The purpose of the Transportation Department Planning Section in the Land Development discretionary permit process is to review proposed projects and determine whether the project adversely affects the County maintained road network system. The Transportation Department Planning Section review is generally focused on the following areas:
- Traffic impact on the County maintained road network
- Drainage impacts to the road network system due to new development
- Road improvements and right-of way requirements per County road standards
- Compliance with the County General Plan and Area Plans, as related to Transportation
- Impact to all transportation facilities within road right-of-way, such as:
Roads
Bridges
Drainage facilities
Traffic signs/signals
The Transportation Department also issues encroachment permits for any work to be done within the County road right-of-way. Visit Road Encroachment Permits for more information.
Forms
- Encroachment Permit form
This form is required for any work that is performed within County road right-of-ways. - Notice of Substandard Access Roads
This form for use only when required by the Transportation Department for Roads that do not meet current County road standards and that are neither County-maintained nor eligible for any improvements at County government expense. - Transportation Permit form for Oversized Vehicles
The Ventura County Transportation Department has the authority to issue special permits for the movement of vehicles/loads exceeding statutory limitations on the size, weight, and loading of vehicles as stipulated in Division 15 of the California Vehicle Code. - Traffic Impact Mitigation (TIMF) forms
This form is used to determine the traffic impact fee, which is based on the project site’s geographic location within a specific District in the County. - Traffic Impact Study form
This form is used when required to submit traffic information related to a development project.
Brochures
- Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees
A traffic impact study determines how a development would affect the County of Ventura's local transportation system. - Driveways and Curb Cuts
The County's driveway and curb cut procedure was developed to regulate the location, spacing, width, alignment, number, and design of a driveway on public roads servicing adjacent private property. This procedure does not apply to privately owned roads and alleys. - Sight Distance
Sight distance is the length of highway visible to a driver. A safe sight distance is the distance needed by a driver on a street, or a driver exiting a driveway, to verify that the road is clear and avoid conflicts with other vehicles. - Encroachment Permits
An encroachment permit is processed by the County Encroachment Permits Section for any work within the public road right-of-ways. - Drainage
When a new development project increases the storm water discharge above the existing flow rates for the property, developers are required to control the drainage on their properties to current flow rates. - Private Roads
Private roads are not maintained by the County of Ventura. According to Section 854 of the California Civil Code, the owner of easements is responsible for maintaining them.
Guidelines/Standards
- Initial Study Assessment Guidelines (Public Roads & Highways Section)
The purpose of the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines is to inform the public, project applicants, consultants, and County staff of the threshold criteria and standard methodology used to determine whether a project could potentially have a significant effect on the environment. For your convenience, the Transportation Department has provided you with sections from the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines that pertain specifically to public roads and highways. - Guidelines for Public Improvements Resolution No. 4965
The purpose of these guidelines is to determine when and how to impose public improvements with proposed projects. - Traffic Impact Study Scope of Work Procedures
The purpose of this memorandum is to ensure consistent scoping of the work to be performed in the preparation of Traffic Impact Studies by consultants and Transportation Department Advance Planning Staff reviewing the studies. - Ventura County Road Standards
The Ventura County Road Standards establishes uniform policies and procedures for the design and construction of County roads and appurtenances.
Laws/Ordinances
- Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee (TIMF) Ordinance No. 4246
The County requires a developer/applicant/permittee to pay a TIMF to address the cumulative adverse impacts of additional traffic on the regional road network. - Guidelines for Public Improvements Resolution No. 4965
The purpose of these guidelines is to determine when and how to impose public improvements with proposed projects. - Installation of Curb, Gutter, Sidewalk, Paveout Ordinance No. 1607
The County requires a developer/applicant/permittee to construct curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage facilities, and street paving in accordance with County Road Standards in urban unincorporated areas of the County. - Sidewalk Ordinance No. 4355
Pursuant to Section 5610 of the Streets and Highways Code, the County requires landowners adjacent to public sidewalks to maintain them. - Encroachment Ordinance No. 2041
Encroachment permits are required for any proposed work within the County's road right-of-ways.
For these and other Municipal Codes visit Municode. For Ca Legislative information visit Leginfo.
Policies
- Reciprocal Traffic Agreement Between County and Cities
The County of Ventura has reciprocal traffic agreements with Cities within Ventura County. The County will collect a Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee from a developer/applicant/permittee on behalf of the local city, if the reciprocal agreement authorizes the collection of the fee. - Paveout Policy
For construction of County road improvements by land developers. - Residential Access Policy
Provides information about reasonable access in and out of residential developments. - Industrial and Commercial Access Policy
Provides information about reasonable access in and out of commercial and industrial developments. - Ventura County General Plan (Section 4.2)
The Ventura County General Plan Transportation/Circulation Section 4.2 identifies goals, policies, and programs related to roads and highways, transit, rail service, airports, and pipelines.
