Name:	ryl_DiscountRatePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net carrying value of impaired inventory.

No definition available.

Name:	ryl_InventoryOperativeBuildersCarryingValueOfImpairedInventories
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The total number of lots owned and lots controlled under option agreements.

No definition available.

Name:	ryl_NumberOfLotsOwnedAndOptioned
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of real estate lots owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	ryl_NumberOfRealEstateLots
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of lots that are controlled under real estate option agreements as of the balance sheet date. A real estate option contract is a legal agreement between the potential buyer of a real estate property and the owner of that property. The real estate option contract gives the potential buyer the exclusive right to buy the property at a specific price within a specific time period. The potential buyer typically pays the property owner a deposit for the right granted in the option contract.

No definition available.

Name:	ryl_NumberOfRealEstateLotsOptioned
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ryl_RealEstateLotsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest costs that were capitalized to properties under development during the land development and construction period of a project, and which are included in inventory.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 34

-Paragraph 21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of interest costs that had been capitalized to inventory which were charged to cost of sales during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 34

-Paragraph 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsCostOfSales
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of interest capitalized to an operative builder's inventory during the period.

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsIncurred
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The valuation allowance loss on real estate owned or any impairment losses taken against real estate investments held for use or resale.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph 4

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 7, 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 43

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16397438&loc=d3e1739-110224

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph b

-Chapter V

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(4))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 17

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16397438&loc=d3e1424-110224

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 6, 20

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.