Can I Build an ADU in Moreno Valley?

Yes — by right

ADUs and JADUs are allowed by right in all residential and mixed-use zones; ministerial approval, no hearing.

1 ADU + 1 JADU

At least one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot (a conversion ADU may also be possible).

Conversion ADUs (≥1, up to 25% of units) + up to 8 detached

Conversions of non-livable space (at least 1, or up to 25% of existing units) plus up to 8 detached ADUs on a lot with existing multifamily — never exceeding the number of existing units. JADUs are single-family only.

Allowed

Up to 500 sq ft, within the walls of an existing single-family home (single-family lots only).

1,000 sq ft

The ordinance sets the 'maximum unit size' at 850 sq ft for an efficiency/1-bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms — i.e. Moreno Valley caps a detached ADU at the state floor rather than allowing the 1,200 sq ft state default. An 800 sq ft ADU with 4-ft setbacks must always be allowed regardless.

850 sq ft (efficiency/1-bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms); may also be limited to 50% of the primary dwelling but never below 850/1,000 sq ft. Attached ADUs on a multifamily lot are capped at 800 sq ft

800 sq ft

An 800 sq ft ADU must be allowed regardless of FAR/lot-coverage caps; a city also cannot cap an attached ADU below 850 sq ft (1,000 for 2+ bedrooms).

500 sq ft

16 ft

16 ft baseline; cities must allow 18 ft within ½ mi of a major transit stop or where the primary dwelling is two-story, and 20 ft on a lot with a multistory multifamily building.

4 ft

A city cannot require more than 4 ft side or rear setback; conversions of existing structures are exempt.

4 ft

No front setback may block the mandatory 800 sq ft / 16-ft / 4-ft-setback ADU; otherwise per base zone

None required

No statewide separation requirement between the ADU and the primary dwelling.

Up to 1 space

At most 1 space per ADU (or per bedroom, whichever is less) — and waived in the common cases below.

Yes — no parking required near transit & for conversions

No parking may be required within ½ mi walking distance of transit, in a historic district, for an ADU within an existing structure, within one block of car-share, or in certain permit-parking areas.

Not required

When a garage/carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU, replacement parking cannot be required.

Ministerial (by right)

No public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.

60 days

60 days from a complete application (deemed approved if not acted on), but where the ADU is submitted together with a new primary dwelling the clock is tolled until the primary dwelling is approved.

Only for a JADU

No owner-occupancy for ADUs. For a JADU, the owner must occupy either the JADU or the primary dwelling — except where the property is owned by a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization, which are exempt.

Waived under 750 sq ft

An ADU of 750 sq ft or less pays no impact fees (the 750 sq ft threshold itself is exempt under § 66311.5); larger ADUs pay fees proportional to the primary dwelling. JADUs (≤ 500 sq ft) are exempt.

Building permit

Single-family ADUs are approved ministerially with a building permit by the Community Development Director. A multifamily ADU additionally requires a ministerial administrative plot plan plus a building permit.