Ventura · Zoning · C-T-O
Ventura C-T-O zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Ventura's C-T-O zone, buildings can be up to 30 ft tall and the front setback is 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft (Ventura code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
C-T-O (COMMERCIAL TOURIST-ORIENTED 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-T-O
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 | 30 ft § 24.240.070 · code textRegardless of the number of stories comprising a building or structure, no portion of a building or other structure in the C-T-O zone shall exceed 30 feet in height except as provided in section 24.405.030. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft § 24.240.090 · code textEach lot in this zone shall have a front setback of not less than 20 percent of the depth of the lot, provided that, such front setback need not exceed 20 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20% of lot depth, max 20 ft § 24.240.090 · code textEach lot in this zone shall have a rear setback of not less than 20 percent of the depth of the lot; except that such rear setback need not exceed 20 feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 24.240.060 · code textBuildings or other structures shall not occupy more than 50 percent of any lot in the C-T-O zone. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-T-O:
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft — Where the side of a lot in the C-T-O zone abuts a residential zone § 24.240.090
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, side setback, lot size, FAR, density limit for C-T-O 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-T-O zone?
30 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.240.070.
What is the minimum front setback in Ventura's C-T-O zone?
20% of lot depth, max 20 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.240.090.
What is the minimum rear setback in Ventura's C-T-O zone?
20% of lot depth, max 20 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.240.090.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Ventura's C-T-O zone?
50% — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.240.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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