Posted by Ventuckey on July 26, 2007 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't it already illegal?

Posted by Just_wondering on July 26, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Now let's hope they will and can enforce it

Posted by CALA on July 26, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pconvery99-
Ya, it is targeting the group of people occupying uninhabitable rooms, spaces and structures...I'm so sure that is what you meant.

Posted by 5thGenerationOxnard on July 26, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is already against the City of Oxnard Code. The problem is that a garage can not be inspected without probable cause so it is rare that the problem can be dealt with.

Posted by chair on July 26, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Whyizzit that in some areas of this state and in many other states, one may convert one's garage to other uses. Ads abound for garage/basement conversions in those areas. The Uniform Housing Code only says that if a garage or other space is so converted, one may not store cars, lawn mowers, etc. in that converted space. It's simply a safety issue. As for outright prohibiting such uses/conversions, strikes me as being against our Constitution! Instead, CA should establish a number of people per square foot rule.

Posted by BeaHappi on July 26, 2007 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know several people who have converted their garages to family rooms, offices, or something other than a garage. Not done so that they can cram multiple families into their house; just done to increase usable living space without taking on a new huge mortgage.

This ordinance is not about that. To think that people are okay with living in sheds and garages that are still...well...garages...it's unbelievable.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 26, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This should be a law in every city in the county !

Posted by kelly13 on July 26, 2007 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, Camarillo. Now let's enforce it. Maybe other cities and the county will see that it is a good thing and not hard to do.

Posted by FedUp on July 26, 2007 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ENFORCEMENT!
none of this means a darn thing if no one does anything about it.

Posted by monagirl1975 on July 26, 2007 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How bout' starting off with newspaper ads that clearly, advertises room/garage for rent. How bout' stopping at all sign's clearly posted on windows/yards at houses that advertises room for rent? Enforcing 10 cars parked in streets for a 3 bedroom house, i mean it's everywhere in plain site. I live in a beautiful neighborhood / very small street. 3 out of 5 houses are converted into multifamily houses by doing this. It will get runned down soon. who cares about the group of people it's targeting (politics). It's about who is giving and receiving as an individual.

Posted by yellocobra01 on July 26, 2007 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we once looked at a home to buy (not in Camarillo) and decided not to when we noticed a house down the street had multiple sets of bunk beds in the living room -- the drapes were wide open-- and numerous young men were hanging around the front yard...

Posted by fdsa on July 26, 2007 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Goverment is transitioning from big brother to nanny state to nanny city. Americans no longer have rights and it's a sad reality. Open your eyes everybody. You're being told how to live and when to do things. Pathetic.

Posted by cowchip on July 26, 2007 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, fdsa, guess what! My brother-in-law is trying to sell his house in this really crappy market because the idiots across the street have what he has counted to be no fewer than 12 people living in their house. There are always at least 8 cars outside, people hanging out in the yard, playing loud music, and shady characters coming and going at all hours. Yeah, it's about time someone has the guts to do something about this. It's not like my Brother-in-law is going to walk across the street and tell these losers that they are bringing his property value down. In this case, I'm glad the Government will step in.

By the way, who has the RIGHT to have so many people living in their house that they disturb the quality of living for everyone living around them?? If you were in this position, you wouldn't feel this way, I'm sure!

Posted by ShelleyCam on July 26, 2007 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Are you all kidding me? Did you not read what it said above? "The City Council voted 5-0 to introduce the ordinance, which would prohibit people from cooking, eating, living or sleeping in places deemed not fit to live in." Did you notice the part about eating? A neighbor of mine had their weight set, motorcycle, TV & computer in their garage. If I ate while sitting & visiting (as I have done in the past) I would be breaking the law!! If their garage door was closed, and the only window was blocked by a bush, how could anyone care? Aren’t overpacked, messy garages more unsightly anyway? What a ridiculous ordinance. Should we impose laws just to ignore them, or would we really go so far as to say people should not eat in their garage. You have got to be kidding me.

I do understand and sympathize with those that have large numbers of people living in a small residence near them, but what about those that use their garages for extra space just to save a little money, and don't have more then a few people in one house? It is too much.

