Board adopts sea‑level, fire‑hazard and fee changes; receives recruitment and racial‑equity reports

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on May 20 unanimously approved a set of policy changes and received two staff reports addressing county workforce and public‑safety racial equity.

The board voted to: adopt local fire‑hazard maps prepared by the state fire marshal; approve more than 5,100 county service rates and fees for fiscal year 2025–26; repeal the county ordinance that certified backflow prevention testers; and adopt county amendments to the Local Coastal Program (LCP) to require sea‑level rise and coastal hazard analysis for new development in mapped shoreline areas. The board also received and filed a county recruitment and retention report required by state law and a biennial update from the Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group.

Why it matters: the fire‑hazard maps and LCP amendments change which parcels are subject to state‑mandated defensible‑space, disclosure inspections and coastal hazard analysis. The rates and fees action updates county cost‑recovery schedules for hundreds of programs. The cross‑connection ordinance repeal follows a state rule change that shifts certification responsibilities to water purveyors. The staff reports outline staffing pressures in county agencies and racial‑equity data about public safety that may affect future policy and budgets.

Fire maps adopted; effective July 1

The board adopted Ventura County Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 33, which accepts the State Fire Marshal''s updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone maps. Aaron Engstrom, the county planner who led the coastal items, told the board, "If adopted today, then the maps will be effective 07/01/2025." The maps expand mapped hazard areas and will subject additional parcels to state disclosure and defensible‑space rules. The board''s action was taken by motion (moved by Supervisor Garrell; second Supervisor Parvin) and passed unanimously.

What it means: properties newly mapped into "very high" or "high" hazard areas become subject to state requirements such as a 100‑foot defensible space in very high zones and real‑estate disclosure inspections under state law when a property is sold. County staff told the board the changes cover tens of thousands of parcels countywide and will increase demand for public outreach and inspections.

Fees and rates: board approves broad schedule of increases

The board approved a consolidated resolution updating more than 5,100 county, Watershed Protection District and Fire Protection District fees for fiscal year 2025–26. Robert Bravo of the County Executive Office said about 54% of fees in the package increase, 88% remain unchanged and 9% decrease; most increases are under 5%. The board''s motion to adopt the fees (moved by Supervisor Lopez; second Supervisor Long) passed unanimously.

Cross‑connection (backflow) ordinance repealed

Because the state revised its cross‑connection regulations and established a new Cross‑Connection Control Policy Handbook, the county introduced and then voted to repeal the county ordinance that had allowed the Environmental Health Division to certify backflow testers. Environmental Health manager Charles Genkel and program lead Ron Ventura told supervisors the state requirement now calls for ANSI‑accredited testing programs that the county does not operate. The board approved the repeal (moved by Supervisor Long; second Supervisor LaVier) and the ordinance was repealed by unanimous vote. County staff said they will work with local water purveyors and water districts to transfer records and responsibilities.

Local Coastal Program: board adopts sea‑level rise amendments and forwards to Coastal Commission

The largest policy action was adoption of county‑initiated LCP amendments addressing sea‑level rise, coastal hazards and shoreline protection. The amendments add goal and policy language to the coastal area plan and change the Coastal Zoning Ordinance to require a coastal hazard report when redevelopment reaches a substantial‑improvement…