Chapter 17.256 — RURAL EVENT VENUE
Wildomar Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Wildomar
Sections in this part
Prior History: Former Ch. 17.260 Mobilehomes, compiled of RCC Ch. 17.260; Ord. 18 § 2, 2008; repealed by Ord. 247, 1/15/2025.
§ 17.256.010. Purpose. ¶
The purpose of this section is to provide for the orderly development within the City of Wildomar of rural event venues and bed and breakfast lodging, as these terms are defined in Article VI (Definitions). Additionally, this chapter is intended to protect the rural character and ensure the rural event venue will not result in a change to the residential character of the surrounding community. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)
§ 17.256.020. Rural event venue application. ¶
No person shall rent, offer to rent, or advertise for rent a rural event venue without a valid conditional use permit by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.80 and in the manner provided for by this chapter. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)
§ 17.256.030. Development and operational standards. ¶
- A. Minimum Lot Size.
| Table 17.256.020-1 Rural Event Venue Lot Size Requirements | Table 17.256.020-1 Rural Event Venue Lot Size Requirements |
|---|---|
| Event Center Type | Minimum Lot Size |
| Small rural event venue | 5 acres |
| Intermediate rural event venue | 10 acres |
| Large rural event venue | 25 acres |
| Bed and breakfast lodging | 40,000 sq. ft. |
B. Setbacks. All rural event venues shall be required to have all outdoor activities associated with the agricultural event venue (with the exception of parking) a minimum of 200 feet from the exterior property lines or as specified by the conditional use permit. An application must delineate where all outdoor activities will occur.
C. Parking. Adequate on-site parking facilities, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and vehicular ingress and egress, shall be provided in compliance with Chapter 17.155 (Parking and Loading). Additional standards include:
All on-site parking areas do not need to be paved; however, they must be stabilized in order to minimize any off-site dust impacts and for compliance with water quality control purposes;
Adequate parking must be provided based on maximum occupancy of the site. Occupancy will be determined based on the seating capacity of the venue.
If buses or limousines are proposed for off-site transport, adequate drop off and pick up locations must be provided on site.
Any parcel where a facility is proposed shall have access to a paved and maintained public street.
D. Signs. One externally illuminated monument sign shall be permitted and shall be located at access points to the parcel, subject to the following criteria:
Signs are allowed only for frontages adjoining a public street;
Monument signs shall not be located closer than five feet from a property line;
The maximum sign area shall be 20 square feet per side and not exceed four feet in height;
Monument signs shall contain an address plate identifying the project or use by specific street address. The address plate shall not exceed four square feet in area. Numbers shall be a minimum of six inches in height. Address plates shall not be calculated against the allowed sign area;
Illumination shall be down lit and shall not be allowed to spill over into, or provide glare, to adjacent properties or rights-of-way;
On-site directional signage shall be no larger than 12 square feet in area and its design shall be complimentary to the monument sign.
E. Ancillary Structures.
If an ancillary structure is provided as part of the project approval, ancillary structures shall be permanent construction, shall be fully enclosed, or enclosable on four sides, and shall have a roof. Ancillary structures shall be complimentary in terms of size, scale, and materials used on the primary structure on the site;
Ancillary structures shall be consistent with all development standards of the R-R zone, as shown in Table 17.30.030-1.
F. Venue Size.
Small rural event venues shall be allowed a maximum event size of 150 guests or as specified by the conditional use permit.
Intermediate rural event venues shall be allowed a maximum event size of 250 guests or as specified by the conditional use permit.
Large rural event venues shall be allowed a maximum event size of 500 guests or as specified by the conditional use permit.
Bed and breakfast lodging - maximum capacity shall be no more than the equivalent of three guests per bedroom, excluding bedrooms utilized by the property owner and other permanent residents.
G. Number of Events.
Small rural event venues shall be limited to 104 events per year.
Intermediate and large rural event venues shall be limited to 260 events per year.
H. Hours of Operation.
- Rural event venues shall be allowed to operate from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or as specified by the conditional use permit.
