EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
DAVE WARD
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PLANNING
RUBEN BARERRA
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND SAFETY
CHARLES GENKEL
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
JENNIFER OROZCO
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
DOUG LEEPER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CODE COMPLIANCE
MISSION, VISION, VALUES
MISSION STATEMENT
We are dedicated to ensuring a sustainable quality of life by protecting the health, safety, and resiliency of our community and our environment.
VISION
Resource Management Agency will be the recognized leader in providing uniform, transparent, and timely services in support of sound environmental and community protection.
VALUES
Resource Management Agency is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through: Honesty, hard work, and ethical behavior
Transparency and accountability
Equitable treatment and respect of all constituents
Excellence in service delivery
ROB MULLANE, RMA AGENCY DIRECTOR
I am pleased to present the Resource Management Agency’s 2024–2025 Annual Report, our first official report highlighting the collective accomplishments of our agency and the positive impacts these efforts have had across Ventura County.
This report provides an overview of the core services delivered by our five divisions, along with highlights of key programs and statistics on permits processed and service requests completed. Every number in this report represents an interaction with the people and communities we serve from planning for resilient growth and ensuring safe housing, to supporting disaster recovery, promoting safe dining and recreation, and promoting economic development that enhances the quality of life across Ventura County.
A central priority for RMA this past year has been service excellence. Whether at our public counters, through Citizen Access (our online permit system), or by phone and email, our staff are there to guide customers through the County’s permitting requirements and processes with professionalism and care. As a result, over the past year, we have maintained high customer satisfaction ratings, with a consistent average of 4.7 out of 5 in feedback surveys. This could not be possible without our dedicated staff across all five divisions who bring our mission and vision to life daily. Their expertise, teamwork, and commitment to serving the community allow RMA to uphold its promise of excellent service while building trust and fostering positive connections with the public.
As I reflect on my first year and a half as Director, I am incredibly proud of the work our agency carries out each day to promote service excellence, economic development, and health and safety for the Ventura County community. In the year ahead, we remain committed to building on these accomplishments and ensuring our services continue to meet the evolving needs of Ventura County.
Rob Mullane
ROB MULLANE RMA AGENCY DIRECTOR
RMA AND OUR FIVE DIVISIONS
THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY (RMA) AND OUR FIVE DIVISIONS
play a central role in shaping Ventura County communities. From safe housing and clean restaurants to long-range planning and economic development, RMA’s work spans land use, environmental health, construction oversight, code compliance, and GIS. Together, our Divisions implement County ordinances and state and federal regulations, making sure growth and services meet Ventura County’s long-term goals.
BUILDING AND SAFETY
The Building & Safety Division ensures that construction in unincorporated Ventura County meets all state and local codes for safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Staff review plans, issue permits, and inspect projects to confirm compliance with structural, fire, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical standards. The division also verifies that buildings are designed to conserve resources and remain accessible to all residents.
PLANNING
The Planning Division provides land use services to the public in the areas of residential, commercial and industrial permitting, engages in long range community planning and zoning enforcement, and coordinates a variety of regional programs in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County.
CODE COMPLIANCE
The Code Compliance Division enforces zoning and building regulations in unincorporated Ventura County. Staff respond to complaints, investigate violations, and assist property owners in resolving issues such as unpermitted construction or unsafe conditions. Through education and enforcement, the division promotes safe, wellmaintained neighborhoods across the County.
OPERATIONS
The Operations Division provides essential administrative, technical, and communications support across RMA. The team manages budgets, HR, IT, facilities, and agency-wide services like GIS, web content, and public communications. This work supports internal efficiency while helping keep the public informed and connected.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Environmental Health protects public health and the environment by overseeing programs such as food safety, hazardous materials, sewage disposal, ocean water quality, and vector control. The division also responds to emergencies like fires, floods, and disease outbreaks, while educating the public and coordinating with partners to reduce health risks.
