Safety, Wellness, and Youth
Committee Memorandum
TO: SAFETY, WELLNESS, AND DATE: MAY 20, 2026
YOUTH COMMITTEE
FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
ISSUE:
Receive an update and provide input on the Riverside Police Department’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file this update on the Riverside Police Department’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Program.
BACKGROUND:
On October 15, 2025, the Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee considered a proposed ordinance amending Riverside Municipal Code Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 10.56 – Restricted Use of Certain Streets by adding Section 10.56.070 regarding fines and penalties for violations of Chapter 10.56 increasing the fine amount from $100 to $1,000 and issuing the violation as an administrative citation. Following Discussion with Chair Perry, Vice Chair Conder, and Member Mill present, it was moved by Member Mill and seconded by Vice Chair Conder to receive and file the proposal and recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance. The motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION:
Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) Chapter 10.56 – Restricted Use of Certain Streets outlines various restrictions related to operating vehicles in specific areas throughout the City of Riverside. The restrictions are primarily related to weight and axle limits of commercial vehicles. Violations are enforced by Riverside Police Department officers using various subsections of RMC Chapter 10.56 and then processed through the Riverside Superior Traffic Court. Processing the RMC violations through the court system carries a fine of roughly $250 plus applicable penalties and surcharges. The fine is defined as “an offense not specifically listed in the Uniform Traffic Infraction Bail and Penalty Schedule” and cannot be changed by the City. This processing method alleviates the City from having to administer the citations or navigate collection processes but commercial drivers are reportedly undeterred by the low fine amount.
On October 15, 2025, the Riverside Police Department and City Attorney’s Office proposed a revision to RMC Chapter 10.56 to increase the penalty associated with violations of this chapter from $100 to $1,000 and to begin enforcing the citations through the city’s administrative citation process in lieu of processing through the court system. It was presumed that the much higher fine amount would be more effective in deterring commercial drivers from driving on restricted city streets. The Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed fine increase.
Implementing the administrative citation process typically includes contracting with a third-party vendor to process the citations, including but not limited to, monitoring citation progress, printing and mailing notices, processing payments, administering the appeals process with administrative hearings and hearing officers, and navigating a potential collections process. A similar process is conducted for parking citations and code enforcement citations.
While preparing the proposed ordinance for City Council and for the implementation of the administrative citation process, the Police Department was also having discussions with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) regarding commercial vehicle enforcement practices. The consensus was that commercial drivers are less concerned about fine amounts and more concerned with Negligent Operator Treatment System points (points) being added to their Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) record.
Points can have significant consequences on the driver’s current or future employment because the accumulation of points can lead to increased insurance premiums and may result in the suspension or revocation of a commercial driver’s license. A commercial driver will incur points at a rate that is 1.5 times more than a non-commercial driver and the points are retained on the driving record for three years. Additionally, commercial drivers are not eligible to attend traffic school to mask a conviction. Citations issued using the RMC, whether administered through the court system or the administrative process, do not incur points on a driver’s DMV record. Points are only incurred if a driver is convicted of a Vehicle Code Violation.
Therefore, as an alternative to issuing administrative citations and an administrative fine increase, RPD began bolstering commercial enforcement city-wide by collaborating with the CHP in conducting weekly commercial enforcement saturation patrols and regular commercial enforcement checkpoints. During these operations, RPD is issuing violations using vehicle code sections related to commercial vehicle enforcement instead of issuing citations for RMC violations. CHP officers assist in these operations allowing for an increased enforcement.
In addition to the enforcement operations, RPD has prepared flyers and will utilize social media to increase exposure to commercial enforcement which will both educate and deter commercial drivers from using restricted routes. RPD recognizes the commercial enforcement issue and believes the alternative solution presented herein will be impactful in reducing the number of commercial vehicles being driven on restricted roadways in the City of Riverside.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Chad Chinchilla, Police Lieutenant
Approved by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: Presentation
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Program Update ● Page 2