Planning Beta

Planning Division Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Category
General Questions
Residence/Homeowner Questions
Commercial Related Questions
Procedural
Other

General

When is the Public Counter Open?
Our Public Counter is open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on open Fridays. Consult the City Calendar for City operating days.

Walk-in clients are welcome during public counter hours. Appointments are required for application submittals, file review requests, and Downtown Over the Counter Permits. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (805) 385-7858.

How can I contact the Planning Division?
Call (805) 385-7858 
Email: planning@oxnard.org
Our office is located at 214 South C Street, Oxnard, Ca 93030

Where can I view Planning agendas?
The agendas are available from the Planning website oxnard.org/planning and also available by clicking directly on the group you are interested in below:
Community Workshop, Downtown Design Review Committee, Planning Commission

Do I Need a Planning Permit?
A planning permit is needed for almost any project that involves exterior modifications to a structure (windows, doors, paint, additions, etc), modifications to a developed lot (landscape or parking lot changes), development of a lot, and certain uses within an existing or proposed structure. Any project in the coastal zone that includes grading (where soil will be removed and/or filled in) requires a Coastal Development Permit.
All of the procedures and regulations used to determine when a permit is necessary and also how to review that permit, are set forth in city ordinances and/or state law. Such documents include:

• Inland and Coastal Zoning Ordinances – (Chapter 16 & 17 of the City Code)
• Subdivisions– Chapter 15 of the City Code and the Subdivision Map Act
• Specific Plans – When the project is located within a specific plan area, consult the appropriate specific plan for permit procedures. If the specific plan is silent on permit procedures, consult the Zoning Ordinance.

What is my Zoning?
You can access this information in a variety of ways.

1. You can use the Planning and Zoning Address Search. This program will also pull a property profile for the selected address or parcel. This service is available online from the Planning webpage.
2. Additionally, downloadable city-wide PDF zone maps are available on the Planning maps webpage.

After you find the zone designation for your property, you can view the development standards and allowed uses by accessing the zoning code (Chapter 16) or the coastal zone code (Chapter 17).

What Uses are Allowed on my Property?
Once you determine your zoning (see What is my Zoning?) you view the appropriate zone designation within the zoning code (Chapter 16) or the coastal zone code (Chapter 17). In addition to verifying that a use is permitted, please also ensure the use can meet the Development and Performance Standards of the zone designation (included in each zone designation if applicable), the General Regulations (Section 16-300 – 16-323), and the Parking Requirements (Section 16-615 – 16-650).

Where can I Find Recently Approved and Pending Project Lists?
The Planning Division maintains a quarterly list of pending, approved, and under construction projects. The Development Quarterly Project List is available on the Planning website

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For the Homeowner

 I Want to Operate a Business from my Home. Where do I start?
You will need to obtain a Home Occupation Permit and Business Tax Certificate prior to starting a business from a residential location. Typical home occupations include mobile businesses such as landscapers, car washing services, contractors, and home based businesses such as internet sales. Review City Code Sections 16-400 – 16-406 for a full list of regulations and operating standards.

What type of fence/wall can I have on my property?
First, determine your zoning. Next, read the zoning regulations of your property (i.e. R-1, C-2, etc) and appropriate sections of the “General Requirements” (Sections 16-308 – 16-316). You can also consult the Fences and Walls handout prepared by the Building & Engineering Division.

Where can I build an addition?
First, determine your zone designation. Next, determine if your property is subject to a Specific Plan. If your property is subject to a specific plan, review the development standards in the applicable Specific Plan. Next, read the zoning regulations of your property (i.e. R-1, C-2, etc) and appropriate sections of the “General Requirements” (Sections 16-300 – 16-323). Lastly, verify with the Planning Division that there is not a Special Use Permit, Planned Development Permit, or other land use regulation containing development standards for your property. Consult the Development Services, Building & Engineering Division website for the submittal requirements of a room addition (Residential Room Addition Requirements).

Can I have an accessory building or an accessory structure on my property?
 First, consult the definition section of the zone code to determine if your request is for an accessory building or an accessory structure. Next, determine your zoning. Then read the zoning regulations of your property (i.e. R-1, C-2, etc), and finally review the appropriate sections of the “General Requirements” (Sections 16-300 – 16-316). Call the Development Services, Building & Engineering Division, (805) 385-7925, for the submittal requirements for an accessory structure or building.  Also applies to patio covers.

