1 10/9/2025
RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
OMNIBUS ZONING CODE CLEAN UPPR-2023-001793 (AMD) – ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTCity CouncilOctober 21, 2025Community & Economic Development Department RiversideCA.gov2
PURPOSE
Align Zoning Code with California lawImplement City Council/Committee directionRefine and improve permitting processesMake minor adjustments, clarifications, & corrections 1 2 2
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RiversideCA.gov3
•Chapter 19.150 – Base Zones Permitted Land Uses•Chapter 19.410 – Vehicle Fuel Stations CODE SECTION•All vehicle fueling stations are subject to the same development standards and permitting requirements•The Zoning Code does not currently reflect SB 1418 (2024), which streamlines the permitting of hydrogen fuel stationsCURRENT•Streamline permitting of certain hydrogen fuel stations per SB 1418•Add development and operation standards for hydrogen fuel stations•Make other minor clarificationsPROPOSEDAMENDMENT 1: HYDROGEN FUEL STATIONS Image Source: Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association
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•Chapter 19.450 – Alcohol Sales•Chapter 19.650 – Approving and Appeal AuthorityCODE SECTION•There are no codified findings of Public Convenience or Necessity (PCorN) for overconcentration of alcohol licenses in the Zoning Code•The Zoning Code does not specify which decisionmakers make PCorN findingsCURRENT•Codify findings•Specify which decisionmakers are authorized to make PCorN findingsPROPOSEDAMENDMENT 2: FINDINGS OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE OR NECESSITY (PCORN) Image Source: iStock 3 4
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RiversideCA.gov5
Chapter 19.150 – Base Zones Permitted Land UsesCODE SECTIONOrdinance No. 7709 created an MCUP requirement for junk dealers/scrap metal recyclers, which are currently prohibited as a primary useCURRENTKeep use prohibited as a primaryuse in those zones but permit with an MCUP as an incidental use in the General Industrial (I) ZonePROPOSEDAMENDMENT 3: JUNK DEALERS/SCRAP METAL RECYLERSImage Source: Adobe Stock RiversideCA.gov6
Chapter 19.150 – Base Zones Permitted Land UsesCODE SECTIONCertain uses under the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Overlay may be too restricted; streamlining recommendedCURRENTReduce the level of entitlement needed for select uses under the NC Overlay.PROPOSEDAMENDMENT 4: NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL OVERLAY STREAMLINING Hatching indicates properties with NC Overlay5
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Chapter 19.150 – Base Zones Permitted Land UsesCODE SECTION•Day care and tutoring centers require levels of permitting that may limit their development•“Astrology and Fortune-Telling (Occultist)” is considered outdated as a standalone useCURRENT•Reduce levels of permitting for day care and tutoring centers•Fold “Astrology and Fortune-Telling (Occultist)” into the Office row of the Permitted Uses TablePROPOSEDAMENDMENTS 5-7: ADDITIONAL STREAMLINING Image Source: Brightwheel Image Source: Shutterstock
Image Source: Adobe Stock
RiversideCA.gov8
•Chapter 19.150 – Base Zones Permitted Land Uses•Chapter 19.740 – Temporary Use Permit CODE SECTION•The Zoning Code requires all outdoor sales not in conjunction with a permanent land use to obtain a major temporary use permit (TUP). •Major TUP fees and process are not appropriate for brief, single-vendor salesCURRENTAmend the Temporary Use Permit chapter to:•Define minor parking lot salesand clarify they would be exempt from TUPs•Codify requirements for minor parking lot salesPROPOSEDAMENDMENT 8: MINOR PARKING LOT SALESImage Source: Orange County Register 7 8
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RiversideCA.gov9
Chapter 19.440 – Accessory Buildings and StructuresCODE SECTIONNon-metal accessory structures on certain single-family zoned lots are exempt from the 750 square foot size limit if the lots are >1 acre; community feedback has encouraged lowering the thresholdCURRENTLower the threshold of size limit exemption from >1 acreto ≥1/2 acrePROPOSEDAMENDMENT 9: ACCESSORY STRUCTURES Image Source: FreeImages
RiversideCA.gov10
Various chapters throughout the Riverside Municipal CodeCODE SECTIONMinor clarifications & corrections are needed throughout the Riverside Municipal CodeCURRENTCorrections made for the following:•Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)•Density bonuses•Zoning administrator languagePROPOSEDAMENDMENTS 10-12: MINOR CORRECTIONS 9 10
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RECOMMENDATIONSStaff recommends that the City Council: 1. DETERMINEthat the project is exempt from the California EnvironmentalQuality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule)of the CEQA Guidelines and;2. APPROVEPlanning Case PR-2024-001793 (AMD) based on the findingsoutlined in the staff report.3. INTRODUCEand subsequentlyADOPTthe attached Ordinance amendingTitle 19 – Zoning Code of the Riverside Municipal Code.
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REFERENCE ONLY: ACCESSORY STRUCTURESPrimary dwelling800 sq ft wood patio coverPrimary dwellingCurrent Proposed800 sq ft patio cover on certain oversized SF lots: Permitted if lot size >1 acre800 sq ft wood patio cover800 sq ft patio cover on certain oversized SF lots: Permitted if lot size ≥1/2 acreALL OTHER DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS APPLY 11 12