6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Riverside County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Riverside County permits home occupations as accessory uses in residential zones under Ordinance 348 Section 18.28. The use must be clearly incidental to the residential character of the dwelling, occupy no more than 25% of the floor area, and generate no external evidence of non-residential activity.
Riverside County generally prohibits any exterior signage advertising a home occupation. Ordinance 348 Section 18.28 requires that home occupations produce no external evidence of the business, and Ordinance 521.2 (the County Sign Ordinance) does not authorize commercial signage on residentially zoned parcels.
Riverside County Ordinance 348 Section 18.28 limits customer and client visits to a home occupation and prohibits any activity that generates traffic or parking demand exceeding normal residential levels. Walk-in retail sales to the general public are not allowed in residential zones.
Riverside County follows the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616 / H&S §113758 et seq.) allowing Cottage Food Operations (CFOs) to produce non-potentially-hazardous foods at home. The County Environmental Health Department registers Class A operations and permits Class B. Riverside County also adopted the MEHKO program under AB 626.
California state law (Health & Safety Code §1597.30 et seq., the California Child Day Care Facilities Act) preempts local zoning for family daycare homes. Small (up to 8 children) and large (up to 14 children) family daycares are permitted by right in any residential zone in unincorporated Riverside County, subject only to state licensing by CDSS Community Care Licensing.
Riverside County requires a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Department and a County Business License for most home-based businesses in unincorporated areas. The permit is ministerial (no hearing) when standards in Ordinance 348 Section 18.28 are met, with fees typically under $200.
6 cities in Riverside County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
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