Building an ADU in Anaheim
Thinking about adding an ADU to your Anaheim home? Lamarc Prime Builders designs and builds detached ADUs, attached additions, and garage conversions for Anaheim homeowners who want more room for family, rental income, or both. Anaheim has some of the most helpful ADU resources in Orange County, including pre-approved plans and a fast-track review program, and we plan your project to take advantage of them wherever your property qualifies. From your first consultation through permits and construction, we handle the details so you can focus on what the new space will do for you.
ADU Services Available in Anaheim, CA
We provide full ADU design-build services in Anaheim, guiding homeowners through site evaluation, planning, permits, and construction. Our approach keeps timelines realistic and communication clear from the first step through final completion.
✅ Detached & Attached ADUs
✅ Garage Conversion ADUs
✅ Junior ADUs (JADUs)
✅ ADU Planning & Design Coordination
✅ Permits, Plan Submittals & City Revisions
✅ Construction, Inspections & Final Completion
Start with a free ADU consultation to discuss your property, project goals, and potential next steps.
ADU Rules in Anaheim
ADUs allowed per lot
1 conversion ADU + 1 new ADU + 1 JADU
Max detached ADU size
Up to 1,200 sq ft
Max attached ADU size
Up to 1,200 sq ft or 50% of the main house, whichever is less
Max JADU size
Up to 500 sq ft, inside the existing home
Max height (detached)
18 ft + 2 ft for roof pitch (or your main house's height if greater)
Two-story ADU
Attached ADUs follow your zone's height limit
Setbacks
4 ft side and rear; eaves 12 in. from the property line
Space between buildings
10 ft for detached ADUs over 800 sq ft; none for 800 sq ft or less and conversions
Parking
None for a studio; 1 space for 1-bedroom or larger, with transit and conversion exemptions
Owner occupancy
Not required (JADU only if it shares a bathroom with the main home)
Short-term rental (Airbnb)
Separate city rules apply; we confirm for your property
Impact fees
None under 750 sq ft (state law); city fee amounts changed May 2026
Pre-approved plans
Yes: 4 free plans (224 to 1,199 sq ft) and ADU Express fast track
Permit review
Building Division plan check only; no separate planning application
Approval timeline
60 days after a complete application; ADU Express review in 1 to 3 days
Local insight
Anaheim offers free pre-approved plans and an ADU Express fast track for eligible detached ADUs. Properties in the Anaheim Resort Specific Plan area may have extra standards, and HOA rules still apply.
How ADU Permitting Works in Anaheim
Anaheim offers three ways to get an ADU approved. Standard review uses custom plans prepared by a licensed designer or architect and submitted through the Building Division, with zoning checked during plan check. Pre-approved plans are free plans the city has already approved, usable on their own or inside standard review. ADU Express is a fast track for eligible single-family properties using one of the pre-approved detached plans. Before plan check, the city also asks for a sewer capacity check from Public Works (called a meter spot report) and a new address request for the ADU.
Property feasibility review
Review zoning, lot conditions, access, utilities, and applicable ADU requirements.
ADU design and preparation
Prepare the site plan, architectural drawings, engineering, and required supporting documents.
City plan review and approvals
Submit the application, coordinate with city departments, and respond to plan-check corrections.
Permit issuance and construction
After approval and permit issuance, proceed with construction and required inspections.
FAQs About ADUs in Anaheim
Is my property eligible for Anaheim’s ADU Express program?
ADU Express is for detached ADUs on eligible single-family properties, and it uses the city’s pre-approved detached plans only, without modifications. The city has an online eligibility tool that checks your address, and after it confirms eligibility the city screens your application, which can take a few weeks. We can run the check and tell you whether ADU Express or another path fits your goals.
Can I use custom ADU plans instead of pre-approved plans in Anaheim?
Yes. Custom plans prepared by a licensed designer or architect go through standard review at the Building Division. Pre-approved plans are optional, and since ADU Express plans can’t be modified, a custom design is the better fit when you want a different size, layout, or placement on your lot.
What documents are required to submit an ADU permit application in Anaheim?
It depends on the path. Standard review needs a full plan set from a licensed designer or architect. Before plan check, Anaheim also asks for a sewer capacity check from Public Works (a meter spot report) and a new address request for the ADU. Pre-approved plans can still need a site plan, energy calculations, structural details, or a soils report. We prepare the complete package for you.
Can I convert an existing garage into an ADU in Anaheim?
Yes, in many cases. Anaheim doesn’t require replacement parking when a garage is converted or demolished for an ADU, and a conversion of an existing structure generally keeps its existing setbacks. We inspect the structure first, since conversions often need updates to meet current building, fire, and energy codes.
How can Lamarc Prime Builders help with ADU design, permitting, and construction in Anaheim?
We handle the whole project in one place. We start with a feasibility review of your lot, prepare the design, drawings, and engineering, submit to the City of Anaheim’s Building Division and respond to plan-check corrections, and then build your ADU through final inspections.
