CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit Plans and Guidebook Update
MEETING DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Molly Binnall, Management Analyst II
REVIEWED BY: Orlando Hernandez, Community Development Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution amending the Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans to the 2025 Editions of the California Building Standards Code, amending the ADU Guidebook for use by the public in obtaining permits for construction of an ADU per City requirements, and authorizing the City Manager to approve future amendments as needed to comply with the California Building Standards Code.
DISCUSSION
As part of the 2022-2029 Housing Element and the City of Menifee’s efforts to plan for future housing needs of the community, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 22-1127 on March 2, 2022, approving the Permit-Ready ADU plans and ADU Guidebook to provide residents with cost- effective and expedited options for constructing ADUs. The Permit-Ready ADU plans were prepared under the 2022 Editions of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24). On September 17, 2025, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-420, implementing the 2025 Editions of the California Building Standards Code, with an effective date beginning January 1, 2026. With the implementation of the 2025 Editions of the California Building Standards Code, the existing Permit-Ready ADU plans were required to be updated to ensure compliance with new structural, energy efficiency, and accessibility standards.
The City pursued funding to update the Permit-Ready ADU plans through the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 Grant administered by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG). In order to apply for reimbursement though the REAP 2.0 Grant, the City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 17, 2025 between WRCOG and SCAG which outlines the City’s responsibilities for procurement, reporting, invoicing and compliance with state requirements, and established SCAG and WRCOG’s roles in administering and reimbursing the
City of Menifee Staff Report
Permit-Ready ADU Updates
June 3, 2026
3 3
1 8
REAP 2.0 funds. The City also entered into an agreement with WRCOG on September 17, 2026 through the REAP Local Staff Assistance Program, which outlines the terms between the City and WRCOG. These agreements were required to be established prior to approval by WRCOG and ultimately approval of REAP 2.0 Grant fund reimbursement upon completion of the update.
In January 2026, the City contracted with Design Path Studios to update the Permit-Ready ADU plans to comply with the 2025 Editions of the California Building Standards Code for a not-to- exceed amount of $20,000. The plan update was completed and presented to staff in April 2026 for review by the City’s Building and Safety Division and were found to meet all code requirements.
Final copies of the updated Permit-Ready ADU plans can be found on the City’s website:
https://www.cityofmenifee.us/751/Permit-ready-ADU-program.
In anticipation of future editions of the California Building Standards Code updates, staff is requesting the City Manager have authorization to approve any future updates to the Permit- Ready ADU plans to remain in compliance with state law.
Additionally, staff has further streamlined the overall ADU review process, requiring minor updates to the ADU Guidebook as attached.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Thriving Economy
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund impact or funding implications. The total REAP 2.0 Grant amount utilized for updating the Permit-Ready ADU plans was $20,000. The City contracted with Design Path Studios for the project and expenses were covered by the approved Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Planning Division professional services account. Reimbursement would be processed by WRCOG through REAP 2.0 on a cost-recovery basis.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Exhibit A – Permit-Ready ADU Guidebook and Plans