Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 19.415 Vehicle Impound and Tow Yards

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)

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)

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)

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

(Ord. 7331 §63, 2016)