Ojai Phone Numbers & Valley Contacts
A working directory of the contacts Ojai residents actually need, from the Sheriff's substation to Casitas Water to Ventura County Fire. Kept current by a neighbor.
Ojai Contacts
Save this page. The numbers below are the ones you reach for when something happens, from a downed power line to a brush clearance notice in the mail. Ojai is its own incorporated city inside unincorporated Ventura County, so most public services come through county agencies rather than the city itself.
Emergencies & Public Safety
City of Ojai
For city services, planning, permits, and council business.
Ojai, CA 93023
Ventura County Supervisor
Ojai sits in District 1 of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
Utilities
Other Useful Numbers
Water in the Ojai Valley
Water is the single most important infrastructure question in Ojai. Most properties in the valley get their water from one of two sources, and a meaningful portion of larger properties run on private wells. Knowing your supplier and your account is essential for every Ojai homeowner.
Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD)
Wholesale and retail water provider serving most of the western Ojai Valley, Lake Casitas, and surrounding areas. Manages Lake Casitas reservoir.
Golden State Water Company (Ojai)
Serves much of the City of Ojai and the eastern valley.
Private Wells
Many East End and Upper Ojai properties run on private wells. Wells fall under Ventura County jurisdiction.
Fire Prevention & Brush Clearance
Most of the Ojai Valley sits in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The 2017 Thomas Fire and subsequent fires reshaped how the valley thinks about defensible space, evacuation, and insurance. The agency in charge is Ventura County Fire Department, not LAFD.
Ventura County Fire Department
Defensible Space & Hazard Reduction
Ventura County requires defensible space inspections on properties in the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Most Ojai properties qualify.
Insurance & the FAIR Plan
Ojai's insurance market has tightened significantly. Many homeowners now use the California FAIR Plan as a fallback when standard carriers will not write.
Short-Term Rentals
Short answer: don't. Short-term rentals are prohibited in the City of Ojai and heavily restricted in unincorporated Ventura County. There is no permit path. Sellers and listing agents are required by ordinance to disclose this to every prospective buyer.
The Rule in One Line
Where to Read More
Ojai City Council
Ojai's City Council is the local body that shapes everything from short-term-rental rules to the chain-store ordinance to development on the historic arcade. Meetings are public, livestreamed, and worth attending if you own property in the city.
How the Council Works
About This Page
I'm Debbie Pisaro, a California real estate broker and the founder of Coastline 840. I work with buyers and sellers across the Ojai Valley, and I keep this page up because what happens at City Hall, at Casitas, and at Ventura County Fire affects property values, insurability, and the texture of daily life in this valley.
If you are buying or selling in Ojai, or you have a question about a specific street, water situation, fire-zone status, or architectural style in the valley, I would be glad to hear from you.