The Agricultural Commissioner is pleased to participate in the countywide “One Stop Shop” for discretionary permit processing. Our agency participates in the environmental evaluation performed as part of the discretionary planning permit process for Agricultural Land Use Incompatibility, Section 5b on the Ventura County Initial Study Assessment Guidelines
Please click the Guidelines section in the left margin to view the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines. Other tabs have additional helpful information.
Please note, the environmental evaluation for Agricultural Soils is performed by the Planning Division.
The Agricultural Commissioner's Office does not directly issue any land use permits. Registrations and permits directly related to restricted and non-restricted materials use, pest control, and organic growers and markets are issued by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
Forms
The Agricultural Commissioner's Office does not publish any separate forms for land use processing. We use the application form for discretionary planning permits issued by the Planning Division.
Brochures
No brochures available at this time.
Guidelines & Standards
- Ventura County Initial Study Assessment Guidelines (ISAG)
In the Table of Contents, click on topic 5b, Agricultural Resources - Land Use Incompatibility. - APAC Agricultural/Urban Buffer Policy
This document may assist in interpreting the Ventura County Initial Study Assessment Guidelines for Agricultural Resources-Land Use Incompatibility
Laws/Ordinances
- Right to Farm Ordinance
This document may assist in defining when a farmer’s dust, odors or noise do not amount to a nuisance in a civil action. - SOAR Ordinance
- Ventura County Non-Coastal and Coastal Zoning Ordinances
The Agricultural Commissioner's Office uses the Ventura County Non-Coastal and Coastal Zoning Ordinances to regulate agricultural operations. To review sections of these ordinances that pertain to agricultural operations, please navigate to the Laws/Ordinances page of the Planning Division One-Stop page and click on the link to the appropriate ordinance. Use the Find feature to search for sections pertaining to agriculture.
Policies
The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office does not have any written policies related to land use. Staff uses the applicable zoning ordinances and the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines, Section 5b, to evaluate discretionary land use permit projects. Please refer to the Guidelines/Standards and Laws/Ordinances page for more information.
- APAC Agricultural/Urban Buffer Policy
The Ventura County Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) has published the Agricultural/Urban Buffer Policy (2006). This document may assist in interpreting the Ventura County Initial Study Assessment Guidelines for Agricultural Resources-Land Use Incompatibility. The APAC committee provides advice upon request to the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and Planning Division concerning land use matters that affect agriculture. APAC welcomes presubmittal presentations by project proponents concerning their projects. Staff may direct projects to APAC for comments or recommendations. To inquire about APAC or request placement on an APAC agenda, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 805 933-2415.
The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has not published any brochures related to land use permitting. However, information from other sources may be helpful:
Fees
No Fee information available at this time.
FAQs
What is an agricultural buffer and when is it required?
An agricultural buffer is an extended setback for the benefit of off-site farmland. It may or may not include a vegetative landscape barrier. An ag buffer may be triggered when a non-agricultural project is proposed on an adjacent parcel. Topic 5b of the Ventura County Initial Study Assessment Guidelines discusses when such setbacks may be required. Many discretionary projects do not require an agricultural buffer.
What are the landscape and design requirements for a vegetative barrier that is part of an agricultural buffer?
Design standards are included in the APAC Agricultural/Urban Buffer Policy. Please see the Guidelines/Standards section of this web page.
Are there exceptions to agricultural buffers?
Yes. Topic 5b of the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines sets forth a number of deviation and waiver criteria - exception scenarios for buffers.
One of the exception criteria in lieu of a buffer is that the new non-agricultural use can easily be temporarily closed to allow scheduled applications of restricted materials (agricultural chemicals) by the off-site adjacent farms. How are such temporary closures arranged with the off-site farm?
For general questions please call or email Korinne Bell at 805 933-2415 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are sample plans for Temporary Events (such as weddings), Housing Complexes, and Permanent Outdoor Recreation Uses.
What part does the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) play in discretionary land use permits?
APAC members are appointees of the Board of Supervisors. Administrative services are provided by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office. APAC is specifically tasked to review Williamson Act contract applications, also known as Land Conservation Act contracts, and changes to the zoning ordinance that affect agriculture. The ordinance that created APAC also states that APAC may comment on a variety of land use issues. APAC advises staff from time to time about the types of projects or issues that it wishes to review. Any approval authority within the county or other jurisdiction may request APAC review of a project or topic by contacting Deputy Agricultural Commissioner Korinne Bell at 805-933-2926 ext. 227 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contacts
Korinne Bell
Deputy Agricultural Commissioner
805 933-2415
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.