Riverside, CA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum RA-5 lot size
- 5 acres
- Max density
- 0.20 dwelling units/acre
- Poultry/rabbits at 50 ft setback
- 5 poultry, 18 rabbits
- Poultry/rabbits at 100 ft setback
- 50 poultry, 45 rabbits, 7 roosters
- Grazing animals
- 2 per acre, +1 per half acre
- Pot-bellied pigs
- Prohibited unless state-mandated
Summary
Riverside's Residential Agricultural (RA-5) Zone is built to keep working agriculture legal alongside a house. Municipal Code Section 19.100.030.A lists farms, orchards, aviaries and limited livestock as permitted uses, while Section 19.100.010.A ties the zone directly to preserving the area's agricultural character. Bigger operations still need a conditional use permit.
The Residential Agricultural Zone (RA-5) is established to provide areas where general agricultural uses can occur independently or in conjunction with a single-family residence, that preserves the agricultural character of the area. ... RA-5 Zone Permitted Uses ... 2.Farms or ranches for orchards, tree crops, field crops, truck gardening, berry and bush crops, flower gardening, growing of nursery plants, similar enterprises carried on in the general field of agriculture, aviaries, and raising of chinchillas, guinea pigs and parakeets;3.Poultry, rabbits, crowing fowl and crowing roosters.a.The noncommercial keeping of not more than five poultry, including crowing fowl (except crowing roosters), and 18 rabbits is permitted. Such animals shall be housed, kept or penned at least 50 feet from any residence on an adjoining lot or parcel, including the residence on the lot where the animals are kept,
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
1 units/acre allowed in the Rural Residential (RR) zone next door. 2 permits orchards, tree crops, field crops, truck gardening, berry and bush crops, flower gardening, nursery plants, aviaries, and the raising of chinchillas, guinea pigs and parakeets outright. Poultry and rabbit keeping scales with setback distance: up to five poultry (excluding crowing roosters) and 18 rabbits are allowed within 50 feet of any residence, rising to 50 poultry, 45 rabbits and seven crowing roosters once animals are kept at least 100 feet from a residence and roosters are housed in an acoustical structure overnight.
Grazing or training horses, cattle, sheep and similar stock requires a one-acre minimum lot, animals kept at least 100 feet from a residence, and caps out at two animals per acre plus one more per additional half acre -- with dairies and feedlots needing a conditional use permit. 4). Agricultural field offices and caretaker living quarters are allowed only on 5+ acre parcels predominantly used for a bona fide agricultural business, and only with a conditional use permit. 16 blocks home occupations and telecommuting in the RA-5 zone unless state law requires the City to allow them.
Violations & Fines
Uses beyond this list aren't automatically legal: Section 19.150.020 makes anything not listed in the Permitted Uses Table prohibited unless the Community & Economic Development Director finds it similar to and no more detrimental than a listed use. Keeping more animals than the numeric caps allow, or housing them closer than the required 50-100 foot setback, is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement requiring compliance or removal. Any building permit issued in conflict with the Zoning Code is void and without effect under Section 19.090.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep on RA-5 zoned property in Riverside?
Can I keep horses or cattle on my RA-5 lot?
Are pot-bellied pigs allowed in the RA-5 zone?
Can I run a home business from my RA-5 property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside to another location·View the California right to farm overview
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Agricultural Zoning Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle agricultural zoning protection.