Municipal Code Amendment No. 2026-03 - 2026 Spring Bi-Annual Code Update (continued from August 12, 2026)
1. Determine that Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) No. 2026-03, and associated Ordinance No. ___, is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines, pursuant to the commonsense exemption, Section 15061(b) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Introduce Ordinance No. ___ and conduct the first reading by title only for the ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission, and described in the staff report, based on the necessary finding within the ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. ______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILDOMAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT NO. 2026-03 THAT REVISES VARIOUS ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS WITHIN TITLE 16 (SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE) AND TITLE 17 (DEVELOPMENT CODE) OF THE WILDOMAR MUNICIPAL CODE KNOWN AS THE 2026 SPRING BIANNUAL CODE UPDATE (TOGETHER KNOWN AS “MCA NO. 2026-03”)
The proposed Municipal Code Amendment contains housekeeping revisions, state law updates, procedural improvements, and targeted policy changes to Titles 16 and 17 intended to improve the efficiency, clarity, and consistency of the City of Wildomar ("City") Subdivision Ordinance and Development Code.
Title 16 of the Wildomar Municipal Code ("WMC") houses the City Subdivision Ordinance. Title 17 of the WMC houses the City Development Code that includes zoning provisions. Title 16 and Title 17 (Title 17 then known as the “Zoning Ordinance”) were established upon incorporation of the City in 2008 with the adoption of Riverside County codes/ordinances.
On January 15, 2025, the City adopted a comprehensive update to the past Zoning Ordinance, establishing the current Development Code. The Subdivision Ordinance has not been comprehensively updated since its original adoption but has had minor changes throughout the years with the latest revision being in 2022.
The City recently commenced bi-annual code updates for the Subdivision Ordinance and Development Code that will allow for continual maintenance and accuracy of these Titles to allow for efficient and effective implementation. Specifically, these bi-annual code updates ensure internal consistency and accurate codes by making necessary surgical changes to the codes to properly implement the Wildomar General Plan, particularly the Land Use Element, and facilitate processing of applications for development, businesses, and uses.
On April 22, 2026, the Wildomar Planning Commission considered the 2026 Bi-Annual Code Update (MCA 2026-03) at a public hearing and after public testimony, continued the item to June 3, 2026, to provide more time for public review and additional refinement of the proposed ordinance. These concerns were later addressed as described in the staff report for subsequent hearings.
On June 3, 2026, the Wildomar Planning Commission considered the 2026 Bi-Annual Code Update (MCA 2026-03) and adopted PC Resolution No. 2026-05 recommending approval and adoption of the ordinance with the following minor modifications:
- That the Planning Commission maintains the existing authority to approve all extensions of time (EOTs); and
- That city staff maintains authority to approve EOTs for administrative approvals.
Consideration of amendments to the both Title 16 and 17 of Wildomar Municipal Code are part of the first Bi-Annual Code Update of 2026.
The purpose of the updates to Title 16 is to comply with state law, particularly SB 9, and globally improve consistency and accuracy.
The purpose of the updates to Title 17 is to improve the existing permit processes, comply with state law, particularly Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU law and SB 9, adjust development standards or requirements to improve consistency, remove unnecessary provisions, and globally improve accuracy.
Municipal Code Amendment 2026-03 (2026 Spring Bi-Annual Update) Summary:
The majority of the proposed amendments consist of global housekeeping revisions, corrections, and clarifications and necessary changes identified through implementation. The amendments do not represent a comprehensive rewrite of these Titles or a broad change in land use policy.
In addition to global revisions, the proposed Municipal Code amendment includes various revisions, including:
- Non-substantive format and technical changes to nomenclature, titles, departments, references etc. for both Title 16 and Title 17.
- Entitlement and related changes:
- Modifies the Major and Minor Development Review permit process to clearly define the scope and process for these entitlements. Additionally, these permits were renamed to better differentiate these two entitlement types.
- Updates the pre-application process to uncodify items that are typically part of the application form.
- Streamline the entitlement process by eliminating the General Plan initiation process, which currently requires a preliminary public hearing before a formal application may be processed. The amendment removes this duplicative procedural step while preserving all required Planning Commission and City Council public hearings and final City Council approval of any General Plan Amendment.
- Modifying the Temporary Use Permit (and temporary event permit) process to align with City goals. Allowances for several temporary uses, such as Certified Farmer's Markets and outdoor markets are modified to increase frequency while still maintaining the temporary nature of the use. Additionally, standards were updated to ensure public health, safety, and welfare is maintained before, during, and after the temporary use or event. For example, a requirement for a bond is proposed to ensure restoration of the site used for the temporary use or event.
- Added clarifying provisions for Conditional Use Permits addressing periodic reviews, permits running with the land, and suspension / revocation procedures, etc.
- Update development standards and provisions for retaining walls.
- Parks are proposed as permitted uses in all rural zones to facilitate the development of open active and passive open spaces and recreational spaces within the communities and residential areas.
- Religious institutions are proposed as permitted uses in all residential zones, but churches are proposed not to be allowed in mixed-used zones.
- Manufactured (Mobile) Homes are proposed to be removed as a permitted use in commercial zones.
- Update the Change of Zone process to maintain that staff and the legislative body can initiate an update to the Development Code.
- Revise provisions related to accessory dwelling units to comply with recent changes in state law.
- Revised provisions in both Title 16 and Title 17 related to incorporate or update SB 9 Two-Unit Developments and Urban Lot Splits to comply with recent changes in state law.
- Updates to definitions to support the proposed changes.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
The proposed Municipal Code Amendment (MCA 2026-03) is citywide. Consistent with the applicable Wildomar Municipal Code provisions and exceeding applicable state law provisions, a public notice was published in the Press Enterprise Newspaper, a local newspaper of general circulation, at least 10 days prior to the public hearing on August 12, 2026. The public hearing for this item was continued to date-specific City Council meeting on September 9, 2026. No further notice was issued or required.
Since this code amendment is not associated with any specific development project, the provisions of Ordinance 135 requiring public hearing site posting do not apply.
In accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), Public Resources Code § 21000, et seq., and the CEQA Guidelines, Section § 15000, et seq., staff recommends that the City Council determine that Municipal Code Amendment No. 2026-03, and its supporting adopting ordinance, is exempt from further environmental review, based on the common sense exemption, CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3), in that the amendments involve general policy and procedure making and it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this code amendment and ordinance adoption may have a significant effect on the environment.
The fiscal impacts associated with the drafting, legal review, and implementation of this ordinance are covered by the Department's Operating Budget of General Fund.