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CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIVERSIDE, CALI FORNIA, AMENDING NUMEROUS SECTIONS OF
TITLE 19.
The City Council of the City of Riverside does ordain as follows:
Section 1: Section 19.060.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code is added as follows:
“Section 19.060.030 Rules and interpretations.
A. Terminology. When used in the Zoning Code, the following rules apply to all provisions of the Zoning Code:
. . .
D. Intent. Whenever there is any question regarding the interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning Code or their application to any specific case or situation, the Zoning Administrator Community & Economic Development Department Director or his/her designee , shall interpret the intent of the Zoning Code. The Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee shall have the authority to forward to the Planning Commission any question regarding interpretation. . . .”
Section 2: Table 19.150.020.A of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Permitted Uses Table” is amended as shown in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 3. Table 19.150.020.B of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Incidental Uses Table” is amended as shown in Exhibit “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 4. Table 19.150.020.C of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Temporary Uses Table” is amended as shown in Exhibit “C” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 5. Section 19.410.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.410.040 Site location, operation and development standards.
The standards set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions, shall apply to vehicle fuel stations unless otherwise specified here. . . .
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3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
C. Except as setbacks along arterial streets may require additional setbacks, all buildings, structures or improvements shall meet the following setbacks:
1. Gasoline and hydrogen fuel pumps or dispensers and canopies shall be located no closer than 20 feet from any property line.
. . .
F. Screening of pump islands and storage/production tanks for hydrogen fuel stations is encouraged by orienting on-site buildings closer to perimeter street frontages.
G. Screening of hydrogen fuel storage/production tanks shall be accomplished by orienting the tanks behind on-site buildings and within a solid masonry wall enclosure that blends with the building. If this cannot be accomplished , screening shall consist of landscaping and/or artwork, or alternative methods at the discretion of the approving authority. Use of chain-link or similar fencing materials is not permitted.
GH. Not withstanding other provisions to the contrary, the following site operation standards shall apply to vehicle stations:
1. Operations outside the vehicle fuel station building shall be limited to the dispensing of gasoline, oil, air and water.
. . .
5. Hydrogen fuel pumps shall be oriented to provide adequate circulation throughout the site I. Hydrogen fuel stations shall comply with the following:
1. Safety and performance standards established by the Society of Automotive Engineers and accredited nationally recognized testing laboratories;
2. Any rules established by the state Air Resources Board, Energy Commission, or Department of Food and Agriculture regarding safety, reliability, weights, and measures; and
3. All other applicable codes and regulations.”
Section 6. Section 19.440.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.440.030 Site location, operation and development standards.
These standards supplement the standards for the zone in which the accessory use is located. If an accessory structure is attached to the principal building, such structure shall comply with the
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3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
development standards for the principal building.
. . .
E. Accessory structures within the single -family residential zones shall comply with the following additional regulations.
1. Setbacks.
. . .
2. Size limits for accessory structures.
a. All metal accessory structures shall be limited to a maximum total floor area of 120 square feet in the RR, RE, and R-1 Zones.
b. Accessory structures shall be limited to a maximum floor area of 750 square feet on lots less than one-half acre in the RR, RE, and R-1 Zones. i. Exceptions. There is no size limit for accessory structures in the following instances:
(1) In the RC, RA-5, R-3 or R-4 Zones.
(2) On lots greater than one-half acre or greater in the RR, RE, and R-1 Zones. (3) When built in conjunction with a Planned Residential Development (i.e. clubhouse) or Conditional Use Permit (i.e. assemblies of people - nonentertainment or assisted living).
. . .”
Section 7. Section 19.442.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.442.030 Requirements.
An application for an ADU, MADU or JADU shall demonstrate compliance with all the standards and limitations set forth in this section, to the satisfaction of the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee.
A. General.
1. ADUs and JADUs shall comply with State and local building code requirements for dwellings.
. . .
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
10. For JADUs, a deed restriction shall be recorded, to run with the land and, to prohibit the sale of the JADU separate from the sale of the primary dwelling and restrict its size as identified in
19.442.030(F).
. . .
E. Number of Units.
1. Single-family.
a. The number of dwellings permitted on a lot developed with an existing or proposed single-family residence shall be limited to the primary dwelling ,; one attached or converted ADU,; one detached, new construction ADU or MADU,; and one JADU. . . .”
Section 8. Section 19.450.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.450.030 Site location, operation and development standards.
The standards set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions, shall apply to all establishments selling alcohol, unless otherwise specified here.
A. Off-sale of all alcoholic beverages.
. . .
