Indio, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Indio, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Max size, detached ADU
- 1,200 sq ft
- Max height, detached ADU
- 18 ft
- Side/rear setback
- 4 ft
- State law
- Overrides conflicting local limits
Summary
Indio caps detached accessory dwelling units at 1,200 square feet and 18 feet tall, with 4-foot side/rear setbacks, though state ADU law overrides any conflicting local limit.
ADUs detached from an existing or proposed primary dwelling shall be subject to a maximum height of 18 feet. ... The floor area of a detached ADU shall not exceed 1,200 square feet. ... A four-foot side and rear yard setback shall be required for new attached or detached ADUs. ... A detached ADU shall be located at least six feet away from the primary dwelling unit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Indio's Unified Development Code sets its own accessory dwelling unit (ADU) development standards in UDC § 4.02.03: a detached ADU is capped at 1,200 square feet and 18 feet in height, with a 4-foot side and rear yard setback and at least 6 feet of separation from the primary dwelling. Attached ADUs are limited to the greater of 50% of the primary home's living area or 1,000 square feet, capped at 1,200 square feet overall. ADUs don't count toward lot density or coverage. Because California's ADU statute (Gov. Code §§ 66310-66342) preempts conflicting local restrictions, any Indio standard more restrictive than current state law does not control.
Violations & Fines
Constructing an ADU that exceeds the applicable size or height cap, or encroaches into the required 4-foot side/rear setback without qualifying for a state-law exemption, can result in a stop-work order or building permit denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a detached ADU be in Indio?
Do Indio's ADU limits always apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
How Indio compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Indio to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle adu rules.