ADU Rules: Jurupa Valley vs Riverside
How do adu rules rules compare between Jurupa Valley, CA and Riverside, CA?
Jurupa Valley has fewer restrictions than Riverside.
Jurupa Valley, CA
Riverside County
Jurupa Valley Municipal Code Section 9.240.290 (adopted via Ordinance No. 2025-22, effective November 2025) implements California Government Code Sections 66313 et seq. Detached new-construction ADUs are capped at 850 sq ft (or 1,000 sq ft if more than one bedroom), 16 ft height (18-20 ft near transit), with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. JADUs are limited to 500 sq ft within an existing single-family dwelling.
View full Jurupa Valley rules →Riverside, CA
Riverside County
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 19.442 governs Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Junior ADUs (JADUs) and Movable ADUs (MADUs). Every single-family and multi-family property in the city is eligible for at least one ADU and one JADU under state law and §19.442.030.
View full Riverside rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Jurupa Valley | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | Jurupa Valley Municipal Code Sec. 9.240.290 (Ord. 2025-22) | - |
| Max detached ADU size | 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft if more than 1 bedroom) | 1,200 sq ft |
| Max detached ADU height | 16 ft (18 ft or 20 ft near transit/multifamily) | - |
| Side/rear setback | 4 ft minimum | - |
| JADU size | 220-500 sq ft within existing single-family dwelling | - |
| State authority | Cal. Gov. Code Sections 66313, 66314, 66317, 66323, 66333 | - |
| Code chapter | - | RMC Chapter 19.442 |
| Max JADU size | - | 500 sq ft |
| Side/rear setback (≤16 ft tall) | - | 4 feet |
| Minimum lot size | - | None |
| Counted in lot coverage | - | No |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Jurupa Valley FAQ
Can Jurupa Valley deny an ADU permit?
No. Per Sec. 9.240.290(D)(4), the Community Development Director must ministerially approve any application that meets the standards, with no discretionary review or public hearing. State Gov. Code Sec. 66317 caps review at 60 days.
How big can my ADU be?
A detached ADU can be up to 850 sq ft, or 1,000 sq ft if it has more than one bedroom (Sec. 9.240.290(E)(3)(a)). An attached ADU is capped at 50 percent of the primary dwelling's gross floor area.
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU?
No owner-occupancy is required for an ADU-only project. However, Sec. 9.240.290(G)(3) requires owner-occupancy of either the JADU or primary dwelling when a JADU exists.
Riverside FAQ
Can I build an ADU on any lot in Riverside?
Yes. Per state law and RMC §19.442.030, every residential lot in the City of Riverside is eligible for at least one ADU and one JADU regardless of lot size.
How tall can my ADU be?
ADUs 16 ft or shorter qualify for the 4-foot side/rear setback. Taller ADUs must meet the height and setback limits of the underlying zoning district under RMC §19.442.030.
Compare other topics
See how Jurupa Valley and Riverside compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool