Concessions and incentives.
Riverside Municipal Code § 19.545.060
in effect19.545.060 - Concessions and incentives.
A. General. The applicant for a density bonus project may request specific concessions or incentives and the City shall grant the request unless the City makes a written finding, based on substantial evidence, of one or more of following:
1. The concession or incentive does not result in identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide for affordable housing costs or for rents for the targeted units to be set as specified in Section 19.545.040.
2. The concession or incentive would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety or on any real property listed in the California Register of Historical Resources and for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact without rendering the development unaffordable to low- and moderate-income households.
3. The concession or incentive would be contrary to State or Federal law.
B. Number of concessions or incentives. The applicant shall receive the following number of concessions or incentives:
Percentage of Affordable Units (Minimum) | Number of Concessions
5% Very Low 10% Low 10% Moderate (for-sale units only) 20% Lower Income Student | 1
10% Very Low 17% Low 20% Moderate (for-sale units only) 23% Lower Income Student | 2
15% Very Low 24% Low 30% Moderate (for-sale units only) | 3
100% Very Low or Low (maximum 20% Moderate) * | 4
* If the project is within one-half mile of a major transit stop, the applicant shall also be eligible to receive a height increase of up to three (3) additional stories, or thirty-three (33) feet.
C. Types of concessions or incentives. Concession or incentive means any of the following:
1. A reduction in site development standards or a modification of Zoning Code requirements or architectural design requirements that results in identifiable and actual cost reductions including, but not limited to:
a. Height limitation;
b. Setback requirement; or
c. Parking ratio.
2. Approval of mixed-use zoning in conjunction with the residential development project if commercial, office, industrial, or other land uses will reduce the cost of the residential development project, provided that such uses are compatible with:
a. The proposed residential development project; and
b. The existing or planned development in the area where the proposed residential development project will be located.
3. Other regulatory incentives or concessions proposed by the applicant or the City that result in identifiable and actual cost reductions.
D. Parking incentives.
1. A request for reduced parking pursuant to this section shall not count as concession or incentive.
2. The applicant may request further parking reductions as a concession or incentive.
3. Notwithstanding the requirements below, the applicant may provide additional parking in excess of the minimum required parking identified in this section.
4. Parking ratios. Upon the request of the applicant of a residential development project that satisfies the requirements of Section 19.545.040, the following onsite parking ratios shall apply:
a. Zero to one bedroom: one parking space per unit;
b. Two to three bedrooms: one and one-half parking spaces per unit; and
c. Four or more bedrooms: two and one-half parking spaces per unit.
5. Within one-half-mile of a major transit stop. If a development is within one-half-mile of a major transit stop and the residents of the development have unobstructed access to the major transit stop from the development, then upon request of the applicant, parking ratios shall be further reduced as follows:
a. Development includes at least 11 percent very low-income units or at least 20 percent low-income units: 0.5 spaces per unit.
b. Development includes at least 40 percent moderate-income for-sale units: 0.5 spaces per bedroom.
6. No required parking. If a development is 100 percent affordable, then upon the request of the applicant, the City shall not impose a vehicular parking ratio if the development meets any of the following criteria:
a. The development is within one-half mile of a major transit stop and the residents of the development have unobstructed access to the major transit stop from the development; or
b. The development is for individuals who are 62 years of age or older and the development has either paratransit service or unobstructed access within one-half mile to fixed bus route service that operates at least eight times per day; or
c. The development is either special needs housing or supportive housing and the development has either paratransit service or unobstructed access within one-half mile to fixed bus route service that operates at least eight times per day.
d. For a student housing development with at least 20 percent of beds affordable to low-income students, no parking shall be required.
7. If the total number of parking spaces required for a development is other than a whole number, the number shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
8. A residential development project may provide onsite parking through tandem parking or uncovered parking, but not through on-street parking.
9. Notwithstanding the above, the City may impose higher minimum parking requirements pursuant to California Government Code §65915(p)(8).
(Ord. No. 7701, § 29, 2025; Ord. 7609 § 4(Exh. B), 2022)
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_ARTVIIISIPLGEDEPR_CH19.545DEBO_19.545.060COINFetched: 11/1/2026