Riverside County, CA Cannabis Regulations: Home Cultivation (2026)
Key Facts
- Plants
- Up to 6 plants per residence (H&S §11362.2)
- Indoor Only
- Indoor only in unincorporated RC (Ord. 348.4903)
- Restrictions
- Outdoor personal cultivation prohibited
- Fully Enclosed/Locked;
- Fully enclosed/locked; not visible from neighbors/street
- Administrative Penalties
- Administrative penalties up to $1,000/day
Summary
California Proposition 64 allows adults 21+ to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants per residence for personal use. Riverside County Ord. 348.4903 restricts personal cultivation in unincorporated areas to indoor locations within a private residence or fully enclosed accessory structure; outdoor personal cultivation is prohibited.
11362.2. (a) Personal cultivation of cannabis under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 11362.1 is subject to the following restrictions: (1) A person shall plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process plants in accordance with local ordinances, if any, adopted in accordance with subdivision (b). (2) The living plants and any cannabis produced by the plants in excess of 28.5 grams are kept within the person’s private residence, or upon the grounds of that private residence (e.g., in an outdoor garden area), are in a locked space, and are not visible by normal unaided vision from a public place. (3) Not more than six living plants may be planted, cultivated, harvested, dried, or processed within a single private residence, or upon the grounds of that private residence, at one time.
Full Breakdown
2 (as enacted by Prop 64 in 2016 and amended by MAUCRSA), an adult 21 or older may cultivate up to 6 living cannabis plants at their primary private residence for personal use, with the harvest remaining at the residence. Local governments may adopt reasonable regulations but cannot ban indoor personal cultivation within a private residence. Riverside County Ord. 4903 implements the strictest state-permitted regulation for unincorporated areas: all personal cultivation must occur indoors within the residence or within a fully enclosed and locked accessory structure that is not visible from public or neighboring property, with active ventilation and odor control.
Outdoor personal cultivation (including inside a fence, behind a wall, or in a greenhouse that is not fully enclosed and locked) is expressly prohibited in unincorporated Riverside County. Plants must not be visible from neighboring property. Commercial cultivation, sales, and processing are separately prohibited in nearly all unincorporated zones except where a Conditional Use Permit is available. Violations are enforced by Code Enforcement with administrative citations up to $1,000 per violation per day, and cannabis may be abated. Smoking cannabis in public and within 1,000 feet of a school or youth center remains a criminal misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Riverside County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow 6 cannabis plants outdoors in my backyard in unincorporated Riverside County?
Can my HOA or landlord ban cannabis cultivation entirely?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside County
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
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