The Perris City Council on Dec. 9 introduced a package of zoning and Good Neighbor guideline changes aimed at curbing the local impacts of large warehouse and distribution projects and voted to proceed during a 45‑day moratorium on new approvals.

Council members said the measures — described by staff as consistent with Assembly Bill 98 but stricter in some numeric standards — will require conditional use permits and City Council review for warehouses and distribution centers larger than 50,000 square feet in certain industrial zones, tighten setbacks and buffer rules near “sensitive receptors” (homes, schools and parks), and set step‑down maximum building sizes based on distance from sensitive receptors.

“Residents have asked us to reset what we have been doing for the past years,” Mayor Pro Tem Rapp said during debate, urging stronger protections for neighborhoods near planned industrial sites.

Why it matters: Perris has large concentrations of logistics development. Council and staff said new standards — including building size tiers, reduced permitted heights near sensitive receptors, expanded landscape buffers, minimum distances between bay doors and nearby homes or schools, truck staging and stacking requirements, and a housing‑replacement ratio (2:1 where housing would be removed) — are designed to reduce air pollution, noise and traffic impacts from future projects. Staff told the council the ordinance would apply to warehouse projects not deemed complete by Feb. 12, 2026.

What staff recommended: Principal planner Rafael Garcia said the planning commission voted 5‑0 to send the package to the council. Staff highlighted proposed numeric limits: strict building sizes within 200 feet of sensitive receptors (10,000 sq ft cap), progressive size allowances at greater distances, height limits tied to whether a rezone accompanies the project, and larger truck‑door setbacks (staff proposed 300 ft without rezone, 750 ft with rezone; council discussed raising that figure).

Public debate: Dozens of residents, environmental advocates and union members filled the council chamber, sharply divided. Environmental justice groups and neighborhood advocates urged a longer moratorium and stricter protections. Tatiana Flores of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice argued Perris is a “frontline environmental justice community” with elevated particulate and NOx levels and called for health risk assessments and zero‑emission integration during the moratorium period.

Labor and industry speakers warned of lost jobs and revenue if the rules were made too restrictive. Bill Blankenship of NAIOP Inland Empire asked council not to “adopt this tonight” and warned the city could lose hundreds of millions in infrastructure funding tied to development. Labor representatives also told the council that many local workers depend on industrial projects for jobs.

Council action: Councilwoman Nava moved to introduce the ordinance with three amendments (including using the stricter ‘rezone’ height figures and increasing the proposed truck door setback); Councilwoman Vallejo seconded. The motion to introduce and proceed with the Good Neighbor guideline amendments passed 5‑0.

What happens next: The county’s environmental review and specific plan amendments for the Perris Valley Commerce Center will be processed as required; staff said projects deemed CEQA‑complete by Feb. 12, 2026, would not be subject to the new code amendment.