This might not seem important to you as a newly engaged couple. You want to book a venue that you love! Recently, some Ventura County venues that have not gone through the permitting process and are booking weddings without warning couples of the risk they are taking. This can result in a couple losing their venue (and deposit) at the last minute when the Ventura County Ordinance for Temporary Outdoor Events in the Non-Coastal Areas is changed again. These venues have a high likelihood of inevitably being shut down by the County. Talk about stress!
As permitted venues, we want to educate our couples so they can make an informed decision as to where they will host their dream day and protect them from falling into the trap of booking a non-permitted venue.
In Ventura County, in order to host weddings or events on private property, the venue must go through a rigorous process to obtain a Conditional Use Permit, or CUP. This permit is good for 5 to 10 years, before being renewed. The CUP imposes conditions to protect the health, safety and welfare of surrounding neighbors, event guests, and workers. It ensures traffic, noise, sanitation, building safety and fire safety access impacts are mitigated. This permit typically takes at least 2 years to obtain. Venues that have a CUP take compliance seriously. If they fail to stay in compliance, they run the risk of jeopardizing the future of their business.
Having a website, blog, or paid advertising is not the same as having a permit.
Being “in the permit process” does not guarantee a venue will actually obtain this permit.
Any permitted venues have the permit badge (above) on their website, letting you know they are safe to book with confidence.
The map below shows locations of permitted venues (red) and non-permitted venues (yellow).
