Accessory Structures in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Palm Springs, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Palm Springs allows accessory dwelling units under Municipal Code § 93.23.14, with two approval tracks: a building-permit-only path for converted or limited detached ADUs up to 800 square feet with 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and an ADU-permit track for larger units up to 850 or 1,000 square feet. Height is capped at 16 feet for most detached ADUs, up to 25 feet if attached. The city must act within 60 days.
Palm Springs ADU Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 93.23.14 (Accessory Dwelling Units)
One detached, new-construction ADU on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, if the detached ADU satisfies each of the following limitations: ... The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least four feet. ... The total floor area is 800 square feet of livable space or smaller. ... The peak height above grade does not exceed the applicable height limit in subsection E.2 below. ....
ADU Owner Occupancy
Palm Springs Municipal Code § 93.23.14(E)(7) exempts accessory dwelling units from any owner-occupancy requirement, but junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) are generally required to have an owner living on-site, unless the JADU has separate sanitation facilities or the property is owned by a government agency, land trust, or housing organization.
Palm Springs ADU Owner-Occupancy Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 93.23.14(E)(7) (Accessory Dwelling Units - Owner Occupancy)
Owner Occupancy. ... ADUs are not subject to any owner-occupancy requirement. ... As required by state law, all JADUs are generally subject to an owner-occupancy requirement. A natural person with legal or equitable title to the property must reside on the property, in either the primary dwelling or JADU, as the person's legal domicile and permanent residence. ... Exceptions. The owner-occupanc...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Palm Springs Municipal Code § 93.23.14(E)(4) bars renting any accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU for less than 30 days, regardless of when the unit was built. The rule closes off short-term and vacation-rental use of ADUs citywide and applies retroactively to units created before the ordinance.
Palm Springs ADU 30-Day Rental Rule
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 93.23.14(E)(4) (Accessory Dwelling Units - Rental Term)
Rental Term. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term that is shorter than 30 days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or JADU was created.
Shed & Carport Rules
An accessory building in a Palm Springs R-1 zone needs a permitted main dwelling already on the lot, since the Zoning Code makes it unlawful to build one without one. Where accessory structures sit in a corner-lot side yard exception area, height is capped at 10 feet (15 feet in R-1-AH and R-1-A) and it must clear any screening wall by the same distance.
Palm Springs Accessory Building Height, Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Zoning Code § 92.01.01(A)(2); § 92.01.03(C)(2)(c); § 92.01.03(E)(4)(b)-(c)
Accessory buildings and uses customarily incident to the permitted uses when located on the same lot therewith. It is unlawful to construct, erect or locate any accessory building without a permitted main building; ... Corner or reversed corner lots siding on major or a secondary thoroughfare shall have a side yard of not less than 25 feet. Such side yard may be used for accessory nondwelling s...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Springs city rules.
Accessory Structures in Riverside County →