ORDINANCE NO. 2025-____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MENIFEE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT NO.
LR24-0135 WHICH AMENDS TITLE 5 (BUSINESS REGULATIONS),
TITLE 7 (SUBDIVISIONS), AND TITLE 9 (PLANNING & ZONING) OF THE MENIFEE MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, on December 1, 2009, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2009-66, which established Riverside County Zoning Ordinance No. 348 as the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Ordinance No. 460, “Regulating the Division of Land of the County of Riverside,” as the City’s Subdivision Ordinance, both to be effective until repealed, amended, or replaced by the City’s own ordinances adopted by the City Council; and WHEREAS, on November 20, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2019-286 approving Title 7 (Subdivisions) that established City of Menifee specific subdivision regulations to replace Ordinance No. 460 (Regulating the Division of Land of the County of Riverside); and
WHEREAS, on December 4, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2019-289 approving a Comprehensive Development Code Update that established City of Menifee-specific zoning regulations to replace County Ordinance No. 348, also known as the Development Code; and
WHEREAS, since adoption of Ordinance No. 2019-289, staff has implemented and identified areas of Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) where improvements are needed to allow for streamline processes, clarifying requirements, and improving the usability for the public, and clean-up for consistent with existing City policies of the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) implement requirements of state law and add local policies that are consistent with the state law, including but not limited to Senate Bill (SB) 1186 related to medicinal cannabis regulations, SB 1211 related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on existing multi-family parcels, SB 450 expands the provisions under SB 9 for urban lot splits and two-unit developments, and SB 684 and SB 1123 related to small lot subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, MMC Amendment No. LR24-0135 includes amendments to the following chapters of Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) of the MMC:
Title 5 – Business Regulations
Chapter 5.01.090 Additional License Requirements for Special Business Types Chapter 5.50 Mobile Dispensaries Prohibited
Chapter 5.60 Mobile Marijuana Dispensaries
Title 7 – Subdivisions
Chapter 7.20 Tentative Maps
Chapter 7.90 Grading Regulations
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Title 9 – Planning & Zoning
Chapter 9.30 Common Application Processing Procedures
Chapter 9.75 Planned Development
Chapter 9.80 Plot Plan
Chapter 9.105 Temporary Use Permit
Chapter 9.125 Agricultural and Rural Residential Zones Chapter 9.130 Residential Zones
Chapter 9.135 Commercial and Industrial Zones
Chapter 9.140 Economic Development Corridor Zones
Chapter 9.155 Special Planning Areas
Chapter 9.160 General Development Standards
Chapter 9.165 Accessory Structures
Chapter 9.195 Landscaping Standards
Chapter 9.215 Parking and Loading Standards
Chapter 9.235 Animal Keeping
Chapter 9.250 Alcoholic Beverages Sales, Consumption and Manufacturing Chapter 9.260 Outdoor Sales, Display & Dining
Chapter 9.265 Tattoo Establishments (chapter to be removed) Chapter 9.275 Hookah & Marijuana
Chapter 9.290 Wireless Communication Facilities
Chapter 9.295 Special Housing Types (specifically amends Section 9.295.020, Accessory Dwelling Units [ADU] and Junior Accessory Dwelling units) Chapter 9.296 Urban Lot Split & Two-Unit Development
Chapter 9.298 Small Lot Subdivisions (new chapter)
Chapter 9.300 Universal Definitions
Chapter 9.305 Special standard and use Definitions; and WHEREAS, on December 19, 2024, the proposed amendments were presented to the City’s Developer Stakeholder Group where City staff received input and answered questions from the group including questions; and
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2025, the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) found MMC Amendment No. LR24-0135 consistent with the 2014 March Air Reserve Base/Inland Port Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan and the 2010/2011 Perris Valley Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan; and WHEREAS, on May 28, 2025, the City of Menifee Planning Commission, held a duly noticed public hearing on MMC Amendment No. LR24-0135, considered all public testimony as well as all materials in the staff report and accompanying documents; and WHEREAS, on May 28, 2025, the City of Menifee Planning Commission voted 4- 0-1 to adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council find MMC Amendment No.
