Ventura County, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Gov. Code § 65915 et seq.
- Local section
- Ordinance Code § 8116-1
- Scope
- Unincorporated Ventura County only
- Re-enacted
- Dec. 17, 2024 (Ord. 4641)
Summary
Ventura County's zoning code makes state density bonus law directly applicable to unincorporated projects, granting density increases, incentives, and standards waivers to developments that include affordable units under Government Code section 65915.
The density bonuses, incentives or concessions, and waivers or reductions in development standards required by state law, including, but not limited to, Government Code section 65915 et seq., shall be available to qualifying projects on the terms and conditions specified in state law.
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
Article 16 of the county's zoning chapter was repealed and re-enacted effective December 17, 2024. It adds no local bonus percentages of its own; instead Section 8116-1 makes the density bonuses, incentives, concessions, and development-standard waivers or reductions required by state Density Bonus Law (Gov. Code § 65915 et seq.) available to qualifying unincorporated-area projects strictly on the terms state law sets.
Violations & Fines
The county's Planning Division processes density bonus applications under the state formula; disputes over an application's approval or denial are subject to Government Code § 65915's enforcement and appeal provisions, including potential Housing Accountability Act claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ventura County set its own density bonus percentages?
Does this apply inside cities like Oxnard or Thousand Oaks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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