Bolthole Index

Ventura County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Camarillo, California

Camarillo, California (Ventura County) administers its own zoning through its Community Development Department1 and issues building permits through its Building & Safety Division2. Septic systems inside the city need Camarillo Sanitary District approval, and only where sewer is unavailable3. For land outside city limits, use the Ventura County page.

At a glance

Zoning
City zoning (R-1, R-E and other districts)4
Building permits
Issued by the city's Building & Safety Division2
Building codes
State codes adopted by the city with local amendments5
Septic
Camarillo Sanitary District approval, only where sewer is unavailable3
RV living
Street parking restricted; private-land RV dwelling not established6
Accessory dwelling units
Allowed in R-1 and R-E zones78
Owner-builder
City exemption not confirmed9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Camarillo Building & Safety Division

Building permits, plan check and inspections inside Camarillo city limits

805-388-5395

601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, California 93010

Zoning

City of Camarillo Community Development Department

Zoning ordinance questions, zoning maps and conditional use permits inside Camarillo city limits

(805) 388-5360

601 Carmen Drive

Septic permits

Camarillo Sanitary District

District approval for a septic tank where sewer is unavailable, and sewer connection permits

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Camarillo means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Camarillo have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes, lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Camarillo zones land inside city limits through Title 19 of its municipal code, with districts including R-1 single-family residential and R-E rural exclusive residential4. Lot size depends on the subzone suffix: R-1 lots range from 7,000 square feet to 1 acre (43,560 square feet) in the table, with R-1-30 at 30,000 square feet10. In R-E, the minimum is 10,000 square feet unless the suffix designates more11.

In R-1, the front yard is at least 20 feet where the street is not dedicated to full city width12. In R-E, the front yard is at least 20 feet from the right-of-way line, whichever is greater13. Side and rear yards vary by district, so confirm your parcel's zone with the Community Development Department1.

Camarillo's reviewed code sections do not establish a tiny-home occupancy rule, so we could not confirm how a tiny home is treated; ask Community Development before buying.

Do you need a building permit in Camarillo, and who issues it?

Camarillo's Building & Safety Division provides permitting, inspection and plan check services inside city limits2. The city adopts the current California Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy and related codes by reference, with local amendments in Chapter 16.045. Work done without a permit or beyond permit scope carries a penalty of 2x the permit fees9.

Since July 1, 2025, new permits are no longer accepted on paper or through the old Click2Gov system; applications go through the city's online system14. We could not confirm a general owner-builder exemption from city building permits, so ask Building & Safety which projects, if any, are exempt2.

The city's rules do not apply to unincorporated land; for that, see the Ventura County page.

How do septic permits work inside Camarillo?

Camarillo is mostly served by public sewer, and the Camarillo Sanitary District controls septic tanks. Where the District Manager determines sewers are not available to a premise in the District's service area, the owner may request District approval to build a septic tank3. The owner must consent to forming an assessment district later and agree to connect to District sewer when directed3. Fees are based on the District's processing and inspection costs15.

Construction must also meet Regional Water Pollution Control Board, County Health Department and city or county building requirements3. The owner maintains the private system at their own expense16. Ventura County's Environmental Health Division handles septic only in unincorporated areas, and refers city addresses to the city building department17. Well permits inside city limits: we could not confirm a city rule, so ask the city Building & Safety Division and Ventura County Environmental Health.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Camarillo?

Probably not as a long-term arrangement, and we could not confirm any private-land RV dwelling allowance. Parking or leaving an RV or oversized vehicle on a public street is prohibited except for listed exceptions, and a city parking permit is limited to 5 consecutive calendar days6. Camping on private property is prohibited when the owner has not authorized it in advance, or when it is deemed a public nuisance18.

In mapped FEMA flood zones, an RV must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be licensed and ready for highway use, or meet permit and elevation requirements19. Manufactured homes are barred from floodways except in existing parks and subdivisions20.

