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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.

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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

Riverside County code What Riverside County's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 2 stories or 40 feet tall, unless a greater height is approved.
    Applies: Non-living detached accessory buildings on lots with a one-family home.
    § 17.172.130 · code text
    The building height of a detached accessory building or structure shall not exceed two stories or forty (40) feet, unless a greater height is approved pursuant to section 17.172.230 of this title.

RV and boat parking

Riverside County code What Riverside County's code adds
Parking on the street
  • Banned on residential county roads, except up to 48 hours, twice a month, directly in front of the home.
    Applies: Unincorporated area; for loading, unloading or cleaning by the owner or a permitted visitor, where parking is otherwise allowed.
    § 10.20.170 · code text
    For a period of not more than forty-eight (48) hours, twice a month, a recreational vehicle may be parked or left standing on a county highway if vehicles are otherwise allowed to park there and if:
  • No longer than 2 hours in any 1 day.
    Applies: County highways in the unincorporated area where signs are posted; not on county highways in a residential district.
    § 10.20.170 · code text
    no person shall park or leave standing any recreational vehicle on any county highway in the unincorporated area of the county for a period longer than two hours of any one day when signs are erected or posted giving notice thereof.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Riverside County code What Riverside County's code adds
EV charger permit
  • A permit is required, through an expedited administrative, nondiscretionary process.
    § 10.56.040 · code text
    Installation of an electric vehicle charging station shall require a permit, current an effective, issued pursuant to this chapter.
  • Apply electronically with fees; a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans gets a nondiscretionary permit in reasonable time.
    Applies: Applies to EV charging stations.
    § 10.56.050 · code text
    The applicant may submit the application and related documentation for an electric vehicle charging station by electronic submittal, with all required permit processing and inspection fees, as specified on the county website.
Solar permit process
  • Apply electronically with fees; a complete application meeting the checklists and standard plans is approved administratively within a reasonable time.
    Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.
    § 15.96.060 · code text
    The applicant may submit the application and related documentation for a small residential rooftop solar energy system by electronic submittal, with all required permit processing and inspection fees, as specified on the county website.

Swimming pools

Riverside County code What Riverside County's code adds
Setback from property lines
  • At least 5 feet from any property line or home.
    Applies: Applies to private pools for residents and their nonpaying guests.
    § 17.172.200 · code text
    Private swimming pools for the use of the occupants of the premises and their nonpaying guests shall be located not nearer than five feet to any property line or dwelling.

Pets, chickens and bees

Riverside County code What Riverside County's code adds
Bees
  • Apiaries are allowed.
    Applies: Applies in the A-P (Light Agriculture with Poultry) zone.
    § 17.124.010 · code text
    nurseries, greenhouses, orchards, aviaries, apiaries, field crops, tree crops, berry and bush crops, vegetable, flower and herb gardening;
Large animals
  • Livestock must be kept at least 50 feet from any existing home.
    Applies: Applies in the A-P (Light Agriculture with Poultry) zone.
    § 17.124.010 · code text
    Livestock shall not be kept or maintained within fifty (50) feet of any residence in existence at the time such use is established,

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.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

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.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Riverside County?

Riverside County's code: Banned on residential county roads, except up to 48 hours, twice a month, directly in front of the home. (Unincorporated area; for loading, unloading or cleaning by the owner or a permitted visitor, where parking is otherwise allowed.) (§ 10.20.170); No longer than 2 hours in any 1 day. (County highways in the unincorporated area where signs are posted; not on county highways in a residential district.) (§ 10.20.170).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Riverside County?

Riverside County's code: A permit is required, through an expedited administrative, nondiscretionary process. (§ 10.56.040); Apply electronically with fees; a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans gets a nondiscretionary permit in reasonable time. (Applies to EV charging stations.) (§ 10.56.050).

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); Livestock must be kept at least 50 feet from any existing home. (Applies in the A-P (Light Agriculture with Poultry) zone.) (§ 17.124.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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