237 local rules on file · Pop. 1,586 · Riverside County
Showing ordinances that apply to Warm Springs, CA
Warm Springs is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 1,586 in Riverside County, California. Because Warm Springs is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Riverside County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Riverside County may have different rules.
County Ordinance 413, Section 1.17, prohibits parking a commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR, or any commercial trailer or semi-trailer of any weight, on streets in residential districts of unincorporated Riverside County. Fines escalate from $250 to $750. Pickups, deliveries and utility work are exempt.
There is no snow-shoveling parking tradition in Riverside County, and using chairs, cones, or other objects to reserve public parking is not recognized by law. Placing obstructions in the roadway or public shoulder can be cited as a traffic hazard, illegal dumping, or obstruction under Riverside County ordinances and the California Vehicle Code.
Unincorporated Riverside County allows on-street parking but limits any vehicle or trailer to no more than three days (72 hours) on a county highway under Ordinance 413. A re-parking rule blocks moving a tagged vehicle within 500 feet to dodge the limit. There is no general overnight ban.
Unincorporated Riverside County has no general overnight street-parking ban. Vehicles may park overnight on county highways subject only to the 72-hour (three-day) limit in Ordinance 413, posted restricted zones, and snow-area restrictions inside the San Bernardino National Forest boundary.
County Code Chapter 10.04 makes it unlawful to keep an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle on public or private property in the unincorporated county for more than 10 days, declaring it a public nuisance subject to abatement. Penalties run from a $100 infraction up to a $1,000 misdemeanor.
Riverside County Code Enforcement, applying zoning Ordinance 348, requires inoperable vehicles to be stored inside an enclosed building and prohibits parking on front yards, lawns or unpaved areas. On-street driveway access is protected by Ordinance 413, which bars blocking community mailboxes within 15 feet.
Movement of oversize or overweight vehicles on unincorporated Riverside County roads requires a permit from the road commissioner under County Code Chapter 10.08. On-street parking of large RVs and heavy commercial vehicles in residential districts is separately restricted by Ordinance 413.
County Ordinance 413, Section 1.9, lets the Director of Transportation establish loading and passenger loading zones marked by colored curbs. Yellow zones allow loading only, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Sundays and holidays, limited to five minutes for passengers or twenty minutes for materials.
Under County Ordinance 413, only the Director of Transportation may paint curbs to mark parking rules in the unincorporated county. Red means no stopping, yellow is timed loading, white is active loading or mail, green is limited-time, and blue marks disabled parking. Private painting of public curbs is not authorized.
County Ordinance 626 governs electric-vehicle charging stalls in county parking facilities. It prohibits parking a non-EV in a charging stall, and parking an EV in a charging stall while not actively charging or after charging completes. Charging fees and a $53 violation fine apply.
In unincorporated Riverside County, recreational vehicles, boats and trailers may not be parked on a county highway within a residential district, with a limited 48-hour, twice-a-month exception for loading or cleaning in front of the owner's residence. Storage on private property is governed by Ordinance 348 zoning.
Riverside County Ordinance 348 Section 18.28 limits customer and client visits to a home occupation and prohibits any activity that generates traffic or parking demand exceeding normal residential levels. Walk-in retail sales to the general public are not allowed in residential zones.
Cottage food operations are a permitted accessory use in residential dwellings in unincorporated Riverside County under Ordinance 348, Section 18.53. Operators must comply with County Environmental Health permitting under Ordinance 916 and California's Homemade Food Act (AB-1616 / HSC 113758), which sets Class A and Class B registration/permit tiers and annual gross-sales caps administered by the County.
In unincorporated Riverside County, home occupations are a permitted (by-right) use in residential zones under Ordinance 348 (e.g., the R-1 One-Family Dwelling Zone, Section 6.1). The use must be incidental and secondary to the residence, conducted entirely within the dwelling, and may not be operated in an accessory structure. The residential character of the property must be preserved.
Home occupation signage in unincorporated Riverside County is tightly limited by Ordinance 348, Section 21.36: no signs are allowed other than one unlighted identification sign, not more than two square feet in area. The same two-square-foot, unlighted limit applies to cottage food operations under Section 18.53, and family day care homes may install an on-site identification sign per the ordinance.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires no discretionary home occupation permit - Ordinance 348 lists home occupations as a permitted by-right use in residential zones, subject to Section 21.36 standards. The County has no general business license, but businesses must complete a Business (Stormwater) Registration under Ordinance 857; most home occupations are fee-exempt.
Family day care homes are protected by California state preemption and need no County zoning permit in unincorporated Riverside County. Under Ordinance 348, Section 18.29a, small (up to 7-8 children) and large (8-14 children) family day care homes are a permitted use by right in all zones allowing the dwelling type. A state license is required.
Ordinance No. 927 requires STR occupants to comply with the County noise ordinance (No. 847), including quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and the loud-party ordinance (No. 924). Operators must install and continuously run an exterior Noise Monitor and respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
Ordinance No. 927 requires one on-site parking space for every four approved occupants. Spaces must be in an approved driveway, garage, or carport-off-site parking is prohibited. The required number and location of spaces must be posted inside the rental and disclosed in advertisements.
Ordinance No. 927 does NOT require short-term rental operators to carry liability insurance. It instead requires an executed indemnification and hold-harmless agreement with the County at application. Operators should still consider private STR insurance, which is not mandated by county code.
Ordinance No. 927 sets no annual cap on the number of nights a short-term rental may operate. The only stay-length rule is that each rental must be under 30 consecutive days but at least two consecutive days and one night. The County instead limits total rental counts in Idyllwild and Wine Country.
Operators register with the Planning Department for an annually renewable Short Term Rental Certificate and separately register with the Treasurer-Tax Collector for a transient occupancy tax certificate (Ordinance No. 495). Owners must also notify nearby property owners within 10 days of approval, and certificates cannot be transferred to new owners.
Unincorporated Riverside County imposes a 10% transient occupancy tax on STR rent (Ordinance No. 495), remitted quarterly to the Treasurer-Tax Collector. The Short Term Rental Certificate carries a $740 initial application fee and $540 annual renewal fee under Ordinance No. 671.22, plus any applicable TBID/TMD assessments.
Ordinance No. 927 ties STR occupancy to lot size: 10 occupants on lots of a half-acre or less, 16 on lots over a half-acre up to two acres, and 20 on lots over two acres, capped at 200 square feet per person. Wine Country adds Class I (10) and Class II (20) classifications.
Ordinance No. 927 does NOT require a short-term rental to be the owner's primary residence. Non-owner-occupied (unhosted) whole-home rentals are allowed countywide. Instead, the County limits investor concentration in Idyllwild and Wine Country through ownership caps, density spacing, and overall rental caps.
