Short-Term Rental Laws in Riverside County, CA (2026)
Short-term rentals are legal in unincorporated Riverside County but require an annually renewed Short-Term Rental Certificate from the Planning Department ($740 initial application, $540 annual renewal) plus a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate, under Ordinance 927 as amended through 927.2 (effective January 11, 2024). The biggest restrictions are geographic: hard caps, separation radii, and two-certificates-per-owner limits in Idyllwild (capped at 500 STRs, 150-ft radius) and Temecula Valley Wine Country (district caps, 500-ft radius, responsible guests must be 25+), plus a moratorium on all new STR certificates in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch that was extended again in April 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the county before operating.
Riverside County STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Allowed with permit |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Certificate |
| Permit fee | $740 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Minimum stay | 1 night |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% of gross revenue |
| Insurance | No liability insurance requirement found in Ordinance 927 (as amended through 927.2); the county instead requires a signed Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement with the STR application. |
| Enforcement | The Code Enforcement Department enforces Ordinance 927 (Section 14). Before issuing a certificate, the County is authorized to conduct an initial exterior inspection verifying the required sign, adequate on-site parking, and a working Noise Monitor system; a Responsible Operator must be available at the property within 60 minutes of the County's request for that inspection. Operators must maintain an exterior noise monitor, be reachable 24/7, and respond to complaints within 60 minutes (contacting the guest and visiting the site if necessary); failure to respond is itself a violation and grounds for revocation. Violations are strict-liability public nuisances; each day is a separate offense. Administrative citations can be issued to guests without a prior Notice of Violation. Advertising or completing a booking without a valid certificate is a violation. |
| Current rules effective | 2024-01-11 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Riverside County stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Riverside County, CA — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Riverside County occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Riverside County Transient Occupancy Tax (Ordinance 495) (10%)· collection varies | $45.00 |
| Temecula Wine Country Tourism Marketing District Assessment (2%)· collection varies | $9.00 |
| Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District Assessment (1%)· collection varies | $4.50 |
| Total tax (13%) | $58.50 |
| Guest pays | $508.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Riverside County requires Short-Term Rental Certificate to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $740, renewed annual.
Initial application fee $740; annual renewal fee $540. If a certificate lapses 90+ days, a new initial application and initial fee are required. Certificates are per-property and non-transferable (do not run with the land). A proposed increase to $1,040 initial / $750 renewal (draft Ordinance 927.3 / fee Ordinance 671.25) was tabled by the Board of Supervisors on 2026-02-10 and remained unadopted as of July 2026. A separate TOT registration with the Treasurer-Tax Collector is also required.
Zoning & location rules
STRs are treated as an ancillary/secondary use of a legal privately owned residential dwelling (including ADUs) in unincorporated areas; hotels, B&Bs, cottage inns, and non-habitable structures (RVs, yurts, tents, treehouses) cannot be certificated. No countywide per-owner cap, but in Idyllwild the county caps STRs at 500 total, requires a 150-ft separation radius between STRs, and limits owners to two certificates; in Temecula Valley Wine Country, district caps apply (Winery 129, Equestrian 8, Residential 105, North Wine Country 16), a 500-ft separation radius applies, owners are limited to two certificates, responsible guests must be 25+, and occupancy is classified Class I (max 10) or Class II (max 20, requires 50% of net acreage planted in vineyards/crops). New certificates in capped areas are issued via a lottery when counts fall below the cap (evaluated each January and July). Countywide occupancy is 200 sq ft per person, capped at 10 persons (lots <= 0.5 acre), 16 (0.5-2 acres), or 20 (> 2 acres). An urgency moratorium (Ordinance 449.254 and extensions) bars new STR certificates in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch; renewals are exempt.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside County Transient Occupancy Tax (Ordinance 495)10% of gross rent including all mandatory fees (cleaning, reservation, linen, service). Airbnb collects and remits for its bookings; hosts must still register with the Treasurer-Tax Collector, and must collect and remit directly for direct bookings and platforms that do not collect. Quarterly returns are required of all operators regardless of platform collection. Stays over 30 consecutive days are exempt. There is no California statewide occupancy tax. | 10% | varies |
| Temecula Wine Country Tourism Marketing District Assessment2% of the listing price including cleaning fees, reservations 30 nights and shorter; applies to properties in the Temecula Valley Wine Country area. Airbnb collects and remits for its bookings. | 2% | varies |
| Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District Assessment1% of the listing price including cleaning fees, reservations 27 nights and shorter; applies to properties in the Coachella Valley / Greater Palm Springs TBID area. Airbnb collects and remits for its bookings. | 1% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
The Code Enforcement Department enforces Ordinance 927 (Section 14). Before issuing a certificate, the County is authorized to conduct an initial exterior inspection verifying the required sign, adequate on-site parking, and a working Noise Monitor system; a Responsible Operator must be available at the property within 60 minutes of the County's request for that inspection. Operators must maintain an exterior noise monitor, be reachable 24/7, and respond to complaints within 60 minutes (contacting the guest and visiting the site if necessary); failure to respond is itself a violation and grounds for revocation. Violations are strict-liability public nuisances; each day is a separate offense. Administrative citations can be issued to guests without a prior Notice of Violation. Advertising or completing a booking without a valid certificate is a violation.