Can I have a shipping/storage container on my property?

In most cases, no. For residential properties, see “Can I have an accessory building or an accessory structure on my property?” to determine if the shipping/storage container can meet these regulations. If so, the request would be subject to the accessory building or accessory structure regulations.

Can you provide me with my property dimensions?
This information is available from the County Assessor: http://assessor.countyofventura.org/research/mappage.asp

 

For Businesses

I want to Operate a Business in the City. Where do I start?
Visit our Business Resource Center and Startup guide Oxnard.org/startup.

Prior to signing a lease, buying a property, or initiating a use, first determine what zone your business is allowed in (see What Uses are Allowed on my Property). After you determine that your business is permitted in the location of your choice, or after a special use permit has been obtained, you must file for a Zone Clearance Application and Business Tax Certificate.

A Zone Clearance Application and Business Tax Certificate are required in order to conduct any business from a non-residential location. A zone clearance must be obtained for new businesses and when an existing business changes locations.

I need a sign for my Building/Business. What steps do I need to take?
Signs are regulated for each zone, and may be subject to one or more of the following regulations: A sign program, a specific plan, the zoning code, and Design Criteria For Over-The-Counter Downtown Design Review Permits (if your property is zoned CBD).
First determine if your building is subject to a sign program. A map containing all the sign programs in the city as well as PDF of each sign program is available on the Planning webpage. Use the sign program map to find out the name of the sign program your building is subject to. Then review the PDF of the sign program.Next, determine if your building is located in a Specific Plan Area. The sign program map includes a specific plan area overlay, or you can view the specific plan area map. If your building is located within a specific plan area (regardless of if there is a sign program) view the applicable specific plan to determine if it contains sign criteria. Some buildings may be subject to both a specific plan and sign program criteria.

Finally consult the Zoning Code Sections 16-595 – 16-612 for sign regulations and definitions (you will need to know the property zone designation. (See What’s my Zoning)
For signs in the Central Business District (CBD) zone designation (i.e. “Downtown”), you will also need to review Zone Code Sections 16152(I) in addition to Zone Code Sections 16-595 – 16-612, and the Design Criteria For Over-The-Counter Downtown Design Review Permits. For those buildings located in the CBD zone designation, a Minor Downtown Design Review Permit or Over the Counter Downtown Design Review Permit must be obtained prior to, and in addition to a building/sign permit.
A building may be subject to one or all the above regulations. When a sign program and/or specific plan is silent on a sign regulations identified in city code sections the city code sections prevail. When sign program or specific plan sign regulations is different than sign regulations contained in city code the sign program or specific plan prevails.
A building permit/sign permit will be required for all signs.

Can I have a shipping/storage container on my property?
For a commercial or industrial zoned property, in most cases, the shipping/storage container is considered “outdoor storage” and prohibited or would require a special use permit. Storage containers can be considered through a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) when they are in conjunction with an activity allowed through the Temporary Use Permit process (i.e. temporary construction yard for a site under development) (see What is a Temporary Use Permit (TUP), and Do I need one?).

Procedural

 What is a Temporary Use Permit (TUP), and Do I need one?
A “temporary use” is one which occupies a parcel of land for a period of more than one hour within a 24- hour period, but less than the maximum time limits set forth in Division 15, Sections 16-475 – 16-483 of the City Code. Temporary use permits (TUP) are often granted for construction signs, Christmas tree lots, grand opening signs, carnivals, and outdoor sales subject to the regulations and procedures outlined in City Code Sections 16-475 – 16-483. Furthermore, a TUP is for uses on private property. A TUP application and TUP application information packet are available on the Planning website.
With the exception of Plaza Park, if you would like to hold an event in a City Park contact the General Service Division for a Parks Permit @ 805-385-7950. Use of Plaza Park would require a TUP.

What is the Application Review Process for a Discretionary Permit?
Please see the Planning Permit Review Process document for a description of the review process for Discretionary Permits.

 Does my proposed project require a public hearing?
Please see the Planning Permit Review Process document for a description of the review process for Discretionary Permits.

 

Other

My Property was Damaged, Can I Re-build it?
A building destroyed to the extent of not more than 50% of its reasonable value may be restored subject to all provisions of Article VI of the zoning ordinance (Section 16-514).

How can I report illegal construction or business operation?
Contact the Code Compliance Unit by calling 805-385-7940 or by clicking here, Code Compliance Unit.

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