Riverside County Delays Short-Term Rental Ordinance Changes Amid Ongoing Complaints

Supervisors postpone vote after hearing from residents frustrated by lack of enforcement and continued disruptions from vacation rentals.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to table action on proposed changes to the county's short-term rental (STR) ordinance after hearing from numerous residents who complained about ongoing issues with noise, parties, and lack of enforcement. The board recognized that while most STR operators follow the rules, a small number of problem properties have continued to disrupt neighborhoods, with code enforcement struggling to effectively address the problems. The supervisors expressed disappointment that the county seemed to be in the same position as it was four years ago, and indicated they would likely extend a moratorium on new STR permits in certain areas when they revisit the issue next month.

Why it matters

Short-term rentals have become a contentious issue in many communities as they can bring increased noise, traffic, and disruption to residential neighborhoods. Riverside County has grappled with these challenges since implementing its STR ordinance in 2022, and the continued complaints from residents highlight the difficulty in balancing the economic benefits of vacation rentals with the need to preserve the quality of life for local homeowners.

The details

The county's Transportation & Land Management Agency and Department of Planning and Code Enforcement had sought to make a series of "minor" adjustments to the STR ordinance, including provisions to allow for quicker abatement of public nuisances and stricter penalties for repeat offenders. However, after hearing over an hour of grievances from more than a dozen residents, the board opted to postpone any changes. Residents complained of constant noise, parties, and traffic disruptions from nearby STR properties, with many saying code enforcement was ineffective at addressing the problems, especially during evening and overnight hours when the issues tend to occur.

  • The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted on the proposed STR ordinance changes on February 10, 2026.
  • A moratorium on new STR permits in Thousand Palms and the B Bar H Ranch areas is set to expire on February 28, 2026, but the supervisors indicated they would likely extend it for another 10 months at their next meeting on March 3, 2026.

The players

Riverside County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Riverside County, California that oversees county policies and regulations, including the short-term rental ordinance.

Chuck Washington

A Riverside County Supervisor who expressed disappointment that the county had not made more progress in addressing short-term rental issues over the past four years.

Jose Medina

A Riverside County Supervisor who stated that all residents have a right to live in peaceful, safe neighborhoods, and that the county needs to improve coordination between the Sheriff's Department and Code Enforcement to address short-term rental problems.

Manuel Perez

A Riverside County Supervisor who suggested the county should consider after-hours code enforcement to better respond to short-term rental disturbances.

Don Sharp

The Riverside County Undersheriff who acknowledged that deputies have to prioritize calls and may not always be able to respond to short-term rental complaints, especially during overnight hours.

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What they’re saying

“How is it that we've gone through all these hearings and meetings, and we've arrived at the same place we were four years ago? We don't seem to be moving the needle here. I get the same complaints from constituents. It's disappointing. I come to work to try to maintain or improve their quality of life.”

— Chuck Washington, Riverside County Supervisor (Patch.com)

“We all have the right to live in peaceful, safe neighborhoods. I'm glad we won't vote on this today. We need to see more cooperation between the Sheriff's Department and Code Enforcement.”

— Jose Medina, Riverside County Supervisor (Patch.com)

“We should consider after-hours enforcement.”

— Manuel Perez, Riverside County Supervisor (Patch.com)

“They have massive parties there, and all we're asking is that Code Enforcement do some actual enforcement.”

— Temecula Valley Resident (Patch.com)

“Sometimes there 100 cars parked on the road, and they go off-roading. Some cities in the Coachella Valley have banned STRs. There are too many. We don't need more.”

— East Thousand Palms Resident (Patch.com)

What’s next

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors will revisit the short-term rental ordinance and the potential extension of the moratorium in certain areas at their next regular meeting on March 3, 2026.

The takeaway

Riverside County's ongoing struggle to balance the economic benefits of short-term rentals with the need to preserve residential quality of life highlights the challenges many communities face in regulating the vacation rental industry. The continued complaints from residents and the supervisors' acknowledgment that the county has made little progress in recent years suggest more substantive changes to the ordinance and enforcement practices may be necessary to effectively address the issues.