Riverside County requires online hosting platforms to display the local STR certificate number on every listing for unincorporated parcels. Platforms that knowingly host unpermitted Wine Country or unincorporated RivCo properties face enforcement and may be required to delist non-compliant units.
Ordinance No. 927 does not require the host to be physically present, but a Responsible Operator or Local Contact Person must be available 24/7 and able to respond to complaints within 60 minutes. Hosted Stays, where the owner occupies the unit, are an allowed option permitting up to five rented rooms.
Riverside County Ordinance 927 authorizes a graduated enforcement system. After repeated violations within a rolling twelve-month period, the county may suspend or revoke a short-term rental certificate, barring the property from operating again for a fixed cooling-off period.
Riverside County Ordinance 927 defines short-term rentals as stays of fewer than thirty consecutive days. Bookings of thirty days or longer are treated as ordinary rental tenancies and fall under California landlord-tenant law rather than the county STR program.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires a Short Term Rental Certificate from the Planning Department before renting or advertising any STR (Ordinance No. 927). It is unlawful to operate without one. Certificates are valid one year and must be renewed annually. Separate certificates are required for each rental property.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 847 exempts routine property maintenance such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers from its noise limits as long as the work is done between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There is no county-wide gas-blower ban or specific decibel cap for leaf blowers.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 878 makes it a public nuisance to keep a 'noisy animal' whose excessive, unrelenting or habitual barking, howling or crying disturbs neighbors in the unincorporated areas. It uses a warning-then-abatement-hearing process run by the Department of Animal Services rather than a fixed decibel limit.
In unincorporated Riverside County, Ordinance No. 847 sets a stricter nighttime sound limit from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. For most residential designations the exterior maximum drops to 45 dBA at night versus 55 dBA during the day, measured at the property line of an occupied property.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 847 exempts private construction near homes only if it stops nighttime work. Within a quarter-mile of an inhabited dwelling, construction may not occur 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (June through September) or 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (October through May).
Riverside County Ordinance No. 847 prohibits sound amplifying equipment and live music entirely from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. in the unincorporated areas. At all other times, the sound may not be audible to the human ear more than 200 feet from the equipment or music.
On-road motor vehicle noise in unincorporated Riverside County is governed mainly by the California Vehicle Code, which the county's own Noise Element acknowledges preempts local regulation. Ordinance No. 847 still regulates off-highway vehicles (96/101 dBA) and vehicle sound systems within the county.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 847 sets exterior maximum sound levels (dBA Lmax) by General Plan land use. Most residential designations allow 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; commercial 65/55; light industrial 75/55; heavy industrial 75/75.
Industrial and stationary noise sources in unincorporated Riverside County must meet Ordinance No. 847's Table 1 limits (Light Industrial 75/55, Heavy Industrial 75/75 dBA). The General Plan Noise Element adds a stationary-source standard of 45 dBA (10-min Leq) at night and 65 dBA by day at sensitive uses.
Riverside County does not set decibel limits on aircraft operations (federally controlled), but its General Plan and Airport Land Use Commission manage aircraft noise through CNEL contours. New residential is generally prohibited within the 60 dB CNEL contour, and noise-sensitive uses are discouraged above 65 CNEL.
Outdoor live music and amplified performance in unincorporated Riverside County are regulated under Ordinance No. 847. They are prohibited from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and, at other times, must not be audible to the human ear more than 200 feet from the source. Events can apply for an exception.
Riverside County enforces California Building Code Chapter 31A and California Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929 for swimming pool barriers. Pools must be enclosed by a 60-inch (5-foot) fence with self-closing, self-latching gates, and new construction must provide at least two drowning-prevention safety features from the statutory list.
Riverside County's zoning ordinance (No. 348) does not set a countywide maximum fence height for unincorporated areas. Instead, fence height in residential areas is shaped by building-permit thresholds: fences over 7 feet require a permit, and the County's design standards target 5-to-6-foot perimeter walls for new homes.
In unincorporated Riverside County, a building permit is required for fences over 7 feet tall and for block (masonry) walls over 3 feet from grade. Shorter fences and walls are exempt. Retaining walls over 4 feet generally require a permit under the California Building Code.
Riverside County's zoning ordinance does not govern cost-sharing for boundary fences. California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) controls: adjoining landowners are presumed equally responsible for a shared boundary fence, and a 30-day written notice is required before incurring shared costs.
Riverside County requires no specific zoning fence permit for fences under 7 feet, but the Countywide Design Standards direct that new homes on lots under 20,000 sq ft include 5-to-6-foot masonry rear and side perimeter walls. Pool barriers and fences in highway rights of way have separate state and county rules.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 348, Section 18.49, prohibits fences built of garage doors, tires, pallets, or other materials not typically used for fence construction. The ordinance sets material standards rather than a height cap, and the Countywide Design Standards favor masonry perimeter walls for new homes.
Common fencing materials - wood, vinyl, masonry block, and metal - are permitted in unincorporated Riverside County, subject only to Ordinance No. 348 Section 18.49's ban on improvised materials. The Countywide Design Standards favor masonry block for new-home perimeter walls.
In unincorporated Riverside County, retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) require a building permit under the California Building Code. Block walls over 3 feet from grade also require a permit, and walls over 6 feet generally need an engineered design.
In unincorporated Riverside County, ALL fireworks are banned under Ordinance No. 858, including state-legal 'safe and sane' fireworks. No person may possess, store, use, sell, or transport fireworks except at a County-authorized site designated by the Fire Chief. Violations are a misdemeanor and carry administrative civil penalties up to $5,000.
Open burning in unincorporated Riverside County requires both a Fire Department permit and air-district authorization. Under the California Fire Code (Ord. 787) open burning must stay 50 feet from structures; bonfires 50 feet. The South Coast AQMD (Rule 444) requires a daily Burn Authorization Number on a declared Burn Day. Residential trash and yard-waste burning is heavily restricted or prohibited.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires hazardous vegetation abatement under Ordinance 695, and properties in State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain up to 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291. The County Fire Department's Hazard Reduction program inspects unimproved parcels annually and issues an Order to Abate. CAL FIRE covers these areas.
Backyard recreational fires (fire pits, chimineas, cooking/warming fires) are allowed in unincorporated Riverside County under the adopted California Fire Code (Ord. 787) if kept under 3 feet in diameter and at least 25 feet from structures, constantly attended, with extinguishing equipment ready. Burning trash or yard waste is NOT a recreational fire and requires separate burn authorization. Sky lanterns are banned.
Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Riverside County follow California state law (Health & Safety Code 13113.7) and the adopted California Fire/Residential Code (via Ord. 787). Alarms are required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in dwellings with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage under HSC 13113.8.
