General
Where can I park while doing business at City Hall?
Visit the Downtown Parking page.
How do I report City related issues, request information on City services, and obtain information on City projects?
The  (dial 311) provides information and refers non-emergency service requests to the appropriate City Departments via phone and email. The service requests include but not limited to report issues of graffiti, illegal dumping, potholes, traffic problems, abandoned vehicles, weeds in public places, or municipal code violations; request information on City tree trimming/pruning services, sidewalk or curb repair, street sweeping, or park maintenance; and obtain information on City projects, or community and area events. The Call Center number is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How do I locate my property lines?
The City has an extensive aerial database. The copies of aerial photos generated from the aerial database with the approximate property line locations are available from the Public Works Department. The aerial photos are also accessible thru property viewer online or with the assistance of our front counter staff. A licensed Land Surveyor can determine the exact locations of the property lines.
Where can I find the topographic information for my property?
The City has an extensive aerial database. The copies of aerial photos generated from the aerial database with topographic information are available from the Public Works Department.
Where can I get information on street construction?
Contact the Public Works Department at (951) 826-5341 for assistance.
What is Riverside Renaissance and what projects are involved?
Visit the Riverside Renaissance website.
I understand I am responsible to maintain the parkway in front of my property, what is acceptable by the City?
Anything decorative to enhance the property such as landscaping, flowers, pavers, mailbox, or gravel is acceptable by the City. Anything permanent in the parkway that would restrict access to public right-of-way is not acceptable by the City.
Do I need a permit to install/relocate a mail box at the street?
No, a permit is not required for such work. Please make sure the new location of the mail box does not obstruct the path of travel for individuals with disabilities on wheelchairs.
How do I obtain the plan check status for my project?
Contact the Public Works Department at (951) 826-5341 for assistance. Please have the Public Works permit number or the address ready to inquire the status.
What is my flood zone?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided the City the digital floodplain management maps in August 2008. The Public Works Department counter staffs will assist you with this information. For additional assistance regarding to the source of the flood zone information, please contact FEMA Map Assistance Center at (877) FEMA-MAP.
How do I get a pet dog license?
Visit the Pet dog License website.
How do I start up my utilities?
Visit the Public Utilities website.
Where do I apply for a business license?
Visit the Finance Department website.
Who do I contact to have a block party?
Contact Ellie Uli at (951) 826-5193.
Sewer/Septic
Who do I contact to find out if my property is on sewer or septic?
Contact the Public Works Departments at (951) 826-5341 for assistance.
My sewer pipe is backed up caused by the City tree roots per the plumber, what should I do?
Contact the (dial 311) to report and request service.
Where is my sewer lateral tapped into the sewer main and how deep is my sewer lateral at that location?
Contact the Public Works Department at (951) 826-5341 or in person for assistance. One of the engineers in Land Development Section will determine the location for you based on the available sewer plans and the City aerial database. The exact tapped location on the sewer main and the exact depth of the sewer lateral shall be verified by the licensed plumber.
Can I use the same sewer lateral for the two residences on the same lot?
No, each residence with the different street address is required to have the separate sewer lateral connection to the sewer main.
Who shall I contact about my septic tanks?
Contact County of Riverside, Department of Environmental Health at (951) 955-8980 for any septic tank issue.
I'm on septic, can I connect my house to the City sewer main?
Yes, per Riverside Municipal Code 14.08.030A when the house or other structure is situated abuts upon a public street, private street, alley or other right-of-way in which a public sewer to which connection is available, the connection to public sewer is required if the septic system fails. If a house or other structure is served by a satisfactorily functioning septic system, such connection to a public sewer system will not be required, but is still permitted. Refer to handout Development fees for the fees associated with the sewer main connection.
Development Fees
What are the Public Works Department fees?
Refer to the handout Development fees for the Public Works Department fees.
In addition to the fees listed on the handout, the Western Riverside County Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) is also required.
What is TUMF?
Per Riverside Municipal Code 16.68, the City as one of the participating jurisdictions in Western Riverside County is responsible for collecting the Western Riverside County Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) from the new development for the TUMF Program Administrator, the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG). The fee is imposed to use for constructing the transportation improvements that are necessary for the safety, health and welfare of such users of the development projects. Contact one of the engineers in Land Development Section at (951) 826-5341 for the updated fee schedule.
What is the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat Preservation fee?
The Stephens' Kangaroo Rat is listed as a threatened, endangered species by the State of California and the California Department of Fish and Game. The Stephens' Kangaroo Rat Preservation fee is imposed to develop, prepare and implement a Habitat Conservation Plan provides protection for the species and guarantees its survival. Since the City is situated within the historic range of the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat, such fee is required to comply with the state and federal legislation per Riverside Municipal Code 16.40.040.
