Pre-Approved ADU

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In response to the current housing crisis in California and AB 1332 ADU program requirement, the City of Indian Wells has created the Pre-approved ADU Program to increase affordable housing opportunities and reduce permitting time and costs. Below are some helpful links to navigate your ADU needs:

Upon request, the City of Indian Wells will take in submittal applications of ADU plans for “pre-approval.” The initial plan will be reviewed for “pre-approval” in accordance with all current statutes and local ordinances and will be charged using our hourly plan review fee. Click here for fee schedule.

Under the program, ADU builders, private licensed architects/engineers and designers will have the option to submit these plans for review and, once approved, these plans will be recognized as “pre-approved” if subsequentially submitted back to the City. This sequence is aimed to then reduce permitting time and costs to easily accommodate an ADU which fits the mold of any “pre-approved” ADU plan. Once plans have been reviewed and approved the vendor will be entered into the “pre-approved” ADU vendor list below:

Steps to Submit an ADU Plan for Pre-Approval

Pre-Submittal Meeting: Contact Wes Remaklus, Building Official, at wremaklus@indianwells.com, or Luis Rubalcava, Senior Planner, at lrubalcava@indianwells.com, to arrange a meeting. This step ensures that your submission aligns with the City’s guidelines.
Plan Submission: Upload plans and construction documents via the City of Indian Wells’ Permit Hub.
Review Process: City staff will evaluate the submitted plans for compliance with local and state standards. Approved designs will be added to the Pre-Approved ADU Vendor List for future reference.

Pre-Approved ADU Vendor List (no current vendors)

The City will regularly update this list as vendors receive pre-approval for their ADU plans.

Key Considerations for Submitting ADU Plans for Pre-Approval (Building-Permit Only ADUs)

For ADUs to qualify under the "Building-Permit Only" category and minimize additional reviews, they must adhere to the following streamlined requirements:

Size Limitations:

The ADU must be 800 square feet or smaller. Plans exceeding this limit will require additional zoning and discretionary reviews.

Setbacks:

Side and rear setbacks must be at least 4 feet.
No front-yard setback is required for converted existing structures.

Height Restrictions:

Maximum height is 16 feet unless located near major transit stops or in other special circumstances defined by the ordinance.

Parking Requirements:

No additional parking is required if the ADU is located:

Within ½ mile of public transit.
Within an architecturally or historically significant district.
On the same lot as the primary residence or accessory structure.

Conversions of Existing Space:

ADUs can be created within existing structures such as garages, basements, or accessory buildings, provided the conversion adheres to building code requirements.

Fire and Safety:

Fire sprinklers are only required if they are mandated for the primary dwelling.

Utilities:

For converted spaces, a separate utility connection is not required, reducing costs and complexity.

Architectural Consistency:

The exterior of the ADU must harmonize with the primary residence, including materials, roof slope, and design.

Additional Review Requirements for Larger ADUs

If a submitted plan exceeds 800 square feet, additional reviews will apply to ensure compliance with zoning, height, lot coverage, and other City ordinances.
Plans larger than 800 square feet may require an ADU Permit and are subject to further development standards, such as floor area ratio (FAR) and open space requirements.

By adhering to the "Building-Permit Only" criteria, applicants can expedite the approval process while minimizing costs and delays. For questions or to verify if your design qualifies, contact the Building Official or Senior Planner to schedule a pre-submittal meeting.