4.7/5
CUSTOMER SERVICE RATING (ALL RMA) (JULY 2024 – JUNE 2025)
42,219
INSPECTIONS COMPLETED (ALL RMA)
BUILDING & SAFETY
36,600
TOTAL CUSTOMERS SERVED (ALL RMA) (JULY 2024 – JUNE 2025)
PLANNING
10,188
PUBLIC SERVICE CONTACTS
BUILDING INSPECTIONS
4,600 CASES RESOLVED
CODE COMPLIANCE
400
CODE COMPLIANCE
119
Temporary Rental Units (TRUs)
Airbnbs/Short Term Rentals Inspected
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
15,000 Inspections of Permitted Food and Pool Facilities
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
20,005 Inspections of Known and Potential Mosquito Breeding Sources
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
2,500 Hazmat Inspections at Permitted Facilities
PLANNING
1,707 Zoning Clearance, Tree, Film, and Discretionary Permits Issued
BUILDING & SAFETY
3,647
Building and Safety Permits Processed and Issued
103 New Hires Onboarded OPERATIONS + 35 Recruitments in 2024 Lowered Vacancy Rate from 18% to 11%
RMA IN THE COMMUNITY
The five divisions of the Ventura County Resource Management Agency (RMA) played a major role in recovery efforts following the Mountain Fire. The fast moving fire began on November 6, 2024 in Somis and spread into the Camarillo Heights neighborhood, destroying 243 structures, 180 of those structures being residences. RMA supported impacted residents by attending community town halls, providing assistance and resources at the Local Assistance Center alongside County agencies, city and community partners, and nonprofit organizations, and hosting Right of Entry application workshops to guide residents through the debris removal application process.
The Building and Safety Division was on the ground early, assisting with initial damage assessments to help determine the condition of each property after the fire. As cleanup efforts advanced, the Environmental Health Division led the County’s Debris Removal Program, safely clearing 133 properties in under three months with support from County contractors and recovery partners Tetra Tech, DRE, and Team Rubicon.
To further support residents during the debris removal process, the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) opened at the Camarillo Airport, where residents could meet with Environmental Health staff and contractors to ask questions and receive guidance related to debris removal on their properties. The Operations Division also launched a Debris Removal Dashboard that allowed residents to track debris removal progress on their property from start to finish.
As the focus shifted to long term recovery and rebuilding, the Planning Division launched the Mountain Fire Rebuild Team, a group of four dedicated planners providing personalized guidance to help residents navigate the rebuilding process. The Building and Safety Division continues to support residents by prioritizing and expediting rebuilding permit applications and offering one on one assistance throughout the submittal process.
Planning Today, Shaping Tomorrow
10,188
PUBLIC SERVICE CONTACTS
1,707
PERMITS ISSUED: 1,302
Zoning Clearance (ministerial) & Tree Permits
332 Film Permits
73
Discretionary Permits
102
PUBLIC HEARINGS
HIGHLIGHTS
Saticoy Farmer’s Market and Future Growth in Saticoy
In 2024, the Planning Division supported the launch of the Saticoy Farmer’s Market, now serving the community on the first Sunday of every month. Around the same time, staff partnered with the City of Ventura and the Saticoy Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) to address a longstanding development barrier — a water meter size restriction that made it difficult to build multifamily housing or expand business opportunities in the area. Following collaborative efforts, the City updated its water availability policies, lifting the ¾” meter cap and unlocking new potential for development, growth, new jobs, and more housing options in Saticoy.
Steady Progress on Housing Element Goals
The County continues to make strong progress toward its 2021–2029 Housing Element targets, with 84% of the total goal already reached. Completed projects like the Mesa Farm Tiny Home Community and Somis Ranch Farmworker Housing are helping meet critical housing needs in Ventura County. The Planning Division received high recognition from the Board of Supervisors for its strong progress toward meeting the Housing Element goals.
Energy Roadmap: Supporting Renewable Energy Projects
The Planning Division continues to advance Ventura County’s renewable energy goals by approving the first 24-acre Battery Energy Storage System permit in the open space/ agriculture zone, tapping into the 100-acre countywide limit adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Director also determined a permit pathway for a heavy-duty electric vehicle charging facility pilot project, when it is designed as an accessory use to energy production from renewable resources and energy storage. These actions make it easier for future renewable energy and EV charging projects to move forward, while balancing innovation with community safety and conservation of open space.
BUILDING & SAFETY
HIGHLIGHTS
Safe Buildings, Stronger Communities
Over 3,600 Building Permits Processed and Issued
The Building and Safety Division issued more than 3,600 building permits for a wide range of projects, including new homes, pools, patio covers, decks, and retaining walls. Permits also included repairs, replacements, upgrades, and alterations to existing mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, such as water heaters, electrical panels, solar systems, and residential emergency generators.
99% Next-Day Inspection Request Rate
The Building and Safety Division maintained a 99% success rate for next-business-day inspection requests. This reflects the team’s strong commitment to customer service and helping permit holders move efficiently through the process so they can make timely progress on their projects. This level of responsiveness supports both homeowners and contractors by reducing delays and keeping projects on schedule.
