Overview
Environmental Justice (EJ) ensures the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, income, or background, in environmental decision-making. It focuses on addressing disparities in communities that face higher environmental and health burdens by promoting access to clean, safe, and healthy living conditions, essential services, and opportunities for meaningful engagement.
The Planning Department advances Environmental Justice by integrating EJ considerations into planning and development review processes. Staff evaluate projects to identify opportunities for community improvements and equitable outcomes, particularly within EJ communities. The County also supports EJ through improved access to data, tools, and public information, as well as ongoing efforts to invest in infrastructure, services, and long-term planning in disadvantaged unincorporated communities.
Environmental Justice in Planning
The Planning Department is committed to advancing Environmental Justice (EJ) through various policies and development practices. Explore the initiatives below to learn more about our ongoing efforts.
Good Neighbor Policy (SB1000/AB98)
The County's "Good Neighbor" Policy for Logistics and Warehouse/Distribution Uses" (SB1000) and AB98 (Logistics) supports EJ by promoting responsible logistics and warehouse development that considers the health, safety, and quality of life of surrounding communities. The Policy encourages project features and operational practices that minimizes impacts to surrounding neighborhoods, various sensitive receptors, and the environment. Following these provisions promotes transparency and community engagement throughout the entitlement process.
Key Focus Areas:
- Community Outreach and Engagement
- Air Quality and Health Risk Reduction
- Noise and Traffic Management
- Truck Routing and Operational Practices
- Landscaping, Buffering, and Site Design
- Community Benefit Improvements
Please visit our AB98/SB415 Logistics and Truck Routes page for more information!
General Plan
The Riverside County General Plan incorporates EJ into the following elements.
Land Use Element (pg. 72-75), defines:
- Environmental Justice as "the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (Gov. Code §65040.12).
- Disadvantaged community or environmental justice community ("EJ Community") as a “low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation” or a geographic area that is identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency (“Cal EPA”) based on the area’s socioeconomic, public health, and environmental hazard criteria (Gov. Code §65302).
Safety Element (pg. 2 & 3), acknowledges EJ in its Regulatory Framework section as required by SB1000 to include climate adaptation and resiliency strategies in the safety elements of their General Plan.
Healthy Communities Element (pg. 12-21), establishes policies that promote equitable access to community resources, healthy living environments, and meaningful civic engagement.
The Element includes a dedicated EJ section that addresses the following topics:
- Civic Engagement: Promote engagement in the decision-making process
- Health Risk Reduction: Addresses pollution prevention in the day to day living environment
- Pollution Exposure
- Food Access
- Safe and Sanitary Homes
- Physical Activity
- Public Facilities: Prioritizes improvements and programs for public facilities
- Health Care Facilities
- Other: policies are not directly related to the SB1000 categories but will help improve the quality of life
These EJ policies apply to the Riverside County Environmental Justice Communities (“EJ Communities”).
Community Plans
Every community has unique opportunities and challenges.
Community Plans play an important role in advancing EJ at the local level. Through community engagement, data analysis, and long-range planning, these efforts help identify community priorities and establish policies and strategies that promote equitable access to infrastructure, public services, housing, transportation, economic opportunity, and healthy living environments.
As these planning efforts move forward, EJ considerations will help inform community visioning, policy development, and implementation strategies. Current Community Plans under development include:
Ordinances
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
Inclusionary Zoning & Warehouse Linkage Fee Program
Planning Commission Workshop (04/23/25)
Agenda | Staff Report | Video (Start at 39:55)
Workshop Purpose: To discuss and take community feedback on warehouse development and the potential for linkage fees to support affordable housing production and community improvements.
The County will be exploring two separate scenarios under which developments MAY be subject to fees:
Scenario 1: Residential Development
Scenario 2: Warehouse Development
A Few Discussion Qs:
- For the in-lieu fees, where is the appropriate location to use the funds / build affordable homes (within the same Supervisorial District, anywhere within the County, within a City where infrastructure is located)?
- For any dollars collected, should some be allocated for affordable housing production and some be set aside for community improvements?
Environmental Justice in Riverside County
Environmental Justice extends beyond planning and is supported through a variety of County initiatives aimed at improving conditions in disadvantaged communities. Explore the programs and efforts below to learn how Riverside County is working across departments to promote equitable outcomes and enhance quality of life for its residents.
Development Review
The County has integrated EJ review considerations into the development entitlement process. For projects located within EJ communities, this review helps identify opportunities for community improvements or benefits that support and enhance conditions in those areas. In addition, projects within Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) boundaries are encouraged to present early in the review process to facilitate community input and engagement.
Riverside County Map My County: Environmental Justice Communities Layer [Administrative Layers] - allows staff and the public to identify EJ communities
EJ Checklist: An internal planning tool used to identify potential EJ considerations early in the project review process. The Checklist is provided to the applicant where they analyze their project with respect to EJ policies to determine compatibility.
Hearings
Director's Hearing (DH) | Calendar
Planning Commission (PC) | Calendar
Board of Supervisors (BOS) | Calendar
Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs)
MACs serve as a bridge between unincorporated communities and County government. Appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, MACs provide a forum for residents to share local concerns and offer input on proposed projects and planning initiatives. This creates a window of opportunity for constituents to make recommendations on matters that will likely affect the community's quality of life.
Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs) | ||||
District 1 (Jose Medina) | District 2 (Karen Spiegel) | District 3 (Chuck Washington) | District 4 (V. Manuel Perez) | District 5 (Yxstian Gutierrez) |
Bermuda Dunes | ||||
Desert Edge | ||||
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| Mecca-North Shore |
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| Sky Valley |
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| Thermal - Oasis |
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| Thousand Palms |
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| Vista Santa Rosa |
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Links
Learn More About Environmental Justice
Department of Justice: Environmental Justice
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Identify Environmental Justice Communities
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA): CalEnviroScreen 4.0
OEHHA: SB535 Disadvantaged Communities
Explore Community Health & Equity Data
Public Health Alliance: Healthy Places Index (HPI)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Environmental Justice Index (EJI) Explorer
Contact Us
Phayvanh Nanthavongdouangsy | Principal Planner
[email protected]
(951) 955-2525
County Administrative Center
12th Floor - Planning Department
4080 Lemon Street, 12th floor
Riverside, CA 92502
(951) 955-2004
