April 7, 2026
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: Travis Randel, Deputy City Manager, Development Services APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Second Reading of Ordinance No. 25-07 to Amend Section 10.16.210 (Commercial Vehicles)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 25-07 entitled:
An Ordinance of the City of San Jacinto Amending Section
10.16.210 (Commercial Vehicles) of Chapter 16 (Parking and Traffic Control) of Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the San Jacinto Municipal Code, Relating to the Regulation of Commercial Vehicle Parking and the Establishment of a Limited Exemption for Historic Commercial Vehicles.
2. Direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Recorder’s Office.
BACKGROUND:
Ordinance No. 25-07 amends Title 10, Chapter 16, Section 10.16.210 of the San Jacinto Municipal Code to update the City’s definition of commercial vehicles and establish a limited exemption for Historic Commercial Vehicles.
The ordinance was originally introduced on August 19, 2025. Following that introduction, the item was remanded to staff for further refinement. The ordinance was subsequently revised based on feedback from the City Council and the community.
On March 17, 2026, the City Council considered the revised ordinance. Following staff presentation, public comment, and Council discussion, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 25-07 on a 4–1 vote, with Councilmembers Vandever, Ledezma, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez, and Mayor Ruiz voting in favor, and Councilmember Ayala voting in opposition.
The ordinance presented for second reading is unchanged from the version introduced on March 17, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
As previously presented, the ordinance maintains the City’s prohibition on commercial vehicles in residential zones while establishing a limited exemption for Historic Commercial Vehicles on qualifying Residential Rural parcels.
The ordinance incorporates prior Council direction and staff refinements to provide clearer, more explicit standards related to vehicle classification, paving, screening, and application requirements. It also establishes a local definition of “Historic Commercial Vehicle” to distinguish between standard historic passenger vehicles and commercial-type vehicles, improving clarity and consistency in application.
The exemption is intentionally limited in scope and subject to objective standards to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential uses. Approval is processed administratively through a Zoning Clearance issued by the Planning Division.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed ordinance has been reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council finds that the ordinance is not subject to CEQA under Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA. In addition, the ordinance qualifies for the “common sense” exemption under Section 15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The ordinance does not authorize new development, grading, or construction, nor does it modify land use designations, zoning entitlements, or density. Instead, it creates a narrowly tailored exemption for a limited number of Historic Commercial Vehicles on qualifying rural residential parcels, along with clarifying updates to the definition of “commercial vehicle.” FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund resulting from the adoption of this ordinance. The processing of vehicle registrations and any associated site plan reviews will be handled by existing Community Development staff as part of routine operations. Any code enforcement related to violations of this section would similarly be addressed within the City’s current enforcement framework.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 25-07
Exhibit "A"
March 17, 2026 City Council Staff Report