C. On-sale of all alcoholic beverages.
1. The business shall not be located within 600 feet of a hospital, public or private school (pre- school through twelfth grade), assemblies of people—non-entertainment or public park, as measured from any point upon the outside walls of the building or building lease space containing the business to the nearest property line of the hospital, school, assemblies of people —non-entertainment or park site, except in the Downtown Arts and Entertainment District, as defined in Article X (Definitions), where the 600 foot distance restriction does not apply. However, in said Downtown Arts and Entertainment District, the Zoning Administrator Community & Economic Development Department Director or his/her designee, shall consider distances from the above listed uses for the purpose of achieving compatibility of the business with neighboring uses as part of the review process. . . .”
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
Section 9. Section 19.450.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.450.040 Other applicable regulations.
Where the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) determines that an area has an over concentration of alcoholic beverage licenses and/or a higher than average crime rate ABC may deny an application for alcohol sales unless the Zoning AdministratorCommunity & Economic Development Department Director or his/her d esignee or City Planning Commission makes a determination that public convenience or necessity will be served by the proposed project. The determination that public convenience or necessity will be served shall be made through the following findings:
A. That the license applicant has submitted a request for a particular type of alcoholic beverage license, license upgrade, or premises -to-premises transfer and will agree to all conditions placed on the application;
B. That the proposed use is compatible with surrounding uses and will enhance economic vitality and improve consumer choice in the surrounding area; and C. That the proposed use will not increase the severity of existing law enforcement or public nuisance problems in the area.”
Section 10. Section 19.455.020 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.455.020 Applicability and permit requirements.
Animal keeping, of both domestic and non- domestic animals, as defined in Article X (Definitions), are permitted as set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions subject to the requirements contained in this chapter.
A. Animal keeping, as defined in this chapter, includes the keeping of domestic and non- domestic animals and other species as may be determined by the Zoning AdministratorCommunity & Economic Development Department Director or his/her designee to be similar in nature. . . .”
Section 11. Section 19.465.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.465.030 Site location, operation development standards.
The standards set forth in Article V, Base Zone and Related Use and Development Provisions shall
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
apply to agricultural caretaker living quarters, unless otherwise specified here.
A. Caretaker living quarters—Agricultural.
. . .
C. Caretaker living quarters—Temporary during construction.
1. The temporary unit shall be located on-site and in the rear half of the lot, unless otherwise approved by the Zoning AdministratorCommunity & Economic Development Department Director or his/her designee. In no instance shall the temporary unit be located within public right-of- way.
. . .
5. The unit shall be allowed to remain on the site for an initial period of no more than six months, except that individual extensions of up to three months each with a maximum of one year from the date of the initial siting may be granted by the Zoning AdministratorCommunity & Economic Development Director or his/her designee . There shall be no fee for these time extensions. In considering whether to grant a time extension, the Zoning Administrator Community & Economic Development Department Director or h is/her designee may consider evidence of any land use compatibility related complaints from surrounding residents and property owners. . . .”
Section 12. Section 19.545.050 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.545.050 Permitted density bonus.
A residential development project that complies with the eligibility requirements of Section 19.545.040 shall be granted a density bonus as follows:
A. Bonus for very low-, low-, and moderate-income housing. . . .
C. Bonus for other housing categories. A residential development project that complies with the eligibility requirements of Section 19.545.040 shall be entitled to density bonus as follows:
1. Units for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, homeless persons, or seniors: 20 percent density bonus
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
2. Units for lower-income students: density bonus varies based on percentage of low -income units in the development, up to 50 percent pursuant to California Government Code Section 65915(f)(3)(C).
. . .”
Section 13. Table 19.650.020 of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Approving and Appeal Authority” is amended as shown in Exhibit “D” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 14. Table 19.740.020 of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Temporary Use Permit” is amended as shown in Exhibit “E” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 15. Section 19.740.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.740.040 Exemption.
A. Any temporary uses allowed by this chapter proposed to be located within the boundaries of the Riverside Convention Center shall be exempt from the TUP process. Any proposed tents or structures shall be reviewed and approved by the Building and Safety Division and/or Fire Department which may require additional permits. Events which utilize adjacent sidewalks or other public property shall be subject to the granting of a Special Events Permit.
. . .
E. Minor parking lot sales in conjunction with a permanent land use, on properties zoned CR - Commercial Retail, CG-Commercial General, and CRC -Commercial Regional Center are permitted and exempt from the TUP process provided that sales occur with written permission from the property owners. Sales shall occur up to four times a year for up to four days at a time. Minor parking lot sales shall be defined as those that do not require parking or drive aisle circulation space; are limited to a single vendor; and sell floral, holiday, and graduation gifts only.” Section 16. Section 19.850.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.850.040 Approval/referral.
