The City of Ventura, officially San Buenaventura, sits just across the Santa Clara River from Oxnard, about 15 minutes up the 101. Its mix of older neighborhoods and coastal hillside homes makes for a wide range of ADU projects.
Ventura ADU projects we see most
- Midtown and downtown: 1920s–1950s bungalows with detached garages along the alley, ideal for garage conversions and compact backyard units that match Craftsman and Spanish styles
- Pierpont and the Keys: beach-area lots in the Coastal Zone, where ADUs may need coastal review and materials must stand up to salt air
- East End, Montalvo and Saticoy: larger 1960s–1980s ranch lots with room for one- and two-bedroom detached ADUs
- Ventura hillsides: slope, drainage and fire-safety construction standards shape the design and the budget
Pre-approved ADU designs
Ventura has worked with RRM Design Group and local partners on a set of pre-approved ADU designs, from a 288 sq ft studio to a 1,000 sq ft three-bedroom, in Ranch, Craftsman and Spanish Revival styles. Building from a pre-approved plan can save design fees and time in plan check. A builder can help you decide whether a pre-approved plan or a custom design fits your lot better.
Renting an ADU in Ventura
Ventura’s beaches, downtown, Ventura College and the hospitals along Loma Vista Road keep rental demand steady. Like Oxnard, ADUs are meant for long-term housing; check the city’s current rules on rentals of 30 days or less before you plan around them.
Request a free consultation and a builder will look at your Ventura property and show you what fits.
Services available in Ventura
- Detached ADUs in Ventura — A separate backyard home, from a 400 sq ft studio to a 1,200 sq ft two-bedroom.
- Garage Conversions in Ventura — Turn your garage into a legal, permitted ADU, usually the fastest and lowest-cost option.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs) in Ventura — A private suite of up to 500 sq ft inside your existing home, with its own entrance.
- Attached ADUs & Additions in Ventura — An ADU built onto the side or back of your house, sharing a wall but not your living space.
- Two-Story ADUs in Ventura — More living space on a small footprint, including ADUs over a garage.
- Prefab & Modular ADUs in Ventura — Factory-built ADUs with local site work, foundations, utilities and permits.
- ADU Design & Permits in Ventura — Floor plans, engineering, Title 24 and the Oxnard permit process, handled for you.
Ventura questions
Does the City of Ventura have pre-approved ADU plans?
Yes. Ventura has developed pre-approved ADU designs, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom plans and a two-story option, in California Ranch, Craftsman and Spanish Revival styles. Pre-approved plans can shorten design time and city review. Ask the City of Ventura for the current plan set.
How many ADUs are being built in Ventura?
According to the housing reports cities file with the state, the City of Ventura permitted 136 ADUs in 2025, and ADU activity has been rising.
Who issues ADU permits in Ventura?
ADUs in the City of Ventura are permitted through the city's Community Development Department, not the City of Oxnard. Properties outside city limits are permitted through the County of Ventura.