Propane/LP-gas storage in unincorporated Riverside County follows the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61 (Ord. 787). Above-ground tanks of 501–2,000 gallons must sit at least 10 feet from buildings and lot lines; underground tanks at least 10 feet. Larger installations require permits and construction documents. In wildfire defensible-space zones, tanks need 10 feet of clearance to bare soil.
Much of unincorporated Riverside County — foothills and mountains — is mapped as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Riverside County Ordinance 787 (CFC Section 4904.2.1) adopts CAL FIRE's VHFHSZ maps. Properties in these zones and in State Responsibility Areas must maintain 100 feet of defensible space (PRC 4291) and meet Wildland-Urban Interface building standards.
Riverside County adopts the California Fire Code (Ord. 787). Recreational fires in a fire pit must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must be 15 feet away (one- and two-family dwellings are excepted). Fires must be constantly attended with extinguishing equipment on hand.
In unincorporated Riverside County, Ordinance No. 630 makes it unlawful for any dog to run at large. Off its owner's premises, a dog must be physically restrained by a leash held by a person capable of controlling it. Voice, eye, or signal control alone does not satisfy the requirement.
Keeping chickens (crowing fowl) in unincorporated Riverside County is governed by Land Use Ordinance No. 348. Fowl are not allowed on lots under 7,200 sq. ft. On residential lots of that size, up to 4 hens and 0 roosters are permitted; larger and agricultural parcels allow more, with strict enclosure setbacks.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires mandatory spaying or neutering of pit bull breeds. Under the County Code (Section 6.08.125, adopted via Ordinance No. 921), no person may own or possess a pit bull over four months of age that has not been spayed or neutered, with limited exemptions such as registered breeders and assistance dogs.
Beekeeping in unincorporated Riverside County is treated as an agricultural use under Land Use Ordinance No. 348, which lists apiaries among permitted agricultural activities in the A-1 (Light Agriculture) zone. Under California law, apiaries must also be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner.
Riverside County's Ordinance No. 630 defines exotic and wild animals and requires any exotic or hybrid animal to be vaccinated and/or quarantined per state law. Possession of most exotic species is controlled by California's restricted-species law (14 CCR § 671), which bars private pet ownership of listed wild animals without a Fish and Wildlife permit.
Land Use Ordinance No. 348 controls livestock in unincorporated Riverside County. In agricultural zones, grazing of cattle, horses, sheep, and goats is limited to five animals per acre (triple that for sheep or goats). Noncommercial hog-raising is capped at five hogs, with parcel-size minimums.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 630 does not cap household pets at a small number, but keeping five or more dogs (four months or older) triggers a mandatory kennel license, and ten or more cats triggers a cattery license. Kennels also require Planning Department zoning verification under Ordinance 348.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 630 requires that unspayed or unaltered cats four months or older not be allowed outdoors in the unincorporated areas. Cat licensing is optional, but microchipping of all cats over four months is mandatory, and unaltered cats must be spayed or neutered.
Riverside County adopted Ordinance No. 934, the Prohibiting the Harassment and Feeding of Undomesticated Burros Act, making it an infraction to feed or harass wild burros in unincorporated areas such as Reche Canyon and Pigeon Pass. Feeding big-game wildlife is separately restricted under California law.
Riverside County requires all licensed dogs and cats to be microchipped with current owner contact information registered to a recognized national database, enforced through RCDAS at licensing renewal.
Riverside County Ordinance 630.10 requires all dogs and cats over four months in unincorporated areas to be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds a valid intact-animal permit from RCDAS.
Riverside County pet grooming businesses must meet zoning under Ordinance 348, obtain a county business license, comply with Public Health sanitation standards, and meet Ordinance 630 humane-handling rules.
Riverside County follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance: coyotes are not relocated, attractants must be removed, and hazing by residents is encouraged, with depredation permits required for lethal removal.
Riverside County has no ordinance using the word "hoarding," but Ordinance No. 630's kennel/cattery licensing thresholds, inspection powers, and public-nuisance provisions, combined with California Penal Code Section 597 animal-cruelty law, give Animal Services the tools to address hoarding situations and seize neglected animals.
California AB 485 prohibits Riverside County pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from shelters or rescues, enforced locally by RCDAS and county code compliance.
Riverside County Ordinance 348 permits veterinary clinics in commercial and limited industrial zones, with overnight boarding and outdoor runs requiring conditional use permits and noise-buffer setbacks from residences.
Unincorporated Riverside County imposes no general permit to prune trees on your own private property. Trimming within the public right-of-way (street trees) requires authorization, and fire-safety abatement may require limbing-up vegetation for defensible space. Native trees above 5,000 ft elevation are separately protected by Ordinance 559.
Unincorporated Riverside County has no fixed lawn-grass-height number for ornamental yards. Instead, the County Fire Department enforces hazardous-vegetation abatement (Ordinances 695 and 772): dry grass and flammable weeds on unimproved and adjacent vacant parcels must be cleared to create defensible space, generally up to 100 feet around structures.
In unincorporated Riverside County, removing most trees on your private lot needs no permit, but Ordinance 559 protects living native trees on parcels larger than one-half acre above 5,000 feet elevation, requiring a Planning Department permit. Oaks are protected during development, and right-of-way trees cannot be removed without county authorization.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires owners to abate hazardous weeds and flammable vegetation under County Ordinances 695 and 772. Ordinance 772 covers dead orchards, groves, and vineyards plus dry grass; parcels over 5 acres need 100-ft perimeter clearance and 40-ft cleared paths around 5-acre blocks. Owners get 30 days to comply.
Unincorporated Riverside County encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping through its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (859) and California Friendly Landscaping guide. State law (Civil Code 4735) bars HOAs from prohibiting low-water and native plants. Native trees above 5,000 ft are protected by Ordinance 559.
Artificial turf is allowed in unincorporated Riverside County, and California Civil Code 4735 prevents HOAs from banning synthetic grass used as a low-water alternative. A new state law, AB 1572, will phase out potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf at non-residential and HOA common areas, not single-family lawns.
California's SB 1383 requires diverting organic waste from landfills. In unincorporated Riverside County, where green-cart organics collection is offered, residents must separate food scraps and yard waste; backyard composting and self-haul are allowed alternatives. Some low-population unincorporated areas hold waivers where curbside organics is not yet available.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in unincorporated Riverside County. Under California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, no state water-right permit is needed to collect rooftop rainwater for outdoor non-potable use in rain barrels or cisterns. Larger or plumbed systems may need local building approval.
Day-to-day outdoor watering in unincorporated Riverside County is governed mainly by California State Water Board permanent prohibitions and the watering rules of your local water district, not a single county ordinance. Statewide bans prohibit watering within 48 hours of rain, hosing hard surfaces, runoff, and nozzle-less car washing.
