Why should you be careful to book your wedding at a venue with a Conditional Use Permit for Temporary Outdoor Events when the venue in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County?

The County of Ventura regulates certain “outdoor events” pursuant to Section 8107-46 of the Ventura County Non- Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO). The purpose of the regulations is to ensure that outdoor events are compatible with surrounding land uses and are not detrimental to public health, safety or the environment. As an initial matter, it is important to note that the County’s outdoor event regulations only apply to certain types of outdoor activities in certain locations. the outdoor venues must go through a rigorous process to obtain a Conditional Use Permit, known as a CUP, in order to host 60-90 weddings and special events. The permit lasts five to ten years, before being renewed. This permit requires a long list of conditions with the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of surrounding neighbors, event guests, and workers. It ensures traffic, noise, sanitation, building and safety, fire safety access, and impact to the local community and environment are all mitigated.

A CUP takes an average a minimum of two years to obtain, requires extensive work, and is costly. Once a venue has a permit, failing to remain in compliance will result in jeopardizing the future of their business. This topic may not seem important to a newly engaged couple wanting book the venue they have fallen in love with, but it is an important one. Currently, the only legal way to have weddings without a CUP is by the following conditions.

No Event Limit

  1. Properties up to 250 acres have no limit on the number of events with 75 or fewer “attendees”, (a term that includes guests, staff, vendors, and any other persons in attendance) and compensation may be received for these events.

  2. Properties 250 acres and over have no limit on the number of events with 100 attendees, and compensation may be received for these events.

Annual Event Limit

  1. Properties up to 5 acres may have 5 events per calendar year with 76 - 150 “attendees”, and compensation may be received for these events.

  2. Properties from 5 to 249 acres may have 5 events per calendar year with 76 - 250 “attendees”, and compensation may be received for these events.

  3. Properties 250 acres and over (including contiguous lots with the same owner) may have 10 events per calendar year with 101 – 350 “attendees”, and compensation may be received for these events.

Here are same ways you can protect yourself:

  • Check that the venue you are interested in booking has a permit badge like the one displayed above.

  • Ask the Ventura County Planning Department to be sure a venue is permitted.

  • Be sure the number of acres of the property coincides with the number of attendees allowed.

  • Understand that any venue must be exhibiting behavior that is compatible with surrounding land uses and are not detrimental to public health, safety or the environment. Once complaints by neighbors have been made, it is only a matter of time that the venue can be shut down by the County.

  • For more information, check the full Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance Outdoor Event Regulations here.