Build an ADU in Anaheim, California

Browse ADU plans, match with builders, and learn what you can build in Orange County
Filters
Sort
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Browse Plans
Filter Selected
No items found.

Overview

Anaheim is located in Orange County in California. Anaheim has a total
population of 336265 over a land mass of 49.84 Square Miles. When it comes to
ADUs, the city allows for 1+ ADUs on a given property, and a square footage of
850-1,000 sf

Number of ADUs Allowed

1+

Size of ADU Allowed

850-1,000 sf

Types of ADUs Allowed

Detached, Junior, Attached

Permit Cost

Coming Soon

Number of ADUs allowed

Under state law, each single-family home may now add at least one Accessory
Dwelling Unit. Owner occupied single-family parcels may add one Accessory
Dwelling Unit and one Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit (JADU). Multi-family
parcels, per every four existing residential units, may add one Accessory
Dwelling Unit, so long as the existing units were legally established.

Property Requirements

Residential parcels will be permitted to construct up to 850 sq. ft. for a one
bed ADU or up to 1,000 sq. ft. for a two bed ADU, regardless of the underlying
zoning standards of the property. A JADU is permitted up to 500 sq. ft..
According to Califronia Residential Code, the minimum size of any living unit is
150 sq. ft. (including Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)s and JADUs). ~ Updated:
State Law AB-68

Types of ADUs Allowed

Attached ADU

An attached ADU is one that is attached to your house. Also know as Addition ADUs or “bump-out ADUs. These types of ADUs can be accessed from the primary house with a door in the connection point, but also can be independent of the main home.

Detached ADU

A detached ADU is not connected to your primary house. The dwelling needs to be within your property setbacks and allowable building size (both height and square footage).

Junior ADU

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are named this way because they are small (up to 500 square feet).

In California, the recent state bills AB68 and AB 881 permits both an ADU and a Junior ADU (JADU) on the same lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. This means you can have two units on your lot: ADU, and JADU.

Property Requirements

Ownership
Owner-occupancy will not be required for new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)s
(conversion and new construction) built between 2020 and 2025. ~ Updated: State
Law SB-13
Number of ADUs Allowed
Under state law, each single-family home may now add at least one Accessory
Dwelling Unit. Owner occupied single-family parcels may add one Accessory
Dwelling Unit and one Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit (JADU). Multi-family
parcels, per every four existing residential units, may add one Accessory
Dwelling Unit, so long as the existing units were legally established.
ADU Size
ADU projects on single family or multi-family residential parcels will not be
subject to the minimum lot size of the underlying local zoning code or by
special ordinance. ~ AB-68
Parking
Parcels which convert an existing garage to an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or
Junior ADU will not be subject to replacement parking requirements. ~ Updated:
State Law AB-68
Height
In addition to meeting the height requirements of the zone in which it is
located, the height of a detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed the
height of the primary dwelling unit; Except as otherwise provided by this
section, an accessory dwelling unit shall conform to the development standards
for the underlying zone, including but not limited to, standards for front, rear
and side setbacks, height and parcel coverage.
Fire Safety
Units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required
for the primary dwelling.
Utility Connections
Utility Services. The accessory dwelling unit may be metered separately from the
primary dwelling unit for gas, electricity, communications, water and sewer
services. An accessory dwelling unit that is contained within the existing space
of a single-family residence or accessory structure shall not be considered a
new dwelling unit for purposes of calculating local agency connection fees or
capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service, or impact
fees such as park dwelling or traffic, and no new or separate utility connection
between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility shall be required. All other
accessory dwelling units may require a new or separate utility connection
between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility. Any connection fee or
capacity charge shall be as set by resolution of the City Council and
proportionate to the burden placed on the water and sewer systems due to unit
size or number of plumbing fixtures.
Aesthetic
It is also the purpose of this ordinance to preserve the integrity and character
of residential neighborhoods. The color, material and texture of all building
walls shall be similar to and compatible with the primary dwelling unit; and The
architectural style of the accessory accessory dwelling shall be the same or
similar to the primary dwelling unit, or, if no architectural style can be
identified, the design of the accessory dwelling shall be architecturally
compatible with the primary dwelling unit, and shall maintain the scale and
appearance of a single-family dwelling. The conversion of an attic, basement,
garage or any other part of a single-family dwelling, which was not previously
legally established for habitable space, shall comply with the provisions of
this section and the underlying zone.
Set backs
Setbacks for a detached new construction Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be no
more than 4 ft from the rear and side lot lines. No setbacks shall be required
for Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units converted from
legally eastablished existing space. Attached new construction Accessory
Dwelling Units and conversions from existing space to be expanded must comply
with the setbacks of the underlying zone. ~ AB68

Design Review

The application for an accessory dwelling unit shall be reviewed by the Planning
and Building Director for compliance with the provisions of this section. If the
Planning and Building Director determines that the application and evidence
submitted show that the accessory dwelling unit will comply with the
requirements of this Section 18.38.015, the application shall be approved within
120 days of receipt; otherwise, the application shall be denied. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Code to the contrary, no waiver of or variance from
any requirement of this Section 18.38.015 shall be approved, nor shall any
application for such a waiver or variance be accepted for processing.

Next Steps

To get started on your ADU, here are some first steps.

Call Your City

Search Google for your city’s contact number. eg “City of {Phoenix} Residential Permits Contact Number”

You can call the main line and get directed to the permitting department.

Ask these questions...

1) Can I put a secondary home on my lot (Accessory Dwelling Unit)?
2) What are my livable setbacks, and ADU size regulations?
3) Can I put a prefabricated guest house on my property?

Get Started With a Modular Home

Find a Modular Home

Use our prefab discovery tool to help you find the perfect home.

Get a Site Analysis

See what can go on your property. A site Analysis is the first step for any construction

Start with a Site Analysis