In unincorporated Riverside County, a building permit from Building & Safety is required to construct or install any swimming pool, spa, or hot tub. Plans must show setbacks, equipment, electrical/gas, and the required two-barrier safety system. A signed 'Barrier Agreement' (form 284-004) and a pre-plaster inspection are required before plastering or filling with water.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires an enclosure barrier at least 60 inches high around outdoor pools and spas under Ordinance 421. The bottom gap may not exceed 2 inches (4 inches over a solid deck). Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, swing away from the pool, and meet latch-height rules. Chain link must be 11 gauge.
Above-ground and on-ground pools are treated the same as in-ground pools under Riverside County Ordinance 421 - any structure 18 inches or more deep needs a barrier and County permitting. Where the pool wall itself serves as the barrier and access is by a ladder or steps, the ladder must be securable, removable, or surrounded by a compliant 60-inch barrier.
Spas and hot tubs 18 inches or more deep are regulated like pools under Riverside County Ordinance 421 and require County permitting and barrier protection. A key exception: a self-contained spa or hot tub fitted with a listed ASTM F-1346-91 safety cover is exempt from the barrier requirements. Indoor spas need two listed safety features.
New residential pools and spas in unincorporated Riverside County must have at least two compliant drowning-prevention barriers (a primary enclosure plus a secondary feature such as a pool cover or splash alarm), under California SB 442 and County Ordinance 421. Pools also need anti-entrapment dual drains and an equipotential bonding grid per the adopted electrical code.
In unincorporated Riverside County, ADUs and Junior ADUs are governed by Ordinance No. 348, Article XIXj. Detached ADUs are capped at 1,000 sq ft and 16 feet, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks and ministerial (no-hearing) approval. State ADU Law (Gov. Code 66310-66342) overrides any stricter county rules.
Sheds and other non-habitable detached accessory structures in unincorporated Riverside County are governed by Ordinance No. 348, Section 18.18. They must meet the underlying zone's rear-yard setback, may not be closer to the front lot line than the house, may not exceed two stories or 40 feet, and may not contain a kitchen or be used for sleeping.
A carport is a non-habitable detached accessory structure under Ordinance No. 348, Section 18.18, subject to the zone's setbacks, a two-story/40-foot height cap, and the prohibition on kitchens and overnight use. When an existing carport is converted to an ADU, Article XIXj requires no replacement parking.
Riverside County has no separate "tiny home" code. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is treated as an ADU or Second Unit under Ordinance No. 348, Article XIXj; State ADU Law also requires the County to allow a manufactured home as an ADU. A tiny home on wheels (RV) generally cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Converting a garage or carport into living space in unincorporated Riverside County is treated as an ADU or Junior ADU under Ordinance No. 348, Article XIXj. No replacement parking is required when a garage, carport, or marked space is converted into an ADU or JADU, consistent with California State ADU Law.
Unincorporated Riverside County does not operate a general long-term rental registration program. Short-term vacation rentals (under 30 days) in wine-country and mountain areas must register under Ordinance 927, collect Transient Occupancy Tax, and meet operational standards, but conventional long-term rentals require only a standard county business license where applicable.
California SB 329 amended FEHA to prohibit Riverside County landlords from refusing to rent to applicants who use Section 8 housing choice vouchers or other government rental assistance. Source-of-income discrimination became unlawful statewide in January 2020.
California AB 12, effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month of rent for most Riverside County landlords. Small landlords owning two or fewer properties may collect up to two months on unfurnished units.
Under AB 1482, Riverside County landlords removing covered tenants for no-fault reasons such as owner move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, or substantial remodel must provide one month of rent as relocation assistance or waive the final month of rent.
California AB 1482 requires just cause to terminate any tenancy in a covered unit in Riverside County after the tenant has continuously occupied the unit for 12 months (or 24 months if a new adult tenant joined). The law distinguishes at-fault reasons (no relocation fee) from no-fault reasons (requires one month of rent as relocation assistance).
California Civil Code 1940.2 prohibits Riverside County landlords from using force, threats, fraud, or repeated unreasonable entries to push tenants out. Violations can result in civil penalties up to 2,000 dollars per harassment incident plus actual damages.
Unincorporated Riverside County has no local rent-control ordinance. California AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, applies statewide and caps annual rent increases on qualifying units at 5 percent plus regional CPI (capped at 10 percent total) for rental units more than 15 years old that are not single-family homes owned by non-corporate landlords.
AB 1482 requires one month of relocation assistance for no-fault evictions in Riverside County. Additional relocation may be triggered when a county code enforcement order forces tenants to vacate due to substandard conditions or red-tag actions.
California Civil Code section 1946.2 requires landlords of covered Riverside County rentals to include a specific just-cause and rent-cap disclosure in every lease and in a separate notice to existing tenants. Failure to deliver the notice undermines later eviction efforts.
The Housing Authority of the County of Riverside administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers across unincorporated areas and most cities. Landlords accepting vouchers sign a HAP contract setting rent at a reasonable level and pass annual housing quality inspections.
Film productions in Riverside County must comply with the county Noise Ordinance (No. 847), with permit-based exceptions for filming activities. Generators, dialogue amplification, and special effects require notification to neighbors and may need variances for work outside 7 AM-10 PM.
Street closures for filming in unincorporated Riverside County require coordination with the Transportation Department, the Sheriff's Department (traffic control), and the Film Commission under Ordinance No. 447. Closures require signed traffic control plans, 72+ hour advance notice to affected residents, and certified flagger/deputy staffing.
Riverside County has waived all film permit fees in unincorporated areas and offers free use of County-owned properties for shoots lasting 10 days or less. Permits are still required and processed through the Riverside County Film Commission.
Riverside County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates development in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas under Ord. 458 (Flood Damage Prevention) and Ord. 460 Art. III. New structures in the 100-year floodplain (Zone A, AE, AH, AO) must have the lowest floor elevated at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation.
Riverside County Ordinance 457 (Grading Ordinance) requires erosion and sediment control on all graded sites year-round, with heightened requirements during the rainy season (October 1 through April 30). Best Management Practices must be in place before any soil disturbance and maintained until permanent stabilization.
Riverside County operates under two NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits: the Santa Ana River Region permit (R8-2010-0033) and the Whitewater River Region permit (R7-2013-0011), plus the San Diego Region permit in the southwest. All construction over 1 acre requires a state SWPPP, and new development must implement LID BMPs.
Riverside County enforces 100-foot defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Areas, with two clearance zones inspected annually by Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire.
Riverside County Ord. 457 (Grading) regulates earth moving and Ord. 458 (Drainage) regulates stormwater conveyance. A grading permit is required for any earth movement exceeding 50 cubic yards on a single lot, any fill over 3 feet deep, or any cut over 5 feet deep. Onsite drainage may not be redirected onto neighboring property.
