Purpose.
Riverside Municipal Code § 19.100.010
in effect19.100.010 - Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to define allowable land uses and property development standards, including density of development, for all residential zones in order to produce healthy, safe, livable and attractive neighborhoods within the City of Riverside, consistent with the goals and policies of the City's General Plan. Fourteen residential zones are established to implement the residential land use designations of the General Plan. The purpose of each of the residential zones is as follows:
A. Residential Agricultural Zone (RA-5). The Residential Agricultural Zone (RA-5) is established to provide areas where general agricultural uses can occur independently or in conjunction with a single-family residence, that preserves the agricultural character of the area.
B. Residential Conservation Zone (RC). The Residential Conservation Zone (RC) is established consistent with General Plan objectives and voter approved initiatives (Proposition R and Measure C) to protect prominent ridges, hilltops and hillsides, slopes, arroyos, ravines and canyons, and other areas with high visibility or topographic conditions that warrant sensitive development from adverse development practices, and specifically, to achieve the following objectives:
1. To preserve and enhance the beauty of the City's landscape;
2. To maximize the retention of the City's natural topographic features, including, but not limited to, skyline profiles, ridgelines, ridge crests, hilltops, hillsides, slopes, arroyos, ravines, canyons, prominent trees and rock outcrops, view corridors, and scenic vistas through the careful selection and construction of building sites and building pads on said topographic features.
3. To assure that residential use of said topographic features will relate to the surrounding topography and will not be conspicuous and obtrusive because of the design and location of said residential use;
4. To reduce the scarring effects of excessive grading for building pads and cut and fill slopes;
5. To prevent the construction of slopes inadequately protected from erosion, deterioration or slippage; and
6. To conserve the City's natural topographic features.
C. Rural Residential Zone (RR). The Rural Residential Zone (RR) is established to provide areas for single-family residences on large lots where flexible provisions apply pertaining to the keeping of farm animals such as horses, ponies, mules, cows, goats, sheep, and swine under Future Farmers of America-supervised and 4-H-supervised projects. These zones are established in those areas of the City where the keeping of such animals is already prevalent. It is also the intent of the RR Zone to provide opportunities for persons whose lifestyles include the keeping of such animals in areas where such animal-keeping activities minimize impact to other residential properties.
D. Residential Estate Zone (RE) and R-1-½ Acre Zone. The Residential Estate Zone (RE) and R-1-½ Acre Zone are established to provide areas for large lot single-family residences where the keeping of livestock and other farm animals and agricultural uses are not permitted.
E. Additional Single-family Residential Zones (R-1-13000, R-1-10500, R-1-8500 and R-1-7000). Additional Single-family Residential Zones (R-1-½ Acre, R-1-13000, R-1-10500, R-1-8500 and R-1-7000) are established to provide areas for single-family residences with a variety of lot sizes and housing choices.
F. Multiple-Family Residential Zones (R-3-4000, R-3-3000, R-3-2500, R-3-2000 and R-3-1500). Medium High-Density Residential Zones (R-3-4000 and R-3-3000) and High-Density Residential Zones (R-3-2500, R-3-2000 and R-3-1500) are established to provide areas for multiple family residences, including such residential development types as apartments, town homes, condominiums, tiny homes (foundation) in tiny home communities, and single-family homes in a Small Lot Subdivision Planned Residential Development.
G. Multiple-Family Residential Zone (R-4). The Very High-Density Residential Zone (R-4) is established to provide areas for higher density multiple family residences in areas of the City readily served by public transit and near commercial zones and other nonresidential areas that meet the everyday shopping, educational, health service and similar needs of residents.
(Ord. 7683, § 1, 2024; Ord. 7592 § 2(Exh. B), 2022; Ord. 7552 § 1, 2021; Ord. 7528 § 1(Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 7520 § 1(Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 7487 § 9, 11-5-2019; Ord. 7331 § 4, 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_ARTVBAZOREUSDEPR_CH19.100REZORCRRRE1-2AC13000105008500700040003000250020001500R-_19.100.010PUFetched: 11/1/2026