I think it is fair to say that those that need to use their space unconventionally would be fare more inconvenienced by this law. How can you compare them with the people who already have plenty of space (money) & are “disturbed”? I understand the examples given, but you have to look at what they are proposing and everyone it would affect. I fully support ensuring that people live in safe conditions, but as stated in the article-they already have codes against illegal occupancies. This ordinance would go WAY too far, and I have to say I am outraged. They need to enforce codes that ensure safe occupancy first, before they make it easier to complain against neighbors you might have a grudge against. If they are already discovering violations, why affect so many people that are not bothering anyone and impose larger fines just to "provide one place of reference"

I fail to see the sense in it.

Posted by ShelleyCam on July 26, 2007 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Monagirl1975 what could you possibly mean by "It's about who is giving and receiving as an individual." Who is "giving" when you go out of your way to suggest this ordinance is a good thing, and renting rooms should be banned? Many families, singles and couples could never afford their own apartment or house. You might know some of them-they give you your popcorn when you blow $20 to see a movie, serve your fast food, it goes on and on. Even those with a career & a degree often cannot afford the same standard of living in southern California as you obviously enjoy. Should they all apply for Section 8 to get their own house or apartment? Are you seriously suggesting that no one should rent a room or share a home? I rent a room in a 4 bedroom house, and there is a total of 2 adults and 3 children. We are certainly not overcrowded or spilling out onto the lawn. You people are so naive and/or insanely selfish!! I realize that maybe even a majority think it would be no problem if it was not possible for me to live in Camarillo. I don't want special consideration, free rent, or government assistance. What I do want is freedom from senseless restrictions. So many of those houses don't even have people living in the garage..and that other example of bunk beds in the living room would not obviously not be affected by this ordinance. What could you all be thinking?? What about those that need different circumstances and do not bother anyone??

Posted by imbetnonit on July 26, 2007 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought that is what "single family home" meant, that a single family of say 4-6 people, can reside according to our building and safety codes. Boarding houses require special permitting and appropriate facilities and space for additional people. The article said they find 30-40 violations a year. I could show them that many in one day, easily, here in Oxnard. This has baffled me for several years now, no one is enforcing the current laws that are on the books so creating more seems like a (yank-yank) to pacify the voters in her district. Maybe hearing complaints for 21 years, is a clue. No one wants to take responsibility.

Posted by BeaHappi on July 26, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The City Council voted 5-0 to introduce the ordinance, which would prohibit people from cooking, eating, living or sleeping in places deemed not fit to live in.

Uninhabitable places include private garages and storage sheds."

Where does it say that rooms can't be rented out? I don't see it.

Posted by VenturaN on July 26, 2007 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like bureaucratic paper trail; bring "into one ordinance and provide one place of reference". The codes are there for Camarillo, CA Building Code and Uniform Housing Code. The ordinances are there. We need to report the abuse. People should not have to live this way!

Posted by ShelleyCam on July 26, 2007 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It doesn't say that rooms can't be rented, I was addressing the comments by monagirl1975. Sorry, I know that replies to off-topic issues get distracting, I just couldn't help myself!

Posted by dalbabes on July 26, 2007 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, when my wife is mad, does this mean I'm not longer in the dog house?

How do they enforce an ordinance like that? Wouldn't they need a search warrant?

Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 28, 2007 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fdsa,We are not being TOLD how to live and when to do things. ???????? I just want to know who my neighbors are...........a family. Not the whole clan....some won may be predators because we do not even know who they are. They legally are not suppose to be living in garages. Etc. And its true about all the cars.When you have one house and ten cars are parking there on the street for that house its rediculous ! I hope they catch everyone and fine the heck out of them !!!!!!
ShelleyCam, I believe what they meant is having a stove in there to cook with..or a barbeque. If your gonna grill do it outdoors. Not in a garage where its a very bad danger situation. I do not think the law is applying to renting a room out to someone. That is totally different. Although they do have restrictions when doing so. You can't cram ten people into one room ! But to rent out a spare room in perfectly legal.
dalbabes,My guess is they wouldn't need a search warrant due to the fact its up to the city inspector to do that job. And if your wife puts you in the dog house and not the couch, time to look around............... ya know ! LOL