Riverside County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum rental term
- 31 days
- Covers
- ADU, junior ADU, second unit, ranchet
- Guest quarters
- Never rented, household use only
- MOG units
- Never rented or leased
- Applies in
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Riverside County bars renting an accessory dwelling unit, junior ADU, second unit, or ranchet for 30 days or less, so any lease on these additional residential accommodations must run at least 31 days in the unincorporated county.
5.Except for guest quarters and MOG units, additional residential accommodations may be rented to and occupied by any person(s) in accordance with occupancy requirements provided in this chapter... 6.Additional residential accommodations shall not be rented for a period less than or equal to thirty (30) days.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 84 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under the county's additional-residential-accommodation chapter, an ADU, junior ADU, second unit, or ranchet may be rented out, but never for a stay of 30 days or less: effectively banning short-term rental use of these units. Guest quarters and MOG units are treated differently: guest quarters may only be used by the primary household or their non-paying guests, and MOG units can never be rented or leased at all. The rule applies only to unincorporated Riverside County; incorporated cities like Riverside, Temecula, and Palm Springs set their own ADU rules.
Violations & Fines
Renting an ADU, junior ADU, second unit, or ranchet for 30 days or less violates the occupancy standards in Chapter 17.294 and is enforceable as a zoning code violation by county code enforcement, separate from any short-term-rental permitting rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Riverside County ADU nightly on Airbnb?
Does the 30-day rule apply to a detached guest quarter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside County
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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