John Prescott, Community Development Director

Mission Statement: To be stewards of the City's General Plan and implementation agents in assisting the community with land development, housing, construction, code compliance, open space, and regional issues, all of which must be kept in balance with the City's environment and resources.

The Community Development Department encompasses the Building Division, the Planning Division, Code Compliance, Housing/Redevelopment, and Open Space; staff provides assistance regarding building permits and/or land use questions, including code compliance and special events. The department also operates the permit processing section designed to expedite the permit approval process while ensuring a high degree of review of incoming projects.

Planning Division

The Planning Division oversees various technical and administrative functions of the land use planning process. Staff interprets and implements the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance as adopted by the City. Responsibilities include processing applications for land development including environmental assessment, landscape review, annexations, long range city planning, and open space planning/management. For more information, call (805) 449-2323.

Building Division
The Building Division exists to protect the public against hazards associated with the construction, use and occupancy of buildings and structures and to contribute to the City’s economic vitality and quality of life by ensuring the built environment complies with codes designed to safeguard life or limb, health, property and the public welfare.

The Division is committed to providing the highest level of plan review and inspection services to our customers through enforcement of Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, City of Thousand Oaks and State mandated requirements which regulate and control the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all building and structures within our jurisdiction. For more information, call (805) 449-2500.

Permit Process
Building and Planning specialists staff the permit process center, designed to coordinate the permit approval process while ensuring a high degree of customer service for all development permit activities. Located at the public counter, customers can complete their business related to permit issuance in a central location. Staff provides assistance with building applications and plans submittals, permits for residential and commercial improvements, over-the-counter plan checks, and zoning information. Department handouts and permit application forms are also available.

Housing/Redevelopment
The Housing and Redevelopment Division implements projects and programs within the Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Newbury Road redevelopment project areas. Division staff provides assistance to the Thousand Oaks Redevelopment Agency (City Council) and administers several affordable housing programs focused on creating and preserving affordable housing benefiting individual residents wishing to purchase a home, locate affordable housing opportunities for families and senior housing, and effectuate a residential rehabilitation program for qualifying owners in the community. Division staff implements a commercial rehabilitation program for business located in the project areas. For more information, call (805) 449-2393.

Code Compliance
The Code Compliance section is responsible for enforcement of the Municipal Code including zoning/land use, property maintenance, oak tree/landmark tree conservation, abandoned vehicles on private property and substandard housing. The section is also responsible for process permits such as Farm Animal Permits, Film Permits, Special Event/Procession Permits, Home Occupation Permits and Block Party Permits. For more information, call (805) 449-2300.

For more information call (805) 449-2500 or email CommunityDevelopment@toaks.org.