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28 ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TABLES AND SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 19.170 OF THE RIVERSIDE
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING INNOVATION DISTRICT OVERLAY
ZONE (ID).
The City Council of the City of Riverside does ordain as follows:
Section 1: Table 19.170.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Permitted Uses” is amended as shown in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 2: Table 19.170.060 of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “Building Intensity and Location” is amended as shown in Exhibit “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 3: Table 19.170.070 of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “ IE – Industrial Emphasis (IE) Sub- District Development Standards ” is amended as shown in Exhibit “C” attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 4: Section 19.170.080 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 19.170.080 Additional standards.
In addition to the requirements outlined in Section 19.240.060, the following shall apply to building placement. The following diagram illustrates key terms used to define development areas on a lot:
A. Additional setback requirements.
1. Permitted encroachments into the front setback include the following private building frontage elements: stoops (exterior stairs), forecourt terraces (at grade space), light court terraces (below grade space and stairs), recessed arcades and walkways, outd oor dining, green walls, artistic expressions, parking access screening, and planter boxes.
2. Building setbacks.
a. For buildings fronting on two streets, the front setback shall apply on both frontages. b. For buildings fronting on three or more streets, the front setback shall apply on at least two of the frontages.
3. Accessory buildings.
a. Accessory buildings in the rear setback shall be a minimum of 15 feet measured from the centerline of the rear alley easement.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
b. In the absence of a rear alley, the rear setback for accessory buildings, the setback shall be a minimum of ten feet.
4. Exceptions.
a. Outdoor eating areas - Where an outdoor eating area is installed, a portion of the building may be set back up to 12 feet from the frontage line, if at least 80 percent of the building facade is at the frontage line.
B. Façade width.
a. In the EE and HE Sub- Districts, the minimum façade width shall be 80 percent of the lot width.
b. In the IE and ET Sub- Districts, the minimum façade width shall be 60 percent of the lot width.
C. Building heights.
1. Heights do not apply to attics, parapets, belfries, clock towers, chimney flutes, water tanks, elevator bulkheads or tower.
2. Residential building floor to finished ceiling height must be a minimum of ten feet in HE, EE, and ET Sub -Districts, except for ground or first floor live -work uses which do not have a minimum.
3. For development projects in all Sub-Districts that adjoin the ET Sub-District, the maximum building height shall be 65 feet within 20 feet of the ET Sub-district.
D. Façade glazing and openings.
1. The ground floor façade of primary buildings with commercial and/or office uses shall be a minimum of 70 percent glazed area.
2. Ground floor openings shall have transparent glazing and provide views into work areas, display areas, sales areas, lobbies, or similar active spaces, or into window displays that are three feet deep or more.
3. In the EE, HE and ET Sub- Districts, a continuous plane of any building façade shall not exceed 20 feet without an opening.
4. Exceptions to glazing.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
a. In the IE Sub-District, multi-level parking facilities, where permitted, are not required to meet the ground-floor transparency requirement (refer to development standard, C1 above). b. If buildings are in rear layer , and not visible from the adjacent public street, the building ground-floor transparency requirement shall not be required (refer to development standard, C1 above).
E. Windows and entryways.
1. All new buildings shall have windows on all perimeter walls oriented towards streets and courtyards.
2. All new buildings shall have clearly identifiable entry doorways on Front façades.
F. Loading areas.
1. Truck docks, loading, storage yards, and service areas are permitted within the rear layer on rear alley and lanes.
2. Loading, storage yards, and service areas shall be located on the side or rear of buildings and shall not face a street.
G. Open space.
1. Common ground floor open space.
a. Common ground floor open space is to be used for enhanced landscaping and passive/active gathering areas. Common ground floor open space does not include land occupied by streets, driveways, parking areas, service areas, required landscape areas or required front and street side yards.
b. Common ground floor open space may be provided in lieu of providing individual open space for each unit within the first four floors above the ground floor. c. In the IE, EE and HE Sub- Districts, common ground floor open space, including, but not limited to terraces, courtyards, plazas, and patios, is required and must be directly accessible from within the primary building.
d. In the IE Sub-district, common ground floor open space adjacent to the public right-of-way shall be screened with decorative wall compliant with the development standards below (Section L.3). e. Minimum Dimensions
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
i. Common ground floor open space shall be provided at a rate of 70 square feet per 1,000 square feet of building area or a minimum of 7,000 square feet, whichever is less.
. ii. Each common ground floor open space area shall have a minimum dimension of 20 feet in width.
