By Woollard Construction | Licensed ADU General Contractor | Serving Temecula and Murrieta since 1990
California updated its ADU laws again in 2026. If you own property in Temecula or Murrieta, the new rules work in your favor.
Listen to Our ADU Audio Overview
Woollard Construction has built homes in Southwest Riverside County and Southern California for over 35 years. We see the permit process every week. This guide covers the new laws, what each city allows, real construction costs, your HOA rights, and how to pay for your project.
What Changed in 2025 and 2026
Four new bills took effect January 1, 2026.
AB 462 — Cities Must Act Within 60 Days
Cities now have 60 days to approve or deny your ADU application. Miss the deadline and your application is automatically approved. No more indefinite waiting.
AB 1154 — More JADUs Qualify
A Junior ADU (up to 500 sq ft inside your home) with its own bathroom no longer requires owner-occupancy. You do not have to live on the property to rent one out.
SB 543 — HOAs Cannot Block Your ADU
Your HOA cannot unreasonably restrict your right to build an ADU or JADU. This law strengthens AB 670, which already banned outright HOA prohibitions.
AB 1061 — Historic Districts No Longer a Blanket Denial
Being in a historic district is no longer enough to block ministerial ADU approval. Only individually designated historic properties trigger discretionary review. This matters for homeowners in some of Temecula’s older established neighborhoods.
Already in effect since January 2025:
- AB 2533: Unpermitted ADUs built before January 1, 2020 now qualify for a streamlined legalization pathway
- SB 1211: Multifamily property owners are allowed to add up to 8 detached ADUs per lot, up from 2
- AB 976: Owner-occupancy is permanently eliminated for standard ADUs statewide
- AB 1332: All California cities must offer pre-approved ADU plan libraries with 30-day approval windows
Temecula ADU Rules in 2026
Temecula rewrote its ADU ordinance (Chapter 17.23) in May 2025. The vote passed 3-2. The rules are in effect and aligned with state law.
| Rule | Single-Family Lots | Multifamily Lots |
|---|---|---|
| ADUs Allowed | 1 ADU + 1 JADU | Up to 8 detached ADUs |
| Max ADU Size | 1,200 sq ft | 1,200 sq ft |
| Max JADU Size | 500 sq ft | N/A |
| Height (Detached) | 16 ft (18 ft near transit) | 16 ft |
| Rear/Side Setback | 4 feet | 4 feet |
| Impact Fees | Waived under 750 sq ft | Waived under 750 sq ft |
| Short-Term Rentals | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Parking: No additional parking is required within 1/2 mile of public transit or when converting an existing garage.
Design: Your ADU exterior must match your primary home in materials, roofing, and color.
Temecula’s Permit Ready ADU (PRADU) Program: The city offers free pre-approved plan sets. Using these plans saves $6,000 to $14,000 in architectural fees and cuts weeks off your approval timeline. Download at temeculaca.gov or ask Woollard Construction to walk you through the options.
Murrieta ADU Rules in 2026
Murrieta’s ordinance (Municipal Code Section 16.44.160) aligns with state law. The city has accepted fully electronic ADU permit submissions through its online portal since 2023.
| Rule | Single-Family Lots | Multifamily Lots |
|---|---|---|
| ADUs Allowed | 1 ADU + 1 JADU | 2 detached ADUs (state law allows up to 8) |
| Max ADU Size | 1,200 sq ft | 1,200 sq ft |
| Max JADU Size | 500 sq ft | N/A |
| Height (Detached) | 16 feet | 16 feet |
| Rear/Side Setback | 4 feet | 4 feet |
| Impact Fees | Waived under 750 sq ft | Waived under 750 sq ft |
| Short-Term Rentals | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Murrieta’s local ordinance caps multifamily ADUs at 2 detached units. State law (SB 1211) allows up to 8. Where state law is more permissive, state law controls. If you own a multifamily property in Murrieta, you likely qualify for more ADUs than the local code suggests.
Murrieta’s Pre-Approved ADU Program (IB-113): Murrieta maintains a pre-approved plan library similar to Temecula’s PRADU. Using these plans shortens your approval timeline.
What an ADU Costs in Temecula and Murrieta
Construction costs in the Inland Empire run 20 to 30 percent below San Diego and the Bay Area.
| ADU Type | Cost Per Sq Ft | Typical Total |
|---|---|---|
| Garage Conversion | $150 to $250 | $30,000 to $100,000 |
| Attached ADU | $200 to $300 | $100,000 to $250,000 |
| Detached New Build | $250 to $350 | $150,000 to $400,000+ |
Cost breakdown for a detached 800 sq ft ADU:
| Line Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Architectural plans | $6,000 to $14,000 |
| Permits and fees | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Site prep and foundation | $7,000 to $25,000 |
| Framing | $20,000 to $50,000 |
| Plumbing | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Electrical | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| HVAC (mini-split) | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| Finishes and fixtures | $15,000 to $40,000 |
Budget $200,000 to $300,000 for a quality detached ADU in this market. Garage conversions with a sound existing structure often come in under $100,000.
The two variables with the biggest impact on cost are site conditions (slope, soil, sewer vs. septic access) and finish level. Woollard Construction assesses both in a free initial consultation.