The request for reasonable accommodation will be considered by the Development Review Committee who may deny, approve, or conditionally approve the request. The Development Review Committee may also refer the request, if it is determined to be significantly controversial, to the Planning Commission. The request shall be placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting agenda. The Planning Commission shall act in the capacity of the Zoning Administrator in such cases.”
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
Section 17. Section 19.895.020 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.895.020 Procedures.
The following procedures apply to applications for a Room Rental Permit:
A. Application. Owners of a single -family residential property that includes a primary dwelling or dwellings, accessory dwelling unit and/or junior accessory dwelling unit wishing to rent a room or rooms to more than two, but not more than four individuals shall make wri tten application to the Zoning AdministratorCommunity & Economic Development Department Director or his/her designee, including all the material deemed necessary to demonstrate compliance with the provisions for this use in Chapter 19.520 (Rental of Rooms), including, a signed copy of the Room Rental Permit Agreement to meet the requirements for additional rentals. . . .”
Section 18: The City Council has reviewed the matter and, based upon the facts and information contained in the staff reports, administrative record, and written and oral testimony, hereby finds that this ordinance is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule), as it can be seen with certainty that approval of the project will not have an effect on the environment.
Section 19: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and cause publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with Section 414 of the Charter of the City of Riverside. This ordinance shall become effective on the 30th day after the date of its adoption but shall not be operative and enforced by the City of Riverside until approved by the voters of the City of Riverside in compliance with California law.
ADOPTED by the City Council this _________ day of _____________, 2025.
___________________________
PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON
Mayor of the City of Riverside
Attest:
_____________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
I, Donesia Gause, City Clerk of the City of Riverside, California, hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the _______ day of _______________, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Riverside, California, this ________ day of ______________, 2025.
_________________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
311734 09/15/25
EXHIBIT “D”
Table 19.650.020
Approving and Appeal Authority
R = Recommending Authority; F = Final Approving Authority (unless appealable); A = Appeal Authority; AR = Approving Authority as Community & Economic Development Director or Development Review Committee on Referral
Type of Permit
or Action
Approving and Appeal Authority
Community &
Economic
Development
Department
Director
Development
Review
Committee (DRC)
City Planning
Commission(9,11)
City Council(1,11)
Administrative
Design Review F(3) A/AR(3) A(3) /F
Fair Housing and
Reasonable
Accommodation
F AR A(4) /F
Findings of Public
Convenience or
Necessity
F AR A/F
Minor Conditional
Use Permit
F A(4) /AR A(4) /F
Administrative
Planned
Residential
Development
Permit
F A(4) /AR A(4) /F
Nonconforming
Determination
F A(4) /AR A(4) /F
Recycling Center
Permit
F AR/A/F
Room Rental
Permit
F AR A/F
Street, Alley, &
Walkway
Vacations
(Summary)
F
Temporary Use
Permit
F(5)
Time Extensions F A/AR A/F
Transportation
Demand
Management
Regulations
F A/F
Variance F A(4) /AR A(4) /F
Zoning Code
Interpretation
F A/AR A/F
Public Hearing
Accessibility
Appeals (Building
Official decisions
relating to access)
F A/F
Airport Land Use
Commission
Appeals
A(10, 12) /F
Annexation or
Detachment
R(6) A/F
Conditional Use
Permit
F(6, 9) A/F
Condominium
Conversion
Permit
R(6) A/F
Development
Agreement and
Amendment(8)
R(6) A/F
Design Review F(3) A/F(3)
Floodplain
Approval;
Floodplain
Variance
F A/F
General Plan
Text/Map
Amendment
R(6, 9) A/F
Planned
Residential
Development
Permit
F(6, 9, 13) A/F
Minor Planned
Residential
Development
Permit
F(6, 9) A/F
Small Lot Planned
Residential
Development
Permit
F(6, 9) A/F
Site Plan Review
Permit
F(6) A/F
Specific Plan and
Amendments
R(6, 9) A/F
Street, Alley, &
Walkway
Vacations
R(6) A/F(7)
Street Name
Change
R(6) A/F
Traffic Pattern
Modification
Measures
R(6) A/F(7)
Zoning Code
Text/Map
Amendment
R(6, 9) A/F
Notes:
1. Decisions of the City Council are final and cannot be appealed.
2. Reserved.
3. Planning Commission primary design review responsibility is limited to concurrent review with another case for which the Planning Commission has approval authority (Refer to Section 19.710.035 - Review Responsibilities of Planning Commission or Community & Economic Development Department Director). Appeal of Planning Commission action on design review is by the full City Council.
