Pico Rivera City Zoning Code
Division 1
General Provisions
§ 18.01.010 Title.
Title 18 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code shall hereinafter be known as "Title 18, The Zoning Code of the City of Pico Rivera." Said Title 18 may also be referred to simply as "Title" or as "Zoning Code"; provided, however, that such reference is not in conflict with any other codes or ordinances.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.020 Authority.
Authority for planning and zoning and the adoption of the Zoning Code set out in Title 18 is hereby granted and established pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 3 and 4, Division 1, Title 7 of the Government Code of the State of California (Government Code), and as may thereafter be amended.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.030 Purpose.
A.
The intent and purpose of this Title is to establish and set forth such regulations and procedures that will implement the City of Pico Rivera General Plan (General Plan) and provide a comprehensive planning program consistent with the principles and practice of land use planning. More specifically, this Title is adopted to achieve the following objectives:
1.
Guide and control the use of land in the City through various land use zone classifications to serve as the primary implementation tool of the City's General Plan land uses, consistent with the goals, policies, and actions of the City's General Plan.
2.
Provide standards and regulations for the use of land, buildings, and other structures and facilities in the City to promote, protect, and maintain the environmental quality and public health, peace, safety, order, and general welfare.
3.
Encourage a wide range of land uses that contribute to the City's economic vitality and provide job opportunities for the City's residents, while ensuring compatibility with nearby neighborhoods.
4.
Promote high-quality design in new development, or redevelopment, and ongoing maintenance and improvement of existing development.
5.
Facilitate a mix of governmental, educational, recreational, and open space facilities that provide adequate conservation of open space, public safety, environmental welfare, and other elements that serve the community's needs.
6.
Facilitate new growth and redevelopment that is carefully planned and efficient and contributes positively to the overall growth, safety, economic welfare, and urban development of the community.
7.
Define the administrative procedures and provisions and the duties and powers of decision-making bodies and officials responsible for implementation of this Title.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.040 Applicability.
A.
No building or other structure shall be erected, reconstructed, or structurally altered, nor shall any building, other structure, or land be used for any purpose whatsoever, except as specifically provided for and allowed in this Title. The regulations contained in this Title apply to all land uses, structures, subdivisions, and development and shall be deemed to be minimum and not all inclusive. The Zoning Administrator shall determine the specific applicability of the Title to all developments and applications within the City.
B.
No permit or license for any use, structure, or purpose whatsoever shall be issued by any official or employee of the City unless the permit, license, or other proposed activity complies with the provisions of this Title and requirements under California State law (State law). No official or employee of the City vested with the duty or authority to issue permits or licenses shall legalize, authorize, waive, or excuse the violation of any provisions of this Title.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.050 Interpretation of Regulations.
A.
Purpose. It is the intent and purpose of this Section to establish criteria, rules, and regulations governing any unlisted uses, ambiguities, and interpretations which may arise during the administration and enforcement of this Title.
B.
Applicability. The following interpretation and penalties set out in this Section and Section 18.01.070 (Code Violations) shall apply relative to the administration and enforcement of this Title. The interpretation and application of this Title shall be held to the minimum requirement consistent with the intent and purpose set forth in this Chapter.
C.
Review Authority. The Zoning Administrator shall have the responsibility and authority to interpret the meaning and applicability of all provisions and requirements of this Title or may refer the matter to the Planning Commission for determination.
D.
Appeals. Decisions and determination of the Review Authority under this Section may be appealed as described in Section 18.04.100 (Appeals).
E.
Conflicting Regulations. This Title is not intended to interfere with, repeal, or annul any easement, covenant, or other agreement between parties, or any other regulations or requirements of the State of California (California), or any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law over uses and development authorized by this Title. However, when this Title imposes greater restrictions upon the uses of buildings or land, including property development regulations, than those imposed or required by other provisions of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code, rules, regulations, or by easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this Title shall prevail and control, unless otherwise stated in this Title.
F.
Clarification of Ambiguities. The following criteria, rules, and regulations shall be used as the procedure for reconciling ambiguities and interpretations:
1.
The Zoning Administrator shall have the responsibility and authority to interpret the meaning and applicability of all provisions and requirements of this Title.
2.
Any person, firm, or corporation may file an application with the Zoning Administrator for interpretation of ambiguity pursuant to Section 18.04.020 (Applications and Fees) if an ambiguity arises during the administration and enforcement of this Title concerning the appropriate zone for a particular use of land, matters of zone boundary locations, or any matters regulated by this Title based on unforeseen circumstances.
3.
After review of the application for interpretation of ambiguity, the Zoning Administrator shall announce their findings and decisions by formal written declaration in accordance with the procedures in Section 18.04.050 (Notice of Decision and Findings Required) within 30 days after receipt of an application for interpretation of ambiguity.
G.
Unlisted Uses or Similar Compatible Uses. If a use is not listed or is not substantially similar in character to a use classification provided in this Title, the use shall not be allowed. When a use is not specifically listed in this Title, the use may be permitted if the Zoning Administrator determines that the use is substantially similar in character to other listed land uses. Such use shall be subject to Zoning Administrator approval of a ministerial or discretionary permit. In evaluating an unlisted use pursuant to this Subsection, the degree of compatibility of any such use of land to any other land use shall be fully evaluated based on the performance standards and criteria identified in Section 18.21.020 (Performance Standards).
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.060 Inspection of Premises.
During the course of administration and enforcement of this Title, any duly authorized official or employee of the City shall have the authority to enter any building or premises for the purpose of conducting investigations and inspections. The right of entry to any building or premises shall only be exercised during the daylight hours, and no dwelling shall be entered without the consent of the occupant unless a 24-hour notice of intention to enter has been provided to the occupant. No person shall refuse to permit an inspection or investigation of premises after service of such notice.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.070 Code Violations.
A.
Penalties for any violation of this Title shall be as follows:
1.
Violation of This Title. Any person, firm, or corporation in violation of any provision of this Title or any conditions imposed on discretionary applications shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be issued a fine established by resolution. Failure to comply with any of the conditions imposed on discretionary applications shall also be subject to revocation proceedings under Section 18.04.090 (Revocation of Permits or Entitlements).
2.
Separate Offense and Nuisance. Each day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this Title is committed, continued, or permitted by such person, firm, or corporation, shall be deemed a separate violation and shall be punishable as provided for in this Section, and such violation shall constitute a public nuisance, subject to Chapter 1.20 (General Penalty) of Title 1 (General Provision) and Chapter 8.16 (Property Maintenance, Nuisance and Administrative Citations of Title 8 (Health and Safety) of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code. The City reserves the right to any available remedies under the law.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
§ 18.01.080 Severability.
If any chapter, section, subsection, clause, phrase, sentence, or word of this Title is for any reason held or declared to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of this Title as a whole or any remaining parts or portions thereof other than that which has been specifically so held or declared invalid or unconstitutional.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
