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Moreno Valley Homes with ADU, Casita & Guest House

This page is your guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), casitas and guest houses in Moreno Valley, CA. The city stretches across the SR-60 and I-215 corridors with a mix of hillside neighborhoods, master-planned tracts and larger residential parcels — all strong candidates for multi-gen living, caregiver suites and long-term rentals when ADUs are designed and permitted correctly.

Moreno Valley has created a dedicated ADU program with a clear definition of attached and detached ADUs, a city ADU packet, and seven pre-approved detached ADU plans owned by the City. These pre-approved plans have already been reviewed by the Building & Safety Division, which can streamline approvals for qualifying lots when combined with current state ADU law and local development standards.

Fun Fact: Moreno Valley’s pre-approved ADU catalog offers seven floor plans, each with multiple architectural styles, so owners can match new backyard units to existing neighborhood character while moving through plan check more efficiently.

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For current rules and forms, owners can review the City’s ADU program page, Pre-Approved ADU Plans, Pre-Approved ADU Submittal Requirements, and ADU packet/checklists, then confirm details with the Building & Safety Division.

⭐ Riverside County ADU Specialist — Antoinette Nichols: Antoinette helps Moreno Valley homeowners evaluate ADU feasibility on hillside, cul-de-sac and larger interior parcels, including rear and side placement, fire and driveway access, utilities, privacy from neighboring homes, and compatibility with the City’s seven pre-approved plans. She also coordinates how state ADU law, local ADU ordinances and HCD guidance interact so your project is aligned before you commit capital.

Why ADUs Are a Strategic Play in Moreno Valley

  • City-owned pre-approved ADU plans. Moreno Valley offers seven detached ADU floor plans, each with two architectural styles, that have already been reviewed by Building & Safety. Using these plans can shorten plan review and reduce design costs on qualifying sites.
  • Clear ADU definitions and resources. The City’s ADU materials explain that attached and detached ADUs must provide independent living with their own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area, and can include efficiency units or manufactured homes on a permanent foundation when standards are met.
  • Protected minimums under California ADU law. State law generally guarantees the ability to build at least one ADU up to 800 sq ft, about 16 feet in height and as close as 4 feet to side and rear property lines, as long as basic health and safety requirements are satisfied.
  • Owner-occupancy limits have been relaxed statewide. New state-level ADU legislation, including recent updates reviewed by HCD, restricts how cities can apply owner-occupancy requirements, giving more flexibility for long-term rental and multi-unit holding strategies when an ADU is permitted and code-compliant.
  • Inland commuter and multi-gen demand. Proximity to logistics, healthcare and regional employment along SR-60 and I-215 supports strong demand for flexible housing — including separate suites for relatives, caregivers or long-term tenants.

Moreno Valley ADU, Casita & Guest House Listings

Live MLS feed — focused on homes that include or can support a guest house, casita or legal ADU:

New ADU-capable listings in Moreno Valley appear as hillside tracts, established neighborhoods and larger parcels update throughout the year.

Where Is Moreno Valley, CA?

Moreno Valley is located in western Riverside County east of Riverside along State Route 60 and Interstate 215, with views toward the Box Springs Mountains and access to regional job centers in Riverside, the Inland Empire logistics hubs and nearby military and healthcare employers.

Moreno Valley ADU, Pre-Approved Plans & Financing FAQ

Q: Are ADUs allowed on residential lots in Moreno Valley?

A: Yes. Moreno Valley’s ADU materials explain that attached and detached ADUs are allowed on lots zoned for single-family or multi-family residential uses that include an existing or proposed dwelling, when they meet state ADU law and the City’s development standards.

Q: What are the City’s pre-approved ADU plans?

A: The City offers seven pre-approved detached ADU plans, each with two architectural styles. These plans are owned by Moreno Valley and have already been reviewed and approved by Building & Safety, which can streamline permitting when the chosen plan fits the lot and all submittal requirements are met.

Q: How large can a detached ADU be in Moreno Valley?

A: Under California ADU law, every jurisdiction must allow at least one ADU up to 800 sq ft, roughly 16 feet in height with no more than 4-foot side and rear setbacks on qualifying lots. Moreno Valley may allow larger ADUs (often up to 1,000–1,200 sq ft) based on zoning, lot size and its adopted ADU ordinance.

Q: Is owner-occupancy required for ADUs in Moreno Valley?

A: Recent state legislation and HCD guidance generally limit local owner-occupancy requirements for most ADUs in California. Older city documents may still reference owner-occupancy, so property owners should rely on the most current state-compliant ADU ordinance and confirm the latest rules directly with the City or a qualified professional.

Q: Does Moreno Valley have special fees or districts for ADUs?

A: Some ADU projects may be subject to special district fees, such as park or maintenance assessments, when a new dwelling unit is added. The City’s ADU packet and fee schedule explain when annexation into a district or an endowment is required. Always review the latest ADU packet and fee schedule before budgeting your project.

Q: How do homeowners in Moreno Valley usually finance ADUs?

A: Many owners use a cash-out refinance, a second mortgage or a HELOC backed by equity in the primary home. Lenders typically look for permitted plans, realistic rent projections and an overall exit strategy when evaluating ADU-related financing.

ADU Planning & Strategy with Solve Lending & Realty

We help Moreno Valley buyers and owners evaluate lot layout, slope, rear-yard depth, access for construction, privacy, utilities and rental potential before you commit to a pre-approved plan or custom ADU design.

Antoinette Nichols leads Riverside County ADU planning support, backed by integrated lending strategy and broker oversight at Solve Lending & Realty.

How to Finance an ADU or Second Unit in Moreno Valley

Watch how ADU financing works across California, then line up the right loan structure for your Moreno Valley property.

ADU Financing Options

Use your equity or structure a new purchase loan around your ADU build and long-term plan.

Cash-Out to Build ADU Purchase Loans Second Mortgages

Check Your Moreno Valley Home’s ADU Equity Potential

Get an updated estimate of your home’s value and see how much equity may be available for an ADU build, casita upgrade or move into a more ADU-ready property in Moreno Valley.

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Talk to Antoinette About ADU Properties in Moreno Valley