How to get a short-term rental permit in Riverside, CA (2026)
Riverside requires Business Tax Certificate, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Business Tax Certificate |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. No zone-based restrictions or overlay districts: Chapter 5.55 permits short-term rental of 'any legally permitted dwelling unit,' or portions of one, citywide. STRs are prohibited in dwelling units deed-restricted for affordable housing or otherwise restricted by government-imposed conditions. Use as an event venue contrary to the code is prohibited (RMC 19.150.020.A and 5.80.010), overnight occupancy is capped at two people per bedroom plus one per unit, and on-site parking is limited to approved driveway, garage, and/or carport areas.
- 2
Apply for the Business Tax Certificate
Submit the Business Tax Certificate application to Riverside. RMC 5.55.040 requires a Business Tax Certificate (RMC Chapter 5.04) before renting or advertising an STR, and TOT registration with the Finance Department's Business Tax Office. The city publishes no flat STR permit fee: business tax is calculated per business type 'utilizing a minimum tax plus additional increments,' and owners with more than one residential rental unit pay tax based on gross rental receipts. Chapter 5.55 also references a 'short-term residential rental permit' with initial and renewal processes, but the city has not published a separate STR permit application or fee schedule as of 2026-07-20.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Riverside. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Riverside changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Riverside for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
Keep going
Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Riverside before applying.