Ventura, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Rental affordability period
- 55 years minimum, §24.445.070(B)(1)
- For-sale affordability period
- 45 years minimum, §24.445.070(C)(3)
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2025-003 (6-24-25)
- Eligibility
- Min. affordable % per Gov't Code §65915(b)(1)
- Unsold for-sale units
- Equity-sharing sale after 180 days
- Enforcement
- Fines, permit revocation, eviction/foreclosure
Summary
Ventura's density bonus ordinance, Chapter 24.445, lets qualifying housing developments build more units than the base zoning allows in exchange for affordable housing. Section 24.445.030 sets eligibility, and Section 24.445.070 locks in a 55-year affordability period for bonus rental units and 45 years for bonus for-sale units.
24.445.030 Density bonus eligibility. A. General Eligibility. A proposed housing development, as defined by state density bonus law, shall be eligible for a density bonus and other regulatory incentives provided by state density bonus law, if the applicant ... agrees to construct a housing development that will contain at least the required percentage of affordable housing units enumerated in state density bonus law, California Government Code Section 65915(b)(1). ... 24.445.070 Density bonus provisions in affordable housing agreement. ... B. Requirements for Rental Projects. 1. Affordability Period. The affordability of all rental units qualifying for a density bonus ... must be maintained for a minimum of 55 years or longer if required by the construction or mortgage financing assistance program, mortgage insurance program, or rental subsidy program. ... C. Requirements for For-Sale Projects. ... 3. Affordability Period. The affordability of all for-sale units qualifying for a density bonus ... must be maintained for a minimum of 45 years or the time period required by any applicable federal or state law or regulation, if different.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-008, passed May 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
445, adopted by Ordinance No. 2025-003 on June 24, 2025. 040 and agrees to build at least the percentage of affordable units required by California Government Code Section 65915(b)(1); a project is ineligible if it demolished affordable rental units occupied by low-income households within the prior five years, unless it replaces them. 070 that runs with the land and binds future owners. 070(B)(1) sets a minimum 55-year affordability period, extendable if a construction, mortgage insurance, or rental subsidy program requires longer. 070(C)(1) requires unsold units to go through an equity-sharing sale to a qualified nonprofit if not purchased by an eligible low- or moderate-income household within 180 days of the certificate of occupancy.
050. 200(D) authorizes the city to revoke permits, recover civil fines and enforcement costs including attorneys' fees, or pursue eviction or foreclosure for violations of the agreement.
Violations & Fines
Violating the recorded affordable housing agreement, such as renting or selling a density-bonus unit outside the required income and affordability terms, exposes an owner to enforcement under Section 24.445.200(D): the city can revoke or suspend permits and certificates of occupancy, recover civil fines, restitution and enforcement costs including attorneys' fees, and pursue eviction or foreclosure, with remedies expressly cumulative rather than exclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must density bonus rental units stay affordable in Ventura?
What about for-sale density bonus units?
Can a developer be denied a density bonus for recently removing affordable units?
What happens if a density bonus agreement is violated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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Density Bonus Law in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle density bonus law.