Energy and Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap
UPDATE: The Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2026. To view the agenda, click here.
Local Coastal Program – Proposed Amended Documents
Proposed Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Amendments – Legislative Format
Proposed Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Art. 9 Amendments – Legislative Format
Proposed Coastal Area Plan (CAP) Amendments – Legislative Format
Coastal Act Policy Consistency Analysis
The amendments to the County’s Local Coastal Program (comprised of the Coastal Zoning Ordinance and Coastal Area Plan, linked above) include, but are not limited to, proposed permit standard updates for energy-related uses such as solar power generation and battery energy storage and the proposed Military Land Use Compatibility (MLUC) Overlay Zone.
Planning Division staff recently conducted a webinar to review the project with interested parties. Click here to view the presentation slides.
Project Background
The County’s General Plan includes several policies and programs related to renewable energy. Planning Division staff have been researching and working on many of these programs and has now prepared a collection of proposed zoning ordinance revisions and general plan amendments to implement them. In addition, since some of the energy programs impact land around Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) – Pt. Mugu, the collection of zoning ordinance amendments also addresses additional General Plan programs related to military land use compatibility.
This collection of renewable energy and military land use compatibility ordinance revisions and general plan amendments is referred to as the “County of Ventura Energy and Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap (or ‘Roadmap’).” Not only will these initiatives fulfill General Plan program requirements, but the Roadmap also addresses priorities identified by the Board of Supervisors and aligns with evolving state priorities and policy direction.
What’s in the Roadmap?
Milestones Accomplished in 2023-2024 (Renewable Energy Program)
The first energy program completed was a study to assess suitable sites for the development of utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects in unincorporated Ventura County. (General Plan Program COS-O) Planning Division staff presented this study to the Board of Supervisors on December 19, 2023 (See Agenda Item #64). The Board supported the general concept of developing battery energy storage capabilities and directed staff to continue developing options for implementation.
Based on the Board’s interest, several other important actions were taken around this time:
- The Planning Director issued a Planning Director “Use Equivalency Determination,” explaining that the battery energy storage land use was equivalent to “energy production from renewable sources” and therefore would be an allowed use in land zoned Open Space, Agriculture-Exclusive, and Rural-Agriculture.
On May 21, 2024, the Board of Supervisors reviewed and approved the Renewable Energy Program NCZO amendments. The Board also directed the Planning Division staff to prepare and report back with a proposal on when to allocate a project’s acreage, subject to the limits set forth in NCZO Section 8107-49.1, against the overall 100-acre limitation.
To respond to inquiries about how much of the 100-acre limitation for energy storage has been allocated please click here to view page that tracks the remaining acres allocations for certain land uses, including the 100-acres for energy storage.
Ongoing Project Development
While work during 2023-2024 focused on battery energy storage, the Roadmap now includes a much larger package of energy and military land use compatibility components, as shown in the list below. All program components will be implemented through a combination of General Plan amendments and zoning ordinance amendments, which will ultimately need to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
I. General Plan Programs – Energy
Program | Program Intent |
LU-E: Zero Emission Fuel Production in the Industrial Zones | Update the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance to support alternative fuel production in industrial zones. |
HAZ-O: Solar Concentration Restriction | Update the NCZO and CZO, as necessary, to prohibit commercial solar concentration facilities that could generate glare and interfere with military flight or test operations at Naval Base Ventura County. |
HAZ-U: Incentive Program for Passive Home Design and Use of Green Roofs and Rooftop Gardens | Develop incentive programs to promote passive solar home design, green roofs, and rooftop gardens, including permit streamlining and fee reductions where feasible. |
HAZ-W: Incentive Programs for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Carports | Establish incentive programs, such as rebates, permit fee reductions, and tax deductions, to encourage installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) canopies in existing and future parking lots. |
COS-O: Assessment of Land Near Electrical Transmission and Distribution Lines | Assess suitable undeveloped lands near electrical transmission and distribution lines for utility-scale solar energy generation and storage projects, and establishes a Renewable Energy Priority Zone if warranted. |