Accessory dwelling units are permitted in both R-1 and R-E zones under Chapter 19.5678. That is the route to a second dwelling on a city lot.

Building a home in Camarillo: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zone, lot size and setbacks with the Community Development Department1.
  2. Check whether sewer serves the parcel; if not, ask the Camarillo Sanitary District about septic approval3.
  3. Apply for the building permit through the city's online permit system14, with the Building & Safety Division handling plan check2.
  4. Build to the adopted codes5.
  5. Request inspections through Building & Safety2.
  6. If any part of the lot is in a FEMA flood zone, expect extra anchoring and elevation rules19.

What stays with Ventura County, and what to check before you buy

Ventura County's Environmental Health Division is the septic authority for unincorporated land only17. Land outside city limits follows county building and zoning rules; see the Ventura County page.

County figures: Ventura County's typical home value is about $883,50921, and its effective property tax rate is 0.7%22. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 18 miles from the county center23. A driveway that connects to a State highway needs a Caltrans encroachment permit24.

Watch-outs

  • Camarillo's building and zoning offices serve land inside city limits only; for land outside city limits, county offices apply2.
  • A septic tank in Camarillo needs Camarillo Sanitary District approval, and the District can require a later sewer connection3.
  • Paper permit applications ended July 1, 2025; new permits go through the city's online system14.
  • We could not confirm Camarillo's rules on short-term rentals, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage or agricultural exemptions; ask Community Development at the city1.

Sources

  1. City of Camarillo Community Development Department (cityofcamarillo.org)
  2. City of Camarillo Building & Safety Division (cityofcamarillo.org)
  3. Camarillo Sanitary District Operations Code (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  4. Camarillo Code § 19.14.050 — R-1 lot area and lot width (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  5. Camarillo Code § 16.04.010 — Building regulations and codes adopted (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  6. Camarillo Code § 11.20.220 — Oversized and recreational vehicles (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  7. Camarillo Code § 19.14.135 — R-1 accessory dwelling units (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  8. Camarillo Code § 19.12.145 — R-E accessory dwelling units (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Camarillo Master Fee Schedule (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  10. Camarillo Code § 19.14.050 — R-1 lot area and lot width (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  11. Camarillo Code § 19.12.050 — R-E lot area (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  12. Camarillo Code § 19.14.070 — R-1 minimum yards (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  13. Camarillo Code § 19.12.080 — R-E minimum yards (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Camarillo Building Permits (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  15. Camarillo Sanitary District Operations Code (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  16. Camarillo Sanitary District Operations Code (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  17. Septic Systems / Wastewater Disposal, quoted and re-checked
  18. Camarillo Code § 10.42.030 — Camping prohibited (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  19. Camarillo Code § 16.34.445 — Recreational vehicles in flood zones (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  20. Camarillo Code § 16.34.440 — Manufactured homes and manufactured home parks (Camarillo), quoted and re-checked
  21. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Camarillo

Camarillo’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    The city’s listed building-permit and inspection fee regime, including work performed without a permit and certificate-of-occupancy permits.

    • The cited fee schedule does not establish every permit trigger for every construction type.
    • Work performed without a permit or beyond permit scope is subject to a penalty fee of two times the permit fees.

    penalty fee: 2x the permit(s) fees USD (Work performed without a permit or beyond permit scope)

    “Penalty Fee - Work performed without a permit or work performed beyond permit scope each 2x the permit(s) fees”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction inside Camarillo city limits.

    • The city adopts the current editions by reference subject to the amendments, additions, and deletions in Chapter 16.04.
    • The adopted list includes the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Mechanical Code, California Energy Code, California Existing Building Code, California Green Building Standards Code, and California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
    “Pursuant to Government Code section 50022.1 and following, and subject to the amendments, additions, and deletions set forth in this chapter, the city adopts the most current edition of the following codes by reference and all subsequent amendments to such codes.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Camarillo city limits; the city administers zoning districts including R-1 single-family residential and R-E rural exclusive residential zones.

