Palm Desert, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.34.030 regulates ADUs and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in compliance with Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code. Every ADU and JADU requires an ADU permit and a building permit, and ministerial permits are considered and approved without discretionary review or a hearing. The processing fee is determined by the Director and approved by the City Council by resolution.

Timing is spelled out. The City determines completeness within 15 business days, and an incomplete notice must list the missing items. Once an application is complete, the City must approve or deny within 60 days or the application is deemed approved, unless the applicant requests a delay. An applicant can appeal an incompleteness finding or a denial in writing to the City Clerk, and the planning commission issues a final written determination within 60 business days.

The code sorts units into classes. Class 1 units are approved under Government Code Section 66323 and include conversions inside an existing single-family dwelling or accessory structure, plus one detached new-construction ADU with side and rear setbacks of at least 4 feet and a total floor area of 800 square feet of livable space or smaller. A JADU is no more than 500 square feet and sits entirely within a single-family structure.

Class 2 ADUs follow the local standards. Maximum size is 850 square feet for a studio or one-bedroom unit and 1,000 square feet for two or more bedrooms, an attached ADU is limited to 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area, and no percent-based limit or lot standard can require less than 800 square feet. Setbacks are 4 feet at the side and rear and 20 feet in front, lot coverage cannot exceed 50%, and open space cannot fall below 50%. A detached ADU cannot exceed 16 feet in height, or 18 feet near major transit with up to 2 additional feet for roof pitch. One off-street parking space is required for each ADU or bedroom, whichever is less, with several printed exceptions.