VENTURA — The Board of Supervisors will hold a scheduled public hearing on October 15, 2019 to consider the adoption of the 2019 Ventura County Building Code. It is expected that the Board will adopt the 2019 California Building Standards Code with the proposed local amendments. These Building Standards are updated and adopted every three years as mandated by State law.
“The 2019 Ventura County Building Code will be easier for designers and contractors to use as they design and build new homes and structures,” said Building Official Ruben Barrera. “It also gives us updated administrative provisions to make it easier to obtain a building permit. But most importantly, the new code gives us the most current design and construction standards available today for ensuring that newly-constructed buildings are safer and more energy-efficient than ever before.”
The California Building Standards Code (CBSC) forms the primary authority under which local building departments in California regulate the design, construction, use, and occupancy of buildings and structures. The California Health and Safety Code requires that every city and county use the same building construction standards as those adopted by the State.
State law allows for cities and counties to amend these standards when needed to address local conditions, provided that a finding is made by the Board of Supervisors that the amendment is for good cause. The Ventura County Building Code (VCBC) is a compilation of previously adopted standards, ordinances, model codes, and the most current CBSC, together with local amendments to these standards. This compilation of building standards is used for regulating the design and construction of buildings and structures in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County.
The adoption of the code also amends certain provisions of these codes to maintain public safety in buildings by addressing local conditions associated with the climate, topography, and geology of Ventura County.
If adopted after a second Public Hearing on November 5, the codes will go into effect on January 1, 2020. Building permit applications received on or after January 1 will be subject to the new code.