COS-U: Solar Canopies in Non-Residential Projects | Amend the County’s Coastal and Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinances to require solar canopies in parking lots for new non-residential projects over 50,000 square feet. |
COS-Q: Incentives for Development of Renewable Energy Projects | Consider waiving permit fees to incentivize renewable energy generation and storage projects. |
II. General Plan Programs – Military Land Use Compatibility
Draft Military Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone Map
Program | Program Intent |
LU-L: Amend Zoning Ordinance [to comply with FAA vertical obstruction guidelines] | Amend the Zoning Ordinances to comply with FAA vertical obstruction guidelines and the Navy’s Airfield Imaginary Surfaces to protect public and aviation safety. |
LU-K: Update Plans and Amend Regulations with AICUZ Recommended Land Uses | Amend the Zoning Ordinance, as necessary, to incorporate AICUZ land use compatibility standards for safety and noise zones. |
LU-M: Military Compatibility Areas | Update the Zoning Ordinances, as necessary, to establish the Military Compatibility Areas such as the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) areas. |
HAZ-N Frequency Spectrum Areas of Concern | Direct staff to coordinate with Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) to establish review criteria for discretionary projects involving radio frequency spectrum use that could interfere with military communications and aircraft operations. |
III. Other Ordinance Amendments
Additional Coastal and Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance Amendments
- Development Standards for Battery Energy Storage Facilities
- Development Standards for Solar Energy Facilities and Wind Energy Structures
- Development Standards for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
- Integration of established FAA Airport Height Limits
- Development of a Military Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone
Subdivision Ordinance Revisions
- As required by Assembly Bill 2625, excludes leases and easements for electrical energy storage systems, provided the project is subject to discretionary approval, from the Subdivision Map Act. “Energy storage system” is defined pursuant to Section 2835 of the Public Utilities Code. (Gov. Code § 66412(n)).
- As required by Senate Bill 347, excludes leases and easements for hydrogen fueling stations and electric vehicle charging stations from the Subdivision Map Act. (Gov. Code § 66412(o)).
- Clean-up item to reference to accessory dwelling units.
Piru Area Plan Update
The Public Works Agency (PWA) Roads and Transportation Division received a request from the Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC) to reconfigure traffic improvements on a portion of Main Street in Piru. The requested roadway improvements necessitate an update to the Piru Area Plan. Upon the Board of Supervisors’ approval of the amendment to the Piru Area Plan, PWA will complete the requested roadway improvements.
Document Library
Below are a collection of foundational documents that support the Energy and Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap.
Document Title | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| AICUZ Study (2015) | Air Installation Compatible Use Zones Study prepared by the U.S. Navy for NBVC – Pt. Mugu. Identifies noise zones and accident potential zones. | Click Here |
| JLUS Final Report (2015) | Joint Land Use Study developed in collaboration with NBVC and regional stakeholders to address military compatibility and land use coordination. | Click Here |
| Director’s Use Equivalency Determination (2024) | Equivalency Use Determination for a Solar and Battery Renewable Energy Production and Storage Facility Principal Land Use with Accessory Medium- and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicle Charging in the Non-Coastal Areas of Unincorporated Ventura County (Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance). | Click Here |
| Director’s Use Equivalency Determination (2023) | Equivalency Use Determination for Battery Energy Storage in the Non-Coastal Areas of Unincorporated Ventura County (Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance). | Click Here |
| Director’s Memorandum (2008) | The purpose of this memo is to inform staff how to apply the Ventura County Non-Coastal and Coastal Zoning Ordinances to requests for installation of small wind turbines intended for on-site use. | Click Here |
| County Of Ventura Renewable Energy Project Siting Assessment | Final County of Ventura Renewable Energy Project Siting Assessment. | Click Here |
| County Of Ventura Incentive for All-Electric Construction | Board of Supervisor’s resolution to establish an incentive for all electric construction. | Click Here |
Staff Contacts
For questions regarding the Energy Roadmap, please contact Todd Davis, Case Planner, at 805-654-2498 or at EMLUC@venturacounty.gov
For questions regarding the Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap, please contact Matthew Hershberger, Case Planner, at 805-662-6518 or at EMLUC@venturacounty.gov
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