4. See Section 19.650.020 C - Designated Approving Authority.
5. Appeal of an action on a Temporary Use Permit shall be to the City Manager. The City Manager's decision is final.
6. If denied by the Planning Commission, the action is final unless appealed to the City Council (See Section 19.680.020 B - Appeal Authority) with the exception of City-initiated General Plan Text/Map Amendments, Zoning Code Text/Map Amendments and Specific Plan Amendments where the Planning Commission is a Recommending Authority only.
7. Street vacations and traffic pattern modification measures require two actions at the City Council: adoption of a resolution of intent to hold a public hearing and a public hearing.
8. See Government Code Section 65864 for more information on Development Agreements.
9. All decisions by the Planning Commission to approve or deny a permit or action are by simple majority of the members present and voting, with the following exceptions:
a. Conditional Use Permits, including revocations, and Planned Residential Development Permits require approval by a 2/3 majority of the Planning Commissioners present and voting; and b. Zoning Code Text/Map Amendments, General Plan Text/Map Amendments, and Specific Plan Amendments require a majority vote of not less than four Planning Commissioners present and voting.
10. All decisions of the City Council to approve or deny a permit or action are by a majority vote of those present and voting except that a 2/3 vote of the total membership (five votes minimum) is required to approve an appeal of a decision of the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC).
11. All tied votes of the Planning Commission mean that an application failed to be approved and will be treated as a denial. When a tie vote exists before the City Council, the Mayor shall have the voting right as any member of the City Council and may cast a vote for or against an item to break a tie. In the Mayor's absence, in the event of a tie vote, the Mayor Pro Tempore shall not have the right to cast a tie-breaking vote; in this instance the City Council vote shall be treated as a denial (Riverside City Charter - Article IV, Section 405).
12. Refer to Section 19.680.030 (E) for details regarding the ALUC appeal process
13. The final decision-making authority for PRD's in the RC Zone shall be the City Council. …
EXHIBIT “E”
Table 19.740.020
Temporary Use Permit
Temporary Use Maximum
Number of
Consecutive Days
per Event1
Maximum
Number of
Occurrences per
Calendar Year1
Maximum
Number of Days
Per Calendar
Year1
Type of
Temporary Use
Permit
Car Show 3 16 48 Minor
Caretaker Living
Quarters -
Temporary During
Construction
Initial period of no more than six months, except that
individual extensions of up to three months each with a maximum of one year from the date of the initial siting may be granted.
Minor
Christmas Tree
and Pumpkin
Sales (Seasonal)
30 2 60 Minor
Circus or Carnival
(With or without
Tent)
7 1 7 Major
Dwelling Unit
(Motor Home, RV,
Camper, etc.)
30 4 60 Minor
Fair, Concert,
Exhibit or Similar
Uses
7 2 14 Minor
Fruit Stands 4 8 32 Minor
Garage Sales Garage Sales are Regulated by Chapter 5.49 of the Riverside Municipal Code
N/A
Mobile Medical
Units for Humans
7 2 14 Minor
Non-Commercial
Car Wash
Contact Public Works Department for requirements for
temporary Car Washes
N/A
Non-Commercial
Tent Meetings
10 1 10 Minor
Outdoor
Preparation of
Food
(Temporary),
Food and Drink
Festivals, or
Similar Uses
3 6 18 Minor
Outdoor Sales in
Conjunction with
a Permanent Land
5 8 40 Minor
Use (Parking Lot
Sale)
Outdoor Sales
Event not in
Conjunction with
a Permanent Land
Use (Swap Meet)
4 4 16 Major
Minor parking lot
sales exempt from
TUP, see
19.740.040.E
Special Events
(Events on Public
Properties
including streets,
schools, or parks)
Special Events are administered by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Division pursuant to Chapter 2.28 of the Riverside Municipal Code
N/A
Subdivision Sales
Trailer or Office
During
Construction
Initial period of no more than one year from the date of the initial siting may be granted.
Minor
Temporary
Emergency
Shelter
- - 180 Major
Temporary
Holiday Storage
Containers
45 1 45 Minor
Vapor Recovery
Operations
- - - Major
;sz=8q; 1 An applicant or property owner may request an increase in the maximum number of days per event, number of occurrences, or days per calendar year by requesting consideration of a Temporary Use Permit to the City Manager and paying all applicable filing fees.