Riverside caps short-term rental occupancy at two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests, with a daytime-visitor cap, under RMC Chapter 5.72.
The Riverside STR ordinance (RMC Chapter 5.72) limits overnight occupancy to two persons per legal bedroom plus two additional occupants, with an overall maximum typically set at 10 persons regardless of bedroom count unless a special-event permit is secured. Daytime visitors are capped at roughly 150% of overnight occupancy to prevent party-style gatherings. Special events (weddings, large parties, commercial filming) at an STR require a separate City permit. Hosts must post the occupancy limit inside the unit and include it in the rental agreement. Children under a specified age (often 2 or 3) may be excluded from the count, but hosts should confirm current ordinance language at registration. Violations commonly surface through neighbor complaints about vehicle counts and outdoor gatherings.
First offense up to $1,500, second up to $3,000, third up to $5,000; repeated overcrowding counts toward permit revocation under the three-strike rule.
Riverside, CA
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Riverside, CA
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Riverside, CA
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Riverside, CA
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Riverside, CA
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Riverside, CA
Riverside adopts the California Fire Code under RMC Title 16. CFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (charcoal, wood) and propane tanks larger tha...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle occupancy limits.
See how Riverside's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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