Murrieta, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

160 sets the city's accessory dwelling unit standards, built directly on the state ADU statutes. Subsection D allows a residential parcel with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling one ADU and one JADU, which may be combined within the single-family residence under Government Code Section 66323; a parcel with an existing multi-family dwelling gets two detached ADUs, plus conversion of one unit and 25 percent of existing units toward ADUs. Subsection C makes ADU and JADU review ministerial, with no discretionary review or public hearing required if the section's requirements are met, and Subsection H requires the city to act on a complete application within 60 days, tolled if the applicant asks to delay pending a related single-family dwelling permit.

Subsection E requires a recorded covenant with the Riverside County clerk barring short-term rentals of less than 30 days for any ADU or JADU, and for a JADU, a covenant that the owner occupy either the primary residence or the JADU. Subsection F ties size and setback standards to Government Code Section 66323 and requires an ADU's exterior roofing, trim, walls, windows and color palette to match the main dwelling at single-family sites, or the nearest building's features at multi-family sites. Subsection G requires one off-street parking space for the ADU in addition to what the main dwelling needs, waived for units within a half mile of public transit, inside a historic district, in a permit-only on-street parking area, within a block of a car-share location, or built within an existing structure.