Sweeping Permit Reform at the County of Ventura
Pictured in photo from Left to right: Estelle Bussa, Deputy Executive Officer Economic Vitality & Service Excellence; Amy Fonzo, 2025 Ventura Chamber Board Chair; Danielle Borja, President and CEO Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce; Andy Conli, President and CEO West Ventura County Business Alliance; Stephanie Caldwell, President and CEO Ventura Chamber of Commerce outside the BOS Chambers following the historic vote.
This past Tuesday, November 18 the Ventura County Board of Supervisors took a bold step forward to unanimously adopt sweeping changes and modernizations to the permitting process. Supervisors Matt LaVere and Jeff Gorell brought forward comprehensive planning and zoning regulation reform for the Ventura County Resource Management Agency (RMA) and Planning Division.
The recommendations include:
- Permit Streamlining
- CEQA Alignment with State standards
- Ministerial Process Improvements
- Permit Completeness Review Improvements
- Zoning Updates
While formal amendments to the zoning ordinance will require further review and approval by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors with public hearings many of these changes will be implemented immediately. This is a significant step forward for our County to create a business-friendly environment that will better serve the needs of small business, entrepreneurs, our agriculture community and homeowners.
Ventura Chamber CEO, Stephanie Caldwell spoke in favor of the item at the hearing on Tuesday said, “By shifting from costly discretionary reviews to streamlined ministerial processes, aligning CEQA with state standards, and eliminating duplicative layers of review, this policy brings Ventura County in line with best practices already embraced in other areas across California. It sends a clear message: Ventura County is open for business.”
We thank the Board of Supervisors for their bold leadership and hearing the concerns of our small business community who have been asking for change.
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate on behalf of our members for meaningful reform at the City and County level to create a more efficient and predictable process.