Somis Farmworker Housing and Major Residential Project Inspections
The Building and Safety Division completed inspections and issued occupancy certifications for several major residential projects, including the Somis Farmworker Housing apartments and residential models at Williams Homes in Piru. These developments support housing needs for farmworkers, families, and seniors in Ventura County and reflect the Division’s role in advancing high-priority housing efforts.
CODE COMPLIANCE
HIGHLIGHTS
Helping Communities Stay Safe, Clean, and Compliant.
Community Safety Through Responsive Code Enforcement
The Code Compliance Division responded to 832 citizen complaints, opened 285 new cases, and closed 547 cases this past year. Staff conducted a full review of open cases and implemented system improvements to track violations more efficiently. These efforts ensure the County can respond to resident concerns and maintain high standards for building and zoning compliance throughout unincorporated communities.
Temporary Rental Unit (TRU) Program Strengthens Safe Short-Term Rentals
The Code Compliance TRU program processed 210 applications in Fiscal Year 2023–24, issued seven Notices of Violation (all resolved without fines), and brought 87 unpermitted shortterm rentals (more commonly known as AirBnBs) into compliance. The program helps ensure that vacation and home-share rentals meet safety and operating standards, protecting both renters, guests, and surrounding neighbors. Investigations are supported by a monitoring service that identifies unpermitted listings through online platforms.
Receivership Program Rehabilitates Neglected Properties
The Code Compliance Division continued its Receivership Program to address derelict and abandoned properties where owners are absent or unresponsive. This tool allows the County to step in and resolve serious code violations that pose risks to public health, safety, and neighborhood quality. By restoring these properties, the program helps stabilize and revitalize affected communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
HIGHLIGHTS
Where Environment and Community Safety Meet
Fighting Mosquitoes and Preventing Disease Countywide
The Environmental Health Division’s Vector Control Program completed more than 22,000 inspections and treated over 9,500 mosquito breeding sources. Staff also responded to 502 public complaints, with an average response time of 1.45 days. In addition to general mosquito control to lower the risk of endemic mosquito-borne disease, the team is closely monitoring the invasive Aedes mosquito, known to spread dengue fever. Although no local cases have been reported, detections in other parts of California have increased the urgency of prevention and surveying efforts. The program expanded outreach and control by deploying traps, conducting targeted surveillance, and distributing more than 35,000 educational postcards to the community.
Safeguarding Health at Food Facilities and Public Swimming Pools
The Environmental Health Division’s Community Services Program conducted more than 15,000 inspections at permitted food facilities and public swimming pools. Staff also investigated over 500 complaints, including 244 related to foodborne illness. These efforts protect public health, ensure compliance with safety standards, and help residents enjoy safer dining and recreational experiences countywide.
Hazardous Materials/CUPA and Medical Waste/Body Art Regulatory Oversite
The Environmental Health Division’s Hazardous Materials/CUPA Program processed over 12,000 hazardous materials reporting submissions from regulated facilities and conducted 2,500 inspections. In coordination with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, staff participated in enforcement cases addressing illegal disposal of hazardous waste and medical waste. The Division also supported community safety through distribution of 5,000 sharps containers and oversight of over 500 medical waste and body art facility inspections.
OPERATIONS
HIGHLIGHTS
Supporting Every Step of the Agency’s Work
Award-Winning Voicemail Automation Supports Timely Customer Service
The Operations Division implemented a voicemail automation system that uses AI to transcribe and summarize incoming voice messages. The system automatically emails the content to the appropriate staff member, allowing them to quickly understand the request, find the necessary information, and follow up by phone or email. This tool has saved an estimated 1,556 staff hours and significantly improved how quickly staff can respond to public inquiries. The innovation was recognized as part of Ventura County’s 2025 Digital Counties Survey award, where the County placed sixth nationwide for its use of technology to improve services.
New Agency Website Prioritizes Accessibility and User Experience
The Operations Division’s IT team launched a fully redesigned public website at rma.venturacounty.gov, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and WCAG 2.2 accessibility standards. The new site was developed with user feedback in mind to make it easier for visitors to find information, get answers, and contact the agency directly.
Waitwhile Queuing System Enhances Customer Experience
To improve service at public counters, the Operations Division expanded the Waitwhile digital check-in system across all RMA divisions, including the East County offices in Simi Valley and Newbury Park. Waitwhile allows the public to check in, manage their place in line, and receive updates while waiting, helping reduce in-person wait times and improve flow at service counters. RMA is now assisting other County agencies interested in adopting the system, further extending its benefits beyond the agency.
