[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6470138,"mediaKeyId","5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e","parentId",5780062,"title","Board adopts Fire District’s updated code with two key local changes; chief pledges continued stakeholder outreach","audioSeconds",5355,"startMs",1968000,"endMs",7323000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e&start=1968&end=7323","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e/thumbnail_1968000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470138/Ventura-County/California/Board-adopts-Fire-Districts-updated-code-with-two-key-local-changes-chief-pledges-continued-stakeholder-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470138-8b9cc4f9f88dc1d8608ca40a1b557aae/orig.mp4?Expires=1776392044&Signature=RStGHgCeJ-mc7Xf74jo8rRiSeE8EceWaPTUfPl8JOBfLzkIZVYi31c28IOlQ4JC~WjqdpTE3sPSzcpSafMJqH1~r-bMh5IEzUqZLUKx10Nv4BBtJWLE1AoG5vv2TjevH2lQZuQcwwiWNXQlXtZ38EOQ8cgLVEbkjzsTcRHgPTqmBQafIp6qGRw9I7a1AiJtHbICMbLOXfi-mSW7Jq2XPYASPsxfFknQv5yt-NPXg7lgqwcY4mh6zFUUX~9idhwY22gSiCcn~gCgkrDTjVTaq2xj2IlBBCua7hve4VJ9ZkWkqinVFX84GMPd9FsQ0pga1lq3swAhZVLtWwCLAFO1qKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ventura County (Top 100)","date","2025-09-16T22:49:53Z","article","The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 adopted Ventura County Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 34, updating the district’s local amendments to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code and related model codes. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Chief Dustin Gardner and Fire Marshal Joseph (Joe) [surname] told the board most of the ordinance consolidates and carries forward existing local amendments that have been in effect for decades. The adoption is part of the regular three‑year code cycle in which local fire agencies must adopt the new model code and may propose local amendments justified by climatic, geographic or topographic conditions.

Two changes drew the most attention at the hearing:

• Real‑estate transaction inspections (AB 38 implementation): State law requires fire inspection during certain real‑estate transactions in high fire hazard severity areas. The fire marshal said roughly half of transactions have come to the fire department for inspection; the other half appear to have used a disclosure option without notifying the fire department. The adopted ordinance adds language to improve notification so the department can perform the statutorily required inspection.

• Limited access flexibility for fire apparatus roads: One provision allows the fire official discretion to approve alternate approaches to secondary access requirements in some situations — a limited loosening intended to allow practical alternatives where rigid application of access standards is not feasible. The fire marshal framed this as narrowing a past problem where the strictness of a single standard could block otherwise feasible, fire‑safe solutions.

Chief Gardner emphasized the code package primarily restates longstanding local rules and that the Fire Department will continue dialog with agricultural stakeholders and landowners about implementation and exemptions (for example, sprinkler/flow requirements for agricultural buildings). The chief noted he expects some technical refinements as staff works with affected communities and local water providers.

Public comment: multiple agricultural and rural property owners, and representatives of CoLab and agricultural service organizations, urged the board to retain clear agricultural exemptions (examples cited: sprinkler and fire‑flow exemptions for barns, flexibility for off‑grid water systems, and clearer appeals options so that county property owners could take disputes to the Board of Supervisors if necessary). County staff acknowledged some agricultural exemptions are implemented through Fire Department policies, not the ordinance; the board asked staff to clarify the distinction and consider whether any policy exemptions should be codified to improve transparency.

CEQA and next steps: staff said the ordinance adoption responds to mandatory code‑cycle adoption requirements; technical ordinance refinements may follow. Chief Gardner and county counsel said an off‑cycle amendment process is available if the board or stakeholders want further codification of agricultural exceptions.

Board action: motion to introduce and adopt Ordinance No. 34 — which consolidates and updates local code amendments and inserts two clarified provisions (inspection notification and limited access flexibility) — passed unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ventura County supervisors unanimously adopted Ordinance 34 on Sept. 16, bringing local fire rules into alignment with the 2025 California Fire Code while keeping most long‑standing local amendments and adding clarified provisions on real‑estate inspection notifications and limited access flexibility for fire apparatus roads.","taxTitle","Ventura County, California","taxId",3398,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470143,"Board advances RHD zoning edits to implement housing‑element program for lower‑income units",8379,2229000,10608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e&start=2229&end=10608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e/thumbnail_2229000.jpg","/articles/6470143/Ventura-County/California/Board-advances-RHD-zoning-edits-to-implement-housingelement-program-for-lowerincome-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470143-484d362aab90e37d6b0456085a06fa0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776392044&Signature=HStW77rMjIJnV~Lr-2JztoH5NN2L67O6EzMqt-kSEkrUA-3gkIYNGBIl6ePzBXDM0v4exrDA6GqjB6zDroWXe4TXPNoY6ISI-HZJgIOYfVoAtAKgYYphxK756addz0LseQ5-7G3OAxErsjWCB3YkDFmkpyTt1vq8UEZ5n5RWef85IChTPaKNRo5sI8kfQT5x5J9vf6KerwUCA2VEuGcV2SY2D70XwH12gywJzwXG~-8XaQ1W9G2WpiU42ufQg1BLA1WK5ngq3qOim99-LkU9XUGhlyQbnMWTdVAUBTw~bC66E068O5Bl-B1sH2dYUm9LO929lPE6gxTzN9oPtjE8iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted 4‑1 on Sept. 16 to adopt county‑initiated amendments to the Residential High Density (RHD) zone intended to implement Program HE‑H of the county’s certified 2021–2029 housing element.