When do I need to pay for the Public Works Departments development fees and where do I pay for it?
All the development fees are due either at permit issuance or prior to final inspection and shall be paid at the Building & Safety Division of the Community Development Department. Please contact Building & Safety at (951) 826-5697 for any question regarding fee deferral.
Can any of the Public Works development fees be waived?
Yes, the Traffic and Railroad Signal Mitigation fee and the Transportation Impact fee can be waived if the project site is categorized as an infill lot per the Planning Department.
Grading Permits
Do I have to post a grading bond?
Yes, Per Riverside Municipal Code 17.24.010D the Public Works Director shall require bonds for all grading permits.
When is a grading permit required?
Except for specific exempt activities, no person shall do any excavation, filling or combination thereof exceeding 50 cubic yards on any one lot, parcel or tract of land without first having obtained a grading permit from Public Works.
Where can I find the grading plan submittal requirements?
Refer to the Checklist for First Submittal Packages. Note: If a preliminary project-specific WQMP is required by the Planning Department, the final project-specific WQMP shall be submitted with the grading plan.
What is the fee schedule for the first grading review submittal?
The review fee for the grading plan is determined by the earthwork quantities. Refer to the handout Grading Permit Review Fees.
Where can I find the City standard title block for the grading plans?
City does not have the standard title block for the grading plans. Contact Public Works Department at (951) 826-5341 for the samples of the acceptable grading plan title blocks.
Are there grading notes required on the grading plans?
Yes, refer to the handout Grading General Notes.
Do I need to submit a SWPPP?
For construction activity that includes clearing, grading or excavation that results in the disturbance of at least one (1) acre, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed and implemented concurrent with the commencement of grading/clearing activities. However, the SWPPP is submitted to the State Water Board and not to the City.
Who can pull a grading permit? What do I need to obtain permits?
Anyone who is associated with the project can pull the grading permit. An approved grading plan signed by the City Planning Department is required to pull a grading permit. One of the engineers in Land Development Section will determine the permit fee based on the earthwork quantities on the approved grading plan.
How long does it take to get the grading permit once approved?
When all the necessary information and the fee are prepared, the grading permit can be issued immediately with the approved plans.
How do I find a set of approved grading plans?
Public Works Department retains the copies of the approved grading plans either in the office or in archive. A copy of an approved grading plan can be requested for a nominal fee.
What do I need to get my building permit signed off by the Public Works Department after the grading permit is issued?
There are at least 2 items required to get the building permit signed off by the Public Works Department. 1. The Engineer of record or the Licensed Architect for the grading permit needs to submit the letter of certification stating the approximate final elevations have been established for building pads, drainage devices, and paved areas and the temporary erosion control measures have been installed based on the approved grading plan. 2. The Soils Engineer needs to submit the Compaction Report including the locations and elevations of field density tests, and the summaries of the adequate field and laboratory tests. There maybe additional items required as per the Conditions of Approval (COA) provided to the applicant when the project was initially proposed. Contact one of the engineers in Land Development Section at (951) 826-5341 for assistance.
Is there a standard form for grading certifications?
Samples of the required language and format for rough, final and "stockpiling only" grading certifications are available under the Drawings, Forms & Handouts resources.
How do I finalize the grading permit?
There are 3 items required to finalize the grading permit. 1. The Engineer of record or the Licensed Architect for the grading permit needs to submit the as-graded plan including original ground surface elevations, as-graded ground surface elevations, lot drainage patterns, and locations and elevations of all surface and subsurface drainage facilities. 2. The Engineer of record or the Licensed Architect for the grading permit also needs to submit the final grading certification stating all grading has been completed including final building pads, completed drainage devices, and permanent erosion control facilities, including slope planting and irrigations systems as required. 3. The Soils Engineer needs to submit the final soils report including the data and comments on any changes made during grading as well as their effect on the recommendations made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the soils report, and the finding as to the adequacy of the site for the intended use.
Construction and Street Opening Permits
What is the difference between a Construction permit and a Street Opening permit?
A Construction permit is required when the proposed work involves in preparing sub-grade, paving, installing sewer or drain pipe; constructing curbs, gutters, driveways, sidewalks, manholes, catch basins or similar structures in any street, alley, or easement within the City. A Street Opening permit is required when the work within Public right-of-way is proposed by other agencies, i.e. installing the water line on the street, fixing the electric lines by the sidewalk, etc...
Who can pull a Construction permit? What do I need to obtain permits?
