Fire Department
The Ventura County Fire Department is responsible for the protection of lives and property within Ventura County.
This department’s role in your permit
The Ventura County Fire Department is responsible for the protection of lives and property within Ventura County. The Department's area of jurisdiction includes all unincorporated areas of Ventura County along with the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and we now provide Fire services for the City of Santa Paula. The Department's services are built around our mission of anticipating and responding to the dynamic public safety needs of our diverse community.
The Fire Prevention Bureau plays a vital role in the Department's overall mission. The Bureau is responsible for developing and implementing programs and policies that prevent or reduce the magnitude of emergency occurrences, such as loss of property and life, personal injury or environmental damage. The Bureau utilizes the "Three E's" of fire prevention (Education, Engineering and Enforcement) to meet these goals.
Education:
Educating business owners and the public continues to be one of the most effective fire prevention strategies. Members of the Department provide numerous educational programs and special events to a variety of audiences throughout the year. Fire safety education is also interjected into the fire inspection program.
Engineering:
The Fire Prevention Bureau conducts plan reviews of proposed construction projects, building remodels, and development projects located within its jurisdiction. Field inspections are conducted to ensure that newly constructed buildings meet all applicable building and fire codes. These measures help ensure the safety of the citizens we serve.
Enforcement:
Members of the Department perform on-going inspections of businesses and properties within its jurisdiction. These inspections are intended to ensure compliance with fire prevention laws, codes and ordinances and the elimination of special fire hazards and dangerous conditions.
Phases we participate in
Phases Fire Department 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 Fire Department
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 Fire Department
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
Completing Your Project Fire Department
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
- Incoming Transmittal - The Fire Prevention submittal form.
- Inspection Request - Inspection request forms shall be submitted by 3:00 pm one business day prior to an inspection.
- Application for Alternate Method or Code Interpretation - The Ventura County Fire Code authorizes the Fire Marshal to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests for the use of any alternate material, design, or construction method not specifically prescribed by the applicable codes/regulations. This form provides the means to request an alternate method or interpretation of the code.
- Statement of All Weather Access - Used to obtain certification on access roads by a licensed Civil Engineer.
- High-Piles Combustible Storage - Used to provide the required information to process a high-piled combustible storage fire code permit. This form must accompany a fire code permit application.
- VCFPD Fire Code Permit Application - Used to apply for fire codes permits as required by Chapter 1 of the Ventura County Fire Code.
- Fire Prevention Public Records Request Form - Used to request a public records search.
- Ready, Set, Go - This publication will guide property owners through the process of making their home resistant to wildfires, and preparing their families to leave early and safely.
- Ventura County Community Wildfire Protection Plan - This is the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for all of Ventura County. The CWPP identifies funding and programs to reduce impacts of wildfire on the communities at risk within Ventura County.
- 401 - Special Event Guideline
- 403 - Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) Abatement Assessment and Appeal Process Guideline - Provides a summary of the process to file an appeal to a FHRP abatement assessment.
- 404 - Recreational Fire Safety Guideline - Provides a summary of safety guidelines for the use of recreational fires.
- Crop and Orchard Warming Directive
- 23-800 Sea Cargo / Metal Storage Containers - Application of the Ventura County Fire Code to prefabricated sea cargo/metal storage containers.
- 204 Emergency Event / Act-of-Nature Rebuild - Provides the requirements for rebuilding of structures that were damaged or destroyed by an emergency event or act-of-nature.
The time and costs associated with processing a discretionary permit with the Fire Department varies widely depending on the size and complexity of the project. There are two types of fees that apply when processing a discretionary permit with the Fire Department. First is the fee for staff's review of the project, which is based on an hourly rate. The second is the fees associated with required permits and/or plan reviews, most of which are a fixed rate. You can review the Fire Department fee schedule by clicking the link below.
Need help from Fire Department?
Reach out using the contact details above, or see how this department fits into the broader permitting process.