2. Common upper floor open space—Mixed-use buildings.
a. In the EE and HE Sub-Districts, common upper floor open space, including, but not limited to, balconies, decks, terraces, common open space, and rooftops, is required for every five floors above the first four floors and the on the rooftop.
. . .
H. Outdoor retail sales and merchandise display.
1. All outdoor retail sales and merchandise displays shall be directly accessible to the primary
business.
. . .
5. The temporary use of a parking or undeveloped area for outdoor retail sales, merchandise displays, and entertainment is permitted with a temporary use permit as defined in the Zoning Code.
I. Outdoor storage.
For nonresidential uses, storage shall be located in the rear layer of the lot and not visible from streets.
2. Storage shall be located behind the rear most wall of the building, or 50 feet, whichever is less.
3. In the EE, HE and ET Sub- Districts, storage shall be a maximum ten percent of the gross floor area of the use or 600 square feet, whichever is less.
4. In the IE Sub-District, storage shall be a maximum 10 percent of the lot area.
J. Parking.
1. Screening.
a. For lots without a primary building, parking shall be fully screened using landscaping, opaque walls, or other rigid materials to screen any parking spaces located in the front layer.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
b. Screening shall be a minimum 36-inches in height.
c. Screening shall be setback a minimum of two-feet from the property line.
2. Off-street parking shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the property line. a. Parking may be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the street adjacent property lines, if a decorative wall compliant with the development standards below (Section L.3) is provided to screen the parking.
K. Pedestrian network connectivity.
1. An internal network of pedestrian walkways shall connect: 1) all buildings on a site; 2) on- site automobile and bicycle parking areas; 3) sidewalks; and 4) any on- site common open space or amenity.
. . .
4. Where a walkway is parallel and immediately adjacent to an drive aisle, clearly identifiable markings shall be required to separate the walkway from the auto travel lane using a raised curb, bollards, or other physical barriers.
L. Edge conditions.
1. Building pads sited along Massachusetts Avenue, between Kansas and Chicago Avenues, shall be equal to the grade of the public right-of-way.
2. All developments shall provide parkway adjacent sidewalks along Massachusetts Avenue.
3. Fences and walls facing public rights-of-way require a minimum setback of 5-feet from the property line.
a. Fences and walls are not permitted to be located between the building and the public right-of-way.
b. Height of fences and walls facing public rights-of-way may be a maximum of 6-feet in height. Provided that the bottom 2/3s of the wall is solid, and the upper 1/3 of the wall is openwork.
c. Fences and walls facing public rights-of-way shall be constructed of a minimum of two decorative materials.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
4. Site Plan shall be designed to prevent the queuing of trucks on streets or elsewhere outside of facility.
M. Temporary mixed-use areas.
1. A temporary use may be allowed on vacant lots in EE and/or HE Sub-Districts to activate the site if it meets the Sub-District's general intent.” / /
/ /
Section 5: The City hereby finds that this ordinance is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060, subdivision (c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15061, subdivision (b)(3) (there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment). In addition to the foregoing general exemptions, the City Council furthe r finds that this ordinance is categorically exempt from review under CEQA under the Class 8 Categorical Exemption (regulatory activity to assure the protection of the environment), CEQA Guidelines section 15308.
Section 6: 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.
ADOPTED by the City Council this ____ day of ________________, 2026.
_____________________________________
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 at a meeting of the City Council on the _______ day of _______________, 2026, and that thereafter the said ordinance was duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the _________day of _____________, 2026, 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 _____________, 2026.
_____________________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
EXHIBIT “A”
Table 19.170.040 - Permitted Uses
This table identifies permitted uses and uses requiring approval of other permits by zoning designation.
