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Accessory Dwelling Units

A Resident's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is defined as an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons.

An ADU must include permanent living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation provisions on lots that are zoned to allow single-family or multi-family residential uses that include an existing or proposed dwelling.

An ADU can also include an efficiency unit, or a manufactured home (on a permanent foundation only). There are two methods of plan submittal:

  1. City Pre-Approved ADU plans
  2. Custom-designed ADU plans

What an ADU is Not

  • A house/travel trailer (e.g. fifth wheel, motorized recreation vehicle, camper, tent trailer, etc.)
  • A tiny home that is on wheels and not on a permanent fixed foundation with fixed utility lines
  • An uninsulated garden shed (not designed as code compliant habitable space)

City Pre-Approved ADU Plans Available Now

Moreno Valley has developed a set of pre-approved plans for free-standing (detached) ADUs. These plans may be used for development of ADUs within the city.

Important Note:
To Use pre-approved plans, the project lot must also meet all of the following criteria:

  • Zoned Residential and have an existing single family home or duplex
  • NOT located in the following zones: Geo-hazard zone, Landslide zone, Flood zone, or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area

See the pre-approved plans

Pre-Approved ADU Guide

This is a comprehensive guide for constructing a City Pre-Approved ADU on your property:

Custom Designed ADU Plans

There are several other types of ADUs allowed in the City. Click on the type to review the applicable required checklist & acknowlegement form and more details:

Illustration showing types of ADUs.

Learn More

In addition to the required checklist (based on type of ADU), here are additional useful resources for constructing ADUs in the City

Questions?

Since 2017, California State lawmakers have passed multiple bills to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs. Review these additional pages for further guidance: