WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES

Riverside Municipal Code tit. 19, art. VII, ch. 19.435

in effect

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.010 Purpose.

19.435.010 - Purpose. The purpose of regulating warehousing and distribution facilities is to ensure compatibility of such uses with surrounding uses and properties and to avoid any impacts associated with such uses. It is the intent of this chapter to implement the Good Neighbor Guidelines for Siting New and/or Modified Industrial Facilities adopted by the City Council on November 10, 2020 and implement the statutory requirements of California Government Code § 65098 otherwise known as Assembly Bill 98. (Ord. 7755, § 6, 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.020 Applicability and permit requirement.

19.435.020 - Applicability and permit requirement. For any new or modified warehousing and distribution facility, as defined in Article X (Definitions), the provisions of California Government Code § 65098 shall apply, as required by state law. For any new or modified warehousing and distribution facility, as defined in Article X (Definitions), the provisions of this California Government Code § 65098 shall apply, as required by state law. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this chapter and § 65098, or if this chapter addresses a matter not covered by § 65098, the more stringent provision shall govern. 1. Warehousing and distribution facilities, as defined in Article X (Definitions), are permitted as set forth in Article V, Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provision, subject to the requirements contained in this chapter. (Ord. 7755, § 7, 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.030 Development standards.

19.435.030 - Development standards. The standards set forth in this chapter, shall apply to any new or modified warehousing and distribution facility. Table 19.435.030.A Warehousing and Distribution Facilities Development Standards Development Standards | BMP | I | AIR | Notes, Exceptions & Special Provisions Lot Area - Minimum | 40,000 sq. ft. 2 | 10,000 sq. ft. | 8,000 sq. ft. Lot Width - Minimum | 140 ft. | 60 ft. | 60 ft. Lot Depth - Minimum | 100 ft. | 100 ft. | 100 ft. Building Height - Maximum 3 | — | — | — | See Chapter 19.149-Airport Land Use Compatibility a. Within 200 feet of a sensitive receptor 6, 7, 8 | 35 ft. | 35 ft. | 35 ft. b. All other locations | 45 ft. | 45 ft. | 45 ft. Building Size - Maximum | — | — | — | Gross floor area, exclusive of mezzanine. Multiple buildings allowed provided buildings meet the FAR established in Table 19.435.030.B. a. Within 200 feet of a sensitive receptor 6, 7 | 10,000 sq. ft. | 10,000 sq. ft. | 10,000 sq. ft. b. 200—800 feet of a sensitive receptor 6, 7 | 100,000 sq. ft. | 100,000 sq. ft. | 100,000 sq. ft. c. 800—1,500 feet of a sensitive receptor | 400,000 sq. ft. | 400,000 sq. ft. | 400,000 sq. ft. d. 1,500 feet or more 6, 7 | Per FAR | Per FAR | Per FAR Front Yard Setback - Minimum 5 | — | 20 ft. | 15 ft. | In the BMP Zone, 20-feet of the required 50-foot front yard setback shall be landscaped. a. Buildings over 30 ft. in height or on an arterial street | 50 or 40 ft. 4 (See Notes) | — | — | However, a 40-foot front yard setback shall be permitted if it is landscaped in its entirety. b. Buildings 30 ft. or less in height and not on an arterial street | 20 ft. (See Notes) | — | — | In the BMP zone, the 20-foot front yard setback required for buildings 30-feet or less in height shall be landscaped in its entirety. Side Yard setbacks - Minimum | — | — | — a. Interior Side | 0 ft. | 0 ft. | 0 ft. b. Adjacent to a sensitive receptor 6, 7 | 60 | 60 | 60 | At least 20 feet of the minimum side yard setback area directly adjacent to a sensitive receptor shall be fully landscaped. c. Street side | Same as Front Yard | 20 ft. | 15 ft. | Minimum 10 feet fully landscaped. Rear Yard Setback - Minimum | — | — | — a. Rear yard | 0 ft. | 0 ft. | 15 ft. b. Adjacent to a sensitive receptor 6, 7 | 60 ft. | 60 ft. | 60 ft. | At least 20 feet of the minimum rear yard setback area directly adjacent to a sensitive receptor or use shall be fully landscaped. c. Adjacent to Streets | Same as Front Yard | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | Minimum 10 feet fully landscaped. Table 19.435.030.B BMP, I and AIR Industrial Zones Floor Area Ratio Table Distance from Sensitive Receptor | Lot Size <2 acres | 2—4 Acres | >4 Acres BMP | I | AIR | BMP | I | AIR | BMP | I | AIR < 200 feet | .50 | .50 | .60 | .35 | .35 | .60 | .25 | .25 | .60 < 800 feet | .75 | .60 | .60 | .50 | .50 | .60 | .35 | .35 | .60 < 1,500 feet | 1.5 | .60 | .60 | 1.0 | .60 | .60 | .75 | .60 | .60 > 1,500 feet | 1.5 | .60 | .60 | 1.5 | .60 | .60 | 1.5 | .60 | .60 Notes: 1. The Approving or Appeal Authority may allow a development project to exceed a maximum FAR when findings can be made that such project (a) will not have a detrimental effect on infrastructure and municipal services, (b) will not adversely impact the surrounding neighborhood, and (c) will not likely set a precedent for additional development that would adversely affect infrastructure, service or surrounding land uses. 2. Smaller minimum lot areas may be established by a specific plan or master plan in the BMP Zone. A master plan must include provisions for common access, parking and maintenance. A total master plan area of five acres is required. Site plan review approval by the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee is required for any master plan. 3. See Chapter 19.149 - Airport Land Use Compatibility to determine if a project site is subject to Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan requirements. 4. In the BMP Zone, off-street parking, gate or guard houses, roofs or canopies covering unenclosed pedestrian walks and walls or fences not more than six feet in height shall be permitted in the rear 30 feet of the required 50-foot front yard setback. 5. A minimum front yard setback of 50 feet shall be required and maintained wherever a lot or parcel in any industrial zone abuts or is adjacent to a lot or parcel identified as sensitive receptor. 6. Except where the site is separated from such sensitive receptor by a freeway. 7. Measured from the sensitive receptor property line to the front most wall of the nearest warehouse building. 8. A sensitive receptor includes a residential zone or use; K-12 public, private and charter school; designated parks and open space; adult and child day care facilities; assisted living facilities and hospitals as defined by Article X - Chapter 19.910 - Definitions. (Ord. 7755, § 8, 2026) (Ord. 7755, § 8—10(Exhs. D, E), 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.040 Site planning standards.

