Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Riverside, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Riverside, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term residential rentals are permitted only for legally permitted dwelling units and are prohibited in units with deed restrictions or government-imposed conditions that bar STR use. Operators must comply with transient occupancy tax collection, post and staff a 24/7 designated local contact (posted on the exterior), provide the City Good Neighbor Brochure to renters, retain renter contact/acknowledgement records for three years, limit occupancy to two people per bedroom plus one, and may not use units as event venues except as allowed under the code. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term residential rentals are permitted only for legally permitted dwelling units and are prohibited in units with deed restrictions or government-imposed conditions that bar STR use. Operators must comply with transient occupancy tax collection, post and staff a 24/7 designated local contact (posted on the exterior), provide the City Good Neighbor Brochure to renters, retain renter contact/acknowledgement records for three years, limit occupancy to two people per bedroom plus one, and may not use units as event venues except as allowed under the code.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Riverside. 1) Obtain a City business tax certificate (Chapter 5.04) before renting or advertising; 2) Apply for and obtain the short‑term residential rental permit as required by Chapter 5.55 and comply with operational conditions (designated local contact, posted contact info, Good Neighbor Brochure provided and signed acknowledgement, occupancy limits, record retention); 3) Register for and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) through the City’s TOT process.

1) Obtain a City business tax certificate (Chapter 5.04) before renting or advertising; 2) Apply for and obtain the short‑term residential rental permit as required by Chapter 5.55 and comply with operational conditions (designated local contact, posted contact info, Good Neighbor Brochure provided and signed acknowledgement, occupancy limits, record retention); 3) Register for and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) through the City’s TOT process.

Vrbo is permitted in Riverside, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Riverside are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Riverside. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.