“I highly recommend JBC Design & Build Co. Joe and his team have renovated many of my properties and have done an excellent job. Their pricing is very reasonable and they are efficient and fast.”
The Inland Empire’s design, permit & build ADU team — under one roof.
We design, engineer, permit, and build custom ADUs across Riverside and San Bernardino counties — from Fontana and Ontario to Riverside, Corona, and Temecula. One integrated team, transparent pricing, no contractor juggling.
- Licensed & Insured · CSLB #982238
- Design + Permits + Build
- Serving all of the Inland Empire
Building an ADU in the Inland Empire
An ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is a self-contained second home — a detached backyard unit, a garage conversion, or a junior unit inside your house — built on the same lot as your primary residence.
Yes, you can build an ADU on most Inland Empire properties. Under California state ADU law (Gov. Code §66310 et seq., administered by California’s Department of Housing and Community Development), ADUs are allowed on nearly all single-family and multifamily lots statewide, a detached ADU can generally be up to 1,200 square feet, and your city or county must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days.
JBC Design & Build handles the entire process in the Inland Empire — feasibility, design, engineering, permits, and construction — so you deal with one team from first sketch to final inspection. Below you’ll find typical costs, timelines, the cities we serve, and answers to the questions homeowners ask most.
Source: California ADU law (Gov. Code §66310 et seq.), California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Why the Inland Empire is one of California’s best places to add an ADU
Bigger lots, more room to build
Inland Empire properties tend to have larger yards than coastal LA and Orange County, which often means room for a full detached ADU rather than a small conversion.
Strong rental demand
Cities like Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, and Corona have steady long-term rental demand, so an ADU can generate income and help offset your mortgage.
ADU-friendly state law
California’s statewide ADU rules require ministerial (non-discretionary) approval and cap review at 60 days, which keeps Inland Empire permitting more predictable than it used to be.
How much does an ADU cost in the Inland Empire?
In the Inland Empire, most detached ADUs typically range from the low $100,000s to $300,000+, depending on size, finishes, and site conditions. Conversions and junior units usually cost less because they reuse existing structure. Here is how the three main ADU types compare.
| ADU type | What it is | Typical size | Typical Inland Empire cost | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached ADU | A standalone backyard home, fully independent of the main house. | Up to 1,200 sq ft | Low $100Ks – $300K+ | 7–14 months |
| Garage conversion | Converts an existing garage into a legal living unit. | ~400–800 sq ft | Lower — reuses structure | 5–10 months |
| Junior ADU (JADU) | A small unit created within the walls of your existing home. | Up to 500 sq ft | Lowest of the three | 4–8 months |
Ranges are typical estimates for planning only and vary by lot, city, and finishes. After your free feasibility review, we provide clear, fixed pricing with no hidden fees.
How to build an ADU in the Inland Empire, step by step
Get a free feasibility review
Share your Inland Empire address so we can check zoning, setbacks, and utilities against your city’s ADU rules — and tell you honestly what your lot can build.
Design your ADU
Our in-house team designs a custom ADU tailored to your lot, goals, and budget, so the plan fits your property and your numbers.
Engineering & permits
We prepare engineered plans and submit them to your city or county building department, managing corrections and approvals for you.
Construction
One integrated crew builds the ADU from foundation to final finishes — no subcontractor runaround.
Final inspection & handoff
We pass final inspection, secure your certificate of occupancy, and hand you the keys.
Inland Empire cities we build ADUs in
We serve homeowners across both Inland Empire counties. If your city isn’t listed, ask — we likely cover it.
Riverside County
- Riverside
- Corona
- Moreno Valley
- Jurupa Valley
- Eastvale
- Norco
- Menifee
- Murrieta
- Temecula
- Hemet
- Perris
- Wildomar
San Bernardino County
- San Bernardino
- Fontana
- Ontario
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Rialto
- Redlands
- Chino
- Chino Hills
- Upland
- Colton
- Highland
- Yucaipa
What Inland Empire homeowners say.
“I recently had my kitchen remodeled and I wanted to acknowledge JBC Design & Build for the excellent work they did. Joe was very professional and quick in providing an estimate.”
“JBC Design and Build have been doing my architectural designs for years. Very professional and always on time. They also build all of my ADUs in the area. Quality workmanship.”
“Joe and his crew built a multimillion-dollar house that I designed and everything turned out great. Our client was very happy with his work.”
Inland Empire ADU questions, answered
In the Inland Empire, most detached ADUs typically range from the low $100,000s to $300,000+ depending on size, finishes, and site conditions. Garage conversions and junior ADUs usually cost less because they reuse existing structure. After a free feasibility review, we provide transparent, fixed pricing with no hidden fees.
Yes. Every ADU in Riverside County and San Bernardino County requires a building permit. Under California state ADU law, your city or county must review a complete application ministerially and approve or deny it within 60 days. We prepare the plans and manage the entire permit process for you.
We serve the full Inland Empire, including Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Redlands, Chino, Chino Hills, Upland, Colton, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, Hemet, and Yucaipa.
Design and permitting typically take 3 to 6 months, and construction another 4 to 8 months, depending on size and city. Because we handle design, engineering, and construction in-house, we keep the timeline tight.
Under California state ADU law, a detached ADU can generally be built up to 1,200 square feet, and a junior ADU up to 500 square feet within an existing home. Local rules and lot conditions can affect the buildable size, which we confirm during your feasibility review.
Yes. Inland Empire ADUs are commonly rented for long-term income and can meaningfully increase property value. Actual rent depends on size, location, and finishes.
Under current California state ADU law, standard ADUs are approved ministerially and do not require the owner to live on site. A junior ADU (JADU) does require owner-occupancy. Rules can change, so we confirm the current requirement for your city during your free review.
In most cases, yes. A permitted, well-built ADU adds livable square footage and potential rental income, both of which support property value in the Inland Empire market.
Find out what your Inland Empire lot can build.
Answer a few quick questions and our team will review your lot, check your city’s ADU rules, and send back a no-pressure feasibility snapshot with real numbers.
- 100% free — no obligation, no pushy sales
- Honest answer, even if it’s “not a fit”
- Real rental & value estimates for your area