Ordinance grants SoCalGas a gas pipeline franchise in Ventura County.

?NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. 4657
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF VENTURA GRANTING TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY, A CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO LAY AND USE PIPES AND APPURTENANCES FOR TRANSMITTING AND DISTRIBUTING GAS FOR ANY AND ALL PURPOSES UNDER, ALONG, ACROSS, OR UPON THE PUBLIC STREETS, WAYS, ALLEYS AND PLACES, AS THE SAME NOW OR MAY HEREAFTER EXIST, WITHIN SAID COUNTY.
A public hearing, as provided by law, was held by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room, Government Center, Hall of Administration, Second Floor, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California to consider adoption of an ordinance granting Southern California Gas Company a new Countywide gas pipeline franchise by ordinance. The following is a summary of Ordinance No. 4657 (“Ordinance”) adopted by, and a listing of the votes of the members of, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
The Ordinance grants Southern California Gas Company (“SoCalGas”), a corporation, its successors and assigns, a franchise to lay, construct, install, operate, maintain, repair, replace, and remove gas pipelines and related above- and below-ground facilities for the transmission and distribution of natural or manufactured gas under, along, across, and upon the public streets, ways, alleys, and other public places within the unincorporated area of the County of Ventura (“County”). The franchise is granted pursuant to the Franchise Act of 1937 (Public Utilities Code §§ 6201–6302).
The franchise is granted for an initial term of fifteen (15) years beginning March 12, 2026 and expiring March 11, 2041, with one additional fifteen (15)-year renewal term through March 11, 2056, unless the Ventura County Board of Supervisors affirmatively acts to cancel the renewal following review of a written recommendation from the County Public Works Agency. The franchise may also be terminated earlier upon surrender, abandonment, purchase or condemnation by a public entity, or forfeiture for noncompliance.
As consideration for the franchise, SoCalGas is required to pay the County an initial lump-sum payment of $562,000 for the initial term and, if the franchise is renewed, a second lump-sum payment of $850,832 for the renewal term. In addition, SoCalGas must pay an annual franchise fee equal to two percent (2%) of its gross annual receipts derived from the use of the franchise within the County, with a minimum payment of one percent (1%) of gross receipts from gas sales within the County. The Ordinance provides for annual reporting of gross receipts and authorizes the County to audit such records.
The Ordinance establishes comprehensive insurance requirements, including commercial general liability, automobile liability, pollution liability, and workers' compensation coverage, and requires SoCalGas to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County against claims arising from its franchise operations, subject to specified limitations. It sets forth construction, safety, inspection, and repair standards; requires restoration of streets and public property; addresses relocation of facilities when required for public projects; and requires 24-hour emergency response capability and coordination with County agencies.
The Ordinance supersedes all prior gas franchises held by SoCalGas within the County, preserves the County's police powers and right of eminent domain, restricts assignment or transfer of the franchise without County approval (subject to specified exceptions), and provides for forfeiture in the event of default. The Ordinance becomes effective thirty (30) days after adoption by the Board of Supervisors and written acceptance by SoCalGas.
At the hearing, the Ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors: Gorell, Long, LaVere, Parvin and Lopez
NOES: Supervisors: None
ABSENT: Supervisors: None
The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors has posted a certified copy of the Ordinance for public inspection at the Government Center, Hall of Administration, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California, 93009.
Summary prepared by:
Karen Marble
Assistant County Counsel
DR. SEVET JOHNSON,
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
County of Ventura, State of California
By: s/s Jose R. Verduzco
Senior Deputy Clerk of the Board
February 19, 2026
2/19/26
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VENTURA COUNTY STAR
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