Locally Grown Food Processing Ordinance and General Plan Amendment
Processing of Locally Grown Food
On June 4, 2024, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Locally Grown Food Processing Ordinance (Ordinance 4632) that allows the processing of locally grown food on up to 12 acres of land zoned Agricultural Exclusive (AE), Open Space (OS) and Rural Agricultural (RA) in the non-coastal areas of unincorporated Ventura County. This ordinance implements the County’s Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) Ordinance section 2(1)(l)(m) that was approved by the residents of Ventura County at a countywide election in 2016. The Locally Grown Food Processing Ordinance became effective on July 5, 2024 with a sunset date for authorization of January 1, 2030. Please click here to view a webpage that summarizes the remaining acres allocations for certain land uses, and can be used to determine how much of the 12-acre limitation for food processing has been allocated.
Processing of locally grown food includes those activities and processes conducted on land which change the unprocessed commodity from its natural state to a different form, such as processing milk into cheese and fruit into jam. Processing of locally grown food does not include restaurants, cannabis or alcohol which are separately regulated in the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO). For more exclusions, please review NCZO section 8107-50 (Locally Grown Food Processing Facilities).
How do I apply for a permit?
Zoning Clearance
Proposed facilities that encompass an area of 20,000 square feet or less, meet the requirements of NCZO sections 8107-50.2 and 8107-50.3, and do not require a new package sewage treatment plant (i.e., advanced treatment) may be permitted with a Zoning Clearance. All of the areas on the property dedicated to the food processing operation are counted towards the 20,000 square feet maximum, including but not limited to the required parking areas, loading and unloading areas, and accessory buildings and structures. Please see NCZO section 8107-50.2(c) for more information on how to calculate the area of the facility. The Zoning Clearance application may not be used for operations which involve the processing of meat (including slaughterhouses) and fish. These operations require a Conditional Use Permit. See Conditional Use Permit information below. If an onsite wastewater treatment system is required, please see the information below under Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS).
To apply for a Locally Grown Food Processing Facility allowed by a Zoning Clearance, the following is required:
- Complete the Locally Grown Food Processing Zoning Clearance Application.
- Pay Fee – An initial $50 fee is required upon submittal of the Zoning Clearance application. If the application includes a conversion of existing buildings, the fee is applicable to “Additions to Existing Buildings/Structures/Construction of New Principal or Accessory Agricultural Structures” in the adopted Planning Division Fee Schedule and if the application includes new construction of a building, the fee is applicable to “Additions to Existing Buildings/Structures/Construction of New Principal or Accessory Agricultural Structures” in addition to “Special Review” fees. ).
- Submit the application and pay the fees online through Citizen Access at: https://vcca.ventura.org/vcca.aspx. More information about the online application process can be found at: https://vcrma.org/divisions/planning/remote-zoning-clearance-permit-processing/.
Depending on the complexity of the project, the County’s typical time frame for a Zoning Clearance is 30 business days. If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Planning Division counter staff at (805) 654-2488 or by email at: Plan.Counter@ventura.org. You may also visit the Planning Division Public Counter Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the County Government Center at 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Third Floor, in the Hall of Administration Building, Ventura, CA 93009.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)
Please contact the Ventura County Environmental Health Division at (805) 654-2813 or at: https://vcrma.org/all-programs/septic-systems-wastewater-disposal/ to verify the type of OWTS required for the food processing facility. If the required OWTS is a new package sewage treatment system (i.e., advanced treatment), a Conditional Use Permit is required for both the sewage system and the food processing facility, which will be processed concurrently. See Conditional Use Permit information below.
Conditional Use Permit
A Conditional Use Permit is required for proposed facilities that:
- Do not meet the requirements for a Zoning Clearance, or,
- Exceed 20,000 square feet up to a maximum of 3 acres, and/or
- Include the processing of meat (including slaughterhouses) or fish, and/or
- Require a new package sewage treatment plant (i.e., advanced treatment) for wastewater.
More information about the Conditional Use Permit process and the application packet can be found at: https://vcrma.org/divisions/planning/conditional-use-permits/.
Additional Resources
Staff Contact Information
If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Planning Division counter staff at (805) 654-2488 or by email at: Plan.Counter@ventura.org. You may also visit the Planning Division Public Counter Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the County Government Center at 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Third Floor, in the Hall of Administration Building, Ventura, CA 93009.