I. Noise. Noise levels generated from events shall be subject to the following criteria:
All noise generated by the event use shall conform to Chapter 9.48 (Noise Regulation), and shall be subject to the provisions contained therein;
Noise levels for events shall not exceed the City's noise standards, either during set up or as part of the event;
The applicant shall monitor and ensure that the noise levels shall not exceed City of Wildomar noise standards;
Any noise generating activities shall be terminated at 10:00 p.m.
J. Sanitary Facilities.
The community development director shall determine the appropriate quantity and location for any for sanitary facilities. All facilities shall be located on site, and shall comply with accessibility requirements and the requirements of the Riverside County Health Department.
Any potable sanitary facilities shall not be located any closer than 50 feet from an adjacent property with a residential use. Sanitary waste shall be removed from the site within 48 hours of any event, or determined through the minor conditional use permit.
K. Solid Waste Collection and Disposal. On-site waste collection shall be located onsite as to not create any off-site noise, odors or nuisances. Solid waste shall be removed from the site within 48 hours of any event.
L. Security. Provision for security and safety measures shall be provided, if applicable. Recent contact information shall be maintained on file with the City at all times.
M. Other Conditions. The director shall require any other conditions which will ensure the operation of the facility in an orderly and efficient manner and in full compliance with the purpose/intent of this section.
(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)
§ 17.256.040. Inspections. ¶
The owner shall permit the City to inspect the rural event venue and/or bed and breakfast and property at any time prior to issuance of a permit, or during the operation of the rural event venue and/or bed and breakfast for the purpose of making a reasonable inspection to observe and enforce compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including the provisions of this chapter and all applicable requirements of Title 17 of this Municipal Code. The owner may be required to reimburse the City for the cost of an inspection, not to exceed the actual cost of such inspection. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)
§ 17.256.050. Public nuisance. ¶
It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to commit, cause or maintain a violation of this chapter. The City may, in addition to, or in lieu of, prosecuting a criminal action hereunder, commence proceedings for the abatement, removal and/or enjoinment thereof in any manner provided by law.
(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)
§ 17.256.060. Violations and penalties, enforcement. ¶
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter, or operate a rural event venue and/or bed and breakfast within the jurisdiction of the City contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, any applicable provisions of Title 17 of this Municipal Code, or any other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
B. Violations of this chapter may be enforced by any method allowed in this Municipal Code, or any other applicable enforcement mechanism available to the City.
(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)
§ 17.256.070. Denial, suspension, and revocation of permits. ¶
A. Denial, Suspension or Revocation. In addition to any other remedy provided by this chapter, a rural event venue permit may be denied, and if already issued, may be suspended or revoked by the City Manager, pursuant to this section.
B. Grounds. A permit issued under this chapter, and/or a City business registration issued by the City may be denied, suspended or revoked upon any of the following grounds:
A material misrepresentation, false or misleading information was included on the application or renewal application for a permit and/or City business registration application.
A violation of any provision under this chapter, any applicable provision under Title 17 of this Municipal Code, and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation has occurred on the premises of the rural event venue.
An authorized official has given notification of existing health or safety violations on the property or non-compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to health and safety.
A rural event venue permit for the property has been suspended or revoked in the previous 12 months, unless the property has been sold and the new owner can demonstrate to the City a change of property ownership during that time period.
The applicant is delinquent in the payment of any outstanding fees, assessments or taxes owed to the City related to any property located in the City that is owned by the applicant, including, but not limited to, Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT).
Appeal of Denial, Suspension or Revocation. The appeal procedures for the denial, suspension or revocation of a permit shall be those set forth in Section 17.125.110 (Appeals) of this Municipal Code.
Public Notice of Suspension or Revocation. If a rural event venue permit is suspended or revoked pursuant to this section, notification shall be provided by the City to all record property owners located within 300 feet of the subject rural event venue and/or bed and breakfast of any imposed suspension or revocation of the permit. Posting of the suspension or revocation shall also be provided on the City's rural event venue webpage.
Prohibited Operations. If a rural event venue permit is revoked pursuant to this section, the applicant shall not operate a rural event venue and/or bed and breakfast at the property for a period of 12 months from the date of such revocation. No permit that is revoked by the City may be transferred to any other person or entity to operate a rural event venue at the property during such period of revocation. Termination of property use as a rural event venue.
(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)