Riverside County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Riverside County
Riverside County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It limits the height of detached accessory buildings and has a separate chapter on home kitchen food businesses.
Key points
- Accessory height: In unincorporated areas, non-habitable detached accessory buildings on one-family lots are limited to 2 stories or 40 feet; greater height may be approved.
- Cottage food: The county code has a separate chapter on cottage food operations, which are home kitchen food businesses.
Each rule below is marked Riverside County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Riverside County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Riverside County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
|
|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
Riverside County code A permit is required, through an expedited administrative, nondiscretionary process. Apply electronically with fees; a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans gets a nondiscretionary permit in reasonable time.
All 3 Riverside County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
|
|---|
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
|
|---|---|
| Large animals |
|
Park and impact fees for new homes
Riverside County code Exempt: rebuilding a home or other building damaged or destroyed by fire or other natural causes. Exempt: rehabilitating or remodeling an existing building, or adding to an existing home.
All 5 Riverside County rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Riverside County code Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Noise may not exceed 55 dBA.
All 4 Riverside County rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Riverside County code Sales are allowed only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A sale may last no more than 3 days in a row.
All 4 Riverside County rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Group homes and residential care
Riverside County code An approved conditional use permit is required. The group is considered a family and the facility a residential use of property.
All 10 Riverside County rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Riverside County code Applies when an alarm sounds for more than 30 minutes. $50
All 6 Riverside County rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Riverside County code At most 32 square feet At most 6 feet
All 13 Riverside County rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Historic homes
Riverside County code A historic district alteration permit is required No historic district alteration permit; the building official processes the application
All 4 Riverside County rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Riverside County rules on this
Riverside County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Cottage food operations (Ch. 17.291) — home kitchen food businesses
- Permit to remove native trees (Ch. 12.24) — living native trees on larger parcels at high elevation only
- Building in special flood hazard areas (Ch. 15.80)
- Local grading code (§ 15.04.080)
- Outdoor lighting and light trespass (Ch. 8.80)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Riverside County?
In unincorporated areas, non-habitable detached accessory buildings on one-family lots are limited to 2 stories or 40 feet; greater height may be approved.
Can I run a business from my home in Riverside County?
The county code has a separate chapter on cottage food operations, which are home kitchen food businesses. Riverside County also has a related rule: Cottage food operations (Ch. 17.291) — home kitchen food businesses.
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Riverside County?
Riverside County's code: At least 5 feet from any property line or home. (Applies to private pools for residents and their nonpaying guests.) (§ 17.172.200).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Riverside County?
Riverside County's code: Apiaries are allowed. (Applies in the A-P (Light Agriculture with Poultry) zone.) (§ 17.124.010).
Can I run a family child care home in Riverside County?
California law sets this for every city, including Riverside County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Riverside County property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question