Accessory Structures in Cathedral City, CA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Cathedral City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Cathedral City, California, approves accessory dwelling units by ministerial building permit. New detached units top out at eight hundred fifty square feet for a studio or one-bedroom and one thousand square feet for larger units, with four-foot side and rear setbacks and one JADU plus one ADU on a single-family lot.
Cathedral City Accessory Dwelling Unit Development Standards
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.114.050(A)
1. Zoning. The accessory dwelling unit must be proposed on a lot that is zoned to allow for one-family or multiple-family residential uses either by right or with a conditional use permit, and includes a proposed or existing primary dwelling. ... 5. Setbacks. All accessory dwelling units shall comply with the following setbacks: a. Front. The minimum front setback shall be as established in the...
ADU Impact Fees
In Cathedral City, California, the city cannot impose any impact fee on an accessory dwelling unit smaller than seven hundred fifty square feet. For units of seven hundred fifty square feet or more, impact fees are charged proportionately to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit.
Cathedral City ADU Impact Fee Exemption Under 750 Sq Ft
Light RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.114.030
A. Accessory dwelling units shall be permitted through issuance of a building permit. No ADU shall be constructed without first applying for and obtaining a building permit from the city. Applications for an accessory dwelling unit building permit shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee established by resolution of the city council. ... F. The city shall not impose any impact fee upon the d...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In Cathedral City, California, an accessory dwelling unit can be rented separately from the primary residence but cannot be sold or conveyed separately, except as provided by Government Code Section 65852.26. An ADU cannot be used as a short-term vacation rental as defined in Chapter 5.96, and its certificate of occupancy cannot come before the primary dwelling's.
Cathedral City ADU Rental and Short-Term Rental Rules
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.114.050
16. Ownership and Occupancy. An accessory dwelling unit may be rented separate from the primary residence, but may not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence, except as provided by Government Code Section 65852.26. An accessory dwelling unit shall not be utilized as a short-term vacation rental as defined in Chapter 5.96 of this code. 17. Certificate of Occupancy. The...
Shed & Carport Rules
In Cathedral City, a detached shed or other accessory structure on a residential lot must sit at least ten feet from the main building and every other building, and at least five feet from a side or rear lot line. No accessory structure is allowed without a permitted main building, and none can occupy the street-side yard of a corner lot.
Cathedral City Shed and Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.80.020
A. No garage or other accessory structure shall be located in any residential zone without a permitted main building. B. Detached accessory structures shall be at least ten feet from other buildings including the main building. C. Detached accessory structures shall be at least five feet from a side or rear lot line. ... E. No accessory structure shall occupy any portion of the side yard on the...
Garage Conversions
In Cathedral City, California, a garage converts to living space through the ADU chapter: no replacement parking is required for the lost garage spaces, no setbacks apply to a legally permitted conversion beyond building-code fire and safety needs, and the conversion can expand by up to one hundred fifty square feet for ingress and egress only.
Cathedral City Garage Conversion to ADU Rules
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.114.050(A)(9), (A)(13)(c), (A)(14)(b)
9. Conversion and Expansion. For accessory dwelling units that will be created within the existing or proposed space of primary dwelling or existing, legally permitted accessory structure, no expansion of the physical dimensions of the existing structure is permitted, except that an expansion of up to one hundred fifty square feet may be included solely for the purpose of accommodating ingress ...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cathedral City city rules.
Accessory Structures in Riverside County →