ADU Rules in Anaheim, California

Yes: Anaheim approves ADUs and JADUs with a ministerial building permit on any lot zoned for single-family or multifamily use under Anaheim Municipal Code Section 18.38.015, last amended by Ordinance No. 6620 (adopted January 13, 2026). A detached ADU may be up to 1,200 sq ft but no larger than the main house (and within the zone's cumulative accessory-structure cap of 1,225 or 1,700 sq ft), up to 18 ft plus 2 ft for roof pitch or the height of the main house, with 4-ft side and rear setbacks; an 800 sq ft unit with 4-ft setbacks is always allowed. A single-family lot may combine one conversion ADU, one new-construction ADU and one 500 sq ft JADU (four units total), and no owner-occupancy applies to ADUs. Parking is one space for a unit with a bedroom (none for a studio or JADU) with the usual state exemptions. The city must decide within 60 days of a complete application; combined plan check and permit fees run about $2,300 for an 800 sq ft unit, and four free pre-approved plans plus the ADU Express program can cut permit issuance to one day for eligible single-family lots.

Zoning & Size Requirements ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Yes — Anaheim allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,200 sq ft under current California and Anaheim zoning rules.

See what this means for your lot — ask Anaheim ADU builders for a quote →

Setback Requirements ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Anaheim requires a rear setback of about 4 ft for a detached ADU, and parking requirements vary by unit size or location. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.

Permit Process & Fees ^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]}

An ADU permit in Anaheim goes through a ministerial, by-right review. Typical timeline: The city must tell you within 15 business days whether the application is complete, each resubmittal gets the same 15-business-day check, and a complete application must be approved or denied within 60 days (18.38.015.1502 to .1504); under Gov. Code 66317(a)(3) as amended by SB 543 (Jan 1, 2026) an application not acted on in 60 days is deemed approved. If the ADU is filed with a permit for a new house, the ADU decision may wait for that permit. ADU Express: review in one to three days and the building permit issued in as little as one day after fees are paid, but the address-eligibility screening beforehand can take a few weeks (city ADU Express and catalogue pages). The Building Division publishes no standard plan-check turnaround. Permit fees: Building Permit Fees schedule (Exhibit A, Tier 3 Type VB, Residential Category 1, Dwellings and Custom; posted Aug 2026): combined plan check and building permit of $1,677 for the first 500 sq ft plus $213 per extra 100 sq ft up to 1,000 sq ft (about $2,316 for an 800 sq ft ADU), then $2,741 at 1,001 sq ft plus $171 per 100 sq ft (about $3,083 for 1,200 sq ft). Add trade permits (electrical $26 for the first 100 sq ft plus $0.26 per sq ft; plumbing $49 per fixture; $188 minimum per trade permit), Zoning Plan Check $352 and a $114 address fee (Planning fee schedule, Aug 2025). Budget roughly $3,000-$4,500 in city fees for an 800-1,200 sq ft detached ADU before impact and school fees.

Construction Costs ^{[19][20][21][22][23]}

Building an ADU in Anaheim typically costs $220,000-$450,000 ($300-$500 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $90,000-$200,000.

See what this means for your lot — ask Anaheim ADU builders for a quote →

Rental Income Potential ^{[24][25][26][27]}

A 2-bedroom ADU in Anaheim rents for around $2,600-$3,200/mo, an estimated 6-10% gross rental yield on a $250,000-$400,000 detached build at $2,000-$2,700/mo (before taxes, vacancy and financing).

Recent Law Changes

Tips for Building an ADU in Anaheim

ADU Builders in Anaheim

Frequently Asked Questions