19.435.040 - Site planning standards. A. All warehousing and distribution facilities shall comply with the following. 1. The development project shall comply with the 21st Century or Tier 1 21st Century Warehouse standards as set forth in California Government Code § 65098 including but not limited to: a. Adhering to the most current building energy efficiency standards of the CA Green Building Code. b. Complying with truck loading bay location requirements. c. Integration of truck entrance and exits and internal circulation requirements. 2. Any new facility shall be located on roadways that meet the following street classifications as defined by the City's General Plan Circulation Element consistent with California Government Code § 65098: a. Arterial roads. b. Collector roads. c. Local roads that predominantly serve commercial, agricultural, or industrial uses. 3. Driveways, loading areas, docks, truck wells and internal circulation routes shall be oriented away from sensitive receptors to the maximum extent feasible. 4. Loading areas, docks, truck wells and outdoor storage areas shall be fully screened from view of sensitive receptors and from public rights-of-way with buildings, freestanding walls and fences, landscaping or other means to the satisfaction of the Approving Authority. Where loading areas, docks, truck wells and outdoor storage areas are located adjacent to a sensitive receptor, they shall be fully screened from view of the adjacent sensitive receptor by means of a solid wall with a minimum height of ten feet as measured from the finished grade of the adjacent sensitive receptor. 5. Operations, including loading, unloading, staging and storage of trucks and trailers, shall comply with Title 7 (Noise) of this Code. 6. Idling of trucks queued or operated on site shall not exceed five minutes. 7. Sufficient aisle space shall be provided on-site to accommodate the on-site queuing of trucks as determined by a Traffic Impact Analysis, if required. Queuing lanes or aisles shall not obstruct regular vehicular or pedestrian circulation or emergency equipment access. 8. Where transport by temperature-controlled trucks or trailers is proposed, on-site electrical hookups shall be provided at loading docks. Idling or use of auxiliary truck engine power to power climate-control equipment shall be prohibited. (Ord. 7755, § 11, 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.050 Site location, operational and additional standards.