LR24-0135 exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopt the Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the requirements of CEQA (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.) regarding the possible impacts that MMC Amendment No. LR24-0135 may have upon the environment; and Municipal Code Amendment
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WHEREAS, on June 18, 2025, the City of Menifee City Council, held a public hearing on MMC Amendment No. LR24-0135, considered all public testimony as well as all material in the staff report and accompanying documents for MMC Amendment No.
LR24-0135; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2025, the City Council conducted a second reading of the Ordinance to approve MMC Amendment No. LR24-0135.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MENIFEE HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1:The proposed amendment to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) of the MMC is consistent with the intent of the goals and policies of the General Plan.
The MMC is the primary tool for implementing the General Plan, providing regulating standards, identification of permitted uses, and other regulations that support the proper implementation of the General Plan.
The proposed amendments amend Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) in order to implement regulations to permit, as required by State law to implement SB 1186 related to medicinal cannabis regulations, SB 1211 related to ADUs on existing multi-family parcels, SB 450 expands the provisions under SB 9 for urban lot splits and two-unit developments, and SB 684 and SB 1123 related to small lot subdivisions. The proposed amendments also provide clean-up amendments, amend language to simplify and provide more clarity to certain provisions, provide consistency with the General Plan, State law, and needed to implement Title 5, Title 7, and Title 9 reasonably and effectively.
Section 2:The proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) prescribes reasonable controls and standards to ensure compatibility with other established uses.
The proposed amendments Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) prescribe reasonable controls and standards to ensure compatibility with other established uses by refining and clarifying existing regulations, updating definitions, and aligning local ordinances with current State law. These amendments maintain appropriate separation of uses, reinforce design and development standards, and preserve the intent of existing zoning districts. By addressing specific use types such as ADUs, urban lot splits, medicinal cannabis, and wireless communication facilities, the amendments ensure that new or modified allowed uses are integrated while maintaining reasonable controls to the extent allowed by the law to ensure compatibility with other established uses.
Section 3:The proposed zone or amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) provide reasonable Municipal Code Amendment
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property development rights while protecting environmentally sensitive land uses and species.
The proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) will provide reasonable property development rights while protecting environmentally sensitive land uses and species as the proposed amendment aligns local regulations with recent State laws while maintaining the City’s existing environmental standards and review processes. Updates improve clarity, flexibility, and usability without removing safeguards in zoning, development standards, and planning procedures. New provisions added per SB 450 expanding on SB 9, related to urban lot splits and two-unit developments, as well as provisions for SB 684 and SB 1123 for small lot subdivisions, include built-in exclusions for sensitive areas, ensuring that streamlined development does not override protections for critical habitats or conservation lands.
Section 4:The proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) ensures protection of the general health, safety, and welfare of the community.
The proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) ensure the protection of the general health, safety, and welfare of the community by updating local regulations to reflect current State laws, eliminating outdated provisions, and reinforcing clear, consistent development standards. The amendments enhance regulatory transparency, reduce ambiguity for applicants and staff, and support responsible land use practices.
Section 5: Compliance with CEQA. The proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) are in compliance with the requirements of CEQA.
The proposed amendments to Title 5 (Business Regulations), Title 7 (Subdivisions), and Title 9 (Planning & Zoning) have been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in CEQA and the state CEQA Guidelines. Specifically, the proposed amendments have been determined to be exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), “the Common Sense” exemption, because the proposed actions have no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment. The proposed amendments pertaining to ADUs are also statutorily exempt under Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 (exemption for local ordinances implementing state law related to ADUs).
Section 6:Adoption. The MMC Amendment, as set forth in Exhibit “A,” Exhibit “B,” and Exhibit “C” hereto, is hereby approved and adopted. Exhibit “A,” Exhibit “B,” and Exhibit “C” show the changes to the existing MMC with underlining of additions and strikeout of deletions.
Section 7: Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, Municipal Code Amendment
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phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is (including without limitation the provisions of the MMC Amendment set forth in Exhibit “A,” Exhibit “B,” and Exhibit “C”), for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 8: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days from the date of adoption.
Section 9: Notice of Adoption. The City Clerk of the City of Menifee shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance.
This Ordinance was introduced and read on June 18, 2025, and PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 16th day of July 2025.
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Ricky Estrada, Mayor
Attest:
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Stephanie Roseen, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
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Jeffrey T. Melching, City Attorney