City of Riverside allows home occupations in residential zones as an accessory use, but they require a Home Occupation Permit (administrative approval) under RMC Chapter 19.485 and must remain incidental and secondary to the dwelling's residential use.
Title 19 (Zoning) of the Riverside Municipal Code regulates home-based businesses through Chapter 19.485 (Home Occupations). The chapter is organized as 19.485.010 (Purpose), 19.485.020 (Applicability and permit requirements), 19.485.030 (Permitted home occupations), 19.485.040 (Site location, operation and development standards), and 19.485.050 (Modifications). Under 19.485.020, any gainful employment conducted in or from a dwelling unit by the residents of the dwelling requires a Home Occupation Permit issued by the Community & Economic Development Department (CEDD) Planning Division before the business operates. The use must be clearly incidental and secondary to use of the property as a residence and must not change the residential character of the dwelling or neighborhood. Under RMC §19.485.040, no more than one employee other than residents of the dwelling unit may work, gather, or congregate on the premises (babysitters and domestic staff excepted); no commercial vehicles may be used for delivery of materials except occasional and reasonable courier services; and no more than one vehicle larger than a 3/4-ton truck may be used in connection with the home occupation. The home occupation must not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond what is normal for a residence. Operators must also obtain a City of Riverside Business Tax Certificate (business license) from the Finance Department under Title 5 before lawfully operating. Permit applications go through the Planning Division at City Hall; some permitted uses are processed administratively (over-the-counter) while others may require additional review.
Operating a home business without the required Home Occupation Permit, or violating its conditions, is a zoning code violation. RMC §1.15 (general penalty) allows infraction citations of up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each additional within one year; the City may also charge it as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. The CEDD Code Enforcement Division typically issues a Notice of Violation first, giving the homeowner an opportunity to cure (obtain the permit or cease the use) before administrative citations and per-day penalties begin to accrue. Continued non-compliance can trigger Title 1 administrative citations and, ultimately, revocation of the Home Occupation Permit.
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