NewThe The Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing, tentatively scheduled for June 18, 2024, to consider proposed amendments to the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO), and the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO). The proposed ordinance amendments are specifically related to permit terms for new discretionary oil and gas operations, as well as surety and insurance requirements for oil and gas operations, including surety addressing Long-Term Idle Wells.
Several project documents are available at the links below.
Proposed Non-Coastal Ordinance Amendments (Clean)
Proposed Non-Coastal Ordinance Amendments (Legislative Format)
Proposed Coastal Ordinance Amendments (Clean)
Proposed Coastal Ordinance Amendments (Legislative Format)
Coastal Zoning Ordinance Amendment Findings
Planning Commission Minutes from September 21, 2023 Hearing
The Board letter and exhibits prepared for this item will be publicly available at 5:00 p.m. on June 13, 2024, unless the hearing schedule for this item changes.
Staff report materials prepared for the 2022 and 2023 Planning Commission hearings for this item are also available at the links below.
Background
On November 10, 2020, the Board of Supervisors directed the Resource Management Agency to propose Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) amendments that would: (1) limit new discretionary Conditional Use Permits for oil and gas operations to 15 years, (2) increase current County surety and insurance amounts for oil and gas compliance and restoration, and (3) incorporate measures that promote timely permanent plugging and restoration of oil and gas wells idle for 15 years or more.
2023 Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Commission Hearings
The Planning Commission conducted three hearings on these proposed ordinance amendments. See links below:
• Link for September 21, 2023 Planning Commission Hearing [See item 6]
• Link for July 28, 2022 Planning Commission Hearing [See item 7]
• Link for August 18, 2022 Planning Commission Hearing [See item 7]
2022 Public Engagement Meeting
The Ventura County Planning Division hosted a virtual webinar on November 9, 2022 to discuss proposed revisions to oil and gas regulations related to bonds and insurance and the length of permit terms.
- Staff's PowerPoint presentation is available here.
- A recording of the meeting in English is available here.
- A recording of the meeting in Spanish is available here
- Submitted public comments are available here.
Planning Staff Contact:
Please contact staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.