Oxnard · Fire and Food Safety
Oxnard Commercial Kitchen Compliance
A commercial kitchen in Oxnard answers to three agencies: the Oxnard Fire Department for fire safety, the Ventura County Environmental Health Division for food safety, and the city's Public Works Department for grease. Here is who does what, and what each one expects to see.
Who Enforces Fire Code in Oxnard
The Oxnard Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division enforces the California Fire Code in the city. It is at 360 West Second Street, (805) 385-7722. The division requires a Type I hood and exhaust system at every commercial cooking appliance that produces grease vapors, protected by a UL 300 fire extinguishing system. The requirement covers restaurants and any kitchen outside a residence. That includes community rooms, assembly spaces, food trucks, trailers, tents and temporary concessions. Inspections are requested through the department's online form, and the form requires a permit number. Commercial projects must also install a Knox-Box.
Who Inspects Food Safety in Oxnard
The Ventura County Resource Management Agency's Environmental Health Division inspects Oxnard's retail food facilities against the California Retail Food Code. The city has no health department of its own. After a routine inspection, the inspector leaves a placard for public display. It states that the facility passed and gives the inspection date, the inspector's name and the division's contact information. Ventura County issues no letter grades and no color placards. If an inspection finds significant violations that could cause foodborne illness, the division closes the facility until they are corrected and lists the closure on its Food Facility Closures page. Inspection results are updated every business day online and in the VC SafeDiner app.
What's Local: The City's Grease Rules
Oxnard City Code Section 19-43 applies to every food service establishment that discharges wastewater to the city sewer. It must have an approved grease interceptor of at least 750 gallons, built to City Standard Plates 400, 413 and 415 and kept accessible for cleaning and inspection. Maintenance records must be kept for at least two years, and the City Manager may grant variances case by case. The city's guidance also sets a 30-minute retention time. The Public Works Department's Wastewater Division runs the program and can be reached at (805) 271-2200.
Oxnard Follows Ventura County's Framework
For how Ventura County inspects and publishes results, and how it compares with the rest of California, see the Ventura County page.