Thomas Fire Information

Rebuild Process

City Resources for Homeowners

Below are City Resources for Homeowners including information needed for the rebuilding process such as design, permitting and review, as well as the residential building permit checklist.

Admin Report Amendments to Thomas Fire Rebuild Overlay Zone Emergency Ordinance (PDF)September 10, 2018
Thomas Fire Rebuild Overlay Zone Amendments to Emergency Ordinance pertaining to Height Determination and Implementation (PDF)
Thomas Fire Rebuild Update (PDF)August 6, 2018
Thomas Fire Rebuild Overlay Zone Emergency Ordinance (PDF)

Required Review Process Documents

Documents below include information on the pre-submittal review process, residential plan check submittal screening checklist, and the construction permit application.

Temporary Utilities

Thomas Fire recovery guidelines for setting up temporary utilities at your property.

BS-643 Temporary Utilities (PDF)
Re-establishing Water Connection (PDF)
- Guidelines for temporary water service to your residence after Phase I (hazardous debris removal) is complete.
Temporary Meter “On Hydrant” Guidelines (website)
- For contractors doing work for residents - Temporary water service on a hydrant for Construction/Grading or Non Construction/Grading

Building and Safety Standard Sheets

The documents below provide information on the standard requirements for your new home. These documents include information on the landscaping requirements, green building code requirements, and materials and methods to make your new home more wildfire resistant.

Planning

Thomas Fire Rebuilds Land Development Grading Permits

A Grading Permit IS Required When:

Removal and recompaction of soil to a depth greater than five feet;
New building footprint extends more than five feet from old footprint;
Property in the Ondulando area identified with settlement issues;

Grading Permit MAY Be Required When:

New areas of cut or fill proposed;
New retaining walls three feet or greater in height with surcharge.

For additional information please download our Land Development Grand Permit Triggers form (PDF).

Impacted Swimming Pool Information

Guidelines to ensure your pool is safe to use after the Thomas Fire.

Swimming Pool Impacted by Fire, Smoke and Ash (PDF)

Other Information Items

The documents below provides building material recommendations for homes built in high fire zones.

After Action Review

After Action Review

All of California is learning important lessons from the recent wildfires. To ensure we thoroughly evaluate response to the Thomas Fire and prepare for the future, the City has released its after action review of the disaster. This review highlights a number of the City’s strengths in fighting the fire, outlines lessons learned and provides recommendations for future investments to protect our community moving forward – many of which are already underway.

At a City Council meeting on November 16, 2020, Ventura City Fire and Ventura Water presented a summary of process improvements and emergency operations updates implemented subsequent to the Thomas Fire.

At the City Council meeting on December 5, 2022, in honor of the five-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire, the City Manager's Office and the Fire Department shared important updates as to what Citywide wildfire preparedness today.