Overview
Change of Zone No. 2600012 (CZ2600012) is a proposed text amendment to Ordinance No. 348, the Riverside County Land Use Ordinance, that would update regulations for Additional Residential Accommodations, update mobilehome and manufactured home regulations, and establish procedures allowing certain applications to be referred from the Director's Hearing to the Planning Commission. The amendment would reorganize Article XIXj (Additional Residential Accommodations), add Senate Bill (SB) 9 Units as a new housing type, and update development standards and procedures. The updated list of housing types would include: (1) Accessory Dwelling Units, (2) Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, (3) SB 9 Units, (4) Second Units, (5) Guest Quarters, (6) Ranchets, and (7) Multiple Owner Group Units. The amendment would remove mobilehome-specific development standards and apply the same development standards as other one-family residences, consistent with State law.
This amendment also amends administrative provisions in Article I to allow the Planning Director to elevate projects from a Director’s Hearing to the Planning Commission as warranted.
Governing Requirements
All additional residential accommodations (ARAs) shall comply with:
(a) Appliable State law;
(b) The zoning classification of the subject parcel;
(c) Applicable development standards of Ord. No. 348;
(d) Applicable health, safety, fire, and environmental regulations; and
(e) Any applicable deed restrictions or recorded covenants required by State law.
Housing Element Implementation
This ordinance implements key Housing Element programs by updating Riverside County Ordinance No. 348 regulations for Additional Residential Accommodations, aligning local standards with State housing laws, and expanding opportunities for diverse housing types throughout the unincorporated County.
H-9: Accessory Dwelling Unit Program
H-9: Accessory Dwelling Unit Program
- Updates Ord. No. 348 to maintain consistency with State ADU regulations.
- Establishes clear and objective standards for ADUs and JADUs.
- Streamlines permitting to encourage development.
- Increases housing options and promotes accessory dwelling unit development countywide.
H-10: Innovative Housing Options
H-10: Innovative Housing Options
- Expands housing choice opportunities for ADUs, JADUs, and other accessory residential types throughout the County.
- Supports alternative housing options that enhance affordability and flexible living.
Additional Residential Accommodations (ARAs)
The County recognizes the following seven (7) categories of additional residential accommodations, each subject to the standards and limitations set forth in Article XIXj, Additional Residential Accommodations.
For purposes of State ADU & JADU laws, one-family dwelling shall be considered equivalent to a single-family dwelling.
ADUs
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
An 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. An ADU shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is or will be situated.
An ADU may include an efficiency unit, as defined in California Health & Safety Code (HSC) Section 17958.1, or a manufactured home, as defined in HSC Section 18007.
An ADU shall not be considered in the calculation of density for the lot upon which it is located.
Click here to see Riverside County's Building & Safety Department's Permit Ready ADU Program!
JADUs
Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)
A JADU is a residential unit not exceeding 500 sq/ft of livable space in size and is contained entirely within the existing or proposed space for a single-family dwelling. A JADU shall include an efficiency kitchen and may include separate sanitation facilities or may share sanitation facilities with the primary dwelling in accordance with Gov. Code Section 66333.
Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) Unit
Second Unit
Second Unit
A Second Unit is a one-family dwelling that includes a kitchen and bathroom that is allowed a lot developed with an existing primary one-family dwelling. Second are permitted within lots zoned for one-family dwellings, subject to the development standards of Article XIXj, Additional Residential Accommodations.
Guest Quarters
Ranchet Unit
Ranchet Unit
A Ranchet Unit is a state-licensed mobilehome or manufactured home complying with Health & Safety Code Section 18214 (c), as may be amended, installed on a lot containing at least two gross acres and at least one additional Ranchet, and located within Eastern Coachella Valley, as further deveined in Article XIXj, Additional Residential Accommodation.
Multiple Owner Group (MOG) Unit
Multiple Owner Group (MOG)
A Multiple Owner Group (MOG) is an existing grouping of multiple mobilehomes located on a jointly owned lot within the Eastern Coachella Valley and occupied by multiple owners of the lot. A MOG Unit shall be limited to mobilehome or manufactured home units installed on or before May 14, 2013, shall be subject to the requirements of Article XIXj, Additional Residential Accommodations.
Upcoming Hearing
Date | Hearing Body | Location | Materials |
July 8, 2026 (07/08/26) | County Administrative Center (CAC) | Public Hearing Notice (English & Español) |
Documents
Additional Residential Accommodations Ordinance (DRAFT)
Additional Residential Accommodations (ARA) Handbook (DRAFT)Coming Soon!
Additional Residential Accommodations (ARA) Matrix Table (DRAFT)Coming Soon!
Eligibility & Completeness Checklists
(All Checklists - Coming Soon!)
ADU Eligibility & Completeness Checklist (DRAFT)
JADU Eligibility & Completeness Checklist (DRAFT)
SB 9 Eligibility & Completeness Checklist (DRAFT)
Second Unit Eligibility & Completeness Checklist (DRAFT)
Guest Quarters Eligibility & Completeness Checklist (DRAFT)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this project?
Change of Zone No. 2600012 (CZ260012) is a proposed text amendment to Ordinance No. 348, the Riverside County Land Use Ordinance, that updates regulations for Additional Residential Accommodations, updates mobilehome and manufactured home regulations, and establishes procedures allowing certain applications to be referred from the Director's Hearing to the Planning Commission.
