Jurupa Valley, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Permanent tiny houses on a foundation (under ~1,200 sq ft) meeting California Building Code Appendix Q (Tiny Houses) qualify as ADUs and benefit from state preemption: ministerial approval, no minimum lot size below state thresholds, 4 ft side/rear setbacks max, no replacement parking when converting existing structures. Local rules at Title 9 §9.240.490 (updated by Ord. 2025-22 in October 2025) implement these standards. Movable tiny homes on chassis are 'recreational vehicles' or 'park trailers' under Health & Safety Code §18010 and §18009.3 and are NOT permitted as permanent residences in residential single-family zones. State law (Gov. Code §66313, formerly §65852.2) does authorize 'movable tiny houses' as JADUs/ADUs in some contexts, but Jurupa Valley's ordinance and the underlying Cal. HCD guidance generally require either a permanent foundation or a manufactured-housing label (HCD insignia). RV-style living in a backyard tiny house is prohibited under most circumstances and enforced through Title 9 Ch 9.15. Tiny homes for unhoused persons in shelters are addressed separately under Gov. Code §65583 emergency shelter rules.