    “Lot area, per dwelling unit, and lot width requirements in single-family residential zones shall be as follows depending on the subzone designations:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Camarillo zoning districts published in Title 19 of the municipal code, including R-1, R-E, RPD, R-C, CMU, and overlay districts.

    • District-specific standards vary by zone and subzone.
    • The cited code sections are not the complete zoning map or complete list of every district.
    “Lot area, per dwelling unit, and lot width requirements in single-family residential zones shall be as follows depending on the subzone designations:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential zone.

    • Requirements vary by R-1 subzone designation.
    • R-1 ranges from 7,000 square feet to 3 acres or more as specified in the table.
    • The table also sets minimum lot width and frontage requirements.

    minimum lot area: >= 7000 square feet (R-1 subzone tables impose larger minimums for R-1-8 through R-1-3 Acres)

    “R-1 7,000 70 R-1-8 8,000 75 R-1-9 9,000 75 R-1-10 10,000 80 R-1-13 13,000 90 R-1-20 20,000 100 R-1-30 30,000 125 R-1-1 Acre 43,560 150”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-E rural exclusive residential zone.
      “The minimum lot area for the R-E zone must be ten thousand square feet unless a greater area is designated by the subzone suffix.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential zone.

    • Front yard: at least 20 feet from the existing or proposed right-of-way line where the street is not dedicated to full city-standard width.
    • One-story side yard: at least 5 feet.
    • Two-story side yard: at least 10 feet.
    • Corner-lot street side yard: at least 10 feet.
    • Rear yard: at least 20 feet, subject to the stated grade and rear-yard-area exception.

    front yard: >= 20 feet (Existing or proposed right-of-way line condition)

    “Front yard shall be not less than twenty feet from the existing or proposed right-of-way line if such street is not dedicated to its full width according to city standards.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-E rural exclusive residential zone.
      “Front yard must be a minimum of twenty feet from the existing or proposed right-of-way line, whichever is greater, and such yard must be landscaped and maintained.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the R-C recreation commercial zone.

    • Buildings over 45 feet may be permitted only with a conditional use permit from the planning commission.
    • The CUP requires findings concerning public health, safety, welfare, neighboring property, conditions of approval, and reasonable use.

    height threshold: > 45 feet (Conditional use permit required)

    “Buildings in excess of forty-five feet in height;”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle parking and occupancy-related use inside Camarillo city limits.

    • Parking or leaving an oversized vehicle or recreational vehicle on a public street or highway is prohibited except for listed loading, repair, delivery, emergency, and permit exceptions.
    • A city parking permit is limited to five consecutive calendar days and no more than ten days within any consecutive ninety-day period.
    • The cited provisions do not establish unrestricted private-land RV dwelling occupancy.

    parking permit duration: <= 5 consecutive calendar days (Total permits may not exceed ten days within any consecutive ninety-day period)

    “Except as provided in subsections (C) or (D) of this section, no person may park or leave standing any oversized vehicle or recreational vehicle on any public street or highway.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on public places and private property inside Camarillo city limits.

    • Camping on a public place is prohibited.
    • Camping on private property is prohibited when not authorized in advance by the property owner or when, despite authorization, it is deemed a public nuisance.
    • The prohibitions do not apply when camping is involuntary or unavoidable due to circumstances beyond the person's control, or when authorized by a valid permit, license, or other approval.
    “no person may camp or store unattended personal property, including camp paraphernalia, on any privately owned property to the extent that such camping or storage was not authorized in advance by the property owner, or despite advance authorization, is otherwise deemed a public nuisance.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes inside Camarillo city limits, specifically sites in the city flood-hazard zones covered by § 16.34.440.

