1 7/9/2026
RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
AMENDMENT TO RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5.80 – ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT City CouncilJuly 28, 2026Community & Economic Development Department RiversideCA.gov2
November 5, 2019 - City Council adopted Ordinance No. 7488 to add Chapter 5.80 Entertainment Permit (EP) within Title 5 (Businesses) of the RMC•Intended to regulate the operation of entertainment establishments•Ensures consistent regulation across businessesoSets Clear expectations for operatorsoSupports efficient, uniform enforcement•Provides immediate enforcement toolsoEstablished a three-tier escalating enforcement frameworkBACKGROUND 1 2
2 7/9/2026
RiversideCA.gov3
February 4, 2020 - City Council adopted Ordinance No. 7505 to update Title 19 (Zoning) to reflect Entertainment Permit provisionsPrior to Chapter 5.80 –Entertainment uses were regulated through an MCUP or CUPIntent of Chapter 5.80 –For all entertainment uses within the City to obtain an EP Existing entertainment uses –must modify their MCUP or CUP to operate under an EPBACKGROUND (CONTINUED) RiversideCA.gov4
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
•Chapter 5.80 – Entertainment PermitCODE SECTION •There are seven findings the Chief of Police must make to approve the issuance of an EP. •One finding for Issuance of an EP prevents some existing entertainment uses from obtaining an EP.CURRENT •Provide an alternative path for existing entertainment uses to obtain an EP by allowing the Chief of Police to issue an EP if the permittee demonstrates they have abated the issues and agree to additional terms and conditions. PROPOSED 3 4 3
7/9/2026
RiversideCA.gov5
That the City Council:•Introduce and subsequently adopt an Ordinance amendingChapter 5.80 of the Riverside Municipal Code regardingEntertainment Permits. RECOMMENDATIONS RiversideCA.gov6
Reference Slides 5
6 4
7/9/2026
RiversideCA.gov7
Section 5.80.070 Issuance of Entertainment Permit.B. Where the Chief of Police does not approve an entertainment permit, the Chief of Police shall inform the permittee of the reason(s) for the denial in writing.1. If the Chief of Police’s decision to deny an entertainment permit is based solely on the Permittee’s history of committing, permitting or failing to prevent significant violations of the city code, or any license or permit, in connection with an entertainment establishment for which he or she was a responsible person, the Chief of Police may nevertheless issue an entertainment permit to the Permittee if:a. The Permittee provides the Chief of Police sufficient evidence which, in the discretion of the Chief of Police, shows the history of violations of the city code have been abated and/or will no longer occur, and b. The Permittee agrees to additional terms and conditions during the initial term of the entertainment permit, which have a rational relationship to the history of violations of the city code described above, and c. The Permittee previously engaged in entertainment activity through a Minor Conditional Use Permit, Conditional Use Permit, or other nonconforming use prior to the adoption of this Chapter.PROPOSED CODE LANGUAGE7