Ventura · Zoning · C-1
Ventura C-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Ventura's C-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is None required, with the conditions listed below (Ventura code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: None required (Where the lot frontage is in or next to a residential zone, that zone's front setback applies; residential-only lots follow R-3)
- Minimum side setback: None required (Except next to a residential zone; residential-only lots follow R-3)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft (Lot not used exclusively for residential purposes)
C-1 (LIMITED COMMERCIAL ZONE) is a zoning district in Ventura. Every value below was read from the Ventura Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in C-1
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 45 ft § 24.232.070 · code textRegardless of the number of stories comprising a building or structure, no portion of a building or other structure in the C-1 zone shall exceed 45 feet in height except as provided in section 24.405.030. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 24.232.070 · code textBuildings and other structures in the C-1 zone shall not exceed three stories. |
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: Where the lot frontage is in or next to a residential zone, that zone's front setback applies; residential-only lots follow R-3 § 24.232.090 · code textThere shall be no front setback requirement in the C-1 zone, except as provided in this subsection 1: |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: Except next to a residential zone; residential-only lots follow R-3 § 24.232.090 · code textThere shall be no side setback requirement in the C-1 zone, except as provided in this subsection 2: |
| Minimum rear setback | 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft Applies: Lot not used exclusively for residential purposes § 24.232.090 · code textEach lot in this zone not used exclusively for residential purposes shall have a required rear setback of not less than 20 percent of the depth of the lot; except that such rear setback need not exceed 20 feet. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-1:
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft — Where the side of a lot in the C-1 zone not used exclusively for residential purposes abuts any residential zone § 24.232.090
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for C-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Ventura Municipal Code.
Other Ventura zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Ventura's C-1 zone?
45 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.232.070.
What is the maximum number of stories in Ventura's C-1 zone?
3 stories — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.232.070.
What is the minimum front setback in Ventura's C-1 zone?
None required (where the lot frontage is in or next to a residential zone, that zone's front setback applies; residential-only lots follow R-3) — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.232.090.
What is the minimum side setback in Ventura's C-1 zone?
None required (except next to a residential zone; residential-only lots follow R-3) — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.232.090.
What is the minimum rear setback in Ventura's C-1 zone?
20% of lot depth, max 20 ft (lot not used exclusively for residential purposes) — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.232.090.
General information, not legal advice.
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