Building Permit Submittal - Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant / LRA

Building permit applications for projects within the Riverbank Ammunition Plant / LRA are required to be submitted online through the City of Riverbank's Building Permit Portal. Online submittal provides a streamlined process for plan review, permit issuance, and project tracking. You will be prompted to create an account prior to submittal. 

Online Building Permit Portal

About Local Redevelopment Authority

The Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) is a political subdivision of the City of Riverbank, established in 2006 under federal statute to oversee all decisions regarding the transfer, reuse, and redevelopment of the former Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant (RBAAP).

 Acting as the official entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, the LRA ensures that redevelopment of the former military site reflects the community’s goals for economic growth, environmental responsibility, and long-term job creation.

Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant Base Reuse Plan

The Riverbank City Council, reconstituted as the LRA Board, provides leadership and policy direction for this major redevelopment effort. The City’s guiding document—the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant Base Reuse Plan (Reuse Plan)—was created through a three-year public planning process to identify the best reuse of the facility following its closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 program.

The Reuse Plan establishes a clear vision and roadmap for transforming the site into an economic development engine that supports:

• Retention and growth of existing businesses
• Attraction of new industrial and green technology enterprises
• Creation of sustainable, high-quality jobs for the region

Reuse Plan & EIR

1. LRA Reuse Plan 
2. LRA Addendum to Final EIR
3. LRA Final EIR
4. LRA Draft EIR

Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant - LRA Specific Plan 

The Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP) Specific Plan, adopted on November 14, 2013, provides the long-term framework for transforming the former military site into a successful civilian employment and innovation center. Developed through extensive community input, environmental review, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council, the plan establishes clear guidance for future land use, infrastructure, and redevelopment of the site.

• LRA Specific Plan (November 2013) 

History & Background 

The Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant was originally constructed in 1943 as an aluminum reduction plant to support World War II military production. The facility was later reactivated in the early 1950s to manufacture ammunition for the U.S. Army under management by NI Industries, Inc. (formerly Norris Thermador Corporation).

For more than 60 years, the plant served as a key local employer and industrial anchor. As defense production declined, the Army’s Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) program allowed private companies to lease space on-site for commercial and light industrial uses, laying the groundwork for future reuse.

Transformation to the Riverbank Industrial Complex

Today, the 175-acre site—now known as the Riverbank Industrial Complex—is transitioning from federal to local ownership and private operation. The property has evolved into a diverse industrial and manufacturing hub, home to 39 active businesses engaged in advanced manufacturing, recycling, and industrial services.

More Information

For more information regarding the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) or the property conveyance process, please contact:  Melissa Holdaway  - (209) 863-8352

For information related to leasing, existing businesses, or property management at the Riverbank Industrial Complex, please contact:  Aemetis Riverbank - (209) 863-0959.