Santa Ana, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Permits (2026)

SAMC 41-194 implements California Government Code §65852.2 with ministerial review — no public hearing and no discretionary findings. Applications are submitted through Santa Ana's E-Plan electronic review portal and routed to Planning, Building, Public Works, and Fire concurrently. State law requires final action within 60 days of a complete application. Santa Ana allows ADUs in any zoning district that permits residential use (R1, R2, R3, R4, and qualifying Specific Plans). The city offers pre-approved ADU plans to shorten plan check. Maximum sizes per SAMC 41-194.3: detached ADU up to 1,000 sf, attached ADU up to 1,000 sf or 50% of the primary dwelling whichever is less, and JADU up to 500 sf. Setbacks are 4 ft side and rear with no front setback beyond the underlying zone's. Detached ADUs are limited to 20 ft / two stories. SB 9 (Gov. Code §§65852.21 / 66411.7) allows urban single-family lot splits and up to two units per parcel; Santa Ana applies its objective design standards. AB 1033 (2023) condo-ization is permissive — Santa Ana has not opted in, so an ADU may not be sold separately from the primary unit.