Unincorporated Ventura County (805) 654-2488 Accessibility

County One-Stop Department

Environmental Health Division

Environmental Health Division's role in the Ventura County discretionary permitting process.

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In short: Environmental Health protects public health, water, and sanitation on your project.

Requirements can change. Confirm the latest with the Environmental Health website.

This department’s role in your permit

Phases we participate in

Phases Environmental Health participates in Other phases in the process

1
Type of Permit Required
Determine whether you need a discretionary planning permit to complete your project.
Departments involved: Building & Safety, Planning
2
Project Site Research
Gather information about your site, the regulations that apply, and potential constraints.
Departments involved: County Surveyor, Groundwater, Planning
3
Pre-Application Review Environmental Health
Meet with the Discretionary Permit Coordinator and/or Development Review Committee.
Departments involved: Agricultural Commissioner, Engineering Services, Environmental Health, Fire Department, Planning, Transportation
4
Application Submittal
Assemble required materials and submit to the Planning Division for completeness review.
Departments involved: Engineering Services, Planning
5
Application Review Environmental Health
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
CEQA Review Environmental Health
County staff evaluates your project's potential environmental impacts.
Departments involved: Air Pollution Control District, Environmental Health, Planning
7
Permit Decision
The decision-maker approves or denies the discretionary planning permit.
Departments involved: Planning
8
Completing Your Project Environmental Health
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
Condition Compliance Environmental Health
Periodic review of discretionary permits to ensure compliance with approved conditions.
Departments involved: Building & Safety, Environmental Health, Planning

Resources

Forms, fees & reference documents

The purpose of the Environmental Health Division's (EHD) Land Use Program is to review proposed discretionary projects and determine if there are any adverse effects to public health or the environment. The Environmental Health Division review is generally focused on the following areas:

Domestic water supply
Wastewater disposal
Hazardous materials/waste
Solid waste
Vector control

The Environmental Health Division also issues permits and certifications related to: Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS), also referred to as septic systems; domestic water quality for water wells; food facilities; public swimming pools; organized camps; hazardous materials/waste facilities; and solid waste operations.

Discretionary review

The following forms may be required for the discretionary permit processing:

Septic tank pumping report form

To check the function of existing septic systems, this form must be completed and submitted with your discretionary permit application.

Composting questionnaire

For proposed composting operations, this form must be completed and submitted with your discretionary permit application.

Other

The following forms may be required for completing a project, obtaining a parcel map recordation and/or building permit:

County Service Area 32

County Service Area 32 is a septic monitoring and maintenance district for commercial and alternate septic systems.

Water Supply Certificate

To verify public water supply for subdivision projects only.

Sewer Service Certificate

To verify public sewer service for subdivision projects only.

Certification of Water Quality (Water Wells)

In order to obtain a building permit, an approved supply of potable water is required. The Environmental Health Division reviews and certifies water quality from a water well.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS, also called Septic Systems)

In order to obtain a building permit, an approved method of sewage disposal is required. The Environmental Health Division (EHD) reviews the design and issues permits to install septic systems. The EHD also reviews the capacity and/or setbacks of existing septic systems for remodels and additions of structures. A Full Certification is required when the applicant is proposing to increase the volume of home additions waste water entering the system, for example, by adding bedroom equivalents and/or plumbing fixtures. The following forms may be required to obtain approval for the OWTS your project:

An inventory of hazardous materials/waste is required when a certain quantity is stored on site.

Solid Waste Operations

The Environmental Health Division (EHD) permits certain types of solid waste operations including landfills, waste transfer stations, composting facilities and chipping and grinding operations. See the EHD website for more information.

Food Facilities

A permit to construct and operate a food facility is required from the Environmental Health Division (EHD). See the EHD website for more information.

Public Swimming Pools

A permit to construct and operate public swimming pools is required from the Environmental Health Division (EHD). See the EHD website for more information.

The below informational brochures with varying subject areas that may be helpful to you. Please click on the links below for more information.

Water Quality Testing

This document contains requirements for evaluating water quality for projects utilizing a water well for the water supply.

Soils Report Requirements

This document contains requirements that must be included in a soils report for projects utilizing Onsite Sewage Treatment Systems (septic systems).

Individual Sewage Disposal System Technical Information Manual

This document contains requirements for Onsite Sewage Treatment Systems (septic systems).

Several ordinances and regulations may pertain to a given project. A link to the specific ordinances and codes are provided here:

Policies enforced by the Environmental Health Division that pertain to review of discretionary projects are listed below:

Ventura County Sewer Policy

The County Sewer Policy requires that any subdivision, or change in land use requiring land use permits and having a direct effect upon the volume of sewage be connected to the public sewer system.

Environmental Health Division Fee Schedules Please click the link above to view all Environmental Health Division (EHD) fee schedules. Most EHD permit fees are payable directly to EHD at the EHD Public Counter, except for Land Use fees for discretionary project reviews. These fees are collected by the Planning Division with your discretionary permit application. For a list of discretionary project fees, please visit the EHD fee schedule webpage and select the link titled Land Use Program Fees.

What is the difference between a water/sewer availability letter and a will-serve letter?

Water and/or sewer availability letters are required to be submitted with a discretionary project review application at the beginning of the process. Availability letters indicate that a public water supply or public sewer is available with sufficient capacity to serve a proposed project. A will-serve letter is an agreement/assurance between a Ventura County resident and the water and/or sewer purveyor to provide water and/or sewer service. Water will-serve letters must be approved by the Public Works Agency prior to a property owner obtaining a building permit from the Building and Safety Division. For subdivisions, there is a specific form referred to as the Environmental Health Division Water Supply Certificate or Sewer Service Certificate for Subdivisions. These forms are also available at the Environmental Health Division counter.

I had my water well tested when I drilled it, can I use the old water quality test?

My lot is vacant and doesn't have a water well on it yet, do I have to drill a well before I submit my discretionary permit application?

My lot is vacant and doesn't have a sewer connection available. A septic system will be installed in the future, do I have to get a soils report done before I submit my discretionary permit application?

What is a County Service Area 32 (CSA 32)? Why do I need a CSA 32?

Why is my project subject to the requirements of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board)?

Your project may require a waste discharge requirements (WDR) issued by the Regional Board. Projects which may require a WDR include but are not limited to the following:

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems - The Regional Board is responsible for discharges from OWTS in the County which are not allowed to be authorized by the Environmental Health Division's Local Agency Management Program for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (LAMP). These include:
a. Any OWTS listed in Section 9.4 of the State OWTS Policy.
b. OWTS serving entities under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Housing Community Development.
c. Facilities which utilize a package treatment plant.
Solid Waste Facilities and Operations - if your project includes a solid waste facility or operation (i.e., waste transfer or processing station, a composting facility, a transformation facility, and a disposal facility), A site specific or general WDR may be required. Visit the Regional Board website for more information: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/losangeles/water_issues/programs/ground_water_permitting/index.html

If the requirements relate to stormwater discharge permits, please contact the Watershed Protection District for more information. ---

Need help from Environmental Health Division?

Reach out using the contact details above, or see how this department fits into the broader permitting process.

The Permitting Process All Departments