Portions of Moreno Valley Mall Temporarily Closed Pending Fire Code Compliance
Beginning at the close of business on February 19, 2026, portions of the Moreno Valley Mall that have been deemed unsafe by the Riverside County Fire Department/CAL Fire will be temporarily closed. Numerous health and safety code violations have been identified as posing significant risks to tenants and customers alike, including the potential loss of life in the event of a fire. The closures will remain in effect until the repairs, which are required by law, are effectively and comprehensively addressed by the Mall owner, who has repeatedly failed to comply with prior requests to correct the code violations.
Riverside County Fire/CAL Fire provides fire protection and fire prevention services under a contract with the City of Moreno Valley. As a result, the City’s Building Official received a recommendation from Riverside County Fire/CAL Fire that, based on the violations, selected portions of the Mall were deemed unsafe, and were recommended to be immediately shut down and be issued a “red-tag” until all life-saving measures are addressed. Macy's and JCPenney are independently owned buildings at the Mall and will be permitted to remain open, as they have sufficient exits for their occupancy and provide their own appropriately maintained fire protection systems that are independent and separate from the Mall’s systems. Harkin's Theaters will also remain open after making modifications to their normal business practices. The safety of the community remains a top priority for both the City of Moreno Valley and Riverside County Fire/CAL Fire. The City of Moreno Valley will continue to work to support business owners and others directly affected by the closure.
ABOUT MORENO VALLEY MALL
Moreno Valley Mall, built in 1992, is an enclosed two-level shopping center. The property encompasses 87 acres and serves clientele primarily from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The City of Moreno Valley has a library branch located in the Mall, and was in the process of constructing an immersive museum prior to the partial closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why has the Moreno Valley Mall temporarily partially closed?
The Moreno Valley Mall has been temporarily partially closed due to unresolved, life-threatening fire code violations.
Q: What specific issues led to the temporary partial closure
Safety inspections identified fire code violations that the property owner failed to correct following a reinspection. Because these violations posed serious safety risks, additional enforcement action was required.
Q: Who conducted the inspections?
The City contracts with Riverside County Fire/CAL FIRE for Fire Protection and Fire Prevention Services. The City received findings from Riverside County Fire/CAL FIRE indicating that, due to the identified violations, the mall was deemed unsafe. As a result, the City’s Building Official ordered a temporary partial closure of the mall until all required life-safety corrections are completed.
Q: How long will this temporary partial closure last?
The duration of the temporary closure depends entirely on how quickly the property owner addresses and resolves the identified life-safety concerns.
Q: Is the City providing any resources to affected mall tenants?
Yes. The City of Moreno Valley’s Economic Development Department, through its Business and Employment Resource Center (BERC), is providing support to businesses and employees impacted by this temporary partial closure. Available support includes technical assistance, 1-on-1 consulting, information on financial assistance and bridge funding, unemployment and job search assistance, and upskill training. For more information, interested parties can visit moval.org/berc.
Q: Which businesses are still operating at the mall and which are temporarily closed?
Macy’s, JCPenney, and Harkins are the only stores that will remain open during the temporary partial closure. Macy's and JCPenney are independently owned buildings at the Mall. They have sufficient exits for their occupancy and provide their own appropriately maintained fire protection systems that are independent and separate from the Mall’s systems. Harkin's Theaters will also remain open after making modifications to their normal business practices.
Q: What is the being done to help the Mall achieve timely compliance?
A Fire Inspector will conduct follow-up inspections daily, Monday through Friday, to monitor progress until all items are brought into compliance. This approach is intended to support the mall in achieving timely compliance.
Q: Will the Mall still be available to walk in the morning?
No. Due to safety concerns, the Mall is temporarily closed to morning walkers.
Q: What should employees of businesses located in the Mall do?
Employees should contact their employers right away for guidance.
Q: Is the Moreno Valley Public Library Mall Branch temporarily closed?
Yes, the Moreno Valley Public Library Mall Branch is temporarily closed until further notice, but the City's Main Library and Iris Plaza Branch remain open.
Q: How can the community stay updated on the situation?
The City will issue updated Media Releases, available at moval.org/news. Updates will also be posted on the City’s website and official media channels.