19.435.050 - Site location, operational and additional standards. A. Health Risk Assessment. A Health Risk Assessment (HRA) shall be prepared in accordance with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Guidelines when the following apply: 1. The new development or substantial enlargement of a warehousing and distribution facility is within 1,000 feet of a sensitive receptor. 2. The new development or substantial enlargement of a warehousing and distribution facility generates 150 or more truck trips per day, as determined by the most recent Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Rate for the specific proposed land use. B. Specific Plan Consistency. For new development within 1,500 feet of sensitive receptor in a specific plan district requiring a Minor Conditional Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit, the development standards of Table 19.435.030.A and Table 19.435.030.B shall prevail unless the specific plan district standards are more restrictive. C. Walls. Wherever a lot or parcel in any industrial zone abuts a sensitive receptor or abuts an alley that separates the industrial zone from a sensitive receptor, a minimum ten-foot-high solid masonry wall shall be constructed along the property line or alley right-of-way line separating the project site from the sensitive receptor. Wall height shall be measured from the finished grade of the adjacent sensitive receptor. 1. Such wall shall be limited in height to three feet in any required front yard or street side yard setback area. 2. Such wall shall not be required until the industrially zoned lot or parcel is developed with a permitted use. D. Outdoor display and storage. Except for the outdoor storage and display of aircraft, outdoor display and storage shall not be permitted except as specified in 19.285 (Outdoor Storage Yard), 19.500 (Outdoor Display of Incidental Plant Materials), 19.505 (Outdoor Display and Sales - Incidental) and 19.510 (Outdoor Storage—Incidental). E. Use of interior rear and side yards for off-street parking and loading. Except for required landscape areas, required interior rear yards and side yards may be used for off-street parking, off-street loading, outdoor storage incidental to a permitted use, and any use permitted in the required front yard area; provided such loading, parking and storage areas are acoustically shielded and screened from adjacent Residential Zones or uses and the public right-of-way, to the satisfaction of the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee. F. Lighting. Lighting for signs, structures, landscaping, parking areas, loading areas and the like, shall comply with the regulations set forth in Section 19.590.070 (Light and Glare) and the provisions of Chapter 19.556 (Outdoor Lighting). G. Screening of mechanical equipment. All roof-supported or ground-supported mechanical equipment and utility equipment shall comply with the regulations set forth in Chapter 19.555 (Outdoor Equipment Screening). H. Landscaping. 1. Front and side yard areas. a. Landscaping adjacent to streets and sensitive receptors shall be suitably landscaped and continuously maintained as set forth in Chapter 19.570 (Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation). b. Such landscape areas shall not be used for off-street parking, loading, storage or accessory buildings. 2. Buffering between uses. a. Any new or modified warehousing and distribution facility shall provide a landscaped buffer whenever a project site is within 900 feet of a sensitive receptor per California Government Code § Section 65098. I. Performance standards. All warehousing and distribution facilities shall comply with the performance standards set forth in Chapter 19.590 (Performance Standards) for industrial uses. J. Parking and loading requirements. Parking areas shall be provided as set forth in Chapter 19.580 (Parking and Loading). K. Trash receptacles and enclosures. 1. All trash storage areas shall be located so as to be convenient to the users and where associated odors and noise will not adversely impact the users. 2. The provisions of Chapter 19.554 (Trash/Recyclable Materials Collection Area Enclosures) regarding requirements for the screening of trash receptacles shall apply. L. Truck Routing Plan. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the development operator shall establish and submit for approval to the Approving Authority, a truck routing plan to and from the state highway system based on the latest truck route map of the City as determined by the City's General Plan Circulation Element. M. Project Notification Requirements. a. The notification radius for any new warehousing and distribution facility shall be extended to 1,000 feet. b. All other project notification requirements shall abide by the standards set forth in Chapter 19.670 - Public Hearings and Notice Requirements. N. Replacement Housing. Replacement housing and rental assistance shall be required per California Government Code § Section 65098.6. (Ord. 7755, § 12(Exh. F), 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.060 Design review required.

19.435.060 - Design review required. No new building, structure or sign or exterior alteration or enlargement of an existing building, structure or sign shall be commenced for any warehousing and distribution facility until design review approval has been granted pursuant to Chapter 19.710 (Design Review). (Ord. 7755, § 13, 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.070 Warehousing, storage.

19.435.070 - Warehousing, storage. Warehousing, storage as defined by Article X (definitions) shall abide by the standards of Chapter 19.130. For any warehousing, storage, the building or portion thereof must not occupy more than 15 percent of the cumulative floor area and must not generate a maximum of ten trips a day. Warehousing, storage may include ground level loading doors on one or more sides of the building not to exceed more than four dock high loading doors total. (Ord. 7755, § 14, 2026)

Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.080 Modifications.

19.435.080 - Modifications. Modifications to the above site location, operation and development standards may be considered in conjunction with the required Minor Conditional Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit, as applicable. (Ord. 7755, § 15, 2026)

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_ARTVIISPLAUSPR_CH19.435WADIFAFetched: 11/1/2026