Riverside County Land
Use and Zoning Guide
Welcome to VillaTerras.com, your trusted resource for land use and zoning insights in Riverside County, California. Whether you’re a landowner, developer, or investor, understanding zoning regulations is crucial for maximizing property value and ensuring compliance with county standards.
What is Land Use and Zoning?
Land use and zoning in Riverside County dictate how land can be developed and utilized. These regulations are designed to promote organized growth, protect natural resources, and maintain community standards.
From residential zones designed for family homes to specialized zones for wind energy or commercial cannabis, Riverside County offers a wide range of classifications tailored to meet diverse development needs.
Key Zoning Categories in Riverside County
1. Residential Zones:
- R-R (Rural Residential): Large lots with allowances for limited agriculture.
- R-1 (One-Family Dwellings): Low-density housing for suburban and urban areas.
- R-2 (Multiple-Family Dwellings): Medium-density zoning for duplexes and apartments.
2. Commercial Zones:
- C-1 (General Commercial): Retail, office, and service establishments.
- C-T (Tourist Commercial): Zones catering to tourism-related businesses.
- MU (Mixed Use): Combines residential and commercial developments for vibrant communities.
3. Industrial and Agricultural Zones:
- M-SC (Manufacturing-Service Commercial): Supports light manufacturing and service industries.
- A-1 (Light Agriculture): Small-scale farming operations.
- A-2 (Heavy Agriculture): Large-scale agricultural production and livestock operations.
4. Conservation and Renewable Energy Zones:
- W-1 (Watercourse, Watershed, and Conservation Areas): Protects Riverside County’s natural waterways.
- W-E (Wind Energy Resource Zone): Promotes renewable energy projects like wind farms.
5. Specialized Zones:
- C/V (Citrus/Vineyard): Supports citrus and vineyard agriculture with limited commercial activities.
- Cannabis and Hemp Zones: Strictly regulated areas for legal cannabis and industrial hemp cultivation.
Why Zoning Matters for Property Owners
Zoning classifications impact:
- Property Value: Determines permissible uses and development potential.
- Development Opportunities: Guides allowable projects and densities.
- Environmental Compliance: Ensures developments adhere to conservation standards.
Understanding your property’s zoning is essential for making informed decisions. At VillaTerras.com, we simplify zoning complexities to help you unlock your property’s potential.
Chapter 17.04 – COUNTY LAND USE*
17.04.010 – Title.
17.04.020 – Planning agency.
17.04.030 – County board of supervisors.
17.04.040 – County planning commission.
17.04.050 – Planning department.
17.04.060 – Notice of hearing by publication.
17.04.070 – Notification procedures.
17.04.080 – Request for notification.
17.04.090 – Failure to receive mandatory notice; failure to give or receive optional additional notice.
17.04.100 – Contents of notice of public hearing.
17.04.110 – Hearing continuances.
17.04.115 – Reasonable accommodation.
17.04.116 – Tables.
17.04.120 – Definitions.
Chapter 17.08 – GENERAL PLAN AND SPECIFIC PLANS
Chapter 17.12 – ZONE CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRICTS
Chapter 17.16 – R-R RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.20 – R-R-O RURAL RESIDENTIAL, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING ZONE
Chapter 17.24 – R-1 ONE-FAMILY DWELLING ZONE
Chapter 17.28 – R-1A ONE-FAMILY DWELLINGS, MOUNTAIN RESORT ZONE
Chapter 17.32 – R-A RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL ZONE
Chapter 17.36 – R-2 MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING ZONE
Chapter 17.40 – R-2A LIMITED MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING ZONE
Chapter 17.44 – R-3 GENERAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.48 – R-3A VILLAGE TOURIST RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.52 – R-T MOBILEHOME SUBDIVISIONS AND MOBILEHOME PARK ZONES
Chapter 17.56 – R-T-R MOBILEHOME SUBDIVISION, RURAL ZONE
Chapter 17.60 – R-4 PLANNED RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.64 – R-5 OPEN AREA COMBINING ZONE, RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Chapter 17.67 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 251
Chapter 17.68 – R-6 RESIDENTIAL INCENTIVE ZONE
Chapter 17.70 – R-7 ZONE (HIGHEST DENSITY RESIDENTIAL)
Chapter 17.72 – C-1 AND C-P GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONES
Chapter 17.73 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 260
Chapter 17.76 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 286
Chapter 17.78 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 301
Chapter 17.79 – C-T ZONE (TOURIST COMMERCIAL)
Chapter 17.80 – C-P-S SCENIC HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.82 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 293
Chapter 17.84 – C-R RURAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.88 – C-O COMMERCIAL OFFICE ZONE
Chapter 17.90 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 323
Chapter 17.92 – R-VC RUBIDOUX-VILLAGE COMMERCIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.94 – MU ZONE (MIXED USE)
Chapter 17.96 – I-P INDUSTRIAL PARK ZONE
Chapter 17.97 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 229
Chapter 17.100 – M-SC MANUFACTURING-SERVICE COMMERCIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.104 – M-M MANUFACTURING-MEDIUM ZONE
Chapter 17.105 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 303.