    • New manufactured homes and additions require permanent-foundation and anchoring methods that minimize flood damage.
    • Manufactured homes may not be placed in a floodway, except that the provision does not apply to an existing manufactured-home park or existing manufactured-home subdivision.
    • Additional elevation and anchoring rules apply in Zones A1-30, AH, and AE.

    floodway exception: existing manufactured home park or existing manufactured home subdivision

    “Despite subsection B of this section, no manufactured home shall be placed in a floodway. This provision does not apply to manufactured homes placed in an existing manufactured home park or existing manufactured home subdivision.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed

    Accessory dwelling units in the R-1 single-family residential zone.

    • The units remain subject to Chapter 19.56 procedures and regulations.
    “Accessory dwelling units are permitted subject to the procedures and regulations in Chapter 19.56 (Accessory Dwelling Units).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Commercial or industrial driveways on the CMU site governed by Camarillo Code § 19.35.030.

    • The cited minimum applies to commercial or industrial driveways on this specific CMU site, not necessarily every residential driveway in the city.

    minimum driveway width: >= 20 feet (Commercial or industrial driveway)

    “A commercial or industrial driveway must be a minimum of twenty feet wide.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development and placement of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles in Camarillo flood-hazard zones.

    • Manufactured-home and RV requirements apply in specified FEMA flood zones and floodways.
    • RVs must either remain fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the applicable permit, elevation, and anchoring requirements.
    • Manufactured homes in floodways are prohibited except in existing manufactured-home parks or subdivisions.

    maximum RV site duration under one option: < 180 consecutive days (Alternative compliance options are available)

    “All recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, AO and AE on the city's Flood Insurance Map will either: A. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty consecutive days;”
  • Permit processPublished

    Camarillo building-permit submissions and inspections inside city limits.

    • As of July 1, 2025, new permits are no longer accepted through the former Click2Gov or on paper applications.
    • Inspections for active permits submitted in Click2Gov or on paper before July 1, 2025 may be requested through the legacy system or by telephone.
    “as of july 1, 2025, new permits are no longer accepted via click2gov or on paper applications.”

Rules another office applies inside Camarillo

Camarillo does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a septic tank on a premise within the Camarillo Sanitary District service area when the District Manager determines sewers are unavailable.

    • The owner must request and obtain District approval.
    • The owner must consent to future formation of an assessment district.
    • The owner must agree to connect to District sewer when directed after availability.
    • Construction must comply with Regional Water Pollution Control Board, County Health Department, and County or City Building Department requirements.
    • Applicable fees are determined by the District based on processing and inspection costs.
    “When it has been determined by the District Manager that sewers are not available to serve a given premise which is within the District's service area, the owners may request that a permit be issued granting District approval to the construction of a septic tank to serve said premise.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Septic-tank applications approved by the Camarillo Sanitary District.

    • Applicable fees are based on District costs for processing the application and performing inspection.
    • The cited code does not specify a general periodic inspection schedule.
    “Any applicable fees shall be as determined by the District and based on District costs for processing application and performing inspection.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private septic sanitation inside Camarillo city limits when District sewer is unavailable.

    • District approval is required.
    • Future connection to District sewer is required when sewer becomes available and the Board directs it.
    • County health, regional water-quality, and city or county building requirements apply.
    • The owner must operate and maintain the private disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at the owner's expense.
    “The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the District.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Sewer connection inside the Camarillo Sanitary District service area.

    • A written District permit is required before making a connection with or opening into a public sewer.
    • If a premise is served by an approved septic tank because sewer is unavailable, the owner must connect to District sewer when it becomes available and the Board directs the connection.
    • The cited sources do not establish a single citywide water-connection distance threshold.
    “Agree to connect said premises to the District sewer system, at such time as it is available, when directed to do so by the Board.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Camarillo or Ventura County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Camarillo building permits inside city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Camarillo city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Camarillo city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Camarillo city limits.
  • Well permit — Water-well permits inside Camarillo city limits.
3 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Camarillo publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Ventura County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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