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Riverside, CA

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STR Regulations for Riverside, California

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Riverside, CA?

  • Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in unincorporated Riverside County with a county-issued short‑term rental certificate. The city of Riverside may have its own rules; this guide covers county requirements that apply to properties located outside incorporated city limits. If your property is inside the city of Riverside, you must also comply with city ordinances.

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

  1. Confirm eligibility and land use
  • Confirm the subject property is in unincorporated Riverside County; check zoning and overlays with the Riverside County Planning Department (RCTLMA) to ensure STRs are permitted on the parcel.
  • Properties operated as STRs must comply with county safety codes and building standards.
  1. Apply for a Riverside County Short‑Term Rental Certificate
  • Certificate is required for rentals of fewer than 30 nights.
  • Apply using the appropriate application:
    • Homeowner Short‑Term Rental Application (PDF)
    • Management Company Information Application (PDF)
  • Submit in person or by mail to the Desert Permit Assistance Center:
    • County of Riverside, Desert Permit Assistance Center
    • 77588 El Duna Ct., Suite H, Palm Desert, CA 92211
    • Attention: Cindy Gosselin; Phone: 760-799-5748
  • Fees (as stated by Riverside County sources):
    • Initial certificate fee: $250
    • Annual renewal fee: $100
  • License expires one year from issue date; renewal required annually.
  1. Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
  • Riverside County TOT rate: 10% of gross rent.
  • Register with the Riverside County Treasurer‑Tax Collector and remit TOT (monthly or quarterly remittance schedules may apply depending on volume).
  1. Operational readiness and onsite posting
  • Designate a local contact person who can respond to issues within 60 minutes, 24/7 while the unit is occupied.
  • Confirm trash collection day and rules for the address.
  • Prepare and post the required information in a prominent location inside the unit.
  1. Add your registration number to your listing
  • Once issued, place the registration number on your listing (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) and in your booking confirmations.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • Riverside County Short‑Term Rental Certificate (homeowner or management company application).
  • TOT registration with the Riverside County Treasurer‑Tax Collector.
  • Current liability insurance is advisable; proof may be requested in the application process or during inspections.
  • Onsite posting within the unit must include:
    1. Operator name and number
    2. Local contact person name and number
    3. Sheriff’s department and code enforcement phone numbers
    4. Maximum number of onsite parking spaces
    5. Trash pickup day and applicable rules
    6. Copy of Riverside County Ordinance Nos. 847 and 927
    7. Copy of the Good Neighbor Brochure
    8. Notice that guests, the local contact person, responsible person, or owner may be cited or fined under the ordinance and Riverside County Ordinance No. 725

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals (county and state) County rules (Riverside County Ordinance Nos. 847 and 927)

  • Certificate required for stays fewer than 30 nights.
  • Occupancy limits:
    • Properties on lots 1/2 acre or less: up to 10 guests
    • Properties on lots from 1/2 acre to 2 acres: up to 16 guests
  • Onsite posting required (operator info, contacts, parking, trash, ordinance copies, Good Neighbor Brochure, and citation notice).
  • Host availability: 24/7 coverage; must be able to respond in-person to complaints within 60 minutes during any rental period.
  • Exempt property types (no STR certificate needed): hotels, motels, dormitories, public/private clubs, campsites, RV sites, country inns, cottage inns.
  • Annual renewal of certificate; $100 renewal fee.
  • Zoned use: Confirm your parcel is in a zone where STRs are permitted; zoning and overlays are enforced by the county planning department.

Enforcement and penalties

  • Code enforcement monitors compliance and can issue citations and fines for violations (e.g., operating without a certificate, exceeding occupancy, failing to respond to complaints, or failing to post required materials).
  • Enforcement actions may include warnings, civil penalties, and potential injunctions for continuing violations.

State rules (California)

  • Short‑term rentals are generally permitted statewide, subject to local controls.
  • TOT is imposed by most California counties/cities; hosts must register and remit TOT at the applicable local rate.
  • Hosts must comply with local safety and building codes.

Contact information for local authority in charge of STRs

  • Riverside County Planning Department (RCTLMA) – Short‑Term Rental Unit
    • Website: Riverside County Planning Department
    • Short‑Term Rentals overview page
    • Desert Permit Assistance Center: 77588 El Duna Ct., Suite H, Palm Desert, CA 92211; Attention: Cindy Gosselin; Phone: 760-799-5748
  • Riverside County Treasurer‑Tax Collector
    • TOT information page
  • Riverside County Sheriff (non‑emergency) and County Code Enforcement
    • Numbers must be posted in the unit; obtain the current numbers from RCTLMA or your certificate packet.

Links to source pages

  • Airbnb Help Center – Riverside County, CA Short‑Term Rental Rules
  • Riverside County Short‑Term Rentals Overview
  • Riverside County Planning Department
  • Riverside County Ordinance No. 927 (PDF)
  • Good Neighbor Brochure (PDF)
  • Riverside County Treasurer‑Tax Collector – Transient Occupancy Tax
  • Homeowner Short‑Term Rental Application (PDF)
  • Management Company Information Application (PDF)

Notes for investors

  • Confirm zoning first: Use the county zoning map/overlay tool to ensure the parcel is eligible for STR use.
  • Built‑out operations: While state law generally permits rentals, local zoning and the county’s certificate requirement control whether you can operate.
  • Plan for staffing: The 24/7, 60‑minute response requirement suggests maintaining a local contact and clear escalation procedures.
  • TOT is on gross rent: Price accordingly and register for TOT early to avoid back‑penalties.
  • Renewal cadence: Track license expiration and renewal timelines to prevent lapses that could trigger citations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Riverside?

Riverside hosts earn a median $36,427/year with $238 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $59,571+ per year.

See the full Riverside market breakdown

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Riverside

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Riverside Market Analysis

Photos of Riverside

Overview of Riverside

Riverside is the largest city in California's Inland Empire, serving as the seat of Riverside County and home to roughly 320,000 residents. Situated about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles along the Santa Ana River, the city carries a distinct blend of historic California character and modern college-town energy, anchored by the University of California, Riverside. Riverside is best known for its deep citrus-growing heritage, its landmark Mission Inn, and its position as a convenient inland base for travelers heading toward the San Bernardino Mountains, the Coachella Valley, or the coastal stretches of Orange County.

A short stroll from the city center brings visitors to the Mission Inn, a sprawling Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial hotel that has operated as an inn since 1876 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. With its rotating exhibits, stained-glass rotunda, catwalk balconies, and a museum wing that welcomes the public, the Mission Inn anchors downtown Riverside and regularly hosts a popular winter festival of lights. It sits within walking distance of the Fox Performing Arts Center and the Main Street Pedestrian Mall, making it the natural starting point for any visit.

Just a few minutes west of downtown, Mount Rubidoux rises gently above the surrounding neighborhoods, a small but iconic peak that has been a focal point of the city since the early twentieth century. Its loop trail, paved in many sections, attracts joggers, dog walkers, and Easter sunrise crowds who gather near the cross at the summit for views across Riverside toward the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. The mountain is owned by the city and remains one of the most beloved outdoor spots in the urban core.

A short drive east of the city center, the California Citrus State Historic Park preserves the agricultural roots that once made the region the largest citrus-producing area in the world. Visitors can tour working orange groves, tour the restored Sunkist packinghouse, and learn about the navel and Valencia varieties that defined the local economy through the early twentieth century. The park offers a refreshing green pause that contrasts with the surrounding urban grid.

On the eastern edge of the city, the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens span roughly forty acres along a hillside on the university campus, showcasing native California flora alongside collections of cacti, succulents, and plants from Mediterranean climates around the world. Free to visit and open year-round, the gardens offer shaded walking paths that appeal to families, students, and anyone seeking a quiet break.

Riverside is a particularly compelling base for short-term rentals because it places guests within an easy drive of Southern California's most varied landscapes. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree lie under ninety minutes to the east, the beaches of Orange County are roughly an hour to the southwest, and downtown Los Angeles is accessible in just over an hour. Combined with its own walkable historic district, university energy, and citrus-country heritage, the city offers a layered California experience that appeals to a wide range of travelers.

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