District IE EE HE ET CS
Civic Facilities
Community Center and Services X P P P P
Emergency Shelters MC MC MC X P
Outdoor Auditorium and Performances X MC MC X P
Public Parking Areas and Structured Garages P P MC MC P Transit Mobility Services and Stations P P P P P
Commercial Functions
Alcohol Sales - On-Premises P P P MC P
Assemblies of People - Entertainment (<500 people) X MC MC MC MC Assemblies of People - Non-Entertainment (<500
people)
X MC MC MC MC
Clean Energy Use P P P X X
Day Care (child and senior) MC P P P P
Education and Training Facilities X P P MC MC
Home Occupations X P P P X
Personal Services P P P P X
Retail Sales P P P P P
Restaurant (Full Service, Limit-Service, Small Shop,
excluding drive-thru)
P P P P P
Shopkeeper Units (predominately work within a living
space)
X P MC P
Vehicle Repair (indoor only) P MC X X X
Veterinarian/Small Animal Clinic P P P MC X
Hospitality Functions
Convention Services X P P X P
Hotel X P P X X
Industrial Functions
Clean Energy Use P P P X X
Heavy-Industries MC MC X X X
Light-Industries P P MC X X
Outdoor Storage P MC X X X
Research Laboratories (wet laboratories/OSHA
regulated)
P P MC MC X
Transportation Facilities P MC X X X
Warehousing and Distribution Facilities P X X X X
Office Functions
Administrative and Professional Facilities P P P MC X Medical Facilities P P MC MC X
Research Laboratories (non-OSHA regulated) P P MC X X Residential Types
Attached Multiple-Family Dwelling X P P P X
Detached Single and Multiple Family Dwelling X X X P X Live/Work Units (predominately living within a
workspace)
X MC P MC X
Single-Room Occupancy Unit (Co-Living) X P P MC X
C = Subject to the granting of a conditional use permit (CUP), Chapter 19.760 SP = Site Plan Review Permit, Chapter 19.770
MC = Subject to the granting of Minor Conditional Use Permit (MCUP), Chapter 19.730 sq. ft. = Square Feet
P = Permitted
EXHIBIT “B”
Table 19.170.060 - Building Intensity and Location
This table coordinates specific Building Functions, Intensities, and Location within each Zoning Sub -District.
Sub-District
Function
IE EE HE ET
Civic Civic space edges
shall be completely
or predominately
bounded by
buildings mid-block
or at street corners.
Civic spaces may be
hybrids and directly
with public
streetscape
elements located
mid-block and/or at
corners.
Civic space edges
shall be completely
or partially
bounded by
buildings and/or
located mid-block
and street corners.
Civic space edges
may be partially
bounded by
buildings and shall
be directly
accessible to 3rd
Street walkways.
Commercial 1st floor of the
primary building on
corner lots may be
commercial.
Up to 60% of the
primary and
accessory buildings
may be commercial.
Up to 40% of the
primary and/or
accessory buildings
may be commercial.
On corner lots up to
20% of the primary
buildings 1st floor
shall be
commercial.
Hospitality Not allowed. Up to 60% of the
primary and/or
accessory buildings
may be hospitality
uses.
Up to 80% of the
primary buildings
may be hotel uses.
Not allowed.
Industrial Primary and
accessory buildings
may be industrial.
Up to 60% of the
primary buildings
may be light
industrial and/or
clean and green
industry.
Only 1st floors of
accessory buildings
may be light
industrial and/or
clean and green
industries.
Only 1st floors of
accessory buildings
may be light
industrial and/or
clean and green
industries.
Not allowed.
Office Up to 40% of the
primary and
accessory buildings
may be office.
Up to 100% of the
primary buildings
may be office.
Up to 40% of the
area of the primary
and accessory
buildings may be
office.
Only floors 1-2 in
the accessory
buildings may be
office
Floors 1 - 2 of the
primary buildings
may be office.
Up to 100% of
accessory buildings
may be office.
Residential Not allowed. Up to 40% of the
primary and/or
accessory buildings
shall be residential.
Up to 100% of the
primary buildings
may be residential.
Units are allowed to
Up to 100% of the
primary and
accessory buildings
may be residential,
Units are allowed to
average >400
square feet.
average >600
square feet
except corner lots.
Units are allowed to
average >800
square feet
EXHIBIT “C”
Table 19.170.070 IE - Industrial Emphasis (IE) Sub-District Development Standards
IE Development Standards Minimum Maximum #
Lot and Density
Lot Width (ft.) 25 - ①
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Sites under 5 acres 1.0 2.0
Sites over 5 acres 0.40 N/A
Residential Density (Lots - Dwelling Units per Acre) N/A N/A Building Form and Location
Building Height - Primary Building N/A 75-feet ②
Building Height - Accessory Building (Floors) - 3 floors Build-to Lines and Setbacks (ft.)
Front (Principal Building)1
Kansas, Massachusetts,
and Chicago Avenues
5 102 ③
All Other Frontages Same as I –
General
Industrial Zone
N/A
Interior Side 5 - ⑥
Rear 10 - ⑦
Architectural Feature Projection Encroachment - 5 feet ⑧ Rear Lot Layer Setback from Primary Frontage Line 25 - ⇑ Parking
Off-Street Parking 1 space per
500 sq ft or per
Zoning Code,
whichever is
less
5 spaces per 1000
sq ft
"#"in the table corresponds with the numbers on the graphic 1 Common ground floor open space may encroach into the setback area 2 Eighty percent or more of the building façade shall comply.