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Palm Springs Homes with ADU, Casita & Guest House

This page is your guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), casitas and guest houses in Palm Springs, CA — a desert resort city on the western edge of the Coachella Valley, known for its mid-century modern architecture, resort hotels, events and golf communities.

Palm Springs follows California’s updated ADU laws and has published local standards for ADUs and JADUs on residentially zoned lots, including setbacks, height, parking and development rules referenced in Section 93.23.14 of the zoning code and the City’s ADU information page. These units are positioned as a way to add flexible housing, support family members or generate long-term rental income when fully permitted.

Fun Fact: Palm Springs is the largest city in Riverside County by land area, with over 90 square miles of desert and hillside terrain, and its population surges in winter as seasonal residents and visitors arrive for sunshine and events.

Explore Palm Springs Real Estate | See All Palm Springs Open Houses | Riverside County Real Estate

⭐ Riverside County ADU Specialist — Antoinette Nichols: Antoinette focuses on Palm Springs ADU feasibility, including how local zoning, hillside and desert-climate design, parking rules, and rental-demand patterns interact with California’s ADU laws. She helps owners and buyers understand which lots are best suited for a detached casita, attached ADU or conversion unit before they write an offer or start design.

Why Build or Buy an ADU in Palm Springs?

Resort-driven demand for casitas and guest houses. Palm Springs’ resort and second-home profile creates steady interest in homes with separate guest suites or casitas for multi-gen living, longer-term guests and potential rental income.
Updated ADU standards with clear city guidance. The City provides a dedicated ADU/JADU information page and points owners directly to its zoning code standards, making it easier to confirm eligibility, setbacks and process early in planning.
State-driven minimums for ADU size and height. Under California law, jurisdictions must allow at least an ~800 sf ADU up to 16 feet in height, with potential for larger units (often up to ~1,200 sf) where local development standards allow. Palm Springs aligns its ordinance with these state frameworks.
Parking relief and conversion flexibility. State law caps ADU parking at one space per bedroom, provides exemptions within ½-mile of transit, and prevents cities from requiring replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU — key benefits in established Palm Springs neighborhoods.
Owner-occupancy restrictions largely removed. Recent California ADU updates have eliminated most owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs, giving Palm Springs owners more flexibility to rent out either or both units as long-term housing where local rules allow. Always confirm the latest details with Palm Springs Planning before investing.

For the most current, parcel-level standards, owners can review the City’s ADU page and the ADU/JADU development standards referenced in the municipal code: City of Palm Springs – Accessory Dwelling Units .

Palm Springs ADU, Casita & Guest House Listings

Live MLS feed — focusing on Palm Springs homes with casitas, guest suites, or ADU-style layouts:

New Palm Springs ADU-capable listings are added as the market updates — check back frequently for new options.

Where Is Palm Springs, CA?

Palm Springs is a desert resort city in Riverside County, located on the western edge of the Coachella Valley, east of the San Jacinto Mountains and about 100 miles east of Los Angeles — combining small-city scale with major-city amenities and events.

Palm Springs ADU & Financing Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How big can a detached ADU be in Palm Springs?

A: Under California law, cities must at least allow an ADU of about 800 sq ft and 16 feet in height, and many Palm Springs properties may support larger detached ADUs (often up to roughly 1,200 sq ft) depending on zoning, lot coverage and development standards. Always verify current limits with the City’s Planning Division or the ADU section of the zoning code.

Q: Is owner-occupancy required for my ADU in Palm Springs?

A: Recent state-level ADU reforms have eliminated most owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs, and Palm Springs implements its program in line with California law. That gives many owners flexibility to rent the primary home, the ADU, or both as long-term housing where otherwise permitted, but it’s still smart to confirm details with the City before finalizing plans.

Q: What parking rules apply to ADUs in Palm Springs?

A: ADU parking in California is capped at one space per bedroom and is not required in several scenarios, such as when the ADU is within ½-mile of public transit or created by converting an existing garage or carport — and cities like Palm Springs must honor those exemptions. Local zoning will still control driveway design and on-site layout.

Q: Can I convert an existing structure into an ADU in Palm Springs?

A: Yes. California ADU law supports conversions of existing accessory structures — such as garages or outbuildings — into ADUs when they are brought up to residential building and safety code, and Palm Springs’ ADU guidance reflects those state standards. It’s important to review structural, fire-access and utility requirements with the City before starting design.

ADU Planning & Strategy with Solve Lending & Realty

Solve Lending & Realty helps Palm Springs owners and buyers evaluate lot layout, zoning context, historic-district or hillside considerations, rental projections, and build-cost scenarios so you know which properties truly make sense for an ADU, casita or guest house.

Antoinette Nichols leads Riverside County ADU strategy, backed by integrated lending guidance and broker oversight from Kenji Inui at Solve Lending & Realty.