<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>241</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>308</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>83</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00305 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00405 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00500 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00505 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Consolidated Financial Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureConsolidatedFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Financial Statements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Other Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureOtherIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCash</Role>
      <ShortName>Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareReconciliation</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Reconciliation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Housing Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureHousingInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Housing Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities ("VIE")</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureVariableInterestEntitiesvie</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities ("VIE")</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Investments in Joint Ventures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInJointVentures</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in Joint Ventures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Facilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureDebtAndCreditFacilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Facilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11601 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveAndSupplementalExecutiveRetirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11701 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11801 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11901 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureNewAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12001 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12101 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvent</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Event</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30703 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareReconciliationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Housing Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureHousingInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Housing Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - Investments in Joint Ventures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInJointVenturesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in Joint Ventures (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31303 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureDebtAndCreditFacilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31403 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31603 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveAndSupplementalExecutiveRetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31703 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31803 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>32003 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Consolidated Financial Statements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureConsolidatedFinancialStatementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Financial Statements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Other Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureOtherIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Housing Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureHousingInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Housing Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureVariableInterestEntitiesvieDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Investments in Joint Ventures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInJointVenturesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in Joint Ventures (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Facilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureDebtAndCreditFacilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Facilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41501 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41601 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveAndSupplementalExecutiveRetirementPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41602 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveAndSupplementalExecutiveRetirementPlansDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41701 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41702 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41801 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41802 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42001 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42002 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42003 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 3)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42004 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 4)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42005 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 5)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails5</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 5)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element ryl_SeniorNotesNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SecuredDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '40501 - Disclosure - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '40901 - Disclosure - Housing Inventories (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41101 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41201 - Disclosure - Investments in Joint Ventures (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41301 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Facilities (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41401 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41501 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41602 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (Details 2)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41701 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '41802 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '42003 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 3)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00305 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00405 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 00505 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ryl-20150331.xml</File>
    <File>ryl-20150331.xsd</File>
    <File>ryl-20150331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ryl-20150331_def.xml</File>
    <File>ryl-20150331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ryl-20150331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