Background: the RHD zone was created in 2011 to identify parcels appropriate for multifamily housing to meet the county’s lower‑income housing need. When originally authorized, the RHD included a minimum density floor (20–22 dwelling units per acre) and a county requirement that new multifamily projects on RHD parcels reserve 100% of units for lower‑income households. No multi‑family development has been completed on the RHD parcels; seven parcels in El Rio, Piru and Santa Susana contributed 250 units to the county’s sites inventory.

What the ordinance does: the board approved amendments that keep the RHD zoning and density but change the affordability requirements so developers have multiple, clearly defined ways to meet the inclusionary obligation. The adopted ordinance provides four compliance routes: on‑site affordability consistent with state law; priority incentives for very‑low and extremely low‑income units; higher‑percentage on‑site set‑asides (a 30% option was added by staff to encourage on‑site production); and off‑site or alternative compliance under rigorous planning‑director review — including land donation, the acquisition of existing units, or “equivalent action” proposals. Any alternative compliance proposal requires prior planning‑director approval and must meet explicit criteria tied to the housing element goals.

Implementation and enforcement: the county will require an affordable‑housing agreement recorded against the property when an RHD development proceeds. Staff proposed a list of sample agreement components (design, phasing, unit type, affordability levels, monitoring and recapture provisions) that will be finalized with county counsel after adoption. Alternative compliance and affordable‑housing agreements will also direct any collected funds into an affordable‑housing trust account.

Planning Commission input and technical constraints: the Planning Commission recommended changes to tighten timing rules and asked staff to outline affordability‑agreement components; staff updated the draft accordingly. The board heard concerns about the viability of the Santa Susana parcels (safety/traffic lines of sight on Santa Susana Pass Road), wildfire hazard overlays and habitat/wildlife corridor overlays. Public Works told staff that traffic and sight‑line requirements would be rechecked at the time a development proposal is filed; the Fire Department and water providers previously participated in an infrastructure forum to review constraints on El Rio parcels and noted potential storage and water‑supply solutions but no guaranteed path to immediate hookups.

CEQA: staff concluded the ordinance is exempt from CEQA under specified categorical and statutory exemptions cited in the staff report and the board’s resolution.

Board action: the board approved the ordinance 4‑1 (Supervisor Long opposed), reflecting both support for enabling lower‑income housing paths and continuing concerns about the viability of some RHD parcels. Several supervisors asked staff to include this topic in the county’s longer‑range work plan and to explore infrastructure solutions for El Rio (including potential water‑provider consolidation and grant funding) even as the zoning changes move forward.

Speakers who addressed the board included a local venue operator and one in‑person supporter; no development applications were before the board at the time. Staff said they will produce the final affordable‑housing agreement language and return with implementation details and monitoring procedures.

Vote: Motion to approve staff recommendation passed 4‑1.","County staff won Planning Commission support and the board approved zoning amendments that add alternative compliance options and require affordable‑housing agreements to implement the RHD (residential high density) program of the 2021–2029 housing element.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470148,"County launches rewrite of outdoor-events rules after years of enforcement gaps",519,6871000,7390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e&start=6871&end=7390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e/thumbnail_6871000.jpg","/articles/6470148/Ventura-County/California/County-launches-rewrite-of-outdoor-events-rules-after-years-of-enforcement-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470148-1d9d2c537b4d2758c435530f23be0271/orig.mp4?Expires=1776392044&Signature=FySjEOQI4~eLDEmWEdOMVb03n9KxUoUAcCH9OvTMArS4bB~VxiSd8l9y3wDJAuWHQw038tbJw-5f~UimaglDI6wBH~U714MXrwqeJ1Y8IbpgoUrOlikCXHWPtEmYERkOOblrJTpkpwPJk6UffOH5IzOntFQrluxnbFb4nfBVMUVPjIjenlo4TifFenHL7R8nKbkagL6Nf~JZSn2ywE9o4nggG3jkFcAC7m1ve62JqJOqJRQtJU8MJBy9~YTrRrMcweFMKcsuOs0ix7oTUQ5kCn4fkfVdi8O4dmDfhZsd3G5HX04c4WM2tX~QEeIPh6qUHt1cYmVijyRnISN79SisTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 directed county staff to return with revisions to the county’s outdoor-events rules after code enforcement officials said the current rules are difficult to and often impossible to enforce.

County code enforcement described dozens of properties holding repeated large outdoor events without conditional use permits (CUPs) and said the current exemptions (events under certain attendance thresholds on parcels of certain sizes) create perverse incentives: properties can host compensated events repeatedly while avoiding the safety and operational standards that CUP holders must meet.

Resource Management Agency staff and Code Compliance Director Doug Leeper told the board the rules adopted after litigation in the 2010s left a “hole” in the ordinance that allows commercial event advertising and multiple large gatherings without prior notice to the county. Leeper and other staff said investigators commonly learn about events only after they occur,so evidence for enforcement is difficult to collect; the county currently lacks weekend enforcement coverage, and fines for transient violations are too small to deter operators.

The changes the board asked staff to pursue include: raising administrative penalties for repeat violations to levels that would be a financial deterrent; developing a ministerial temporary-use-permit (TUP) pathway for occasional events that would include basic safety checks (fire marshal review, traffic/egress checks) but not require full discretionary review; continuing to streamline the full CUP process and consider longer initial terms and longer renewals for compliant CUP holders; and improving enforcement tools (including better web monitoring of advertisements and discussion of investigatory tools such as drone overflight for documenting attendance).

Leeper said the county currently tracks roughly 17 permitted event venues and identified as many as 35 additional venues operating without permits across the unincorporated county, with a range of compliance and safety conditions. He outlined that small, exempt events (e.g., up to 75 attendees depending on parcel size) can be held with no county registration, and larger exempt events may be held multiple times per year on larger parcels — a structure that code compliance staff say is being used by some operators to build effectively commercial, weekend event businesses without the operational safeguards applied to CUP holders.

Supervisors repeatedly emphasized they wanted to protect public safety, preserve working agricultural lands and avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy for small, private events. Board members asked staff to study county practices in other places (San Luis Obispo, Riverside and several ag counties were cited) and to develop options that make it easier for bona fide venues to get CUPs while adding real consequences for bad actors.

The board unanimously approved the staff recommendation to receive the report and directed staff to incorporate the supervisors’ guidance — particularly on enforcement improvements, TUPs, CUP-term extensions and incentives for compliance — into a formal ordinance amendment package for return to the board. Staff said they will also bring forward proposed changes to administrative penalty amounts and a plan for stepped enforcement that begins with education and notification and escalates fines for repeat violations.

Speakers at the meeting included multiple owners and operators of existing permitted venues and representatives of agricultural groups who warned against overly broad rules that would impede occasional family events on working ranches. Several permitted venue owners urged the county to shorten CUP renewal steps and costs and to keep ministerial options available for lower‑scale events. Code enforcement and county counsel said many of the operational exceptions and the need to show “compensation” in investigations make enforcement difficult without stronger authority and better real‑time monitoring tools.

Board direction emphasized three priorities: (1) strengthen public‑safety review for larger events (temporary permits and CUPs) so roads, fire access and sanitation can be validated before an event occurs; (2) level the playing field by discouraging commercial advertising and repeated compensated events without a CUP; and (3) calibrate enforcement tools (including higher civil penalties, targeted weekend inspections and internet monitoring) so rules are actually enforceable.

Staff said they will return with an ordinance package and recommended code language and will coordinate with Public Works (traffic), the Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office on operational standards and enforcement protocols. The board also asked staff to bring back examples and model language used by other counties, together with an analysis of how any proposed approach would interact with existing land‑use protections (for example, the county’s Noncoastal Zoning Ordinance) and agricultural activities.

The board action was procedural: motion to receive the report and provide direction, which passed 5‑0.","The Board of Supervisors directed staff to pursue a package of changes — including higher fines, streamlined temporary permits and improved coordination with sheriff and fire — after code enforcement described widespread unpermitted commercial events on rural property.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470127,"County accepts donation of 50 portable battery boxes and 100 solar panels for volunteer response",323,3248000,3571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e&start=3248&end=3571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e/thumbnail_3248000.jpg","/articles/6470127/Ventura-County/California/County-accepts-donation-of-50-portable-battery-boxes-and-100-solar-panels-for-volunteer-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470127-521953b5e620d2fbab21737e071fd290/orig.mp4?Expires=1776392044&Signature=ozmZetRuxA7JrHIWeI0eZs8PSvoGlgW3X8bvvknFBJnhT1ZBnrk8gOhKsLbxRbQgHzsN5MynShYOmn5~uchR0VnHWBBUVuTIRoKEweVrHYwe~X5-b5ty48R0M5q0JGpP51-JRi1BIFxRQJ5RbJbiZcWqcBp9Mgkp6-1NMWZYomEf-919ha2gXmsMaa6NygKnX1l39vqo9~~YfiANrxq1WBkeap0AS~4eJELNhHpZx4AKks~aA2jiT0r-fZGJrZ8G24D-sRhI9VRrezQfkHuzLaknOGUN9YVX6~EUhDSHKoivfpbkcGDcokZ6-pqt5-muJeunT~mnQ6A~QITxlDp~HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved staff recommendations on Sept. 16 to accept a donation of 50 portable lithium battery units and 100 solar panels from Everything Life Saving Foundation and Jackery, with an estimated retail value of $35,000.