Administrative citations of $1,500 for a first violation, $3,000 for a second violation at the same STR within one year, and $5,000 for each additional violation within that year. A certificate is permanently revoked as to the current owner(s) after 3 Verified Notices of Violation in 12 months, 7 Verified Notices of Violation total, failure to comply with a law-enforcement order, or fraud in the application; no new certificate issues until all owners of the property change.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in Riverside County: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: STRs are treated as an ancillary/secondary use of a legal privately owned residential dwelling (including ADUs) in unincorporated areas; hotels, B&Bs, cottage inns, and non-habitable structures (RVs, yurts, tents, treehouses) cannot be certificated. No countywide per-owner cap, but in Idyllwild the county caps STRs at 500 total, requires a 150-ft separation radius between STRs, and limits owners to two certificates; in Temecula Valley Wine Country, district caps apply (Winery 129, Equestrian 8, Residential 105, North Wine Country 16), a 500-ft separation radius applies, owners are limited to two certificates, responsible guests must be 25+, and occupancy is classified Class I (max 10) or Class II (max 20, requires 50% of net acreage planted in vineyards/crops). New certificates in capped areas are issued via a lottery when counts fall below the cap (evaluated each January and July). Countywide occupancy is 200 sq ft per person, capped at 10 persons (lots <= 0.5 acre), 16 (0.5-2 acres), or 20 (> 2 acres). An urgency moratorium (Ordinance 449.254 and extensions) bars new STR certificates in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch; renewals are exempt. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the county before applying.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Certificate
Budget $740 (annual renewal). Initial application fee $740; annual renewal fee $540. If a certificate lapses 90+ days, a new initial application and initial fee are required. Certificates are per-property and non-transferable (do not run with the land). A proposed increase to $1,040 initial / $750 renewal (draft Ordinance 927.3 / fee Ordinance 671.25) was tabled by the Board of Supervisors on 2026-02-10 and remained unadopted as of July 2026. A separate TOT registration with the Treasurer-Tax Collector is also required. Apply through the county — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Line up required insurance
No liability insurance requirement found in Ordinance 927 (as amended through 927.2); the county instead requires a signed Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement with the STR application.
- 5
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: Riverside County Transient Occupancy Tax (Ordinance 495) (10%), Temecula Wine Country Tourism Marketing District Assessment (2%), Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District Assessment (1%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 6
Configure your listing to the operating limits
Set your calendar and listing rules to respect the 1-night minimum stay — platform delisting and fines in this market typically start with listings that visibly violate these limits.
- 7
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annual (budget $740 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 8
Know the cost of getting it wrong
Administrative citations of $1,500 for a first violation, $3,000 for a second violation at the same STR within one year, and $5,000 for each additional violation within that year. A certificate is permanently revoked as to the current owner(s) after 3 Verified Notices of Violation in 12 months, 7 Verified Notices of Violation total, failure to comply with a law-enforcement order, or fraud in the application; no new certificate issues until all owners of the property change. The Code Enforcement Department enforces Ordinance 927 (Section 14). Before issuing a certificate, the County is authorized to conduct an initial exterior inspection verifying the required sign, adequate on-site parking, and a working Noise Monitor system; a Responsible Operator must be available at the property within 60 minutes of the County's request for that inspection. Operators must maintain an exterior noise monitor, be reachable 24/7, and respond to complaints within 60 minutes (contacting the guest and visiting the site if necessary); failure to respond is itself a violation and grounds for revocation. Violations are strict-liability public nuisances; each day is a separate offense. Administrative citations can be issued to guests without a prior Notice of Violation. Advertising or completing a booking without a valid certificate is a violation.
Recent rule changes in Riverside County
June 17, 2026
Community meetings on revised draft Ordinance 927.3 and fee Ordinance 671.25
The Planning Department scheduled community meetings (June 17 Temecula, June 22 Idyllwild, June 23 Thousand Palms) to take comments on a revised draft of STR Ordinance 927.3 and consolidated-fee Ordinance 671.25, signaling another adoption attempt after the February 2026 tabling. Not yet adopted as of July 2026.
Official source →April 14, 2026material
Thousand Palms / B Bar H Ranch STR moratorium extended again
The Board of Supervisors unanimously extended the urgency moratorium on issuing new STR certificates in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch (about 59 STR properties), citing enforcement failures and unruly events around the Coachella festival; the extension has no fixed end date but legally cannot exceed 10 months. Renewals of existing certificates remain exempt.
