Ventura County Local Coastal Program Update
The County of Ventura is completing a series of amendments to the Local Coastal Program (LCP), which is the document that defines the County’s goals, policies, programs, and land use regulations for the coastal zone. The focus of this update is to achieve conformance with state and federal laws and with current County and California Coastal Commission standards. LCP updates require approval by the Board of Supervisors and the California Coastal Commission before they become effective.
Section 3 below includes information about each LCP update, which were funded with federal and State grants for LCP updates, as well as matching County funds. The final series of the LCP amendments is Phase 2C. For a detailed discussion about Phase 2C, see Sections 1 and 2 below.
This webpage includes updates to the LCP amendment process, which can be accessed by clicking on the following links.
1. What’s New?
On September 9, 2022, The Executive Director of the Coastal Commission determined that the Local Coastal Program amendment was legally adequate, and the Coastal Commission concurred with the Executive Director’s determination. Thus, the Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) and Santa Monica Mountains Dark Sky Amendments became effective the same day. The updated electronic versions of the CAP and CZO can now be downloaded at download link.
Download the updated versions of the CAP and CZO
Coastal Area Plan: Link to Coastal Area Plan PDF
Coastal Zoning Ordinance: Link to Coastal Zoning Ordinance PDF
2. Phase 2C Amendment Process
The Phase 2C amendments to the Local Coastal Program (Case Number PL17-0083) are focused on modifications to the Coastal Area Plan and Coastal Zoning Ordinance to address Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas, or ESHA. The County’s ESHA regulations date from the 1980s, when the Local Coastal Program was first enacted. An updated set of policies and standards is needed to bring the County’s regulations into conformance with federal, state, and local standards. The Phase 2C amendments include updated definitions/standards for ESHA and Dark Skies outdoor lighting in the Santa Monica Mountains, based in part on the recently adopted standards for the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County. In addition to ESHA, Phase 2C includes minor amendments to remove the Harbor Planned Development (HPD) zone from the Coastal Zoning Ordinance, as the zone is no longer used in the County.
The public review version of the draft Phase 2C amendments, as well as informational materials, were first posted on April 30, 2018. The public comment period extended through June 1, 2018. The public outreach program included three community meetings held on May 9, 10, and 11, 2018 (see Public Meeting Summary table in Section 3 below). Scheduled meeting dates/times were posted on this webpage, and the list of interested parties for Local Coastal Program amendments were sent a notification via email. The proposed amendments were presented to county, state, and federal agencies at an interagency briefing on May 7, 2018, as well as the Agricultural Policy and Advisory Committee on July 11, 2018.
The proposed Phase 2C amendments were originally presented to the Ventura County Planning Commission on August 23, 2018. The Planning Commission recommended adoption to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, along with some additional research. In August 2021, the Phase 2C amendments were brought back to the Planning Commission because of the substantive changes that were needed to align the amendments with new state fire safety laws (AB 2911), pesticide laws (AB 1788), and other Local Coastal Program pesticide amendments that were recently certified by the California Coastal Commission for the City of Malibu. Other County projects were also integrated into the proposed amendments, including the Board’s Dark Sky outdoor lighting directive for the Santa Monica Mountains (October 4, 2016, Board of Supervisors Hearing, Item 28) and ESHA policies and standards related to the County’s Sea Level Rise project. General formatting corrections, reorganization, and revisions to the Coastal Initial Study Biological Assessment Appendix were also made for clarity and readability.
During the August 19, 2021, Planning Commission hearing, the Phase 2C amendments were recommended for approval by the Planning Commission to the Board of Supervisors by a 4 to 1 vote. The Planning Commission also directed Planning Division staff to complete the following actions prior to the Board of Supervisors hearing: 1) apply permitting requirements for the use of toxic substances to “new development and development that involves the use and application of pesticides” (when in the Santa Monica Mountains or applied by County agencies); 2) require that biological surveys of Western monarch overwintering roost sites are conducted by two independent qualified biologists for initial studies; and, 3) Planning Division staff were directed to consult with the City of Malibu on its adoption of similar toxic substance regulations to identify any lessons learned or implementation challenges. To review the video and minutes from the meeting, please visit the Planning Commission website hearing archives for the August 19, 2021, hearing at vcrma.org/planning-commission.
On October 19, 2021, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Phase 2C amendments by a 5 to 0 vote. To review the video and minutes from the meeting, please visit ventura.org/board-of-supervisors/agendas-documents-and-broadcasts/.
On April 6, 2022, the California Coastal Commission certified the Phase 2C amendments with the modifications recommended by Coastal Commission staff. To review the video and minutes from the meeting, please see Agenda Item 11 here https://cal-span.org/unipage?site=cal-span&owner=CCC&date=2022-04-06.
On July 26, 2022, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution that accepted the California Coastal Commission’s certification of the Phase 2C amendments with modifications. To review the video and minutes from the meeting, please visit ventura.org/board-of-supervisors/agendas-documents-and-broadcasts/.
On September 9, 2022, The Executive Director of the Coastal Commission determined that the Local Coastal Program amendment was legally adequate, and the Coastal Commission concurred with the Executive Director’s determination. Thus, the ESHA and Santa Monica Mountains Dark Sky Amendments became effective the same day. The updated electronic versions of the CAP and CZO can now be downloaded at:
Coastal Area Plan: www2.vcrma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ventura-county-general-plan-coastal-area-plan-2021-2022.pdf
Coastal Zoning Ordinance: www2.vcrma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ventura-county-coastal-zoning-ordinance.pdf
The table below represent past public outreach efforts associated with the adoption and certification of the Phase 2C LCP amendments. If you have questions and/or comments associated with the Phase 2C LCP amendments, please contact case planner Abigail Convery at Abigail.convery@ventura.org or call 805-654-2489
Public Meetings Completed for Phase 2C Amendments
| Audience | Date and Time | Location | Links to LCP Update Materials |
| Final Coastal Commission Certification Hearing | September 9, 2022 (Item 12) | Hybrid Format. Online and at Cliffs Hotel & Spa 2757 Shell Beach Rd Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | Deputy Directors Report- Miscellaneous Item: County of Ventura Local Coastal Program Amendment No. LCP-4-VNT-21-0069-2 (ESHA). Item 12. Document # F12. Check the Coastal Commission’s website for the Deputy Director’s Report at https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2022/9/F12/F12-9-2022%20Report.pdf and for more meeting information on the South Central Coast portion of the meeting visit: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda/#/2022/9 |
| Board of Supervisors | July 26, 2022 1:30 PM | 800 S. Victoria Avenue Board of Supervisors Hearing Room Hall of Administration – Government Center Ventura, CA 93009 | https://ventura.primegov.com/portal/item?id=239632 Click on the “+” sign under “Item Attachments” to see all documents associated with the hearing. |
| Coastal Commission Certification Hearing | April 6, 2022 9:00 AM | 800 S. Victoria Avenue Board of Supervisors Hearing Room Hall of Administration – Government Center Ventura, CA 93009 | Item W11a: County of Ventura Local Coastal Program Amendment No. LCP-4-VNT-21-0069-2 (ESHA) Check the Coastal Commission’s website for the staff report and more meeting information at www.coastal.ca.gov/mtgcurr.html |
| Board of Supervisors | Tuesday, October 19, 2021 | Online Hearing |
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| Planning Commission | Tuesday | Online Hearing |
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| Santa Monica Mountains Fuel Modification and Outdoor Lighting Outreach Webinar | Thursday | Online Webinar | |
| Planning Commission | Thursday August 23, 2018 8:30 AM | 800 S. Victoria Avenue Board of Supervisors Hearing Room Hall of Administration – Government Center Ventura, CA 93009 |
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| Central Coast Subarea | Wednesday | Senior Activity Room Orvene Carpenter Center 550 Park Avenue Port Hueneme, CA | Public Review Drafts Dated 4/30/18 |
| South Coast Subarea | Thursday | Fire Station 56 | |
| North Coast Subarea | Friday | Pacific Conference Room Hall of Justice – Government Center |
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3. Background of LCP Updates (Phases 1-2C)
Three of the four sets of amendments (Phase 1, Phase 2A, and Phase 2B) are complete and are now incorporated into the Existing Local Coastal Program, while the fourth set of amendments (Phase 2C) is an active project within the Planning Division. Listed below is a brief description of the series of Local Coastal Program amendments:
- Phase 1 – The Phase 1 amendment package was certified by the California Coastal Commission in February 2013. It included amendments to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) that address regulatory clarifications and minor policy changes that bring the Coastal Zoning Ordinance into conformance with current state and federal standards, allow for more efficient processing of coastal development permits, and acknowledge technological changes that occurred since the Coastal Zoning Ordinance was originally adopted in the 1980s.
