Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in Riverside, CA (2026)

Whether Riverside, CA permits short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) has not been confirmed from an official source. Contact the local planning department at (951) 826-5371 to verify current STR rules — including whether hosting is permitted at all, registration requirements, and any local restrictions — before listing your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar platform.

Statewide Preemption

Registration Requirements

Whether short-term rental registration is required in Riverside has not been confirmed from official sources. Contact the local planning department or local building department to verify current registration requirements before hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

Operational Rules

No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in Riverside beyond standard property codes.

• •STR permit required from Riverside Community Development Department
• •Property must comply with Riverside Municipal Code habitability standards
• •Designated agent required for non-owner-managed STRs — available 24/7
• •Maximum occupancy 2 guests per bedroom
• •Riverside Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and California taxes apply
• •STR permit number must appear on all booking platform listings
• •Life safety inspection required before permit issuance

Penalties for Violations

Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in Riverside are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.

• ⚠$1,000 per day for operating without STR permit
• ⚠$500 per violation for permit condition violations
• ⚠Permit revocation for safety violations or repeated non-compliance

Frequently Asked Questions