The Ventura City Council has voted to dissolve the Design Review Committee (DRC) as part of a broader effort to streamline housing development approvals, reduce regulatory hurdles, and eliminate duplicative review processes.
Key aspects of this change include:
- Purpose of the Change: City officials cited lengthy permitting timelines and increased costs for both developers and the city as primary reasons for eliminating the DRC. Officials also noted that the committee had delayed or blocked housing projects needed to help Ventura meet state-mandated housing goals.
- Implementation of Objective Design Standards: The city is developing an Objective Design Review Standards checklist that will establish clear, measurable criteria for project review. Once adopted – currently anticipated in early 2027 – staff will be able to process qualifying development applications more efficiently without review by an advisory committee.
- Interim Review Process: Until the new standards are finalized and implemented, design review responsibilities will be administered directly by the Planning Director or the Planning Commission.
Additional information and updates on Ventura’s housing initiatives and permitting reforms are available through the City of Ventura’s Community Development Department.
