Ventura County · Land use · Duplex
Where is a duplex allowed in Ventura County?
In Ventura County, a duplex is allowed in 1 base zone (R2), needs a permit in 3 (RPD, R/MU and RES, 2 with a condition) and not allowed in 12 (Ventura County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R2
- Needs a permit: RPD, R/MU and RES
- Not allowed: OS-REC, OS, AE, RA, RE, RO, R1, RHD and 4 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Ventura County Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a duplex can go
Ventura County's code calls this use “Dwellings, Two-Family, Or Two Single-Family Dwellings”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R2 | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| RPD | Needs a planned development permit | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| R/MU | Needs a planned development permit — see note Note 2: Duplexes are allowed in the R/MU zone when only a ¾" water meter is available. | § 8119-1.2 |
| RES | Needs a zoning clearance (includes a review for conformance with the old town saticoy development code) — see note Note 1: Includes a review for conformance with the Old Town Saticoy Development Code. | § 8119-1.2 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- No SB 9 / two-unit development row in the matrix (state law may allow two units in single-family zones).
- State law: SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21) allows two homes on most single-family lots with a ministerial permit, also where this table says no.
- Not covered here: Coastal Zone (Chapter 1.1 Zoning (Coastal), S20; zones COS, CA, CR, CRE, CR1, CR2, RB, RBH, CRPD, CC, CM) is excluded from Chapter 1 (8101-2.1) and has its own matrix with different permit types (PDP); not given as cells; Zone names are not stated in the packet; Numbers in parentheses in S4 row names are amendment-history references, not notes; Article 7 and 9 specific regulations are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Ventura County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a duplex in the RPD zone in Ventura County?
Only with a planned development permit. Ventura County's use table lists it that way in RPD (Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone).
Can I have a duplex in the OS-REC zone in Ventura County?
No. Ventura County's use table does not allow it in OS-REC (Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone).
Can I have a duplex in the R2 zone in Ventura County?
Yes. Ventura County's use table lists it as allowed in R2 (Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone).
General information, not legal advice.
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