Using city pre-approved plans (PRADU or IB-113) where they fit your layout saves $6,000 to $14,000 in design costs and reduces approval time.
Your HOA Rights
Many Temecula and Murrieta neighborhoods have active HOAs. Redhawk, Paloma del Sol, and Harveston are examples. Here is what the law allows and prohibits.
Your HOA is not allowed to:
- Prohibit you from building an ADU or JADU outright (AB 670, Civil Code Section 4751)
- Require setbacks greater than 4 feet from rear and side property lines
- Impose size limits more restrictive than state maximums
- Run an approval process so burdensome it functions as a de facto ban
- Unreasonably restrict ADU creation (SB 543, effective January 1, 2026)
Your HOA is allowed to:
- Require exterior design (paint, roofing, windows, trim) to match your home and neighborhood
- Require an architectural review submission with renderings before construction starts
- Impose reasonable exterior design standards
When Woollard Construction builds in an HOA community, the architectural review submission is part of our design phase. Renderings go to the HOA before anything goes to the city. This eliminates the most common source of project delays.
If your HOA denies your project without citing specific CC&R violations, get an HOA attorney. State law (AB 670 and SB 543) is on your side.
How to Finance Your ADU
CalHFA ADU Grant: Up to $40,000
The CalHFA ADU Grant covers pre-development costs: permits, architectural plans, surveys, soil tests, and impact fees. This is a grant. You do not repay it.
Eligibility in Riverside County:
- You must be a single-family homeowner who has lived on the property for 6 or more months
- Household income at or below $75,600 (80% of Riverside County AMI)
Funding is limited and the program is oversubscribed. Get on the waitlist at calhfa.ca.gov/adu or call (877) 922-5432. Your position in line has real value even if funding is delayed.
Other financing options:
- HELOC or cash-out refinance: Uses your existing home equity and is the most common path for our clients
- Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Loan: Rolls refinance or purchase and construction into one loan
- FHA 203(k) Loan: Similar to HomeStyle with lower credit thresholds
- Construction-to-permanent loan: Single-close loan converts to a mortgage after certificate of occupancy
- Murrieta CDBG Program: Federal funds for qualifying low-to-moderate income homeowners
Impact fee waivers: ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees under state law. In Riverside County, impact fees run $5,000 to $15,000. Building under 750 sq ft eliminates those fees entirely. Woollard Construction factors this into initial design recommendations.
The ROI
Rental income: 1-bedroom ADUs in Temecula and Murrieta rent for $1,500 to $2,200 per month.
Return on investment: At $1,800 per month on a $220,000 project, your annual return is roughly 9 to 10 percent before expenses.
Property value: ADUs add 20 to 30 percent to home value in this market. On a $500,000 Temecula home, that is $100,000 to $150,000 in added equity.
Legalization: If you have an unpermitted structure built before January 1, 2020, AB 2533 gives you a formal pathway to legalize it. The cost is often a fraction of new construction. Once legalized, you generate rental income immediately.
How to Get Started
- Confirm your zoning: Use Temecula’s GIS zoning map or call Murrieta’s permit center at (951) 461-6062
- Review HOA guidelines: Pull your CC&Rs before design work begins and submit architectural review early
- Call a local ADU contractor: A contractor who knows Temecula and Murrieta permitting knows the local reviewers, pre-approved plan options, and common site-specific issues before breaking ground
- Apply for the CalHFA grant: Get on the waitlist regardless of timeline
- Choose your plan set: Use city pre-approved plans (PRADU or IB-113) where they fit your layout to save money and time
- Submit for permits: The city has 60 days to respond. Your contractor should track this deadline
- Build and rent: All rentals require a 30-day minimum under Temecula and Murrieta ordinances
Why Work With Woollard Construction
Woollard Construction has been licensed in Southwest Riverside County since 1990. As an experienced general contractor in Temecula, CA, ADUs are core to what we do, not a service line we added when they became popular.
We know the local permit offices. We have submitted dozens of projects through Temecula’s Building and Safety Division and Murrieta’s permit center. We know what reviewers require and how to get clean approvals.
We manage the full process. Design, permits, HOA submissions, and construction are handled by one team under one contract. No handoffs between an architect, a permit runner, and a general contractor.
We build to match. Designs are developed to satisfy city design standards and HOA requirements from day one.
We are transparent on cost. You get a detailed line-item estimate upfront, not a ballpark range.
Call (951) 551-6165 or visit woollardconstruction.com to schedule a free consultation. We serve Temecula, Murrieta, and surrounding Southwest Riverside County communities.
Follow our work on Instagram and Facebook at @woollard.construction.
Key Resources
- City of Temecula ADU Page | (951) 694-6400
- City of Murrieta Permit Center | (951) 461-6062
- CalHFA ADU Grant Program | (877) 922-5432
- California HCD ADU Resources
- Temecula GIS Zoning Map
Woollard Construction is a licensed general contractor serving Temecula, Murrieta, and Southwest Riverside County. Licensed since 1990. ADU laws change frequently. Verify current requirements with your city’s building department before starting a project.
Spencer Woollard has 30+ years experience in custom construction in Southern California. With over 350 completed projects including ADUs and bathroom remodels, Spencer is a trusted local contractor in Temecula, CA.