Thousand Oaks : City Won’t Revoke Occupancy Law
A Thousand Oaks official said Wednesday that the city has no plans to revoke an ordinance that cracks down on overcrowded houses despite a state appeals court decision that rejected a similar law in Santa Ana.
Last month’s ruling by the 4th District Court of Appeal struck down the Santa Ana ordinance that limited the number of people who could live in an apartment.
Santa Ana officials said they plan to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.
Thousand Oaks is the only city in Ventura County that limits the number of people who can live in houses built for single families under an ordinance that became effective last week.
Thousand Oaks City Atty. Mark G. Sellers said the ruling opens the door for a legal challenge of the city’s ordinance. However, while officials are concerned about the ruling, he said he will wait until the Supreme Court decision before recommending whether the city should review it.
Under Thousand Oaks’ ordinance, landlords must have a permit to rent houses to four or more adults. The permit requires landlords to set aside at least 300 square feet for each occupant. It also restricts dining and living rooms, halls, kitchens and garages from being used as sleeping quarters.
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