Coffee & Construction: This Week in Inland Empire Housing (Oct 24-31, 2026)

Pour a cup and catch up on the housing stories shaping the Inland Empire. This week brought a local discussion about ADU rules, a California court ruling on permit review, new research on preapproved plans, and housing proposals in Redlands.

The details are still developing. Here’s what homeowners and people considering a new build may want to know.

Riverside weighs more ways to build and sell ADUs

On Oct. 29, Riverside’s Housing and Homelessness Committee considered whether the city should adopt local ordinances connected to two state laws: AB 1033, which gives cities the option to allow ADUs to be sold separately from their primary homes as condominiums, and SB 1123, which opens a path for certain small-lot subdivisions.

One example discussed by staff: a 10-lot subdivision could potentially include 10 primary homes and 10 ADUs, for 20 homes in total. Riverside could shape its rules, including whether to allow ADUs, junior ADUs, or both. These possibilities depend on local regulations; they are not automatic permissions for every property.

The committee did not make a final recommendation. Members asked the City Attorney’s Office to review an HCD letter to San Dimas about “remainder parcels” — the portion of a property that stays with an existing home when the rest is subdivided. The matter is expected to return for further discussion.

According to Riverside staff’s report, nearby cities including Corona, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Ontario, Rialto, Redlands, San Bernardino and Jurupa Valley had not adopted comparable ordinances at the time. Los Angeles and San Diego allow both ADUs in these subdivisions and separate ADU sales.

Read the Raincross Gazette’s report on Riverside’s ADU proposals.

File photo via the Raincross Gazette. Raincross Gazette

What it means for you: If you’re considering an ADU or a property that could be subdivided, check the rules for the property’s specific city and zoning. Riverside’s discussion is not a citywide policy change yet, and an ADU’s feasibility still depends on site conditions, design, utilities and permitting. Terra Nostra Builders can help you start by reviewing your property and project goals.

California appeals court addresses ADU application delays

On Oct. 26, the California Court of Appeal ruled that local governments must quickly approve legally submitted ADU applications alongside an existing or planned residence. The Judicial Branch of California described the ruling as a decision in favor of timely review for qualifying ADU applications.

The ruling concerns the permit process; it does not remove the need to submit a complete application or meet applicable requirements. Project details and the agency reviewing the application still matter.

Read the California Courts Newsroom summary. The San Francisco Chronicle also covered the decision.

What it means for you: A clear, complete application can help keep a project moving through review. Before focusing on a target start date, confirm what your city requires and what information your plans need. Permit review is only one part of a project that may also involve design, construction and inspections.

UCR study: preapproved plans may save time and design costs

A UC Riverside study published Oct. 30 looked at cities that offer preapproved plans for ADUs and other smaller housing projects. In the survey, cities that could estimate savings reported an average of $10,300 in design and related costs. Respondents also reported that design and permitting took about 53 fewer days, and that preapproved plans were processed an average of 2.8 times faster than conventional plans.

Riverside’s preapproved duplex and bungalow-court plans, approved by City Council in June, were a case study for the research. Across responding cities, the study reported about 500 ADUs permitted or built using preapproved plans.

Preapproval is a head start, not a blanket building approval. Owners still need to meet property-specific requirements for matters such as zoning, parking, utilities and grading. Changes to a plan may also require additional review. Savings varied by program, so the study’s averages are not a quote or a promise of a particular result.

Read UCR’s summary of the study or visit the Center for Community Solutions’ study page.

Image via UC Riverside News. UC Riverside News

What it means for you: Ask your local building department whether it offers preapproved plans and what property-specific steps remain. If you’re budgeting an ADU, our guide to ADU construction costs in California explains why a useful estimate depends on the property, project scope and local requirements.

Redlands: a recommendation near the 210 and a separate recent approval

This week’s Redlands news includes a Planning Commission recommendation for a 262-home development near the 210 Freeway. The commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval. The proposal includes 255 single-family lots and a separate lot for up to seven multifamily units, along with open space and stormwater areas. It still requires a City Council decision, including a four-vote threshold for the proposed rezoning under Measure U.

The commission also sought additional oversight of future architectural designs and recommended bicycle-lane striping on nearby streets where they reach their planned full widths. The Community Forward Redlands report outlines the proposal and next steps.

A 194-unit apartment project on San Bernardino Avenue is also relevant local context, but it was approved by the Redlands Planning Commission on Oct. 13, before this week’s roundup period. The project includes 17 apartments designated for lower-income households; further permitting and City Council approval of the affordable-housing agreement are still required. The developer told commissioners construction could begin in late 2027. See Community Forward Redlands’ project report.

Project rendering via Community Forward Redlands. Community Forward Redlands

What it means for you: Planning decisions show how housing proposals move through local review, but a commission recommendation is not the same as a final approval or a construction start. If you’re considering buying land or replacing a home, check the project’s current status and the requirements that apply to your own parcel.

A practical takeaway for your own plans

This week’s stories point to a common theme: housing options may be expanding, but the details are local and property-specific. Whether you’re exploring an ADU, a garage conversion, an addition or a new home, it helps to understand the site, scope and approval steps before making big decisions.

If you’re comparing options, our guide to garage conversion ADUs versus detached ADUs can help you weigh the trade-offs.

Terra Nostra Builders, Inc. is a Rancho Cucamonga-based California general contractor serving the Inland Empire and surrounding Southern California communities. If you’re considering an ADU or new build, we’d be glad to discuss your goals and explore what your property may support. An initial conversation can help clarify possible next steps without committing you to a project.

Terra Nostra Builders, Inc. · CSLB #1132769

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell an ADU separately from my house in Riverside?

Riverside’s Housing and Homelessness Committee discussed whether the city should allow separate ADU sales under AB 1033, but did not make a final recommendation this week. Check with the city for current requirements before relying on that option.

Do preapproved ADU plans mean I can skip local review?

No. Preapproved plans may reduce some design or review work, but property-specific requirements still apply. Ask your local building department what reviews and approvals your project needs.

Did Redlands approve the 262-home project?

The Planning Commission recommended approval; the City Council still has to make the final decision. The separate 194-unit apartment project was approved by the commission on Oct. 13, before this week’s reporting period, and still has subsequent requirements.