The amendment reorganizes Article XIXj (Additional Residential Accommodations), adds Senate Bill (SB) 9 Units as a new housing type, and updates development standards and procedures. The updated list of housing types would include: (1) Accessory Dwelling Units, (2) Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, (3) SB 9 Units, (4) Second Units, (5) Guest Quarters, (6) Ranchets, and (7) Multiple Owner Group Units.
The amendment removes mobilehome-specific development standards and applies the same standards as other one-family residences, consistent with State law.
Lastly, the amendment updates administrative provisions to allow the Planning Director to elevate projects from a Director’s Hearing to the Planning Commission if the project involves significant policy questions, public controversy, or substantial community impacts.
What are Additional Residential Accommodations?
Additional Residential Accommodations (ARAs) are different types of residential accommodations that may be developed in addition to single-family or multi-family residence, depending on type of accommodation. Each ARA has its own eligibility requirements, development standards, and permitting process established under State law and County regulations. ARAs provide a variety of housing options to meet the diverse housing needs of Riverside County while implementing applicable State housing laws and local regulations.
What is changing with Additional Residential Accommodations?
The ARA section of Ordinance No. 348 is being reorganized and streamlined to facilitate easier use by the public and staff. This will speed up permitting and make it easier to build housing. As required by State law, the ordinance is getting updated with recent ADU and JADU housing legislation, including new laws enacted in 2025 and become effective January 1, 2026.
Although Riverside County already processes qualifying SB 9 applications as required by State law, Ordinance No. 348 does not currently include specific regulations for SB 9 Units. This update adds SB 9 Units to the ordinance and establishes clear rules for where they are allowed and how they are reviewed, making the process easier to understand for property owners and staff. The updated list of housing types would include: (1) Accessory Dwelling Units, (2) Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, (3) SB 9 Units, (4) Second Units, (5) Guest Quarters, (6) Ranchets, and (7) Multiple Owner Group Units.
What are differences between the various Additional Residential Accommodation types?
- Accessory Dwelling Unit: A complete independent home with its own living space, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom that is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. An ADU may be attached, detached, or created by converting an existing garage or accessory structure.
- Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit: A smaller residential unit (up to 500 square feet of interior livable space) that is contained entirely within the existing or proposed space of a single-family residence. A JADU includes an efficiency kitchen and may include a separate bathroom or may share bathroom facilities with the primary residence.
- SB 9 Unit: A residential dwelling created using California Government Code Section 65852.21 and related provisions of State law, including an urban lot split or building two primary residences on eligible properties.
- Second Unit: A one family dwelling that includes a kitchen and bathroom that is allowed on large properties zoned for and containing an existing primary single-family residence. A Second Unit is a unique ARA type in Riverside County and is not the same as an ADU as defined by State law.
- Guest Quarters: A living area dependent on some or all of the facilities of the single-family residence on the property. A Guest Quarters cannot have a kitchen but may have a bathroom.
- Ranchet: A state licensed mobilehome or manufactured home on a lot of at least 2 gross acres and associated with agricultural or rural properties. A ranchet is only allowed on a property located within the Eastern Coachella Valley.
- Multiple Owner Group (MOG) Unit: Anexisting grouping of multiple mobilehomes or manufactured homes located on a jointly owned lot only within the Eastern Coachella Valley and occupied by multiple owners of the lot.
Why is the Additional Residential Accommodation ordinance being updated now?
As part of standard ADU State law compliance, Riverside County submitted its ARA Ordinance to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review. HCD identified portions of the ARA Ordinance that were out of date with State ADU/JADU laws. This ordinance update brings the ARA into compliance with State law while continuing to provide a variety of housing options for residents in Riverside County.
Does this update require any changes to my property?
No. There is no action required by community members or changes to property resulting from this ordinance update. This project simply updates administrative provisions and implements the latest State housing laws to make it easier for you to build several types of ARAs if you desire.
What is the difference between an ARA and an ADU?
“Additional Residential Accommodation”, or ARA, is a term used by Riverside County to categorize several different types of residential accommodations that can be developed in addition to the primary residence on the property. Each ARA type has its own eligibility requirements, development standards, and permitting process established by State law and County regulations. An Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU, is a specific type of housing defined in State law as an attached or a 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. The State requires every city and county to permit ADUs by-right. An ADU is one of several types of ARAs allowed in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Other types of ARAs include Junior ADUs, SB 9 Units, Second Units, Guest Quarters, Ranchets, and Multiple Owner Group (MOG) Units.
Can I build an ARA on my property? What type of permit is required?
This depends on the zoning, development standards, and land use of your property and the type of Additional Residential Accommodation you want to build. Generally, Additional Residential Accommodations are allowed on properties zoned for or allowing residential land uses.
Please contact Riverside County Planning Department to discuss options and requirements for Additional Residential Accommodations. Planning staff is available at our Downtown Riverside or Palm Desert offices. You can also speak with staff by phone (951) 955-3200 or email [email protected].
When is the ARA ordinance update going to public hearings? How can I participate?
This ordinance update project will go to the Planning Commission on July 8, 2026, with a Board of Supervisors hearing anticipated in Fall 2026.
You can participate by testifying at the public hearings, submitting written comments for the public hearings, or writing a public comment to Jonathan P. Bell, Project Planner, at [email protected], or Riverside County Planning Department, 4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501. All comments will be added to the public record.
Contact Us
Jonathan P. Bell | Project Planner
[email protected]
(951) 955-0588
County Administrative Center
12th Floor - Planning Department
4080 Lemon Street, 12th floor
Riverside, CA 92502
(951) 955-2004
