VARIANCE

Riverside Municipal Code tit. 19, art. IX, ch. 19.720

in effect

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.720.010 Purpose.

19.720.010 - Purpose. California Government Code Section 65906 establishes the authority of the City to grant variances to the development standards and provisions of the Zoning Code in cases where, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, the strict application of the Zoning Code deprives such property of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under identical land use zones. (Ord. 7592 § 10(Exh. K), 2022; Ord. 7331 § 108, 2016; Ord. 6966 § 1, 2007)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.720.020 Applicability.

19.720.020 - Applicability. A. A variance application shall be filed whenever any deviation from the development standard provisions of the Zoning Code is proposed, including, but not limited to, those standards related to height, lot area, yards, open spaces, setbacks, lot dimensions, signs and parking, unless such deviations qualify as administrative adjustments according to Chapter 19.660 (General Application Processing Procedures). B. Variances may not be approved for uses or activities not otherwise expressly authorized by the Zoning Code. A variance is not a substitute for a zone change, zone text amendment, or conditional use permit. C. Financial hardship does not represent grounds on which to file a variance application. D. Variances to use provisions of the Zoning Code are prohibited. (Ord. No. 7701, § 45, 2025; Ord. 7592 § 10(Exh. K), 2022; Ord. 7331 § 108, 2016; Ord. 6966 § 1, 2007)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.720.030 Procedures.

19.720.030 - Procedures. A. General process. Variance applications shall be processed in accordance with the discretionary 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. 7592 § 10(Exh. K), 2022; Ord. 7331 § 108, 2016; Ord. 6966 § 1, 2007)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.720.040 Required findings.

19.720.040 - Required findings. A. The Director of Community & Economic Development Department, Planning Commission or the City Council may approve a variance when special circumstances applicable to the property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, deprive the property of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under identical zoning classification. B. The following findings are required: 1. The variance does not grant or authorize a use or activity that is not otherwise allowed in the zone. 2. There are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships created with the strict application of the code because of the physical circumstances and characteristics of the property that are not shared by other properties in the zone. 3. The variance does not grant special privileges which are not otherwise available to surrounding properties and will not be detrimental to the public welfare or to the property of other persons located adjacent to the subject property and in the vicinity. C. Failure to make all of the required findings shall require denial of the variance. (Ord. 7592 § 10(Exh. K), 2022; Ord. 7487 § 4, 11-5-2019; Ord. 7331 § 108, 2016; Ord. 6966 § 1, 2007)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.720.050 Conditions of approval/guarantees.

19.720.050 - Conditions of approval/guarantees. A. In granting a variance, certain safeguards may be required and certain conditions established to protect the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare and to assure that the purposes of the Zoning Code shall be maintained with respect to the particular use on the particular site and in consideration of the location, use, building and characteristics and environmental impact of the proposed use and of existing and potential uses within the general area in which such use is proposed to be located. B. The conditions attached to variance may include such provisions concerning height, area, yards, open spaces, setbacks, parking, loading, signs, improvements, site design, operation characteristic, land use compatibility, general character, appearance, environmental impact, time limits for commencing the construction authorized, revocation dates, and other conditions the Director of Community & Economic Development Department or Planning Commission may deem appropriate and necessary to carry out the purposes of the Zoning Code and Chapter. (Ord. 7592 § 10(Exh. K), 2022; Ord. 7487 § 5, 11-5-2019; Ord. 7331 § 108, 2016; Ord. 6966 § 1, 2007)

Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT19ZO_ARTIXLAUSDEPEREPR_CH19.720VAFetched: 11/1/2026