Ventura County · Land use · Horses and stables
Where is keeping horses allowed in Ventura County?
In Ventura County, keeping horses is allowed in 8 base zones (OS-REC, OS, AE, RA, RE and 3 more), needs a conditional use permit in 1 (R1) and not allowed in 3 (Ventura County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: OS-REC, OS, AE, RA, RE, RO, RPD and TP
- Needs a permit: R1
- Not allowed: R2, RHD and TRU
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 keeping horses can go
Ventura County's code calls this use “Horses And Other Equines Per Art. 7 (15)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| OS-REC | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| OS | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| AE | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| RA | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| RE | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| RO | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| RPD | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| TP | Allowed | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
| R1 | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- E (exempt from permit) applies up to the number allowed by Article 7 (not in the packet). "More Horses and Other Equines Than Are Permitted By Art. 7" is CUP in OS-REC, OS, AE, RA, RE, RO, R1, RPD, TP. Equestrian Centers (commercial) are CUP in OS-REC, OS, RA, RE, RO.
- 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 keeping horses in the R1 zone in Ventura County?
Only with a conditional use permit. Ventura County's use table lists it that way in R1 (Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone).
Can I have keeping horses in the R2 zone in Ventura County?
No. Ventura County's use table does not allow it in R2 (Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone).
Can I have keeping horses in the OS-REC zone in Ventura County?
Yes. Ventura County's use table lists it as allowed in OS-REC (Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about keeping horses at an address in Ventura County
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
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