Short-term rental permit rules in Riverside, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 5.55 requires every owner or authorized agent of a short-term residential rental (any dwelling rented for 30 consecutive days or less) to obtain a Business Tax Certificate under RMC Chapter 5.04 before renting or advertising the unit.
Chapter 5.55 of the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) governs Short-Term Residential Rentals - defined as the rental of any legally permitted dwelling unit, or any portion of one, for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less. Before renting or advertising a short-term rental in the City of Riverside, the owner or owner's authorized agent must obtain a Business Tax Certificate pursuant to RMC Chapter 5.04. Each rental unit must have an assigned real property address. Short-term rentals are not permitted in dwelling units with affordable-housing deed restrictions or other city/housing-authority conditions of approval that prohibit short-term rental use. The City contracts with HdL for business tax certificate issuance and renewals through the riversideca.gov/businesstax portal; the Business Tax Office may be reached at (951) 826-5465. Operators must also register for the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) program (see RMC Title 3) - the City's TOT rate is 13% of gross rent.
Operating a short-term rental without the required Business Tax Certificate is a Chapter 5.55 violation enforceable under RMC Title 1 general penalty provisions and may also be prosecuted as a public nuisance. Failure to remit Transient Occupancy Tax triggers penalties of 10% (first day late), 25% (30 days), and 50% (60 days), plus 1% monthly interest. Code Enforcement and the Business Tax Office share enforcement authority.
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