- Phase 2A – The Phase 2A amendment package included policy modifications to the Coastal Area Plan (CAP) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance in seven topic areas: archaeological and paleontological resources, filming, parking, public noticing, signs, tree protection, and water-efficient landscaping. Also, improvements to the Coastal Area Plan included an update of the Summary of Coastal Act Policies. The Phase 2A amendment package was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 21, 2016, and it was conditionally certified by the Coastal Commission on December 8, 2016, with modifications. On March 14, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications, and on May 11, 2017, the Coastal Commission completed the certification process. The Phase 2A amendments to the Local Coastal Program became effective on June 1, 2017.
- Phase 2B – The Phase 2B amendment package included three topics: Coastal Trail, Wireless Communication Facilities, and Civil and Administrative Penalties. Phase 2B also included organizational and formatting improvements to the Coastal Area Plan. The Phase 2B amendment package was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 6, 2016, and it was conditionally certified by the Coastal Commission on March 9, 2017, with modifications. On April 25, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications, and on June 7, 2017, the Coastal Commission completed the certification process. The Phase 2B amendments to the Local Coastal Program became effective on July 1, 2017.
- Phase 2C – The Phase 2C amendment package is focused on one topic: Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas, or ESHA. Also included are minor amendments to remove an obsolete zone (Harbor Planned Development). Phase 2C is an active project that is currently under development within the Planning Division. For more information on Phase 2C amendments to the Local Coastal Program, see the What’s New section above.
A separate project, funded through a Local Coastal Program Local Assistance Grant from the California Coastal Commission and the California Coastal Conservancy, is being conducted to draft regulatory and adaptive strategies in response to sea-level rise hazards. For more information on that program, see a separate web page on the Planning Division website titled “VC Resilient Coastal Adaptation Project.”
4. Local Coastal Program Certification Process
Land use development in the Coastal Zone (click here for map links) is governed by the terms and conditions of the Ventura County Local Coastal Program (LCP), which consists of the Coastal Area Plan (CAP), the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO), and two Categorical Exclusion Orders – all of which are subject to the Coastal Act (Pub. Res. Code § 30000 et seq.) and corresponding Coastal Regulations (14 Cal. Code of Regs. § 13000 et seq.).
Since it was first enacted in 1983, amendments were made to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance to address specific land use policy issues (e.g., second dwelling units and camps). For example, the Board adopted new policies/standards for reasonable accommodation as a part of the Housing Element in 2011 (Coastal Act § 30510 et seq.).
The Categorical Exclusion Order was incorporated into the Coastal Zoning Ordinance in 1987. The Categorical Exclusion Order is a legislative action enacted by the Coastal Commission in accordance with § 30610 of the Coastal Act. It exempts certain categories of development from Coastal Development Permit requirements because they have no possibility of causing environmental impacts. The Categorical Exclusion Order supersedes the County’s Coastal Zoning Ordinance, which means that the regulations enacted by the order apply regardless of whether or not they are integrated in the local zoning ordinance.
Amendments to the Local Coastal Program require an extensive process, including multiple opportunities for public input. First, the amendments must be prepared and approved by the local jurisdiction. As part of its approval process, the local government adopts a resolution stating that the amendment will become effective automatically upon certification by the Coastal Commission. Next, the ordinance is presented to the Coastal Commission. If the ordinance is certified by the Coastal Commission, the following steps must be completed before the ordinance becomes effective:
- The local government must complete any required follow-up actions.
- The Executive Director of the Coastal Commission must determine, in writing, that these actions are legally adequate.
- The Coastal Commission must concur with the Executive Director’s determination.
5. Coastal Maps
Please check back to this website to find the latest information.
Contact Us
Abigail Convery
Case Planner
Abigail.convery@ventura.org
(805) 654-2489
