The City of Riverside has introduced a new ordinance amending its municipal code to establish the 'Safety First Amnesty Program,' enabling homeowners to legalize unpermitted residential structures. This program provides a pathway for homeowners to bring non-compliant structures into compliance with zoning and building codes, allowing retroactive building permits based on the construction date. Under the ordinance, homeowners can apply for continued use certification if they demonstrate they did not create the unpermitted condition and were unaware of its status at purchase. The program aligns with Senate Bill 1226, granting the city’s Building Official discretion in applying past building codes. The amnesty process includes inspections to identify and correct health and safety hazards while reducing penalties and waiving investigative fees for voluntary applicants. Eligible structures include residential units and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), with owners required to complete safety corrections within a set timeline to maintain their certification.
This initiative helps property owners legalize unpermitted structures without undue financial hardship while ensuring public safety. It also addresses Riverside's housing needs by integrating existing but previously unpermitted units into the official housing stock.