Skip to main content

Area profile

ADU permits in Ventura County

Typical timeline

City + County review: 6–10 weeks ministerial under state law.

What changes about the permit here

Ventura County permits run cleanly under state ADU law. Each city (Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Ventura) has its own building department, but all hold ministerial review at 60 days from a complete submittal. The variables are the Coastal Zone (waterfront parcels) and Very High Fire Hazard Zones along the foothills.

  • State ADU law guarantees ministerial review on every single-family lot in the county.
  • Coastal Development Permit may be required on Ventura / Oxnard waterfront parcels.
  • VHFHSZ areas require Chapter 7A ignition-resistant exterior assemblies.
  • Thousand Oaks and Conejo Valley HOAs commonly add a parallel architectural review.

On-the-ground notes

  • State ADU law sets the floor — every city in the county runs ministerial review under it.
  • Coastal Zone parcels (Ventura, Oxnard waterfront) may add a CDP review.
  • VHFHSZ on the foothills (Ventura backcountry, Conejo Valley north) → Chapter 7A assemblies.

Go deeper on Ventura County

Services in Ventura County

Call