§ 19.410

The purpose of regulating vehicle fuel stations is to ensure compatibility of such uses with surrounding uses and properties and to avoid any impacts associated with such uses.

(Ord. 7331 §62, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

Vehicle fuel stations, as defined in Article X (Definitions), are permitted as set forth in Article V, Base Zone and Related Use and Development Provisions subject to the requirements contained in this chapter.

(Ord. 7331 §62, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

In addition to any findings required for the granting of a discretionary permit for a vehicle fuel station, the Approving or Appeal Authority shall be required to make the additional findings:

A.

That the vehicle fuel station will not substantially increase vehicular traffic on streets in a residential zone, and that the vehicle fuel station will not substantially lessen the usability and suitability of adjacent or nearby residentially zoned property for residential use.

B.

That the vehicle fuel station will not substantially lessen the usability of adjacent or nearby commercially-zoned property for commercial use by interfering with pedestrian traffic.

C.

That the vehicle fuel station will not create increased traffic hazards to pedestrians when located near a school, assemblies of people—non-entertainment or assemblies of people—entertainment.

D.

That the vehicle fuel station site is served by streets and highways adequate in width and pavement type to carry the quantity and kind of traffic generated by such service station use.

E.

That the vehicle fuel station site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate said use, and to accommodate all yards, walls, parking, landscaping and other required improvements.

(Ord. 7505 § 1(Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 7331 §62, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

19.410.040 - Site location, operation and development standards.

The standards set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions, shall apply to vehicle fuel stations unless otherwise specified here.

A.

The gross land area shall be not less than one acre.

B.

The site shall be located on an arterial street, as identified on the General Plan—Master Plan of Roadways.

C.

Except as setbacks along arterial streets may require additional setbacks, all buildings, structures or improvements shall meet the following setbacks: 1.

Gasoline and hydrogen fuel pumps or dispensers and canopies shall be located no closer than 20 feet from any property line.

The setbacks specified in this subsection C may be used only for the following purposes:

a.

Passage or temporary standing of automobiles

b.

Landscaping

c.

Light poles and standards

A minimum ten-foot landscaped setback shall be provided adjacent to any public street.

D.

Buildings shall not exceed a height of 35 feet, except as otherwise provided in Article V.

E.

When a vehicle fuel station adjoins any lot in a residential, mixed use, or Office (O) Zone, a minimum six-foot-high masonry wall shall be erected and maintained along such property line; provided, however, that such wall shall be only three feet high from the setback line of the adjoining property to the front property line. F.

Screening of pump islands and storage/production tanks for hydrogen fuel stations is encouraged by orienting on-site buildings closer to perimeter street frontages.

G.

Screening of hydrogen fuel storage/production tanks shall be accomplished by orienting the tanks behind on-site buildings and within a solid masonry wall enclosure that blends with the building. If this cannot be accomplished, screening shall consist of landscaping and/or artwork, or alternative methods at the discretion of the approving authority. Use of chain-link or similar fencing materials is not permitted.

H.

Not withstanding other provisions to the contrary, the following site operation standards shall apply to vehicle stations:

Operations outside the vehicle fuel station building shall be limited to the dispensing of gasoline, oil, air and water.

All storage and display of merchandise and supplies must be conducted within the service station building.

No vehicles shall be parked on the premises other than those of persons attending to business on the site, vehicles being serviced for customers, vehicles of employees, and other service vehicles used in the operation of the station. No vehicle may be parked on the premises and offered for sale.

4.

Any tank or display provided for the incidental sale of propane or similar material shall be fully screened from view from any public right-of-way.

Hydrogen fuel pumps shall be oriented to provide adequate circulation throughout the site.

I.

Hydrogen fuel stations shall comply with the following:

Safety and performance standards established by the Society of Automotive Engineers and accredited nationally recognized testing laboratories;

Any rules established by the state Air Resources Board, Energy Commission, or Department of Food and Agriculture regarding safety, reliability, weights, and measures; and

All other applicable codes and regulations.

(Ord. 7743, § 5, 2025; Ord. 7331 §62, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

19.410.050 - Other applicable regulations.

When uses are combined the more restrictive standards of a subject use will apply.

A.

Vehicle repair activities conducted on site, where permitted, shall be subject to conditions imposed through the discretionary permit review process. At a minimum, vehicle repair activities shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.420 (Vehicle Repair Facilities) of the Zoning Code.

B.

Vehicle wash facilities and activities conducted on site, where permitted, shall be subject to conditions imposed through the discretionary permit review process. At a minimum, vehicle wash facilities shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.425 (Vehicle Wash Facilities) of the Zoning Code.

C.

Drive-thru businesses and activities conducted on site, where permitted, shall be subject to conditions imposed through the discretionary permit review process. At a minimum, drive thru businesses shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.475 (Drive thru Businesses) of the Zoning Code.

(Ord. 7331 §62, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

19.410.060 - Modifications.

Any modifications to the above site location, operation and development standards may be considered in conjunction with the required Conditional Use Permit.

(Ord. 7331 §62, 2016)

Chapter 19.415 - VEHICLE IMPOUND AND TOW YARDS

19.415.010 - Purpose.

The purpose of regulating vehicle impound and tow yards is to ensure compatibility of such uses with surrounding uses and properties and to avoid any impacts associated with such uses.

(Ord. 7331 §63, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

19.415.020 - Applicability and permit requirements.

Vehicle impound and tow yards, as defined in Article X (Definitions) are permitted as set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions subject to the requirements contained in this chapter.

(Ord. 7331 §63, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

19.415.030 - Site location, operation and development standards.

The standards set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions, shall apply to vehicle impound yards, unless otherwise specified here.

A.

No automobile impound or tow yard shall be closer than 300 feet to any property in a residential, mixed use, office, commercial, air, public facilities, or an agricultural zone, as measured from property line to property line.

B.

The impound or tow storage yard shall be entirely enclosed by an eight-foot-high decorative masonry wall.

C.

A minimum 20-foot landscaped setback shall be provided along all street frontages.

D.

All vehicles within the impound yard shall have ground contact of all wheels. No stacking of vehicles shall be permitted.

E.

The surface of the storage yard shall be covered with slate, slag or alternate dust-, weed- and mud-retardant material acceptable to the Approving or Appeal Authority. Any stormwater or other runoff from the site shall be contained on the site and disposed of through an on-site drainage system, in conformance with City regulations to enforce the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit.

F.

All other applicable requirements of the underlying zone, and any applicable overlay zone or specific plan, whichever is most restrictive, shall prevail and other requirements as may be imposed by the Approving or Appeal Authority pursuant to the discretionary permit process.

G.

The business shall be operated in compliance with the provisions of Noise Control (Title 7 of the Riverside Municipal Code).

H.

Lighting shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 19.556 of the Zoning Code.

I.

All areas utilized for storage shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of all surface water in a manner consistent with water quality control standards enforced by the Public Works Department.

J.

All such areas shall be maintained in good repair, in a clean, neat and orderly condition.

K.

All such areas shall be provided with internal circulation, safe entrances and exits meeting the established standards and specifications of the Planning Division and Public Works Department.

(Ord. 7331 §63, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)