Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 19.770 Site Plan Review Permit

The site plan review permit process is established to meet certain community goals that include the following:

A. To ensure that the highest quality of land planning is incorporated into development projects;

B. To ensure that new projects are compatible with existing neighborhoods in terms mass, scale and functionality;

C. To ensure that development occurs with due regard to environmental factors;

D. To provide for public improvements necessitated by the development; and

E. To promote orderly, attractive and harmonious development, and promote the general welfare by preventing the establishment of uses or erection of structures that are not properly related to or that would adversely impact their sites, surroundings, traffic circulation or environmental setting.

(Ord. 7573 § 1(Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 7331 §112, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

A. General process. Site plan review permit (SPR) applications shall be processed in accordance with the discretionary permit processing provisions as set forth in Chapters 19.650 (Approving Authority), 19.660 (General Application Processing Procedures), 19.670 (Notices and Hearings), 19.680 (Appeals), 19.690 (Effective Dates) and other applicable chapters of the Zoning Code.

(Ord. 7573 § 1(Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 7331 §112, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

The following commercial or mixed-use projects require a site plan review permit:

A. Commercial. In addition to any other permits required by the Zoning Code, no new building, structure, exterior alteration or enlargement of an existing building or structure exceeding 10,000 square feet shall be commenced in the Commercial Regional Center Zone (CRC) (Chapter 19.110) until a Site Plan Review Permit has been granted pursuant to this chapter.

B. Mixed-Use. In addition to any other permits required by the Zoning Code, no new building, structure or exterior alteration or enlargement of an existing building or structure exceeding 20,000 square feet of nonresidential space or 20 residential units, whichever is greater, shall be commenced in any Mixed-Use Village or Urban Zones (Chapter 19.120) until a site plan review permit has been granted pursuant to this chapter.

C. Planning Commission requirement. The Planning Commission, at its discretion, may require a site plan review permit as a condition for any project.

D. Exemption.

1. Any site plan review included as part of the review for conditional use permits, minor conditional use permits and planned residential development permits and design review is subject to the requirements of Chapters 19.730 (Minor Conditional Use Permit), 19.760 (Conditional Use Permits) and 19.780 (Planned Residential Development Permit) and is therefore exempt from the requirement of a separate site plan review permit unless such site plan review is deferred at the time of approval of such permits.

2. Stand-alone multi-family or age-restricted senior residential uses in any Mixed-Use zone are permitted by right subject to Chapter 19.710 - Design Review, and do not require a Site Plan Review.

(Ord. 7573 § 1(Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 7487 § 26, 11-5-2019; Ord. 7408 §1, 2018; Ord. 7331 §112, 2016; Ord. 7235 §19, 2013; Ord. 7091 §13, 2010; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the approving or appeal authority may require reasonable conditions of approval on a site plan review permit including, but not limited to the following.

A. Special conditions or requirements to revise the site plan, that are more restrictive than the development standards in the underlying base zone or including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Building height, bulk or mass;

2. Setbacks;

3. Lot coverage;

4. Lighting;

5. Private and common open space and/or recreational amenities;

6. Screening, including garages, trash receptacles, or mechanical equipment;

7. Landscaping;

8. Fencing plans;

9. Parking, access and on-site circulation;

10. Pedestrian circulation;

11. Grading;

12. Street dedication and improvements;

13. Public improvements either on or off the subject site that are needed to service the proposed development;

14. Project phasing;

15. Any other revisions to the site plan or operational conditions deemed necessary to further the purposes of this title.

B. Reduced development standards for affordable housing projects in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.545 (Density Bonus).

(Ord. 7660, § 17, 2024; Ord. 7573 § 1(Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 7331 §112, 2016; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)

The Planning Commission may approve a Site Plan Review for development upon making the following findings:

A. The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan, any applicable specific plans and the intent and purpose of the base zone.

B. The proposed development, as conditioned, will not have substantial adverse effects on the surrounding property or uses, and will be compatible with the existing and planned land use character of the surrounding area.

C. The proposed development is appropriate for the site and location. In mixed-use zones, the proposed development fosters a mixture of variety of land uses within the zone and the general vicinity and contributes to a synergistic relationship between uses.

D. Buildings within a mixed-use development project must be compatible with each other and be designed as an integrated, unified project. All proposed development must meet the design standards and guidelines in Section 19.120.070 (Design Standards and Guidelines).

(Ord. No. 7701, § 46, 2025)