Inland Empire · Timeline
How long an ADU really takes in Inland Empire
Total elapsed schedule from the first site walk to the final inspection. Plan check is rarely the long pole — utility coordination and trade scheduling usually are.
Stage by stage
- Survey + design
- 2–4 — Big flat lots — minimal site analysis.
- City plan check
- 4–6 — Ministerial portals — Riverside / Corona / RC are fast.
- SCE service coordination
- 2–8 — Often the long pole on detached new-builds.
- Construction
- 14–18 — Flat lots, easy access — fastest construction in our region.
Permit clock vs total schedule
- Ministerial permit
- 5–9 weeks
- Discretionary review (when triggered)
- 12–20 weeks
What slips schedules in this area
- Generally the most permissive corner of our service area — flat lots, big parcels, fast review.
- VHFHSZ at the San Bernardino mountains foothills → Chapter 7A on north-facing slopes.
- Some unincorporated parcels run through county directly — faster for ADUs, slower on inspections.