Movable Accessory Dwelling Units (MADU)

Riverside (City), California

Overview

Name Movable Accessory Dwelling Units (MADU)
Municipality Riverside (City)
Zoning Districts Generally, zones that permit Residential Uses
Effective Date 07/05/2022
Municipal Code Section 18.42.175 - Tiny Homes
Code Link https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT19ZO_ARTVIISPLAUSPR_CH19.442ACDWUNAD
Authority Community & Economic Development

Summary

City of Riverside

Chapter 19.442 – ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADU)

19.442.030 – Requirements.
A.General.

1.ADUs and JADUs shall comply with State and local building code requirements for dwellings.

2.MADUs shall meet the requirements as defined in Article X (Definitions).

3.ADUs and JADUs in an historic district shall comply with California Government Codes Section 65852.2 and 65852.22, and Title 20 of the Riverside Municipal Code.

4.MADUs are not permitted in any Historic District, Neighborhood Conservation Area or on a lot with a designated Cultural Resources as defined in Title 20.

5.ADUs, MADUs and JADUs, when rented, must be used for rentals of terms longer than 30 days.

6.No actions to correct zoning nonconformities related to physical improvements are required for ADUs.

7.There shall be no minimum lot size requirement to establish an ADU, MADU or JADU.

8.The floor area of an ADU, MADU or JADU shall not be counted when calculating lot coverage.

9.ADUs may not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence with the exception of a primary dwelling and ADU developed by an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) housing-related nonprofit or a faith-based organization, working with the Housing Authority, whose mission is to provide units to low-income households.

10.For JADUs, a deed restriction shall be recorded, to run with the land, to prohibit the sale of the JADU separate from the sale of the primary dwelling and restrict its size as identified in 19.442.030(F).

B.Location.

1.An ADU, MADU or JADU shall be located on the same lot as the proposed or existing primary dwelling.

2.A MADU shall not be located between the primary dwelling and the street within any front or street side yard.

3.An ADU may be either attached, located within the proposed or existing primary dwelling, or detached from the proposed or existing primary dwelling.

4.If attached, an ADU or JADU must have independent exterior access separate from the proposed or existing primary dwelling.

5.A JADU shall be constructed and located within the walls of the proposed or existing primary dwelling and include:

a.Cooking facilities with appliances, a food preparation counter, refrigeration facilities and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the JADU.

b.Separate sanitation facilities or shared sanitation facilities with the existing structure.

C.Setbacks.

1.Attached or Detached – Existing Structures.

a.Existing structures converted to an ADU or JADU, if applicable, shall require no additional setback.

b.Second story ADUs on Existing Structures.

i.No additional setback is required if the second story exists.

ii.For a new second story ADU being added to an existing structure, the setbacks of the ADU shall comply with the setbacks of the underlying zone applicable to the primary dwelling.

2.Attached or Detached – New Structures.

a.Side and Rear Setbacks.

i.A minimum side and rear setback of four feet shall be provided for new one-story ADUs and MADUs under 16 feet in height.

ii.For ADUs over 16 feet in height, the side and rear setback shall follow the underlying zone applicable to the primary dwelling.

b.Front and street side setbacks shall be in full compliance with the underlying zone for new ADUs or MADUs.

c.For any ADU located on the second floor of any new structure, the setbacks of the ADU shall comply with the setbacks of the underlying zone applicable to the primary dwelling.

3.The side and rear setbacks for an ADU, MADU or JADU must be sufficient for fire and safety.

D.Unit Size.

1.Attached ADUs.

a.The total floor space of an attached ADU, including conversion of existing floor area, shall not exceed 50 percent of the existing primary dwelling living area or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less.

b.The total floor space requirements shall not prevent the establishment of an ADU that is at least:

i.850 square feet for units with one bedroom or less; or

ii.1,000 square feet for units with more than one bedroom .

2.The total floor space of any detached ADU shall not exceed 1,200 square feet.

3.The total floor space of any MADUs shall be between 150 square feet and 430 square feet as measured within the exterior faces of the exterior walls.

4.JADUs shall be no more than 500 square feet in size.

5.The size of an ADU or JADU shall not be less than that of an efficiency dwelling unit, as set forth in Section 1207.4 of the California Building Code.

E.Number of Units.

1.Single-family.

a.The number of dwellings permitted on a lot developed with a single-family residence, or proposed to be developed with a single-family residence, shall be limited to the primary dwelling, one ADU or MADU, and one JADU.

b.The number of dwellings permitted on a lot developed pursuant to California Government Code §§ 65852.21 and 66441.7, including ADUs, JADUs and MADUs, shall be as set forth in Chapter 19.443 (Two-Unit Developments).

