Two Permits.
Two Departments.
Riverside follows the 2022 California Building Code (CBC) and the 2019 California Fire Code (CFC). The City of Riverside Building & Safety Division and the Riverside Fire Department review permits independently. Both are required when your installation triggers their respective thresholds.
| Permit Type | Trigger | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit | Racking over 5'9" in height, OR any racking anchored to the slab regardless of height | Riverside Building & Safety Division (951) 826-5697 |
| Fire / High Pile Permit | Top-of-load 12 feet or more for standard commodities, OR 6 feet or more for Group A plastics, rubber tires, aerosols, and flammable liquids — and storage area exceeds 500 sq ft | Riverside Fire Department (951) 826-5337 |
| Exempt | Racking under 5'9" that is not anchored to the slab — per CBC §105.2 Item 13. In practice, California seismic code requires anchoring, making most installations subject to a building permit regardless of height. | Exemption applies only to nonfixed, movable, unanchored racking |
- Riverside Fire Department — official High Pile Storage Permit Application citing 2019 CFC Chapter 32: riversideca.gov/fire/forms-resources
- Riverside Building & Safety Division: riversideca.gov/permits · Phone: (951) 826-5697
- Riverside Fire Prevention: (951) 826-5337
- California Fire Code Chapter 32 — official text: codes.iccsafe.org — CFC Chapter 32
Building & Safety vs.
Fire Department
Structural Review
- Slab and soil conditions — verified by licensed engineer
- Seismic load calculations per CBC §1613 and ASCE-7
- Rack engineering drawings per ANSI MH16.1
- Anchor and base plate specifications
- Frame and beam load capacity ratings
- CAD layout with aisle widths, dimensions, exits
Life Safety Review
- Top-of-load height verification — not rack height
- Commodity classification per CFC Chapter 32
- Sprinkler system adequacy per NFPA 13
- Flue space dimensions — transverse and longitudinal
- Aisle widths and fire department access
- High pile storage signage and maximum height markers
Riverside Is in a High Seismic Zone
Riverside sits along the San Jacinto Fault and is subject to California's most demanding seismic design requirements. Racking installed without proper seismic engineering and anchor verification is not only unpermitted — it's a genuine safety risk during a seismic event. The California Building Code requires licensed engineer-stamped seismic calculations for all anchored racking systems. This is not optional and it cannot be skipped.
What to Expect
Step by Step
Pre-Installation Assessment
Establish top-of-load height, commodity classification, existing sprinkler design density from the riser placard, and slab conditions. These four data points determine which permits are required before any drawings are started.
Engineering Package
A licensed engineer prepares stamped CAD drawings, seismic calculations per CBC §1613 and ASCE-7, anchor details, and rack load ratings per ANSI MH16.1. Riverside's seismic zone makes this step mandatory and non-negotiable.
Dual Submission
Submit to Building & Safety Division and Fire Department simultaneously with complete documentation. The Riverside Fire Department publishes its own High Pile Storage Permit Application — available at riversideca.gov/fire/forms-resources — and requires it to be submitted with your fire plan review package.
Plan Review and Corrections
Both departments review independently. Missing seismic calculations, incomplete commodity classification documentation, and inadequate sprinkler system documentation are the most common correction items in Riverside. Complete submittals move significantly faster.
Installation and Inspection
Installation must match approved drawings exactly. Riverside requires anchor inspection by a licensed inspector. Final inspection by both Building & Safety and Fire before the permit closes. Load capacity signage must be posted before final sign-off.