IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REOPENING OF THE VENTURA COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER (07/13/2021)
All applications and re-submittals will be made online via vcca.ventura.org or emailing the documents to PWA_LDServices@ventura.org. Please contact our division about procedures at PWA_LDServices@ventura.org or call (805) 654-3027.

OIL FIELD

Oil field grading is to promote oilfield operations involving exploration, development, or production of oil.  Oilfield grading permits are also issued for routine maintenance or repair of existing oil filed facilities such as drill sites, roads, and structure pads.

Obtaining a Zoning Clearance from Planning is required prior to grading permit issuance.  ..

Once a complete application and plan check deposit has been submitted the grading plan check process can begin. This type of permit may go through several plan check reviews before the permit can be approved and issued. Once the permit is issued a preconstruction meeting will need to be held prior to conducting work and attendance is required with the county grading inspector,  , contractor, owner/owner’s representative, and geotechnical representative as necessary.

During construction a Rough Grade Clearance (RGC) may be needed to issue a building permit. To complete a RGC, a site inspection will need to be requested, and an interim compaction report with LDS-08 certification form will need to be turned in to the county grading inspector. The inspector will review the compaction report, visit the site and prepare a LDS-10 Rough Grade Clearance memo for your and B&S records. Depending on the complexity of your project, several RGCs may be needed before completion of the project.

To close out your Oil Field Grading Permit, as-built plans will need to be submitted,  reviewed by your grading inspector, and a final site inspection will be performed. Upon Land Development Service’s approval of the plans, report(s), and site conditions, the closure process of the project will begin.  During  the close out process, submittal of additional deposit may be required to cover the cost of staff fees and any outstanding account balance. Once closure is finished,  a completion memo and any necessary final grading clearances can be provided. If the permit account has a credit balance after final charges are posted, a refund will be issued approximately  60 days after closure.

Application and Documents

  • Development Grading Permit Application Package (This Download contains all necessary forms below) This Package contains an application form, fee schedule, instructions, and a checklist for use in applying for a grading permit.( PDF ZIP)
    • LDS-GP Grading Permit Checklist. Checklist of the application packet.
    • LDS-01 – Grading permit application for all types of grading permits.
    • LDS-02 – Plan Check Agreement. Agreement to perform plan check review.
    • LDS-03 – Authorization of agent. Document authorizing the agent to manage the plan check process on the owners behalf.
    • LDS-04 – Acknowledgement of employment of consultants. An owner acknowledgment regarding employment of consultants.
    • LDS-05 – Grading Plan Check Checklist. This checklist is used by the staff engineer during review of grading permit applications.
    • LDS-06, Stormwater Permit Req’s for New & Re-Development. Questionnaire regarding Best Management Practices Post Construction.
    • LDS-07, Stormwater Permit Req’s for Construction Activities. Questionnaire regarding Best Management Practices during Construction.
    • Stormwater Quality form(s):SW-1, SW-2, SW-HR. Select and complete stormwater forms applicable to project.
    • LDS-11 – Consent to off-site construction. Sample Off-site Construction Permission Letter. Required if work limits is performed outside property lines. Modify to fit your project specific needs.
    • Grading Title Sheet:  The Grading Plan Cover Sheet must be included as the first sheet of all Grading Plan sets. (PDF ZIP)
    • Grading Sheet Title Block: The Grading Plan title block must be included in all Grading Plan sets.  (PDF ZIP)

Online Submittal

Grading Permits can be applied for online through the Ventura County Citizen Access website at vcca.ventura.org. You can also submit your grading permit application documents to our group email PWA_LDServices@ventura.org.

Fees and Deposits

Fees and Deposits are set each year by the County Board of Supervisors and can found at this location (Schedule of Fees and Deposits)

Geotechnical Report Requirements

Please see the Geotechnical Report Review page, linked here, for geotechnical report requirements.

Hydrology Report Requirements

Hydrology and hydraulic study may be required for oil field grading projects to demonstrate that the project will not result in diversion of storm water, increase in peak flow rates, or contribute to downstream erosion potential. Hydrology report requirements and data can be found at the following Watershed Protection District site, https://www.vcpublicworks.org/wpd/hydrology/.

During Construction

Rough Grade Clearance

A Rough Grade Clearance is needed if you have a portion of a project completed and ready for building permit issuance. An example would be that the soil preparation work for a retaining wall foundation is completed but to call for building permit inspection  on the retaining wall  requires that the soil engineer and civil engineer have accepted the work.  Land Development Services would issue a LDS-10 Rough Grade Clearance once we have received an interim compaction report and LDS-08 grading certification form from the project geotechnical engineer and civil engineer .

  • LDS-08 – Rough grading inspection certification(Includes R&R permits)
  • LDS-09 – Fine Grading certification form
  • Grading Inspection Certificate to be completed prior to permit Close out.

Change Order

A change order is needed after permit issuance and changes are being made to the approved grading plans. To request a change to your plan, submit a completed change order form and revised plan sheets identifying the plan changes with revision clouds and a brief description and change order request number in the revision block.

  • LDS-12 Change Order Request Form to be submitted with changes to plans during construction. List items that have changed since permit issuance.

DSIB-1 Change Order – Change orders to issued permit An informational bulletin that describes the procedures for obtaining approval for changes to plans that have already been approved and have an issued permit.

Closure of Permit

To close out your grading permit, a final compaction report and as-built plans will need to be submitted. Once received your grading inspector will review the plans and report then conduct a site inspection to verify final site conditions. Once the as-built plans and site visit are acceptable the permit will be processed for closure.