The applicant must be a state licensed contractor with the class license applicable to the work he is going to perform as stated on the Permit-Insurance Requirements form. The subject improvement plans must have been approved and signed by the City Engineer prior to obtaining the Construction permit. A traffic control plan is also required. If the work is to be on either minor or collector streets, the traffic control plan can be replaced with the WATCH Manual (Work Area Traffic Control Handbook) or MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). If the work is to be on an arterial street, the formal submittal of the traffic control plan is required for Public Works review and approval prior to permit issuance. The plan check engineer will determine the permit fee for you based on the proposed work on the approved plan.
Who can pull a Street Opening permit? What do I need to obtain permits?
The applicant requirements are identical to those for a Construction Permit, see Permit-Insurance Requirements. There is an additional requirement to submit an approved set of plans showing the work to be done. The guidelines for traffic control are likewise the same as for a Construction Permit. Finally, the Public Works Department counter staff will determine the permit fee for you based on the work proposed.
How long does it take to get a Street Opening permit or a Construction permit?
When all the necessary information and the fee are prepared by the applicant, The Street Opening permit can be obtained within 24 to 48 hours pending traffic control measures, and the Construction permit can be obtained immediately with the approved plans.
Is there an expiration date on my permits?
Public Works permits are valid for one year. A written submission of extension request is required prior to expiration of the permit. Public Works Department will review and approve the extension request. The extension is good once for one year additional time.
Encroachment Permit
When do I need an Encroachment permit?
An Encroachment permit allows a private party to construct and maintain some type of private improvement within the Public Right of Way or a Public Easement. Refer to Encroachment Permit Processing Guide and Processing Instructions for more information.
Off-site Improvements
Where can I find the City standard title block for the improvement plans?
Refer to Standard Title Block for Improvement Plans  under Drawings, Forms & Handouts resources.
Where can I find the improvement plan submittal requirements?
Refer to Checklist for First Submittal Packages.
How do I find the approved improvement plans?
Most of the approved improvements plans are available online, and the specific plan number can be obtained using the Street Index Map, Sewer Index Map, and Storm Drain Index Map. Once the improvement plan number is identified (R-number for Street plan, S-number for Sewer plan and D-number for Strom Drain plan), the specific improvement plan can be downloaded online. For the older improvement plans from the mid 1950's or older, they can also be downloaded through this link.
What is the fee schedule for the first improvement plan check submittal?
The plan check fee for the improvement plans is based on the Construction Bond Estimate amount. Refer to the handout Development fees.
Are there general notes required on the improvement plans?
Yes, refer to the handout General Notes for Improvement Plans.
Why do I need to post the surety for the offsite improvement since I am required to construct them as one of the conditions of approval?
Per Riverside Municipal Code 13.16.060, it is the applicant's obligation to post the surety to guarantee the required off-site improvements. One of the engineers in Land Development Section will prepare the agreement approved by the City Attorney and signed by the Public Works Director. The surety amount is determined based on the proposed work on the improvement plans.
Why do I need to dedicate the additional right-of-way when I propose new development on my property?
Per Riverside Municipal Code 13.16.060, it is applicant's obligation to dedicate the necessary right-of-way and install offsite improvements in conformance with the circulation element of the City master plan if the commercial/industrial development consists of an addition in excess of six hundred fifty square feet or new residential development.
Occupancy Release and Inspection
What are the Public Works Department occupancy release requirements?
Before granting the Occupancy Release from the Public Works Department, our inspector needs to sign-off on the project; the applicant needs to pay for the sewer Permit To Connect (PTC) fee; and the Engineer of record needs to submit the Final Grading Certification. The applicant has to submit the PW Occupancy Release Request form to Public Works Department with the above mentioned items for approval.
How do I request an inspection for my Public Works permit?
The applicant has to fill out the Inspection Request Form, and fax or email the form to Public Works Department. Once the form is faxed or emailed in, our inspector will contact you within 24 to 48 hours.
WQMP
What is the project-specific Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and when is it required to submit one?
The project-specific WQMP is the document that provides guidelines for project-specific post-construction Best Management Practices (BMPs) and for regional and sub-regional Source Control BMPs and for Structural BMPs to address management of Urban Runoff quantity and quality to protect Receiving Waters. Contact the Planning Division of the Community Development Department at (951) 826-5371 for more information regarding requirement criteria.
Where can I get the template for a WQMP?
Refer to the WQMP template, located in Water Quality Management Plan Resources on the WQMP & Plan Checks page.
Where do I submit the preliminary project-specific WQMP for review?
The preliminary project-specific WQMP needs to be submitted / resubmitted to Planning for review and approval.
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