ADU Regulations in Palm Springs, California
Everything you need to know about building an ADU in Palm Springs — size limits, setbacks, permits, and costs.
How many ADUs are allowed in Palm Springs?
- → 1 Detached ADU (up to 1,200 sq ft)
- → 1 Attached ADU
- → 1 Junior ADU / JADU (up to 500 sq ft)
- → Up to 8 detached ADUs
- → Interior conversions up to 25% of existing units
All California cities must follow state-law minimums. Palm Springs follows California AB 68 and subsequent ADU laws.
Palm Springs ADU rules & limits.
| ADUs Allowed | Up to 3 units on a single-family lot (primary home + 1 ADU + 1 JADU); up to 8 detached ADUs on multifamily lots |
|---|---|
| Max ADU Size | 1,200 sq ft |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side & rear (CA state baseline) |
| Height | 16 ft detached |
| Parking | Not required in most cases; no replacement parking for garage conversions |
| JADU Allowed | Yes — up to 500 sq ft; owner-occupancy required if JADU is present |
| Impact Fees | Waived under 750 sq ft (state law) |
| Permit Timeline | 60 days maximum (state-mandated review window) |
ADUs are permitted in residential zones (R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, etc.) and in Planned Development Districts (PDD) that allow ADUs. Historic district overlays apply citywide — additional design review is required for properties in the Tennis Club, Movie Colony, Old Las Palmas, and other historic preservation zones.
Contact: Palm Springs Planning: (760) 323-8245
What could your Palm Springs ADU earn?
Rental estimates based on current Coachella Valley market rates. Actual rents vary by condition, amenities, and local demand.
Four paths to an ADU in Palm Springs.
From idea to reveal.
Free Feasibility Consultation
We walk your lot, check setbacks and lot coverage, and confirm what your jurisdiction will approve.
Design & Engineering
Floor plan, elevations, structural calcs, and Title 24 energy compliance — drawn for your specific lot.
Permit Submission & Approval
We submit to your city or county, manage plan-check corrections, and pay the permit fees.
Construction
Same Construction Station crew handles foundation, framing, MEP, drywall, and finish — start to keys.
Final Inspection & Move-In Ready
Final city inspection, certificate of occupancy where applicable, and two-year workmanship warranty.
Why build an ADU in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs has the strongest tourism-driven and second-home rental market in our service area — but state law requires a 30-day minimum rental, so the ADU economic case here is built on premium long-term rentals to seasonal residents, retirees, and Coachella Valley workers rather than short-term vacation rentals. Long-term rents for well-designed ADUs in Palm Springs are among the highest in the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley combined. The mid-century modern, Spanish Colonial Revival, and desert-modern architectural traditions also mean that a well-designed ADU adds disproportionate appraised value compared to a generic suburban ADU — design quality directly drives both rents and resale. Property values in Palm Springs have appreciated substantially over the past decade and continue to rank among the strongest in the Coachella Valley.
Ready to build an ADU in Palm Springs?
We’ll walk your lot, confirm what Palm Springs will allow, and ballpark cost before you commit to anything.
Palm Springs ADU questions, answered.
How much does an ADU cost in Palm Springs?
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Palm Springs?
Can I rent my ADU in Palm Springs?
Do I need owner-occupancy for an ADU in Palm Springs?
Does Construction Station build ADUs in Palm Springs?
ADU regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Palm Springs Planning Department at (760) 323-8245. This page was last updated May 2026.