Agricultural Commissioner
The Agricultural Commissioner is pleased to participate in the countywide "One Stop Shop" for discretionary permit processing.
This department’s role in your permit
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.
Phases we participate in
Phases Agricultural Commissioner participates in Other phases in the process
- 1
Determine whether you need a discretionary planning permit to complete your project.
Departments involved: Building & Safety, Planning
- 2
Gather information about your site, the regulations that apply, and potential constraints.
Departments involved: County Surveyor, Groundwater, Planning
- 3
Pre-Application Review Agricultural Commissioner
Meet with the Discretionary Permit Coordinator and/or Development Review Committee.
Departments involved: Agricultural Commissioner, Engineering Services, Environmental Health, Fire Department, Planning, Transportation
- 4
Assemble required materials and submit to the Planning Division for completeness review.
Departments involved: Engineering Services, Planning
- 5
Application Review Agricultural Commissioner
County staff begins project review and preparation of environmental documents.
Departments involved: Agricultural Commissioner, Air Pollution Control District, Environmental Health, Fire Department, Groundwater, Planning, Stormwater Program, Transportation, Watercourse / Encroachment
- 6
County staff evaluates your project's potential environmental impacts.
Departments involved: Air Pollution Control District, Environmental Health, Planning
- 7
The decision-maker approves or denies the discretionary planning permit.
Departments involved: Planning
- 8
Learn about the other permits you may need beyond the discretionary planning permit.
Departments involved: Air Pollution Control District, Building & Safety, Engineering Services, Environmental Health, Fire Department, Planning, Stormwater Program, Transportation, Watercourse / Encroachment
- 9
Periodic review of discretionary permits to ensure compliance with approved conditions.
Departments involved: Building & Safety, Environmental Health, Planning
Forms, fees & reference documents
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.
No brochures available at this time.
- 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, May assist in interpreting the Ventura County Initial Study Assessment Guidelines for Agricultural Resources-Land Use Incompatibility.
- Right to Farm Ordinance, 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 these to regulate agricultural operations. To review sections that pertain to agricultural operations, navigate to the Laws/Ordinances page of the Planning Division One-Stop page and click on the link to the appropriate ordinance.
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). 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. To inquire about APAC or request placement on an APAC agenda, please email or call 805 933-2415.
Other helpful information:
No Fee information available at this time.
Need help from Agricultural Commissioner?
Reach out using the contact details above, or see how this department fits into the broader permitting process.