Fees
The Public Works Agency’s Transportation Department collects two types of fees from developers, applicants, or permittees:
Land Developer Review Fees
Land development review fees are calculated based on the time spent reviewing and processing the proposed project. An hourly staff rate, which is shown below, is used to calculate this fee:
| Job classification | Current Service Rate (FY 2018) |
|---|---|
| Engineering Manager III | $199.10 |
| Engineer IV | $156.25 |
| Engineer III | $129.10 |
| Engineering Tech IV | $99.43 |
Traiffic Impact Mitigation Fees (TIMF)
The County requires a developer, applicant, or permittee to pay Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees (TIMF) to address the cumulative adverse impacts of additional traffic on the Regional Road Network. You can determine the traffic impact fee related to your proposed project by clicking on the geographic location of your project site within a specific District in the County.
Encroachment Permit Fees
Schedule of Fees for Encroachments within County Highway for general encroachment permits, excavation permits, and other transportation-related permits.
FAQs
What is the Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee (TIMF)? Why is this required?
A TIMF is required for any new development that will increase traffic in the unincorporated area of Ventura County, as stipulated by the Ventura County Ordinance No. 4246 . TIMF fees are used to mitigate adverse impacts on the County’s regional road network system. The TIMF assesses a “fair share” portion of the cost on a project-by-project basis in order to pay for projected road improvements in the County’s unincorporated area. The fee will be collected prior to the issuance of a building permit. If a building permit is not required, the fee must be paid prior to the issuance of the zoning clearance.
Which areas are affected by TIMF?
The TIMF Ordinance affects all development projects that will increase traffic in the unincorporated area of Ventura County. The County has been divided into 14 districts. The fees vary amongst these districts depending on the number of projects to be funded. If the project is in a city’s area of interest, an additional fee to compensate for impact on city streets may be required, also known as a “Reciprocal Traffic Mitigation Agreement”. Projects located in cities where there is a reciprocal traffic impact mitigation agreement in effect, may be required to pay a County fee.
Are there any exemptions for TIMF?
Yes, the following information is exempt from TIMF:
- Zoning clearance for construction project that requires a building permit;
- Zoning clearance for subdivisions. However, this will create an entitlement if the permittee chooses to develop the property. A TIMF will be required for any cumulative adverse impact of additional traffic generated. The fee amount will be based on land use proposed by the applicant at the time of development.
How is a TIMF calculated?
A TIMF is calculated by the Transportation Department based on the information provided by the applicant. The TIMF is dependent on various factors on a case-by-case basis such as the TIMF district, land use category, fee for single family dwelling unit, general commercial and retail use, and general office use. Other factors may be considered if the project is in an area of interest for a city. General units of measure are either by dwelling unit, thousand square feet, or Average Daily Trips (ADT). For more detailed information about the complete fee schedule for each district, please review the TIMF form .
What is Average Daily Trips (ADT)?
The term Average Daily Trips (ADT) means the total number of motor vehicle trips that will occur over the roads on an average weekday
What if I do not agree with the calculated TIMF trip rate?
The Transportation Department uses various sources to establish trip rates based on information provided by the applicant. These sources include the Brief Guide of Traffic Generation Rates for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), and the ITE Trip Generation Manual published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, which is used to establish baselines for various land uses. Similarities to other projects in the County are also considered. Items that are used to determine the ADT in some cases are employee trips, truck trips, guest trips, number of events per year, and square feet of proposed land use. When an equivalent trip generation rate cannot be determined from the applicant's information and an applicable SANDAG or ITE trip generation rate, than the Transportation Department will choose the most appropriate land use category and rate as established in the TIMF Ordinance No. 4246. The applicant may choose to submit additional information or provide a Traffic Study to supplement the information provided to establish the additional ADT created by the project.
Why am I required to do road improvements and/or dedication of right-of-way?
In accordance with the Ventura County Paveout Policy, Ordinance No. 1607, Resolution No. 4965 , and Ventura County General Plan’s Transportation and Circulation Section 4.2 , if a development is adjacent to a County road that does not meet the current Ventura County Road Standards , the applicant’s discretionary permit will be conditioned to improve the road based on the current Ventura County Road Standards. These improvements may include the following: curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage facilities, street paving, and dedication of right-of-ways.
Can road improvements and/or dedication of right-of-ways be waived?
An applicant may choose to provide a written request for consideration to the Transportation Department for waiver along with justification. Right-of-way dedication waivers will be evaluated by the Board of Supervisors which has the authority to waive the dedication of road right-of-way. Road Improvement waivers will be evaluated by the Road Commissioner/PWA Director or designee.
Contacts
For Discretionary Land Use Related questions
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Darren Arrieta, PE
Planning Engineer
(805) 477-7157
For Encroachment permit related questions
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Permits Engineering Technician
(805) 654-2055