Riverside County adopted a Climate Action Plan setting countywide targets for greenhouse gas reduction, addressing transportation emissions, building efficiency, and renewable energy across unincorporated areas and partner cities.
California restricts heavy-duty diesel vehicle idling to five minutes statewide, enforced in Riverside County by CHP, sheriff, and South Coast and Mojave Desert air districts, with heightened focus near schools.
Riverside County integrates heat mitigation into General Plan and Coachella Valley specific plans, requiring shade trees, cool roofing, and pedestrian shelter for new commercial and multifamily projects in extreme-heat zones.
California Title 24 Part 6 requires cool roofing on most new and replacement low-slope roofs in Climate Zones 14 and 15, which cover most of Riverside County including the Coachella Valley and desert communities.
Riverside County coordinates with the South Coast and Imperial air districts on Salton Sea dust mitigation, where receding shorelines expose playa generating PM10 and PM2.5 exceeding federal standards in nearby communities.
California Proposition 64 allows adults 21+ to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants per residence for personal use. Riverside County Ord. 348.4903 restricts personal cultivation in unincorporated areas to indoor locations within a private residence or fully enclosed accessory structure; outdoor personal cultivation is prohibited.
Riverside County requires cannabis retail and cultivation sites to be set back from schools, daycares, youth centers, and parks, mirroring state minimums but adding county-specific distances in unincorporated areas.
Riverside County bans commercial cannabis activity in most unincorporated areas under Ordinance 348 and 348.4901. The limited exceptions require a Conditional Use Permit under the Cannabis Regulation Framework, state MAUCRSA licensing, and strict buffers from schools, daycares, parks, and residences.
Riverside County Ordinance 348.4801 limits commercial cannabis activities to specific industrial and commercial zones in unincorporated areas, with conditional use permits required and minimum buffer distances enforced.
State law allows licensed cannabis delivery into any California jurisdiction, including unincorporated Riverside County, even where the county has not authorized retail storefronts at that location.
Riverside County permits up to six cannabis plants per residence indoors for personal use, mirroring state Proposition 64 minimums while restricting outdoor cultivation in unincorporated areas.
Under SB 946 and Ordinance No. 875, Riverside County cannot designate exclusive vending zones or ban vending from entire commercial districts. Restrictions are limited to specific, objective health and safety criteria — ADA clearance, traffic, and event-based closures.
Vending carts in Riverside County must meet California Retail Food Code standards for food carts and Ordinance No. 875 equipment rules. Carts must fit within a defined footprint, include wastewater containment for food carts, display permits visibly, and comply with sanitation and ADA requirements.
California SB 946 (Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, 2019) restricts Riverside County's ability to prohibit sidewalk vending. The county adopted Ordinance No. 875 implementing SB 946, requiring a sidewalk vending permit, health permit (for food), and compliance with sanitary and zoning rules.
Under California Streets and Highways Code §5610, adjacent property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks fronting their property. Riverside County may order repairs and perform them at owner's expense if ignored; uplifts over 1/2 inch are typically considered tripping hazards.
Ordinance No. 499 prohibits obstructing public sidewalks in unincorporated Riverside County. Merchandise displays, signs, vehicles, and overgrown vegetation must not reduce pedestrian clearance below ADA minimum of 48 inches. Violations are infractions with fines from $100-$500.
Lead-based paint in pre-1978 buildings is regulated by federal EPA RRP Rule and California Title 17 (§35001 et seq.). Contractors must be CDPH Lead-Related Construction certified, and landlords must disclose lead hazards. Riverside County Environmental Health investigates lead poisoning cases.
Elevators, escalators, and platform lifts in Riverside County are regulated by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Elevator, Ride & Tramway Unit under Title 8 CCR §3000-3139. Annual inspections and state permits are required; violations result in red-tag out-of-service orders.
Scaffold safety on construction sites in Riverside County is regulated by Cal/OSHA under Title 8 CCR §1635-1670 (Construction Safety Orders). Scaffolds over 20 feet require a professional engineer's design, and all users must receive competent-person training.
Structural pest control in Riverside County is regulated by the California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) under Business & Professions Code §8500 et seq. Operators must be licensed, pesticides must be registered with CA DPR, and fumigation requires advance notification to neighbors and RCDEH.
Riverside County enforces California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) Title 24 Part 11 alongside the county Climate Action Plan, requiring water efficiency, EV-ready wiring, and recycling at construction sites.
Riverside County licenses childcare centers under California Title 22 plus Ordinance 526 building, fire, and zoning standards, with stricter exit, restroom, and outdoor-play space requirements than ordinary residences.
California Building Code Section 313 requires automatic fire sprinklers in new one and two-family dwellings, enforced in Riverside County under Ordinance 526 with additional wildland-urban interface standards.
Riverside County Ordinance 348 caps residential floor-area ratio, lot coverage, and height in many residential zones to prevent oversized homes that overshadow neighbors, with stricter rules in scenic and hillside overlays.
California Building Code Section 1010 governs door-locking hardware in Riverside County buildings, requiring single-motion egress, panic hardware in assembly uses, and limits on classroom or barricade devices.
California Vehicle Code §22651.5 authorizes towing cars with alarms sounding over 20 minutes. Riverside County Ordinance No. 847 treats continuous car alarms as a noise nuisance, and Sheriff's Department may cite or tow offending vehicles.
Portable and standby generators in unincorporated Riverside County must comply with Ordinance No. 847 noise limits except during declared emergencies or PSPS events. Permanent generators require building permits, and placement must meet 55 dBA day / 45 dBA night at property lines.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated Riverside County are subject to Ordinance No. 847 noise limits plus Conditional Use Permit (CUP) noise conditions. Amplified music must not exceed 55 dBA at residential property lines after 10 PM. CA ABC may also impose noise conditions on alcohol licenses.
HVAC equipment in unincorporated Riverside County must comply with Ordinance No. 847 noise limits — typically 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime at the nearest residential property line. CA Building Energy Code (Title 24) also regulates placement to minimize noise.
Rental units in Riverside County must meet California Civil Code §1941.1 habitability requirements: weatherproofing, working plumbing, hot and cold water, working heat, safe electrical, clean sanitation, and pest-free. Violations give tenants repair-and-deduct or rent-withholding rights.
Tenants in Riverside County can file habitability complaints with County Code Enforcement, the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, the CA Dept of Housing & Community Development (HCD), and Riverside Superior Court. AB 1482 just-cause eviction protection applies to most rentals built before 2008.
Riverside County does not operate a universal rental inspection program for unincorporated areas; inspections are complaint-driven through Code Enforcement and Environmental Health. Section 8 housing is inspected annually by Housing Authority. CA Health & Safety Code §17920.3 defines substandard housing.
