Draft
Vision and
Guiding
Principles
1 1
The Draft Vision and Guiding Principles are a foundational first step for the General Plan Update, describing a shared image of the kind of place that Camarillo residents and businesses would like their community to be in 2050. The Draft Vision and Guiding Principles were developed with extensive community input.
Between December 2025 and May 2026, over 800 Camarillo residents shared ideas and insights that are reflected in the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles.
Community engagement activities included a citywide survey that garnered over 400 responses, two community open house events attended by more than 200 residents, and pop up outreach at over 20 events around town where dozens of people visited stop and chat stations to share input. Through these activities, community members shared their thoughts on what they love about Camarillo, what they think can be improved, and what their priorities are for the future of the city.
The Vision and Guiding Principles are intended as broad, aspirational statements that will inform the more specific, detailed language of the goals and policies in the plan later in the process. In Phase 2, as different alternatives for future land use, transportation, and quality of life are explored with the community, the Vision and Guiding Principles will be used as a lens for evaluating the different options.
ABOUT THE DOCUMENT
2 Camarillo is a welcoming, close-knit community shaped by its small-town character, agricultural heritage, natural beauty, excellent schools and parks, and relaxed quality of life. As the city looks to the future, Camarillo will preserve the qualities that make it distinctive while thoughtfully planning for the needs of future generations.
Responding to the demands of a changing region, Camarillo will grow responsibly by focusing new housing, jobs, services, and public spaces in strategic locations within the urban boundary, while protecting surrounding agricultural lands, open space, and scenic resources. The prioritization of high-quality infill development, vibrant gathering places, resilient infrastructure, and a connected transportation network will support a thriving economy and enhance daily life for residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities.
Camarillo will continue to be an inclusive community that residents feel proud to call home, where everyone feels connected and safe — rooted in its history, guided by sustainability and fiscal responsibility, and prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges of the coming decades.
VISION STATEMENT
3 Community and People
SMALL TOWN CHARACTER.
Preserve and
strengthen the qualities that make Camarillo
feel community-focused and rooted in tradition
with a strong local identity — its relaxed pace of
life, distinctive neighborhoods, attractive public
spaces, and thriving local businesses. Build a
sense of belonging and civic pride by facilitating
opportunities for the community to come together
at festivals, cultural events, sports leagues, and
recreational activities.
SAFE, WELCOMING CITY. Prioritize public
safety and promote well-maintained buildings and
public spaces that create an inviting atmosphere
for residents and visitors. Promote well-designed,
well-maintained, and accessible amenities in parks
and public places to serve seniors, families, youth,
and residents of all ages and abilities.
CARING AND CONNECTED COMMUNITY.
Strengthen Camarillo’s culture of neighborliness,
respect, and community connection. Foster
transparency, open dialogue, inclusion, and
trust between the City and the community,
expand opportunities for residents to participate
meaningfully in civic life, and help create
opportunities for residents to give back to their
community by volunteering their time, energy, and
skills. Reinforce the role of civic groups, non-profits, and service organizations in community life.
HISTORY, ARTS, AND CULTURE. Celebrate
Camarillo’s history, agricultural heritage, and
cultural identity while supporting local arts, public
art, and cultural events. Facilitate accessible
gathering spaces and community activities that
bring people together and make arts, culture, and
civic engagement part of everyday life.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
4 Nature & Place
RESPONSIBLE GROWTH. Guide growth in a way that
protects Camarillo’s quality of life, agricultural heritage, natural open spaces, and scenic setting while recognizing our role in addressing regional opportunities and challenges. Encourage sustainable, well-planned development within the urban
limit, prioritize the efficient use of land and infrastructure, and champion careful stewardship of energy, water, and natural resources.
MODERN, RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE. Strategically
invest in infrastructure, utilities, and community facilities that support daily life, economic vitality, public health and safety, and long-term sustainability. Embrace technology and innovation that helps provide for improved cellular coverage, power reliability, and climate resilience and serve other community needs.
COHESIVE COMMUNITY DESIGN. Foster diverse
neighborhoods, distinctive gathering places, and thriving business districts with an emphasis on quality design,
environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. Attractive gateways, prominent public art, tree-lined streets, and climate- adapted landscaping help build a unifying sense of place.
HEALTHY, GREEN CITY. Integrate nature, shade, parks, and green spaces into the fabric of the community to support public health, environmental sustainability, and everyday quality of life. Expand access to parks, trails, trees, and natural areas so that residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities can benefit from places that support physical activity, mental well-being, cooling, cleaner air, and connection with others. Encourage community gardens, trails, bird- and pollinator-friendly landscaping, a climate-adapted urban forest, and green spaces to foster a greater connection with the natural environment.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
5 GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
Livability & Economic Vitality
BALANCED LOCAL ECONOMY. Leverage Camarillo’s convenient location, educated workforce, high quality of life, and desirable amenities to expand local employment options, especially higher-paying jobs that allow more residents to live and work in Camarillo. Partner with businesses and higher educational institutions to build on the strong base of employment in key sectors like advanced manufacturing, defense/ aerospace, life sciences, healthcare, retail/hospitality, agriculture/ ag-technology, and professional services to cultivate a resilient local economy with a greater mix of thriving businesses and entertainment uses, diverse services, and opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term economic vitality.
ATTAINABLE AND DIVERSE HOUSING. Work to achieve a
balanced mix of housing options that meets the needs of individuals, families, seniors, students, workers, and people of all incomes and backgrounds. Encourage pathways to homeownership, housing choices for younger generations, and innovative approaches that allow residents to remain in Camarillo through different stages of life.
VIBRANT GATHERING PLACES. Foster a network of community gathering places at different scales throughout the community. Position Camarillo’s shopping centers as neighborhood hubs with a variety of recreational and entertainment options, daily services, and outdoor dining and activities to take advantage of pleasant local weather. Promote parks, public plazas, civic spaces, recreational facilities and other places as a core setting for informal public life.
DESTINATION OLD TOWN. Strengthen Old Town as a distinctive destination for art, culture, entertainment, and community life, anchored by its charming historic buildings, walkable streets, inviting gathering spaces, and thriving locally-owned restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Support Old Town revitalization, improved access and connectivity, streetscape enhancements, and design strategies that reduce the impacts of the freeway.
6 GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
Mobility & Connections
STREETS FOR PEOPLE . Design streets to support safety, mobility, economic vitality, and placemaking, recognizing the need to match roadway design to the character and function of surrounding neighborhoods, commercial districts, and corridors. Anticipate changing mobility needs and embrace technology and strategies that facilitate safe, convenient connections.
CONNECTED CAMARILLO. Promote a balanced, efficient,
and reliable multi-modal transportation network that connects people to homes, jobs, schools, parks, shopping, services, and regional destinations. Improve mobility choices while maintaining safe and convenient vehicle travel, strengthening connections across the city, and supporting access to key destinations in the city and the wider region with a variety of safe, convenient options for getting around.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION. Provide safe, well-maintained
bicycle and pedestrian routes to key destinations designed to support active lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.
Encourage walking, biking, and active lifestyles through connected pedestrian and bicycle networks, multi-use
trails, high-visibility crosswalks, shade trees, traffic-calming improvements, and inviting streetscapes.