Building & Safety

The Building and Safety Division oversees all phases of new building construction, and performs a variety of inspections. The head of the division is the Chief Building Official. Their offices are located at Ventura City Hall, Room 117.

The Building and Safety Division provides:
  • Building permit plan check
  • Permit issuance
  • Assurance of building safety for new buildings, additions, tenant improvements, etc.
Additionally, Building and Safety maintains a historical permit and plan archive of over 1 million construction documents. This section enforces the California Construction Codes as amended by the City during adoption.

Current Codes and Ordinances (effective 1/1/2020)

2019 City of Ventura Building and Safety Ordinances - (Codes currently in effect as of 1-1-2020): adopting and amending by reference the 2019 Editions of the California Building Code, Electrical Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, and the 2019 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.

2016 City of Ventura Building and Safety Ordinances - (Codes currently in effect as of 1-1-2017): adopting and amending by reference the 2016 Editions of the California Building Code, Electrical Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, and the 2012 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.

2013 City of Ventura Building and Safety Ordinances - (Codes currently in effect as of 1-1-2014): adopting and amending by reference the 2013 Editions of the California Building Code, Electrical Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, and the 2012 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.

To purchase a copy of the 2012 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, please use the following link to order from the International Code Council website:    http://shop.iccsafe.org/codes/2012-international-codes/2012-imcr-code-and-commentary.html

To view the California Building codes online (free), see http://www.bsc.ca.gov/codes.aspx

Express Plan Review

By appointment only, we are now offering Express Plan Review (PDF) for the following projects that involve tenant improvements or alterations:
  • Professional business office (B), except medical/dental office uses
  • Retail Sales (M)
  • Offices associated with approved existing warehouses (S1) or factories (F1)

Mobile Home Assistance 

For information on mobile home parks such as safety issues, installation of an accessory structure, or unlicensed sales activities, please visit the California Department of Housing and Community Development page on mobile home assistance. 

To access other online forms and the Permit Fee Schedule, please visit the Building and Safety Forms and Documents page, or call 805-654-7869.
 
Sincerely, Ian Livingston, Chief Building Official.