Commercial drone operations in Riverside County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and compliance with 14 CFR Part 107. The FAA preempts airspace regulation, but the county restricts drone takeoff and landing on county property and requires a film permit from the Inland Empire Film Commission or Regional Park District for commercial shoots on public land.
Recreational drone operation in Riverside County is governed primarily by the FAA's 14 CFR Part 107 and the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations. The county restricts drone takeoff and landing on county-operated parks and open space per Ordinance 658 and prohibits drones in state and national park airspace.
Unincorporated Riverside County generally limits residential garage sales to approximately 3-4 events per calendar year per household, each lasting no more than 2-3 consecutive days. Exceeding these limits may classify the activity as a home business requiring a permit.
Garage sales in unincorporated Riverside County must operate within reasonable daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 7 PM, to comply with Ordinance No. 847 (Noise). Early-morning setup noise and late-evening cleanup are prohibited.
Riverside County does not require a permit for residential garage sales in unincorporated areas, but sales are limited in frequency and duration under county zoning. Commercial-scale sales may trigger home-occupation or business-license review.
Block parties on public streets in unincorporated Riverside County require a Street Closure Permit from the Transportation Department, typically combined with notice to adjacent residents. Non-closure block parties in cul-de-sacs or private HOA streets may only need HOA approval.
Sidewalk cafes on public sidewalks in unincorporated Riverside County require an encroachment permit from the Transportation Department plus a business license and Environmental Health permit. Operators must maintain 48-inch ADA clearance and carry liability insurance naming the county.
Events in Riverside County Regional Parks require a facility-use or special-event permit from the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District. Small gatherings (under 50 people, standard picnic shelter) may require only a reservation; larger events need full permits, insurance, and fees.
HOAs enforce CC&Rs under the Davis-Stirling Act, which requires due-process procedures before fines or discipline (Civ Code §5855). Selective or arbitrary enforcement may be challenged. Members have 5-year statutes to enforce CC&Rs against the association or other owners.
HOAs in Riverside County typically operate Architectural Review Committees (ARCs) under Davis-Stirling Act §4765. Owners must submit plans for exterior changes, and the ARC must respond in writing within a reasonable time with reasoning. Solar, EV charging, and low-water landscaping have state-mandated approval protections.
HOAs in unincorporated Riverside County operate under the California Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code §4000 et seq.). The Act requires open board meetings, 4-day posted agendas, executive-session limits, and annual member meetings with 30-day notice.
HOA assessments in Riverside County follow Davis-Stirling rules (Civ Code §5600-5740). Regular assessments may increase up to 20% per year without a vote; special assessments above 5% of budgeted expenses require a vote. Delinquent assessments accrue interest and late fees, with lien and foreclosure rights.
Davis-Stirling requires HOAs to offer Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) under Civ Code §5910 and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under §5930 before litigating most disputes. Small-claims court and the CA DRE complaint process are also available.
Ordinance 348 limits mobile food vending in unincorporated Riverside County to commercial and industrial zones, private property with owner consent, and permitted special events. On-street vending in residential areas is prohibited except for ice-cream vendors operating under specific speed and stop rules, and state highway shoulders are off-limits.
Mobile food facilities operating in unincorporated Riverside County must obtain an annual health permit from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, pass initial and periodic inspections, operate from a permitted commissary, and comply with California Retail Food Code (CalCode). Additional zoning and vending-location rules apply under county Ordinance 580 and Ordinance 348.
Riverside County does not maintain a formal heritage tree registry, but Ordinance No. 559 and the Western Riverside MSHCP effectively protect mature native oaks, sycamores, and desert natives (Joshua trees, Palo Verde). Trees on historic properties may have additional CEQA-level protection.
Riverside County's tree regulations include Ordinance No. 559 (oak preservation), Ordinance No. 457 (tree-trimming in public rights-of-way), and the Western Riverside MSHCP. State laws also apply: CA Desert Native Plants Act, Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, and PRC §4291 (defensible space).
Unincorporated Riverside County requires a Planning Department permit under Ordinance 559 to remove living native trees on parcels larger than one-half acre above 5,000 feet elevation, including a CEQA assessment and fee. Oaks are protected during development, and right-of-way trees need county authorization to remove.
When oak trees are removed under Ordinance No. 559, replacement is required at ratios ranging from 3:1 to 10:1 depending on the size of the removed tree. Replacement trees must be native species, typically 15-gallon minimum, with a 3-5 year establishment monitoring period.
Riverside County does not have a specific ordinance banning or restricting bamboo planting. However, running bamboo species that spread onto neighboring properties can create civil liability and may be addressed as a nuisance under Riverside County Ordinance No. 725. California law (Civil Code §3479) treats encroaching vegetation as a private nuisance.
Riverside County's landscaping guidelines (Ordinance No. 859) include a list of prohibited invasive ornamental plants. Additionally, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and Cal-IPC maintain statewide lists of noxious weeds and invasive plants that apply throughout the county.
California law (AB 2561, effective 2015) prohibits HOAs and local governments from banning drought-tolerant landscaping and edible gardens in front yards. Riverside County's landscaping ordinance (No. 859) encourages California-friendly, water-efficient plantings. Front yard vegetable gardens are generally allowed in unincorporated areas.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires a building and electrical permit for rooftop and ground-mount solar photovoltaic systems through the Riverside County Building & Safety Department. California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code section 714) and AB 2188 limit the county to expedited, ministerial review of residential systems ten kilowatts or smaller with no discretionary conditions that materially reduce system efficiency.
Homeowner associations in Riverside County cannot prohibit rooftop solar. Under the California Solar Rights Act (Civil Code section 714), any HOA covenant or architectural rule that significantly restricts solar installation or raises cost by more than 1,000 dollars or reduces efficiency by more than 10 percent is void and unenforceable.
California is a strict two-party (all-party) consent state under Penal Code §632. Recording any confidential conversation — in person, by phone, or electronically — without the consent of all parties is a criminal offense. This applies to audio recordings by security cameras, phone calls, and any electronic eavesdropping.
In unincorporated Riverside County, fences up to 7 feet tall do not require a building permit. Privacy fences in front yards may be subject to height restrictions and Planning Division review. Side and rear yard privacy fences up to 6 feet are standard; taller fences may require a permit or variance.
Security cameras are legal on private property in unincorporated Riverside County, but California is a two-party consent state for audio recording (Penal Code §632). Video-only surveillance of areas visible to the public is permitted. Cameras must not record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as neighboring bedrooms or bathrooms.
California Civil Code 1954.603 requires landlords to provide bed bug disclosures to tenants, and Riverside County Environmental Health responds to complaints involving habitability and licensed pest control treatments.
California requires food handlers to obtain an accredited Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire, and food facilities in Riverside County must keep records on-site available to county inspectors.
