The Palm Springs City Council adopted an urgency ordinance on Jan. 14 to amend the municipal code governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs (JADUs) in order to comply with multiple state bills that took effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Planning Director Chris Hadwin explained the ordinance responds to several legislative changes including clarifications around JADU owner‑occupancy rules, maximum leasable areas (JADUs up to 500 square feet and ADUs up to 800 square feet of livable interior space), exemptions from some development and school impact fees, and new timelines for completeness reviews and final decisions. Hadwin said the urgency ordinance avoids the risk that the city’s local ordinance be set aside by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in the absence of a timely response.

The staff report noted Palm Springs’ existing ADU rules are already permissive, and the ordinance’s changes are largely technical to align local code with state law. Hadwin said staff is also pursuing pre‑approved ADU plan templates and a voluntary rental registry to help speed and reduce the cost of ADU construction. Council moved to adopt the urgency ordinance, which takes effect immediately.