ADUs: more living space on the lot you already own
California has made accessory dwelling units easier to permit, and homeowners across the Coachella Valley are using them to house parents, give adult children their own space, host guests or create a rental. Mejia Construction builds ADUs in Cathedral City and nearby cities, with a focus on garage conversions, junior ADUs and attached units that work with your existing home.
Types of ADUs we build
- Garage conversions. The walls, slab and roof already exist, which often makes this the most direct path to a new unit.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs). Up to 500 square feet created inside the existing home, with their own entrance and an efficiency kitchen.
- Attached ADUs. New living space connected to the house, planned like a home addition but designed as an independent unit.
What goes into an ADU build
- Site review. We look at setbacks, the existing structure, utilities and access, and confirm what your lot allows.
- Plans and permit path. Cathedral City offers pre-approved ADU plans; other projects need custom drawings. Either way, plans go through city review before work begins.
- Utility coordination. For the city’s pre-approved plans, Southern California Edison reviews the location before the permit application.
- Construction. Framing, insulation, plumbing and electrical rough-in, then drywall, flooring, kitchen and bathroom finishes.
- Inspections and final. We schedule the work around each city inspection so the unit can be signed off.
Cathedral City’s pre-approved ADU program
Cathedral City publishes pre-approved plans to simplify the process: three detached ADU plans and a garage conversion plan for a junior ADU. Detached plans come in Mediterranean or Desert Modern styles, and the city recommends matching the style of the main house. A garage conversion keeps the garage exterior consistent with the home. Applications go through the city’s online permit portal with a site plan, the SCE approval and, for a JADU, the recorded deed restriction. Properties in the Cathedral City Cove also need a grading plan.
Is an ADU right for your property?
An ADU tends to make sense when:
- You have a garage you rarely park in, or a side or rear yard with room to build.
- A family member needs to live close by but wants their own door.
- You want rental income from space you already own.
- You need a home office or studio that is separate from daily household traffic.
Building for the desert climate
A converted garage was never meant to be lived in during a Coachella Valley summer. Insulation, windows and a properly sized cooling system make the difference between a unit people want to live in and one they avoid from June to September. California’s Title 24 energy code sets the minimums, and we plan for comfort on top of them. Need a new walkway or patio to the ADU entrance? Our concrete work can be part of the same project.
