Home Remodeling in Corona

Two thirds of Corona's homes were built between 1980 and 2009

The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey counts 50,799 homes in Corona with a median year built of 1991. The 1990s were the biggest decade at 13,414 homes, followed by the 1980s at 12,150 and the 2000s at 9,133. Only about a quarter predate 1980. For a house from that era, the first big round of replacement is due now: original roofs, single pane or early dual pane windows, and first generation air conditioners, which is exactly what fills the city's permit records.

Source: Census ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25034, Corona city

Corona now applies wildfire rules to High as well as Very High fire zones

CAL FIRE released new fire hazard severity zone maps for local areas on March 24, 2025. Under Ordinance No. 3418, effective July 4, 2025, any home sold in either a High or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone needs a defensible space inspection by the Corona Fire Department before the sale closes; the fee is $170 and an inspection from the prior 6 months still counts. The city's fire planning page says that once the maps are adopted, the wildfire building standards of California Building Code Chapter 7A, which call for ignition resistant roofs, vents, siding, decks and windows, apply in both zone levels. Check your address on the map before choosing materials for a roof, deck or addition.

Source: City of Corona Fire Department, AB 38 Property Sales

Corona allows a detached ADU up to 1,200 square feet

Under Chapter 17.85 of the Corona Municipal Code, a single family lot can have up to two units in combinations such as one detached ADU plus one attached ADU or junior ADU. A detached ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet, an attached one up to half the main house's living area, and a junior ADU up to 500 square feet inside the house. New units need 4 foot side and rear setbacks and 5 feet of separation from the house, and must match its style, roof pitch, color and materials. Rentals shorter than 30 days are not allowed, and the ADU cannot be sold apart from the house.

Source: City of Corona, Accessory Dwelling Unit Guide Sheet (2024)

How much does a new roof cost in Corona?

The median value declared on Corona residential reroof permits issued from January 2024 to September 2026 was $13,000, across 794 permits. That is the value written on the application, not the final price. The 2023 American Housing Survey put the median roofing project in the Inland Empire at $8,000, a figure that includes smaller repairs.

Do I need a permit to remodel in Corona?

Most remodels that touch structure, plumbing, wiring or mechanical systems need a permit from Corona's Building Division. Applications, plan check status, inspection requests and permit history searches all run through the eTRAKiT portal. Inspections happen Monday through Thursday with one day's notice, and Friday only in hardship cases.

How big can an ADU be in Corona?

A detached ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet and an attached one up to half the living area of the main house, subject to lot coverage. A junior ADU inside the house is capped at 500 square feet. New units need 4 foot side and rear setbacks and 5 feet from the main house.

Is my Corona home in a fire hazard zone?

Check the city's fire hazard severity zone map. Under Ordinance No. 3418, effective July 4, 2025, homes sold in High or Very High fire zones need a $170 defensible space inspection before closing, and the city's fire page says California's Chapter 7A wildfire building rules apply in both zone levels once the new maps are adopted.

How old are the houses in Corona?

The 2024 Census estimates put Corona's median year built at 1991. Two thirds of its 50,799 homes were built between 1980 and 2009, with the 1990s the largest decade, so many are due for their first roof, window and air conditioning replacements.