Riverside County Department of Environmental Health inspects food facilities and posts color-coded placards (green pass, yellow conditional, red closure) at the entrance after every routine and follow-up inspection.
Riverside County treats rodent infestations as a public nuisance under Ordinance 541 and the Health and Safety Code, requiring property owners to abate harborage, secure trash, and cooperate with vector control inspections.
California prohibits disposing home-generated sharps in regular trash or recycling, requiring use of approved sharps containers; Riverside County operates household hazardous waste sites and pharmacy take-back programs.
California Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, restricts state and local law enforcement from using resources to investigate, detain, or arrest persons for federal immigration purposes. The law applies to Riverside County Sheriff and county jails.
Labor Code section 2814 prohibits California state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it. Riverside County cannot impose a county-wide E-Verify requirement on contractors.
Under California Assembly Bill 1884, dine-in restaurants in Riverside County may not automatically provide single-use plastic straws; customers must request one. Fast-food and takeout are exempt.
California Assembly Bill 1276 requires food facilities, including those in Riverside County, to provide single-use foodware accessories and condiments only on customer request or at self-serve stations.
California Senate Bill 270, ratified by Proposition 67, bans single-use carryout plastic bags at grocery stores and large retailers statewide, including Riverside County, and requires a minimum charge for paper or reusable bags.
California Senate Bill 54 phases out expanded polystyrene foodware statewide by 2025 unless 25 percent recycling targets are met, applying to food facilities in Riverside County.
California Labor Code section 246 requires employers to provide 40 hours or five days of paid sick leave annually after 30 days of employment. Riverside County follows the statewide standard with no additional county sick-leave ordinance.
California sets a statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour effective 2026 under Labor Code section 1182.12. Riverside County does not set a separate county-wide wage floor for unincorporated areas above the state rate.
Riverside County implements California Government Code 65915 density bonus law, granting up to 50 percent additional units, parking reductions, and incentives for projects providing affordable, senior, or special-needs housing.
Riverside County uses specific plans under California Government Code 65450 to guide large communities like Wine Country, Highway 79, North Shore, and the Vista Santa Rosa area, layering tailored zoning over Ord. 348.
Riverside County Ord. 348 hillside-development standards limit grading, building height, and lot coverage on slopes above 10 percent, addressing wildfire risk, erosion, and viewshed protection in mountain communities.
Residential holiday lighting and seasonal decorations are allowed in unincorporated Riverside County without a permit. Displays must comply with Ordinance 655 Mount Palomar Light Pollution rules in the western portion of the county and must not obstruct the public right-of-way or create traffic hazards. Displays should be removed within a reasonable time after the holiday.
In unincorporated Riverside County, political/non-commercial signs are temporary signs under Ordinance No. 806 (Title 17, Chapter 17.254). During an election period they may be up to 32 sq ft and 6 feet tall, with an 80 sq ft per-lot aggregate cap, and may sit in the road right-of-way; they must come down within 10 days after the election.
Under Riverside County Ordinance No. 806 (Title 17, Chapter 17.254), a yard or garage sale sign may not exceed 4 square feet. Only one sign per lot may be displayed at a time, no more than three signs per lot per calendar year, posted no sooner than 15 days before the sale and removed within 5 days after.
Under the adopted California Fire Code (Ord. 787), charcoal and other open-flame cooking devices generally cannot be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction — but one- and two-family dwellings are exempt, and small propane grills (LP-gas container 2.5 lb / 1 lb nominal or less) are excepted. In wildfire conditions the Fire Chief may restrict outdoor open-flame use.
Charcoal, wood, and pellet smokers are open-flame cooking devices under the adopted California Fire Code (Ord. 787, CFC 308.1.4). They generally can't be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction — but one- and two-family dwellings are exempt. A smoker is not a recreational fire or open burning. During hazardous fire conditions the Fire Chief may restrict outdoor open-flame use.
In the R-1 (One-Family Dwelling) zone of unincorporated Riverside County, Ordinance No. 348 requires a minimum front yard of 20 feet, side yards of 10% of lot width (3-foot minimum, 5-foot maximum required, 10 feet on corner lots), and a rear yard of at least 10 feet. Setbacks vary by zone classification.
In the R-1 (One-Family Dwelling) zone of unincorporated Riverside County, Ordinance No. 348 Section 6.2 limits buildings to 3 stories and a maximum of 40 feet. Public/semipublic buildings may reach 60 feet with increased yards, and chimneys, flagpoles, and similar projections are exempt. Limits vary by zone.
In the R-1 (One-Family Dwelling) zone of unincorporated Riverside County, Ordinance No. 348 Section 6.2 limits coverage to no more than 50% of any lot covered by the dwelling, with a minimum lot area of 7,200 square feet. Coverage limits and minimum lot sizes vary by zone classification.
In unincorporated Riverside County, accumulating rubbish on real property is a declared public nuisance under Ordinance No. 541. Owners must abate within 30 days of a Notice of Violation, and the County may abate and place a lien on the parcel for its costs.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 593 (Code Chapter 5.28) limits garage sales in unincorporated areas to three per lot and three per person in any 12 consecutive months, no longer than 3 consecutive days, only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with one on-site sign no larger than 4 square feet.
Under Riverside County Ordinance No. 745, residents in compulsory-collection areas may not place a cart at the street more than 12 hours before pickup and must remove it within 12 hours after collection. Residential waste must be out by 6:00 a.m. on the designated day.
Vacant, unimproved parcels in unincorporated Riverside County must be cleared of hazardous and flammable vegetation, rubbish, and tumbleweeds under Ordinances 695 and 772. The Fire Department's Hazard Reduction Office inspects annually and issues Notices to Abate with a 30-day compliance window.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 695 requires property owners in unincorporated areas to abate hazardous vegetation such as weeds, brush, dry grass, and tumbleweeds. Owners get a Notice of Violation and Order to Abate and must clear the property within 30 days or the County abates and bills them.
Unincorporated Riverside County has no ordinance requiring property owners to clear snow from sidewalks. Most of the county is low-desert and inland valley where measurable snow is rare; the few mountain communities such as Idyllwild, Pine Cove, and Anza receive occasional snow but the county imposes no mandatory clearance rule on adjacent property owners.
Under Ordinance No. 745, containers in unincorporated Riverside County may be placed at the street no more than 12 hours before collection and must be removed within 12 hours after. Residential carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 745 requires all residential and commercial properties in compulsory-collection areas to participate in a three-container system, placing source-separated recyclables in the blue container. Mixing trash into the recycling cart is prohibited.
California SB 1383, implemented locally by Riverside County Ordinance No. 745, requires residents and businesses in unincorporated areas to separate organic waste (food scraps, yard trimmings) into the green container. Requirements became enforceable statewide on January 1, 2022.