Emergency Management Director Patrick Maynard explained the units were offered after a year of outreach following public safety power shutoffs and will be distributed to the county’s volunteer search‑and‑rescue teams, the Ventura County Fire Department urban search and rescue unit, and to city partners for field use. The devices are portable, intended for powering communications, CPAPs, oxygen concentrators and critical equipment during outages.

Paul Herrera, who helped coordinate the donation, described working to involve veterans and volunteer organizations and to use the devices in mobile response trailers and community resilience efforts.

The board approved the motion to accept the donation, and staff requested authorization to proceed with distribution plans.","Board accepted a donation of Jackery portable power units and solar panels, to be distributed to search & rescue volunteers, Ventura County Fire and cities; donor emphasized community resilience and veteran engagement.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470134,"Board signs off on county response to grand jury report on Animal Services Commission",575,6217000,6792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e&start=6217&end=6792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780062-65a8c14b9910daa11bb5d18045d2863e/thumbnail_6217000.jpg","/articles/6470134/Ventura-County/California/Board-signs-off-on-county-response-to-grand-jury-report-on-Animal-Services-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470134-4b21b16bc91626e48b228e11ae53e675/orig.mp4?Expires=1776392044&Signature=OXmRQNQAmRb~PlWkIHKcR7CqXDof11dB0G2GPIgKGy9OJn8bkUkquZyZY6N9TCXXk4Z2PFM4NDlRXzqsjrvLiohZjakRZkbTeGgAmdtOV9YQR3nLy36VmYPFZbfLv2~fj2b8KNCxuw-o7~XZ~IwzJi~0Vvei-QthA~z1ASsA9NKwN12mtFt1k3-rGXrQNEDM6MCvMxNOHXW~5zByTEsVKFGT1CWFQua0z-2LPN4sUBCZeXUYM3HX83EcRGZOjKVOawGsSvecY9whhkuR564kTldBR7vHqsXEokK~WUrwdzrPZD41UJ1waDHl~tB964sZw4plVEodG-Pek8sMn23ypg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 16 to approve a county response to the 2024–25 Ventura County Grand Jury report examining the Animal Services Commission (often called the Animal Services Commission) and animal services operations.

Deputy CEO Mike Morelli and Animal Services Director Esteban Rodriguez presented the county’s coordinated reply, which accepts several of the grand jury’s findings related to governance, outdated facilities and language access; staff partially concurred with several other findings while offering clarifications about open‑admission shelter operations, the county’s shift to no‑kill policy in 2014 and successful recent initiatives such as a mobile spay/neuter clinic.

Recommended implementation: staff concurred with or partially concurred with most of the grand jury’s recommendations and pledged action on bylaws revision, improved advisory processes, contract modernization with partner cities, attention to volunteer wellness and an analysis of expanding services to Thousand Oaks and Santa Paula. The county’s response sets an implementation window for certain recommendations to be completed in 2026 and noted that some recommendations depend on the Animal Services Commission agreeing to bylaw changes.

Supervisors praised the current department leadership and volunteers for performance during emergencies and for recent service improvements. Several supervisors said the grand jury’s findings reflected past leadership issues that are being addressed under Director Rodriguez. The board approved the response for submittal to the presiding judge of the Superior Court and requested follow‑up reports on the timeline for implementing agreed recommendations.

Vote: motion to approve staff recommendations and submit the county response passed unanimously.","Supervisors approved a coordinated county response to the 2024–25 Grand Jury report, agreeing to implement most recommendations and to work with the Animal Services Commission on bylaw revisions, contract modernizations and staff wellness programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts Fire District’s updated code with two key local changes; chief pledges continued stakeholder outreach

Board advances RHD zoning edits to implement housing‑element program for lower‑income units

County launches rewrite of outdoor-events rules after years of enforcement gaps

County accepts donation of 50 portable battery boxes and 100 solar panels for volunteer response

Board signs off on county response to grand jury report on Animal Services Commission