CULT 1 1491
CITY OF MURRIETA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Murrieta on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m, or a time soon thereafter, at City Hall, 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562, to consider the following matter:
DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT (DCA-2021-2396): A request by the City of Murrieta to introduce an Ordinance to amend Chapters 16.08, 16.14, 16.18, 16.22, 16.24, and
16.28 of the Murrieta Development Code to establish clearer and more objective standards for hillside development. Among other changes, the amendments would clarify where the hillside regulations apply, incorporate a Hillside Overlay Map into the Municipal Code, re-establish a 25-percent slope criterion based on City Geographic Information System (GIS) contour data, clarify building-height measurement on sloped properties, and distinguish between developed/disturbed and undeveloped portions of hillside properties. The amendments are intended to focus the regulations on designated hillside areas rather than applying the standards citywide, consistent with the original intent of the hillside regulations as communicated to staff by the City Council in 2022.
The proposed amendments would also update Hillside Development Plan Permit requirements, application materials, review procedures, grading and site-design standards, retaining wall criteria, access, landscaping, architectural treatments, and other standards intended to reduce visual and environmental impacts associated with hillside development. Certain improvements within previously developed portions of hillside properties may be exempt from a Hillside Development Plan Permit, including qualifying improvements involving 50 cubic yards or less of disturbance, as specified by the proposed regulations.
Relatedly, updates are provided to modify Chapters 8.20 and 15.52 of the Murrieta Municipal Code. The amendments clarify property maintenance and vegetation requirements, including revegetation of sloped areas following catastrophic events such as wildfires or landslides to * propery mairphan e and sec, reduce erosion, and update the grading regulations to reference the City's definition of a "Hillside Area" contained in the Murrieta Development Code.
Environmental Determination: Consistent with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the proposed amendments were evaluated for consistency with the environmental review previously completed for the City's Comprehensive Development Code, including the 1997 Negative Declaration, and the Murrieta General Plan Final EIR and 2021 Subsequent EIR (SCH No. 2010111084). Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, staff determined that the amendments would not result in new significant impacts or changed circumstances requiring additional environmental review and are adequately addressed by the prior environmental documents.
At the public hearing the City Council will consider all oral and written statements made or filed by any interested person at or before the conclusion of said hearing. If you wish to challenge the update of the project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Murrieta City Clerk at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 and by email at [email protected]. Written comments may also be submitted at the public hearing.
The environmental finding, along with the proposed project application, may be reviewed at the Planning Division Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff contact for the project is Senior Planner, Chris Tracy at (951) 461-6046 or by email [email protected].
It is the intention of the City to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. Upon request, this Agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. If you require modification, accommodation, or special assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk Department at (951) 461-6030 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. The 48-hour notification period will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. i Ramirez,
Kimberly Remin Deputy kimberly city clerk FOR
Dated:
Published: September 4, 2026