News and Updates
Please join the County of Riverside at a community meeting on April 4, 2024 at the City of Coachella Corporate Yard to discuss the proposed Rancho Community Event Facility Ordinance and County department requirements for Rancho Community events in the Coachella Valley area.
For more information and location information, check out our event flyer, or email the Planning Department at [email protected].
English / Spanish translation will be provided.
Project Information
The County is proposing an update to Ordinance No. 348 to establish permitting requirements for Rancho Community Event Facilities. The goal of this ordinance update is to support the heritage of the community and residents and unique date palms and other agriculture of the Western Coachella Valley Area Plan and Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan and contribute to the local economy.
Rancho Community Event Facilities are primarily outdoor private events held for the community to gather for the common purpose of a celebration, ceremony, wedding ceremony and/or reception, birthday, quinceañera, baby shower, holiday party, graduation, fundraiser for a charitable non-profit organization, or farm-to-table event.
The proposed ordinance would allow for permanent Rancho Community Event Facilities, with lasting regulations, development and operational standards in order to balance the desire to support our unique culture, agriculture, and local economy with the desire to protect the public health, safety, and welfare for all.
Project Location
Western Coachella Valley Area Plan and Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan
Project Highlights
In order to be approved, a proposed Rancho Community Event Facility would need a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Planning Commission at a public hearing, and meet required development and operating standards, some of which are highlighted below.
Allowed Areas:
Western Coachella Valley Area Plan; or
Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan
Allowed Zones:
A-1, A-2, W-2, R-A
Proposed Restrictions and Development Standards:
- At least 40% of the total acreage of the property shall be used for agricultural crops
- At least 20% must be utilized for date palms
- Limitations on guests based on underlying zone and size of property
- Quiet Hours and Operational Hours
- Event Managment Plan Required
Draft development standards and checklist are forthcoming with the draft ordinance.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact the team at our project email:
[email protected]
Project Documents
Community Meetings
March 8, 2024 - Community Meeting No. 1
April 4, 2024 - Community Meeting No. 2 (Upcoming)
City of Coachella - Corporate Yard
53462 Enterprise Way
Coachella, CA, 92236
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the intent of the Rancho Community Event Facility Ordinance?
The intent of the Rancho Community Event Facility Ordinance is to establish permitting requirements for Rancho Community Event Facilities in order to support the heritage of the community and residents and unique date palms and other agriculture of the Western Coachella Valley Area Plan and Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan and contribute to the local economy. The intent is also to balance and protect neighborhood character and minimize the potential for negative impacts on communities and the environment, such as noise, trash, parking, and traffic, while establishing land use regulations for Rancho Community Event Facilities
What is a Rancho Community Event?
A Rancho Community Event is a primarily outdoor private event held at a permitted Rancho Community Event Facility for the community to gather for the common purpose of a celebration, ceremony, wedding ceremony and/or reception, birthday, quinceañera, baby shower, holiday party, graduation, fundraiser for a charitable non-profit organization, or farm-to-table event. The events shall not be open to the public or attendees must register in advance and no walk-ins will be allowed.
Where can I have a Rancho Community Event Facility?
Rancho Community Event Facilities are only allowed within the Western Coachella Valley Area Plan and Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan within the unincorporated areas of the County of Riverside.
Please visit our Map My County page to type in your property address and found out if you are located in a qualifying area plan. Or, you can call us at (951) 955-3200 and we can search your property address for you.
Does a Rancho Community Event Facility need to have agriculture onsite?
Yes! Rancho Community Event Facilities must have 40% of the total acreage of the property used for agricultural crops with at least 20% planted for date palm production. Buildings or structures utilized for the agriculture may count towards the 40% requirement. However, properties with a conservation easement or land conservation contract are not permitted to have a Rancho Community Event Facility.
How many guests can a Rancho Community Event Facility host?
The number of guests a facility may host depends on both the zone and size of the property, which is described in the following table:
|
Zone |
Minimum Size of Property |
Maximum Guest Count |
Application Type |
|
A-1, A-2, W-2 |
4.5 gross acres |
200 guests |
Plot Plan |
|
|
7.5 gross acres |
300 guests |
Plot Plan |
|
|
20 gross acres |
500 guests |
Conditional Use Permit |
|
R-A |
10 gross acres |
200 guests |
Plot Plan |
|
|
15 gross acres |
300 guests |
Plot Plan |
|
|
20 gross acres |
400 guests |
Conditional Use Permit |
What type of entitlement application do I need to obtain from the County to have a Rancho Community Event Facility at my property?
You will need to submit a general application with the Planning Department for a plot plan of conditional use permit to have a Rancho Community Event Facility at your property. The application type depends on the zone, size of property, and maximum guest count. Please see the table provided in the previous answer.
What will the County do to help the Ranchos with their entitlement application?
The County is preparing checklist from each reviewing department to provide guidance on the required site plan, additional submittal documentation, inspections, and site and operational requirements.
The County is also holding a second Rancho Community Event Facility meeting on April 4 from 6pm to 8pm at 53462 Enterprise Way, Coachella, CA 92236 during which all the reviewing departments (Planning, Transportation, Fire, Environmental Health, Code Enforcement, and the Sheriff) will present the department’s project requirements.
After the Board of Supervisors approves the ordinance, the County will hold a Public Workshop for Rancho owners to meet with a County planner and learn more about what is required to turn their particular property into a legal Rancho Community Event Facility.
Additionally, the County will have a dedicated planner devoted to answering questions and processing Rancho Community Event Facilities.
What are the hours of operation for Rancho Community Event Facilities?
Rancho Community Events shall not operate between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and shall not operate longer than 12 hours per day.
What are the noise guidelines for Rancho Community Event Facilities?
Rancho Community Event Facilities shall comply with noise regulations set forth in Riverside County Ordinance No. 847, which currently requires sound amplifying equipment or live music to cease entirely between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., until amended. Riverside County Ordinance No. 847 currently holds that all other noise (i.e. noise that is not related to sound amplifying equipment or live music) may continue so long as the maximum decibel level does not exceed 45 decibel levels in non-commercial and non-industrial areas.
When do the lights need to be turned off for Rancho Community Event Facilities?
All outdoor lighting associated with the Rancho Community Event shall be turned off one hour after event-related noise (i.e. sound amplifying equipment and live music) shall cease pursuant to Riverside County Ordinance No. 847.
What are the next steps for the County to approve the Rancho Community Event Facility Ordinance?
The County is hosting one more community event meeting on April 4th and then will take the project to Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for approval.
Here is our tentative schedule (subject to change):
- Community Meeting No. 2: April 4 (checklist & draft ordinance)
- Planning Commission: May 8
- Board of Supervisors (public hearing): June 25
- Public Workshop: after June 25 (to be determined)
- Board of Supervisors (adoption): July 9
- Effective date of Ordinance: August 8
- Submittal deadline for existing Ranchos: November 8
If you are unable to attend but would like to provide input, please email us at [email protected] or you can share your input at our Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors meetings. Please refer to our tentative schedule above for prospective dates for public hearings.
Sarah Moore, Assistant Planning Director
[email protected]
John Hildebrand, Planning Director
[email protected]
Rancho Community Events Project Contact
Riverside County Planning Department
4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-3200
[email protected]