit violation.
Erosion Control
Grading in unincorporated Ventura County's coastal zone requires a Coastal Development Permit, and applicants must submit a hydrology and hydraulics report showing storm flow won't increase beyond pre-development rates.
Ventura County Coastal Zone Grading Permits
Some RestrictionsVentura County Ordinance Code § 8175-5.17.7
Development shall be designed so that any difference (i.e., increase) in storm flow rate or amount must either be percolated into the ground onsite or released at the undeveloped flow rate from the site. ... (a) Grading permit applications must include a hydrology and hydraulics report, prepared by a civil engineer, that includes a map showing the entire drainage area and the estimated runoff o...
Coastal Development
Unincorporated Ventura County areas within the California Coastal Zone require Coastal Development Permits under the California Coastal Act. The county administers a Local Coastal Program covering coastal communities including portions of the Rincon, Pierpont, and Solimar areas.
Ventura County Coastal Development
Light RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 30000 et seq. (California Coastal Act)
Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 30103(a) specifically defines California's Coastal Zone as that land and water area of the State of California from the Oregon border to the border of the Republic of Mexico depicted on maps identified and set forth in Section 17 of that chapter of the Statutes of the 1975-76 Regular Session enacting PRC Division 20 (the Coastal Act of 1976). PRC Section 3010...
Flood Zones
Flood zone regulations in unincorporated Ventura County are governed by the county's floodplain management ordinance and FEMA National Flood Insurance Program requirements. Significant flood risk exists along the Santa Clara River, Ventura River, Calleguas Creek, and their tributaries.
Ventura County Flood Zones Ordinance
Some RestrictionsFEMA Flood Map Service Center — National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) is the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Use the MSC to find your official flood map, access a range of other flood hazard products, and take advantage of tools for better understanding flood risk. FEMA flood maps are continually updated through a variety of processes. E...
Boat Dock Permits
Building or extending any float, bulkhead, seawall, or other structure, or doing any dredging or excavating, in Channel Islands Harbor or the Outer Harbor requires submitted plans and a construction permit from the Harbor Director and any outside agency with jurisdiction before work starts.
Ventura County Harbor Dock Construction Permit
Some RestrictionsVentura County Ordinance Code § 6407-2
No person shall build or extend any float, bulkhead, seawall, or structure of any kind whatsoever, or dredge or excavate or cause any dredging or excavating to be done within the Harbor or Outer Harbor, unless plans of the proposed work shall have been submitted to and a construction permit obtained from the necessary outside agencies and the Director prior to the commencement of any work.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes built in Ventura County's mapped flood zones must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation before the county will sign off.
Ventura County Flood Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsVentura County Ordinance Code § 5605-1(c)(1)a
All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement:a.In FIRM AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated one (1) foot above the base flood elevation.b.In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height one (1) foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two (2) feet above the highest ...
Environmental Rules by City in Ventura County
6 cities in Ventura County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Boat Dock Permits, Erosion Control
4 verified rules • Erosion Control, Flood Elevation Requirements
5 verified rules • Defensible Space, Erosion Control
6 verified rules • Boat Dock Permits, Defensible Space
4 verified rules • Erosion Control, Flood Elevation Requirements
6 verified rules • Defensible Space, Erosion Control
All Ventura County ordinances
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