Home Business in Riverside County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Riverside County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Riverside County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Unincorporated Riverside County allows home occupations by right in residential zones, but confines the business entirely inside the dwelling with no employees, no accessory-structure use, and one 2-square-foot sign.

Riverside County Home Occupation Rules

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.04.120

Home occupations means those uses that are customarily conducted in a residence, provided such uses must be incidental and secondary to the principal use of a dwelling as a residence... A home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling... shall not be conducted in an accessory structure and there shall be no storage of equipment or supplies in an accessory structure or outside b...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Signage Rules

Unincorporated Riverside County caps a home occupation's on-site advertising at one sign, unlighted, no larger than two square feet. The same section that sets the sign limit also bars outside employees, accessory-building use, exterior changes, and extra vehicles on the property.

Riverside County Home Business Sign Limits

Significant Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.04.120, "Definitions" ("Home occupations," criteria a-f)

"Home occupations." Home occupations means those uses that are customarily conducted in a residence, provided such uses must be incidental and secondary to the principal use of a dwelling as a residence. The following criteria shall apply to any home occupation: a. Except for large family day care homes which may require two assistants and small family day care homes which may require one assis...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

Small (up to 7 kids) and large (8-14 kids) family day care homes are a permitted residential use by right in every zone in unincorporated Riverside County, with no zoning permit required.

Riverside County Family Day Care Homes

Light Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.212.020

In accordance with the above-referenced state policies, the use of a lawfully occupied detached one-family dwelling, a townhouse, a dwelling unit within a dwelling, or a dwelling unit within a covered multiple family dwelling as a small-family day care home for up to seven children, including children under ten (10) years of age who reside at the home, shall be a permitted use in all zones wher...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