Planning Department

The primary goal of the Planning Department is to implement orderly and compatible development which creates livable neighborhoods, supports economic development, and sustains a high quality of life for Wildomar residents. To achieve this the department is divided into key functional divisions:

Public Information & Land Use / Zoning Services

The Planning Department is dedicated to providing timely and accurate land use/zoning information to our residents, businesses, and development community via our public assistance counter.

The standard counter hours are Monday through Thursday (8 am to noon, closed Fridays). The department's phone number for land use and zoning information is 951-677-7751, ext. 203 (ask for Abdu Lachgar, AICP, Senior Planner). You may also contact us anytime via email by using our Contact Form. To access the Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) or the Wildomar Municipal Code.

Special Notice

The Planning Department has a user friendly GIS Parcel Information Tool. The purpose of this map-based tool is to enhance our customer service capabilities by allowing our residents, business owners and the general public access to review land use and zoning information for any parcel within the City. All you need to do is enter a Street Address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN). Once the information is shown, there is also a direct link you can click on to review the permitted uses and development standards for that specific zone district. We hope this GIS tool is helpful. Please use The City of Wildomar Parcel Information Tool to access the GIS viewer web page and follow the instructions. If you need additional information, please contact Abdu Lachgar, AICP, Senior Planner at 951-677-7751, ext. 203, or email us.

Current Planning

The current planning division is responsible for managing the development review process, including review, analysis and processing of all "private development projects/applications." It is our responsibility to ensure each development application(s) complies with the City's General Plan, Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances that require review by the Planning Commission and/or City Council. For specific information on current planning projects and their status, you may download our current Cumulative Development Project Matrix (see following link). You may click on the link in the following (titled "City Approved Development Projects") to view previously Commission and Council approved development plans and exhibits. For questions on current development projects, please email Abdu Lachgar, AICP, Senior Planner or call 951-677-7751, ext. 203.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

A major component of the development review process is preparation of the appropriate environmental documents (i.e., EIR's and/or MND's) for new development projects to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Each development project is assigned to one of our on-call CEQA consultants who works with the Community Development Director to prepare and process these environmental documents in accordance with state CEQA regulations. You may click on the link following (titled "City Adopted CEQA Documents") to view previously adopted/certified CEQA documents. You may also click on the link following (titled "Environmental Documents Center") to review current environmental documents that are available for public review. For questions about current CEQA documents, email Matthew Bassi, Community Development Director or call 951-677-7751, ext. 213.

Advanced Planning Division

The advanced planning division is responsible for the administration and on-going update of the City's General Plan and Specific Plans, including implementation of its goals, polices and action programs as directed by the City Council. The division is also responsible for preparing zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments to address City Council policy directives and State mandated regulations, such as the Housing Element. For questions about advanced planning projects, please email Matthew Bassi, Community Development Director or call 951-677-7751, ext. 213.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

The CDBG program is administered by the Planning Department in direct coordination with the Riverside County Economic Development Agency (EDA). This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our annual CDBG funds vary in amount from year to year and are used for capital improvement projects within the City's "CDBG/Low-Mod" planning area, and for public services via our local non-profit 501(C)(3) public service organizations. These organizations may apply each year for CDBG funding typically around the end of August. CDBG allocations are then reviewed and approved by the City Council in October of each program year. In order to qualify, CDBG funded projects must satisfy one of three national program objectives as required by HUD. These three areas are as follows:

• Provide a benefit to low and moderate income persons;
• Prevent or eliminate slums and blight; or
• Meet other urgent community development needs due to natural disasters or other emergencies.

For questions about the CDBG program, please email Matthew Bassi, Community Development Director or call 951-677-7751, ext. 213.