Chapter 17.106 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 336
Chapter 17.107 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 338
Chapter 17.108 – M-H MANUFACTURING-HEAVY ZONE
Chapter 17.109 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 340
Chapter 17.110 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 266
Chapter 17.111 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 362
Chapter 17.112 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 360
Chapter 17.113 – M-R MINERAL RESOURCES ZONE*
Chapter 17.114 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 342.
Chapter 17.115 – MIXED USE OVERLAYS
Chapter 17.116 – M-R-A MINERAL RESOURCES AND RELATED MANUFACTURING ZONE
Chapter 17.120 – A-1 LIGHT AGRICULTURE ZONE
Chapter 17.123 – SP ZONE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 386
Chapter 17.124 – A-P LIGHT AGRICULTURE WITH POULTRY ZONE
Chapter 17.128 – A-2 HEAVY AGRICULTURE ZONE
Chapter 17.132 – A-D AGRICULTURE-DAIRY ZONE
Chapter 17.136 – C/V CITRUS/VINEYARD ZONE
Chapter 17.140 – C-C/V COMMERCIAL CITRUS/VINEYARD ZONE*
Chapter 17.142 – WINE COUNTRY ZONES (WC)
Chapter 17.144 – W-2 CONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT AREAS ZONE
Chapter 17.148 – R-D REGULATED DEVELOPMENT AREAS ZONE
Chapter 17.152 – N-A NATURAL ASSETS ZONE
Chapter 17.156 – W-2-M CONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT AREA WITH MOBILEHOMES ZONE
Chapter 17.160 – W-1 WATERCOURSE, WATERSHED AND CONSERVATION AREAS ZONE
Chapter 17.164 – W-E WIND ENERGY RESOURCE ZONE
Chapter 17.168 – SP SPECIFIC PLAN ZONE
Chapter 17.172 – GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 17.176 – SPECIAL STUDIES ZONES—GEOLOGIC REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Chapter 17.180 – STANDARDS FOR PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Chapter 17.188 – OFF-STREET VEHICLE PARKING STANDARDS
Chapter 17.192 – PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Chapter 17.196 – VARIANCES*
Chapter 17.200 – CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
Chapter 17.206 – CROWING FOWL PERMITS
Chapter 17.208 – PUBLIC USE PERMITS
Chapter 17.212 – FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES
Chapter 17.216 – PLOT PLANS
Chapter 17.220 – REVOCATION OF VARIANCES AND PERMITS
Chapter 17.224 – COMMERCIAL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS (WECS) PERMITS
Chapter 17.228 – MODIFICATIONS TO APPROVED PERMITS*
Chapter 17.232 – HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY SITING PERMIT*
Chapter 17.236 – KENNELS AND CATTERIES*
Chapter 17.240 – MINI-WAREHOUSES*
Chapter 17.244 – RECYCLING FACILITIES*
Chapter 17.248 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES
Chapter 17.252 – ADVERTISING REGULATIONS
Chapter 17.254 – TERMPORARY SIGNS
Chapter 17.256 – TEMPORARY EVENTS
Chapter 17.260 – MOBILEHOMES
Chapter 17.264 – MOBILEHOME PARKS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Chapter 17.268 – RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
Chapter 17.272 – COMMUNITY CARE FACILITIES
Chapter 17.276 – WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS
Chapter 17.277 – WIRELESS FACILITIES
Chapter 17.280 – AMENDMENTS AND CHANGE OF ZONE
Chapter 17.284 – ENCROACHMENT PERMITS
Chapter 17.288 – METAL SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Chapter 17.290 – PAROLEE-PROBATIONER HOMES
Chapter 17.291 – COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS
Chapter 17.292 – BERMUDA DUNES NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE
Chapter 17.294 – ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Chapter 17.296 – SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
Chapter 17.298 – UNATTENDED DONATION BINS
Chapter 17.300 – Mobile Food Trucks
Chapter 17.302 – COMMERCIAL CANNABIS ACTIVITIES
Chapter 17.306 – INDUSTRIAL HEMP ACTIVITIES
Chapter 17.310 – SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY UNITS
Chapter 17.314 – HOUSING ALTERNATIVES
Chapter 17.318 – RANCHO COMMUNITY EVENT FACILITIES
STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA COUNTIES
ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE*
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE AND DISPOSITION LIST