Official source →February 10, 2026material
Board tables draft Ordinance 927.3 amendments and fee increases
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to table proposed 927.3 amendments that would have raised the initial STR application fee from $740 to $1,040 and the renewal fee from $540 to $750, added an 'urgent circumstance' immediate-abatement power, and allowed renewal denial after 3 notices of violation in 6 months or 5 total. Current fees and rules remain unchanged.
Official source →March 11, 2025material
Urgency moratorium on new STRs in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch (Ordinance 449.254)
The Board adopted a 45-day urgency interim ordinance halting all new STR certificates in the unincorporated communities of Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch after a surge in party-house complaints, then extended it on April 15, 2025 through February 28, 2026 (and again in 2026). Renewals meeting Ordinance 927 requirements are exempt.
Official source →January 11, 2024critical
Ordinance 927.2 takes effect: caps, lottery, density and ownership limits
Adopted 12/12/2023 and effective 1/11/2024, Ordinance 927.2 capped Idyllwild STRs at 500 with a 150-ft separation radius, set Wine Country district caps (Winery 129, Equestrian 8, Residential 105, North Wine Country 16) with a 500-ft radius, limited owners to two certificates in each of those areas, required guests 25+ in Wine Country, created Class I/II occupancy classifications and a Tier 1/Tier 2 lottery for new certificates, and set escalating fines of $1,500/$3,000/$5,000.
Official source →December 12, 2023critical
Board of Supervisors adopts Ordinance 927.2
The Board formally adopted amended STR rules including caps on new short-term rentals in Idyllwild and Wine Country, age and capacity limits, density/distance requirements, ownership limits, and a lottery system for new certificates when capacity opens; Tier 1 applications for previously moratorium-covered areas opened February 1, 2024 for 90 days.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Riverside County?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are legal in Riverside County, CA, but you must obtain a Short-Term Rental Certificate before operating. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Riverside County?
Yes. Riverside County requires a Short-Term Rental Certificate to operate a short-term rental, which costs $740 and must be renewed every year. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Riverside County short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental Certificate costs $740 (annual renewal). Initial application fee $740; annual renewal fee $540. If a certificate lapses 90+ days, a new initial application and initial fee are required. Certificates are per-property and non-transferable (do not run with the land). A proposed increase to $1,040 initial / $750 renewal (draft Ordinance 927.3 / fee Ordinance 671.25) was tabled by the Board of Supervisors on 2026-02-10 and remained unadopted as of July 2026. A separate TOT registration with the Treasurer-Tax Collector is also required.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Riverside County?
Yes — Riverside County does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Riverside County?
Hosts in Riverside County are subject to: Riverside County Transient Occupancy Tax (Ordinance 495) (10%), Temecula Wine Country Tourism Marketing District Assessment (2%), Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District Assessment (1%) — roughly 13% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Riverside County?
Administrative citations of $1,500 for a first violation, $3,000 for a second violation at the same STR within one year, and $5,000 for each additional violation within that year. A certificate is permanently revoked as to the current owner(s) after 3 Verified Notices of Violation in 12 months, 7 Verified Notices of Violation total, failure to comply with a law-enforcement order, or fraud in the application; no new certificate issues until all owners of the property change. The Code Enforcement Department enforces Ordinance 927 (Section 14). Before issuing a certificate, the County is authorized to conduct an initial exterior inspection verifying the required sign, adequate on-site parking, and a working Noise Monitor system; a Responsible Operator must be available at the property within 60 minutes of the County's request for that inspection. Operators must maintain an exterior noise monitor, be reachable 24/7, and respond to complaints within 60 minutes (contacting the guest and visiting the site if necessary); failure to respond is itself a violation and grounds for revocation. Violations are strict-liability public nuisances; each day is a separate offense. Administrative citations can be issued to guests without a prior Notice of Violation. Advertising or completing a booking without a valid certificate is a violation.
Riverside County's STR rules changed 4 times recently.
Get an email the moment Riverside County changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Related
Nearby covered markets
- San Bernardino County, CAPermit required
- Big Bear Lake, CAPermit required
- Los Angeles, CAPrimary residence only
- Palm Springs, CARestricted
- Yucca Valley, CAPermit required
Sources
- Riverside County Planning Department - Short-Term Rental Programretrieved July 10, 2026
- Ordinance No. 927 (As Amended through 927.2) - Regulating Short Term Rentalsretrieved July 10, 2026
- Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector - Transient Occupancy Taxretrieved July 10, 2026
- Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector - Short Term Vacation Rentalsretrieved July 10, 2026
- Riverside County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5.84 Short Term Rentals (Municode)retrieved July 10, 2026
- Airbnb Help Center - Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Californiaretrieved July 10, 2026
- MyNewsLA - Board Temporarily Backs off Revisions to Short-Term Rental Ordinance (2026-02-10)retrieved July 10, 2026
- KESQ - Board extends moratorium on short-term rental allowances in Thousand Palms (2026-04-14)retrieved July 10, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Riverside County and a qualified professional before operating.