Net Zero

History of Net Zero Development

The City of Ventura adopted the Water Rights Dedication and Water Resource Net Zero Policy, Ordinance No. 2016-004 (“Ordinance”), effective on August 11, 2016. 

The intent of the Ordinance is to provide a framework to address future water supply for future development within our community. A detailed analysis of the City’s water supply and demand concluded that the City’s water supplies are currently being used at or near full capacity.

To ensure that new development does not adversely affect the water supply or water supply reliability of the City’s existing customers and/or approved new development, the Ordinance requires subject projects to offset new or increased water demand through one or more compliance options, including dedication of water rights, extraordinary conservation measures, and/or payment of a fee. 

The fee proceeds shall be used to acquire additional water rights or develop water resources for new potable supplies for use by the City (San Buenaventura Municipal Code Chapter 22.180).

On August 2, 2021, the City of Ventura City Council held a Public Hearing and adopted the Resolution Updating the Water Resource Net Zero Fee. The following reports have been updated: Evaluation of a Water Resource Net Zero Fee Report: 2021 Update and Water Rights Dedication & Water Resource Net Zero Fee Nexus Report: 2021 Update. The updated water resource Net Zero Fee went into effect October 1, 2021.  

For more Net Zero information try Net Zero Memo (PDF), Net Zero FAQs (PDF), and Ordinance No. 2016-004 (PDF).