For questions or comments regarding this information, or for other questions you may have, please contact the Planning Department Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm at (951) 765.2375 or via E-Mail. You may also stop by the Planning Department. Zoning handouts are readily available on this web site and at the counter. No appointment is necessary.

The following are the most popular questions asked of the Planning Department:

A.How is my property zoned?
What is needed to look up zoning information is an address and/or the assessor parcel number (APN). If the property address has 5-digits, please call the Riverside County Planning Department at: (951) 955.3200 in Riverside or (951) 600.6170 in Murrieta as the property is in the un-incorporated portion of the City. If your address has 3 or 4-digits, please call the Planning Department at (951) 765.2375 or contact us via E-Mail. If you don't know the property's APN, please call the Riverside County Assessor's Office at (951) 766.2500 or visit their web site to obtain that information.

B. What are setbacks? What are the setbacks for my property?
A setback is the distance between a structure and the property line. No structures can be built with in the required setback area.
Questions regarding setbacks can be answered from the Planning Department at (951) 765.2375 or via E-Mail. Please have your property address and/or APN so staff can help you more efficiently.

C. How high can my fence be?
Generally, a fence or wall can be a maximum height of six feet on the side and rear property lines. A fence or wall in the front yard may only be a maximum height of 3'-6". Chain link and wooden fences do not need a building permit, however wrought iron fences and block walls do. If either of these are desired, please contact Building and Safety at 951.765.2475 or through their web page.

D. What can I do with my property?
It all depends on how the property is zoned. If you know the zoning of your property, refer to the appropriate section of the Municipal Code on our web site or review our Zoning Handouts Page. If you don't, feel free to call the Planning Department at (951) 765.2375 or via E-Mail. Again, be sure to have your address and/or APN available.

E. How many animals am I allowed?
Refer to the animal regulation section (section 90-77) of the Municipal Code. Of course, it will also depend on how the property is zoned.

F. Can I convert my garage to a room?
Yes, but a two car garage or carport must be provided and must meet the setbacks for the zone. Carport and garage minimum requirements are located in the parking section (section 90-1421) of the Municipal Code. A building permit will be required.

G. What is being built in my neighborhood?
The Planning Department has a current list of projects that are either approved or in the planning stages. Each log is for sale for $3.00 and are always available at City Hall.

H. What is the size of my property?
Please contact the Riverside County Assessor's Office for this information. Their address and phone number are as follows:
880 North State Street, Suite B-6 Hemet, CA 92543, (951) 766.2500

I. How many parking spaces do I need?
Please refer to the parking section (section 90-1421) of the Municipal Code. Parking ratios are based on the type of use. The standard parking stall (commercial and industrial uses) size is 9' x 18' with 10' x 18' for end spaces. All spaces shall be double striped. The total number of parking spaces required includes handicapped parking. Please refer to the above section for other restrictions and requirements.

J. Can I build up?
For single family dwellings, yes. The setback is usually five feet per story but please refer to the single-family residential section (section 90-311) of the Municipal Code for more information. For commercial buildings, refer to section 90-890 and for industrial buildings, refer to section 90-1041 of the Municipal Code.

K. How much signage is my business allowed?
Generally speaking, a business is allowed two square feet of signage to one linear frontage of building in commercial zones. Industrial zones are more restrictive. Monument and pylon (pole) signs are permitted as well. There are exceptions, so please refer to the sign section (section 90-1241) of the Municipal Code for these.