An accessory dwelling unit (“ADU”) is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. ADUs include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multiple family dwelling. A junior accessory dwelling unit (“JADU”) is an ADU contained entirely within a single-family dwelling.  

All ADUs constructed in the City are subject to the regulations established in Title 9, Chapter 9.114 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Cathedral City Municipal Code. ADUs are permitted in all zones that allow residential uses. They can be attached to the primary dwelling or can be free standing structures.

• Accessory Dwelling Unit info sheet – English
• Accessory Dwelling Unit info sheet – Spanish

The Pre-Approved ADU Program will enable more residents to build high quality and affordable accessory dwelling units on their properties. Residents who choose to use the pre-approved plans will avoid the cost associated with hiring an architect to prepare custom plans.

By constructing an ADU on their property, homeowners have the option to generate extra monthly rental income or to provide independent living areas for young adult or older family members. ADUs are also generally more affordable to renters. The Pre-Approved ADU Program is part of the City’s broader effort to ensure that all residents of Cathedral City have access to high quality and affordable housing.

PRE-APPROVED ADU PROGRAM

The program offers three pre-approved detached ADU floor plan options, each offered in two architectural styles: Desert Modern and Mediterranean. The program also includes pre-approved plans to convert a two-car garage into a JADU.

The pre-approved plans are eligible exclusively for the construction of ADUs within the Cathedral City limits. Permit applications using the pre-approved plans are subject to the City’s standard permitting fees, as provided in the current fee schedule.

A site plan, meeting the requirements of the Site Plan Checklist below, must be provided with all Pre-Approved ADU building permit applications. Other supplemental documents are required depending on specific site conditions.  

Step One: Choose the appropriate plan (Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 3, or the garage conversion plan).

• Consider which floor plan would best meet your needs and fit the parameters of your property. The plans are available for download in the section above.
• For detached ADUs: Choose the architectural style (Mediterranean or Desert Modern)
  • The City recommends the use of the architectural style that most resembles the style of the primary dwelling unit.
  • For garage conversions: the exterior of the garage must remain consistent with the exterior of the primary dwelling.

Step Two: Prepare your site plan.

• Prepare a site plan, dimensioned and drawn to scale, including setbacks and all items listed in the Site Plan Checklist below.
  • All ADUs must be setback a minimum of 4 feet from the side and rear property lines. Detached ADUs must be 5 feet from the main residence and 5 feet from other structures on the property.
• Note: All ADUs must adhere to the development standards, including setback and lot coverage requirements, established in Chapter 9.114 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Zoning Code, as well as the development standards provided for the underlying zoning district.

Step Three: Provide your ADU plans to Southern California Edison for location approval.

• Email PalmSpringsPlanning@sce.com with the subject line, “Cathedral City ADU Review [insert address]”. The email shall include the site plan with setback lines and building dimensions, as well as the contact information for the applicant.
  • A copy of the response email from Southern California Edison confirming approval of the proposed ADU location must be submitted with the building permit application.

Step Four: Prepare your building permit application.

• Complete all applicable fields on the cover sheet of the plans.
• Provide a site plan, dimensioned and drawn to scale, and including all items listed in the Site Plan Checklist below.
• Include any supplemental documents as required.
  • Cathedral City Cove: All construction in the Cathedral City Cove must provide a grading plan with the building permit application.
  • Garage Conversion: All applications using Plan 4 (garage conversion to JADU) must include a confirmed copy of a deed restriction that includes a prohibition on the sale of the junior accessory dwelling unit separate from the sale of the primary residence, that this prohibition may be enforced against future purchasers, and that restricts the size of the junior accessory dwelling unit to no more than five hundred square feet.

Step Five: Submit your application online.

• Submit your application online through the City’s Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal.
  • Submit plans using the “New Accessory Dwelling Unit (City Pre-Approved Plans)” building permit application.
• The building and planning departments will review submissions for completeness and compliance with applicable codes and regulations. Once the applicable permitting fees have been paid and the permit is issued, then construction can commence. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT

A site plan must be submitted with all Pre-Approved ADU building permit applications. All site plans must be scaled and dimensioned, and must include the following:

• Footprint of all existing and proposed buildings: Plot the proposed ADU building footprint along with any other existing buildings on-site. This includes all structures, porches, and gazebos. If an optional covered patio is selected for the ADU, please plot that as well.
• Area of existing building: Indicate the square footage of the existing house.
• Footprint of proposed ADU: Refer to legend on plans for footprint at 10’=1” scale.
• Drawing scale: Site plan should be drawn to a measurable scale.
• Property Lines: Show outline of property using dashed line in legend. Indicate the bearing and distance of the property line.
• Label landscape and hardscape areas: Label landscaped areas, as well as driveways, pathways, and any other hardscape.
• Setbacks: Dimension the distance between buildings and property lines, as well as building to other structures. Setback to side and rear property line shall be a minimum of 4’-0”.
• Easements: Refer to legend. Must include all applicable easements. Proposed structure shall comply with easement requirements.
• Label streets and sidewalks.
• Dimension building separation: Dimension the distance between the proposed ADU and any existing structures.
• Lot coverage calculation: Total footprint area for structures on-site/lot area.
• Swimming pools: All existing swimming pools shall be shown on the site plan and shall have 5’ minimum setback to the new ADU structures.
• Porches: There shall be no more than 30 inches measured vertically to the floor or grade below (including floors, stairs, ramps, and landings) anywhere measured less than 36 inches horizontally to the edge of the porch/slab/surface of the rail. Insect screening shall not be considered as a guard.
• Location of existing utilities: Utilities, poles, sewer, drains, electrical, gas meters and lines and any photovoltaic.
• Location of proposed utilities: Proposed utilities shall conform to the requirements of the local utility providers. Sanitary sewer from ADU to existing sewer. Sewer line to the proposed ADU shall be connected to the main lateral at the property line or behind the sidewalk. Lateral point of connection including required cleanouts, water line to ADU, electric to ADU including any new meters or subpanels. Plans must show the size and location of new water and sewer lines.

Please contact the Community & Economic Development Department for information on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or other planning and building inquiries:

68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Phone: 760-770-0340

Email: planning@cathedralcity.gov or building@cathedralcity.gov