Home Business Rules in Riverside, CA (2026)

In Riverside, CA, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A Riverside Home Occupation Permit is required before operating. The Riverside Community Development Department — Building Division or Riverside Community Development Department — Planning Division handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for Riverside.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Riverside Home Occupation Permit. Fee: $85. Apply through the Riverside Community Development Department — Building Division or online at their permit portal. Phone: (951) 826-5697. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.

Operating Restrictions

Home Business Restrictions in Riverside: 1. Business must be incidental to residential use 2. No exterior signage identifying the business 3. No customers or clients on premises except by appointment 4. No employees other than household residents 5. Maximum 25% of floor area used for business 6. No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs at premises 7. No equipment creating noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be incidental to residential use
• •No exterior signage identifying the business
• •No customers or clients on premises except by appointment
• •No employees other than household residents
• •Maximum 25% of floor area used for business
• •No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs at premises
• •No equipment creating noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Riverside: Auto repair or detailing; Beauty salon or barbershop with clients; Food production without Riverside County Environmental Health registration; Medical or veterinary office with on-site patients; Commercial vehicle repair or dispatch operations. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Riverside Community Development Department — Planning Division to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair or detailing
• ✕Beauty salon or barbershop with clients
• ✕Food production without Riverside County Environmental Health registration
• ✕Medical or veterinary office with on-site patients
• ✕Commercial vehicle repair or dispatch operations

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions