Building an ADU in Garden Grove
Garden Grove homeowners have a head start on an ADU: the city offers its own free pre-approved plans through its ADU Go! program, ranging from a studio to a three-bedroom. Lamarc Prime Builders builds ADUs, garage conversions, and attached additions for Garden Grove homeowners who want extra room for family or rental income. We plan around Garden Grove’s specifics, including its six-foot separation rule, its requirement that the ADU match your home’s roof and exterior materials, and its size limits that depend on the number of bedrooms. We guide you from first sketch through permits and final inspection.
ADU Services Available in Garden Grove, CA
Our Garden Grove ADU services are built around a clear design-build process—from early feasibility through permits and the final build. We focus on keeping the project organized while helping you navigate local requirements with less stress and fewer surprises.
✅ Detached & Attached ADUs
✅ Garage Conversion ADUs
✅ Junior ADUs (JADUs)
✅ ADU Planning & Design Coordination
✅ Permits, Plan Submittals & City Revisions
✅ Construction, Inspections & Final Completion
If you’re unsure which ADU type fits best, a free site evaluation is the fastest way to confirm your options.
ADU Rules in Garden Grove
ADUs allowed per lot
1 ADU + 1 JADU on a single-family lot
Max detached ADU size
850 sq ft (studio or 1 bedroom); 1,200 sq ft (2+ bedrooms)
Max attached ADU size
850 or 1,200 sq ft, or 50% of the main home, whichever is less
Max JADU size
Up to 500 sq ft
Max height (detached)
16 ft (18 ft near major transit) + 2 ft for roof pitch
Two-story ADU
Attached ADUs up to 25 ft or your zone's limit, max two stories
Setbacks
4 ft side and rear
Space between buildings
6 ft from the main house and other structures; waived for conversions and 800 sq ft units
Parking
1 space for new ADUs (tandem allowed); none near transit or for conversions
Owner occupancy
Not required for an ADU; required for a JADU
Short-term rental (Airbnb)
30-day minimum; short-term rentals prohibited
Impact fees
None under 750 sq ft; larger ADUs pay proportionally
Pre-approved plans
Yes: ADU Go! offers 4 free plans, studio to 3-bedroom
Permit review
One ministerial review as part of your building permit
Approval timeline
60 days (30 days with a pre-approved plan)
Local insight
Garden Grove's ADU Go! program offers four free pre-approved plans. The city also requires the ADU to match your home's roof type, pitch, colors, and exterior materials.
How ADU Permitting Works in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, your ADU gets one ministerial review as part of your building permit, with no hearing. The city’s ADU Go! program offers four free pre-approved plans, from a studio to a three-bedroom, and those projects are submitted online through the city’s GG Ready portal. The plans are architectural only, so structural and site-specific Title 24 sheets are added for your lot. Custom designs go through the same review.
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 Garden Grove
What is ADU Go!, and can my Garden Grove property use it?
ADU Go! is Garden Grove’s pre-approved ADU program, with four free plans from a studio to a three-bedroom. Your property can’t be in a Special Flood Hazard Area (Flood Zone A), and the plan still has to fit your lot’s setbacks and separation requirements. We check your address and tell you whether it fits.
Can I use custom ADU plans instead of pre-approved plans in Garden Grove?
Yes. Custom plans go through the same ministerial review as part of your building permit. Because the city plans cover architecture only, many projects still need custom structural and site-specific work either way.
What documents are required to submit an ADU permit application in Garden Grove?
You submit the city’s application form with your plans and fees. If you use a city pre-approved plan, structural and site-specific Title 24 sheets are added for your lot, and the project is submitted online through the GG Ready portal. We prepare and submit the full package.
Can I convert an existing garage into an ADU in Garden Grove?
Yes. Conversions that don’t expand the existing structure are exempt from the 6 ft building separation rule, and no parking is required for conversions. We confirm the structure meets current codes before we start.
How can Lamarc Prime Builders help with ADU design, permitting, and construction in Garden Grove?
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 Garden Grove and respond to plan-check corrections, and then build your ADU through final inspections.
