Illustration of a detached tan stucco casita with a tile roof and covered porch in a desert backyard

Queen Creek, Gilbert, San Tan Valley, Chandler, East Mesa

What will your casita or RV garage cost in the East Valley?

Know a fair price before you sign anything.

Get a free 2026 price range in 60 seconds and check what your lot allows. Then compare it with a free quote from one licensed local builder.

See my casita price See my RV garage price Can I build it on my lot?

HOA approval and city review take time, so start with your number and your lot rules.

Same math as our published rate table
Rules linked to official sources
Independent, not a contractor

Casita and RV garage cost calculator

Pick a size and finish. The range uses the same per square foot rates as our published 2026 cost table, so the math always matches.

Where the money goes (line items)

These rows add up to the total above. The last row is the balance: plumbing, electrical, finishes, bath, kitchen, builder overhead and contingency. Permits and fees have their own row.

Line-item breakdown of your estimate
Line item	Low	High
Total (matches the estimate)	$0	$0

Can I build it on my lot?

Pick your city or county, lot size and HOA status. You get the plain rule from the official source, with a link, plus what to ask before you pay for plans.

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Already have a bid? Free fair price check

Enter your builder's bid total, the project, the size and your city. You see right away where it falls in our 2026 planning ranges. We compare numbers only. We do not rate builders.

Bid total ($)

Project

Casita size (sq ft)300 to 1,200 sq ft

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Also ask one licensed local builder for a second quote to compare

East Valley Casitas is an independent planning site, not a contractor. Quotes come from licensed Arizona ROC contractors. Planning estimate only, not legal or permit advice. Confirm with your city or county.

Quick answers

What does a casita cost per square foot in 2026?

$195 to $265 per sq ft for 500 sq ft and up. $270 to $396 per sq ft under 500 sq ft. A 400 sq ft Standard casita is about $124,800 to $141,600. See the full table.

Is a casita allowed on my lot?

State law makes one attached and one detached ADU a permitted use in cities over 75,000 people and on unincorporated county land. HOA rules still apply. Rules by city.

How close to the fence can it go?

A city or county covered by the ADU laws cannot require more than 5 ft from the side or rear lot line for the casita itself. A shop or RV bay follows the normal accessory building rules.

Can I add a shop or RV garage?

Yes on many big lots, but a 14 ft door means an 18 to 22 ft peak, so it must meet full setbacks in Queen Creek, Chandler and Mesa. County islands are the easiest. Shops and RV garages.

Illustration of a tall stucco RV garage with a tall roll-up door on a large desert lot — Illustration. Not a photo of a real project.

Want a shop or RV garage too?

Shops and RV garages are popular on big East Valley lots. They follow different rules than a casita. The 5 ft casita setback does not cover a shop or RV bay, and tall buildings run into height and setback limits.

The easiest places are Maricopa County islands and big lots with no HOA. Stucco shops run $95 to $135 per sq ft in our 2026 table. Insulated shops with AC run $130 to $165.

Shops and RV garages guide

City guides

Each page covers that area's casita rules with official links, shop and RV garage notes, local cost notes and a local FAQ.

Queen Creek85142, 85140Rules, costs and FAQ Gilbert85296, 85297, 85298Rules, costs and FAQ San Tan Valley85140, 85143Rules, costs and FAQ Chandler85249Rules, costs and FAQ East Mesa85212Rules, costs and FAQ Maricopa County islandsUnincorporatedRules, costs and FAQ

What counts as a casita?

Locals say casita or guest house. The law says accessory dwelling unit (ADU). It is a small home on your lot with its own place to sleep, a bathroom and a kitchen area. It can be detached in the backyard or attached to the house.

Most East Valley casitas fall between 300 and 1,000 sq ft. Families use them for parents, grown kids, guests, a home office or a long-term rental. You can rent an ADU long-term (90 days or more, or month to month). The city cannot require the tenant to be a relative or employee.

Biggest gates, in order: your HOA, your lot's setbacks and easements, then budget. Check your lot.

Illustration of a modern white stucco casita in a suburban backyard with turf, pavers and a pool edge — Illustration

Illustration of a bright casita studio interior with a kitchenette, bed and desert view — Illustration

About East Valley Casitas

East Valley Casitas is an independent planning site, not a contractor. Quotes come from licensed Arizona ROC contractors. We do not do the work. When you ask for a quote, one licensed contractor who serves your area gives you the price and is responsible for the job.

Our cost ranges come from published builder prices, city permit data and line-item checks, listed on the cost page. Our rule summaries come from Arizona statutes and city and county codes, linked on the rules page. We do not publish reviews, testimonials or project photos we cannot back up. Images on this site are illustrations.

Casita FAQ

How much does a casita cost in the East Valley in 2026?

Our 2026 planning rates are $195 to $265 per sq ft at 500 sq ft and up, and $270 to $396 under 500 sq ft. A 600 sq ft casita works out to about $117,000 to $159,000 across all finish levels.

Can I build a casita on my lot?

Often yes. Arizona law requires cities with more than 75,000 people and all unincorporated county land to allow one attached and one detached ADU on single-family lots. Queen Creek adopted its own ADU rules, and HOA rules still apply.

How close to the property line can a casita go?

Under the state ADU laws, a city or county cannot require more than a 5-foot side or rear setback for an ADU. Your HOA and utility easements can still be stricter.

Can an RV garage or shop use the 5-foot casita setback?

No source we checked says so. The 5-foot ADU setback applies to the living unit, and in Chandler and Mesa a garage attached to an ADU must meet the normal setbacks.

Are you a contractor?

No. East Valley Casitas is an independent planning site. When you ask for a quote, one licensed Arizona ROC contractor who serves your area gives you the price. That contractor is responsible for the work.