Residents in unincorporated Riverside County receive bulky item pickups through their County-franchised hauler. CR&R, the franchised hauler for unincorporated areas, provides two free bulky item pickups per calendar year, scheduled in advance with the hauler. Illegal dumping of bulky items is a separate nuisance violation.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 745 makes solid waste collection compulsory in designated unincorporated areas. Every residence and business must have service, all waste must be removed at least once a week, and only County-franchised haulers may collect it.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 655 restricts outdoor lighting to protect Palomar Observatory. It defines Zone A (within 15 miles of the observatory) and Zone B (15-45 miles). Many lamp types must be low-pressure sodium or fully shielded, and decorative and certain other lighting must be off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
Within the Mount Palomar light-pollution zones, Riverside County Ordinance No. 655 limits spill light by requiring fixtures to be fully or partially shielded so light is directed downward. "Fully shielded" means all light is projected below the horizontal; "partially shielded" means at least 90% is. Curfews further limit late-night lighting.
Riverside County Ord. 655 protects Mt. Palomar Observatory through one of the strongest dark-sky lighting laws in the United States, restricting outdoor lighting type, intensity, and curfews across western Riverside County.
Riverside County regulates sitting, lying, and camping on county roads, sidewalks, parks, and flood-control channels. Enforcement is paired with referrals to the Continuum of Care and Path of Life Ministries shelters before citations or arrests.
Riverside County follows a written encampment cleanup protocol that requires advance notice, individual outreach, and storage of unattended personal property for at least ninety days before disposal. Hazardous waste and abandoned items can be removed immediately.
Riverside County's Continuum of Care funds bridge and interim housing through providers like Path of Life Ministries, Lighthouse Social Service Centers, and Step Up. State zoning law SB 9 and SB 10 plus AB 2339 require expedited siting of these facilities in residential and mixed-use zones.
California Senate Bill 793, upheld by Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the sale of flavored tobacco products statewide, including in Riverside County retailers, with limited exemptions for certain hookah and premium cigars.
California Senate Bill 7 raised the minimum sales age for tobacco and vape products to 21, ahead of federal Tobacco 21, and Riverside County retailers must verify identification and post age signage.
Riverside County retail water agencies set day-of-week irrigation schedules under California state framework SB 606 and AB 1668, with Coachella Valley Water District and Western Municipal Water District enforcing local rules.
Riverside County water agencies offer cash rebates to remove turf grass and install drought-tolerant landscaping, with the Coachella Valley Water District program among the most generous in California.
Riverside County agencies expand recycled-water use for golf courses, parks, and agriculture, particularly through the Coachella Valley Water District tertiary-treated supply that helps offset Salton Sea inflows.
Riverside County water agencies require timely repair of leaks on customer-side plumbing, and SB 555 obligates retailers to report water-loss audits and pursue lost-and-unaccounted-for water reduction targets.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires massage establishments to obtain a county regulatory permit. Individual therapists must hold a current California Massage Therapy Council certification under Business and Professions Code section 4600.
Riverside County Ordinance 671 regulates adult-oriented businesses in unincorporated areas, requiring a regulatory permit, strict zoning buffers from residences, schools, parks, and churches, and operator background checks by the Sheriff's Department.
Riverside County Ordinance 348 zoning prohibits commercial auto repair as a home business. Residents may perform incidental repairs on personal vehicles, but operating a paid auto-repair business from a residential property is not allowed.
California Business and Professions Code section 22972 requires all tobacco retailers to obtain a state license from the CDTFA. Riverside County may also require a separate retail business permit for unincorporated-area locations.
California Business and Professions Code section 21641 requires secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers to register with the local police agency and report transactions to the state. Riverside County Sheriff handles permit processing for unincorporated-area dealers.
California Business and Professions Code section 25620 prohibits possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in public places. Riverside County Ordinance 539 supplements the state rule for county parks, beaches, and unincorporated public areas.
Riverside County Ordinance 847 allows the Sheriff to declare a gathering an unruly disturbance and bill responsible parties for response costs. Repeat unruly events on the same property within 12 months trigger escalating cost-recovery fees.
California Health and Safety Code section 11362.3 prohibits smoking or consuming cannabis in public places. Riverside County applies the rule across unincorporated parks, sidewalks, and any location where tobacco smoking is also banned.
California Government Code section 7597 bans smoking in state parks and beaches. Riverside County Ordinance 539 prohibits smoking in regional parks and open spaces, and Labor Code section 6404.5 limits workplace and enclosed-space smoking statewide.
California Penal Code section 647(c) prohibits accosting people for money in public. Riverside County supplements the state rule with Ordinance 743 restrictions near ATMs, parking facilities, and freeway ramps in unincorporated areas.
Residents of unincorporated Riverside County may post a No Solicitation sign at their front door or property entrance to legally bar commercial solicitors under Ordinance 534. California Penal Code 602 and Civil Code 1940.2 further support trespass and harassment enforcement when solicitors ignore posted notices.
Door-to-door commercial solicitors in unincorporated Riverside County must obtain a Peddler/Solicitor Permit from the Sheriff's Department under Ordinance 534. Permits require a live-scan background check, identification card while soliciting, and adherence to hours (generally 9 a.m. to dusk or 7 p.m., whichever is earlier).
In unincorporated Riverside County, one-story detached storage sheds of 120 square feet or less do not require a building permit, provided they have no plumbing or electrical. Sheds over 120 sq ft require a building permit and must comply with setback requirements under Ordinance No. 348.
Fences up to 7 feet in height are exempt from building permits in unincorporated Riverside County. However, fences in front yard setback areas may require Planning Division approval. Fences over 7 feet require a building permit. Retaining walls over 4 feet also need permits.
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet and not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt from building permits in Riverside County. Larger or elevated decks require a building permit. Patio covers can often be obtained as same-day, over-the-counter permits.
Most renovation work in unincorporated Riverside County requires a building permit. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and cabinet replacement is exempt. Any work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems requires permits. Roof repairs over 25% of the total area require a permit.
The Riverside County Code Enforcement Department handles complaints in unincorporated areas. Reports can be filed by phone at (951) 955-2004 or (760) 393-3344, by email at celogin@rivco.org, or online through the department's website. A 24-hour call center operates 7 days a week including holidays.
Riverside County Code Enforcement prioritizes complaints based on health and safety risk. Priority 1 cases involving imminent hazards are targeted for investigation within 24 hours. Standard complaints are investigated within 30 days depending on caseload and severity.
The most frequently reported code violations in unincorporated Riverside County include unpermitted construction, overgrown or unmaintained properties, junk vehicles, illegal dumping, substandard housing, and zoning violations such as illegal home businesses or unpermitted short-term rentals.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Riverside County ordinances.