2.Multi-family.

a.Existing Structures.

i.At least one ADU, but no more than 25 percent of the existing number of multi-family dwellings, shall be permitted within existing structures on lots with multi-family dwelling structures.

ii.ADUs can include conversion of storage rooms, boiler rooms, passageways, attics, basements or garages provided the ADU complies with building standards for dwellings.

b.New Structures. No more than two new detached ADUs shall be permitted on a lot that has an existing multi-family dwelling.

c.MADUS are not permitted.

F.Owner Occupancy.

a.On a single lot with a primary dwelling and ADU/MADU, neither is required to be owner-occupied.

b.On a single lot, one JADU is allowed if the primary dwelling or JADU is owner-occupied which shall be recorded with the deed restriction.

G.Height.

1.Attached ADUs shall comply with the height restrictions of the underlying zone.

2.Single-story detached ADUs and MADUs shall not exceed 20 feet in height.

3.Two-story detached ADUs and ADUs constructed on the second floor of an existing accessory building, shall not exceed 30 feet in height.

4.In the RC zone, the height of any detached ADU shall not exceed 20 feet and one story in height.

H.Parking.

1.No parking shall be required for an ADU, MADU or JADU.

2.No replacement parking shall be required for the primary dwelling if a garage, carport or covered parking is converted to an ADU.

I.MADU Additional Requirements.

1.MADUs shall not have separate street addresses from the primary dwelling unit.

2.Screening – Wheels and Undercarriage.

a.The undercarriage of any MADU (axles, tongue and hitch) shall be fully screened and hidden from view; and

b.The leveling or support jacks must sit on a paved surface.

3.Mechanical equipment shall be incorporated into the structure and not located on the roof.

4.Materials used on the exterior shall exclude single piece composite, laminates, or interlocked metal sheathing.

5.Windows and Doors.

a.Windows shall be at least double pane glass and labelled for building use and shall include exterior trim.

b.All windows and doors shall not have radius corners.

6.Roofs.

a.Roofs shall be consistent with the architecture of the primary dwelling in term of pitch and roofing materials.; and

b.Roofs shall not be composed of wooden shingles.

7.All exterior walls and roof of a MADU shall be fixed with no slide-outs, tip-outs, or other forms of mechanically articulating room area extensions.

8.Design Elements – A MADU shall be constructed to include the following design elements:

a.Cladding and Trim: Materials used on the exterior shall not be single piece composite, laminates, or interlocked metal sheathing;

b.Windows and Doors: Windows shall be at least double pane glass, labeled for building use, and include exterior trim. Windows and doors shall not have radius comers;

c.All mechanical equipment, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, shall be incorporated into the structure and not located on the roof; and

d.Living Area Extensions: The roof and all exterior walls shall not be fixed with slide-outs, tip-outs, or other forms of mechanically articulating room area extensions

J.Utilities.

1.MADUs shall be connected to water, sewer and electric utilities.

2.ADUs shall not be considered a new residential use for the purposes of calculating connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service unless the ADU is constructed with a new single-family dwelling.

3.A new or separate utility connection, connection fee, or capacity charge shall not be required by the utility provider for an ADU located within the existing primary dwelling unit.

4.A new or separate utility connection, connection fee, or capacity charge shall not be required by the utility provider for an ADU or MADU unless the ADU is constructed concurrently with a new primary dwelling.

5.For new ADUs or MADUs on a lot with an existing primary dwelling unit, the connection may be subject to a connection fee or capacity charge that shall be proportionate to the burden of the proposed ADU, based upon either its size or the number of its plumbing fixtures, upon the water or sewer system.

6.ADUs served by a private sewage system shall comply with County Health Department requirements, as applicable.

K.Impact Fees.

1.For ADUs under 750 square feet, no City impact fees shall apply.

2.For ADUs over 750 square feet, impact fees shall be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit.

L.Fire sprinklers.

1.Fire sprinklers shall not be required within an ADU or JADU, unless fire sprinklers are provided in the primary dwelling.

2.MADUs are not required to have sprinklers but shall meet the ANSI A119.5 or NFPA 1192 standards relating to health, fire and life-safety.


Key Contacts

City of Riverside
Community & Economic Development Planning Department

One Stop Shop on the 3rd Floor of City Hall
at 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522

951-826-5800

CDDINFO@riversideca.gov


Notes

ADU FAQ Sheet

Updated 10/23 – Laura

THIA will be constantly updating the legislation data. Check back often. Suggest A Correction if you are aware of any missing or incorrect information. AND keep scrolling to learn more about getting guidance.

Key

Category

Building Code — Legislation that speaks to how to construct a tiny house.

Zoning Code — Legislation that speaks to how the lot will be used.

Type

ADU — Accessory Dwelling Unit

DMV — Division of Motor Vehicles

IB — Industrialized Buildings

IRC — International Residential Code

PUD — Planned Unit Development

RV — Recreational Vehicle

SF — Single Family Dwelling

T — Transitional Housing

UDO — Unified Development Ordinance

Please Suggest a Correction if you find broken links or misinformation.

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