Anaheim, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Anaheim, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Units allowed
- 1 ADU + 1 Junior ADU per single-family lot
- Total unit cap
- 4 units max including primary house
- Detached ADU size
- Up to 1,200 square feet
- Attached ADU size
- Up to 850-1,000 square feet by bedrooms
- Setbacks
- 4 feet side and rear for detached ADU
- Multi-family ADU height
- 18 feet plus 2 feet for roof pitch
Summary
Anaheim allows one accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit by right on any single-family lot, on top of the primary home, under Section 18.38.015. A detached unit can reach 1,200 square feet, an attached unit up to 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks.
.030 Permitted number of units in Single-Family Zones. .0301 One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit located within an existing or proposed space of a single-family dwelling or associated accessory structure, which may include an expansion of not more than 150 square feet beyond the existing physical structure for the sole purpose of accommodating ingress and egress; .0302 One (1) new construction, Accessory Dwelling Unit. .0303 One (1) Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit either located within the walls of the existing or proposed single-family dwelling or attached to a newly constructed detached Accessory Dwelling Unit. .0304 The total number of dwelling units on a single-family zoned lot and use, including the primary dwelling, any Accessory Dwelling Unit(s), and one Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit, shall not exceed four (4) units.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
015 implements the state Accessory Dwelling Unit law (Government Code Sections 66310-66342) locally. 030). 020. Attached studio and one-bedroom units may go up to 850 square feet, and two-or-more-bedroom attached units up to 1,000 square feet. Required setbacks for a detached ADU are 4 feet on the side and rear yards, with the front setback following the underlying zone; an ADU cannot sit closer to the front property line than the front-most wall of the main house, except when converting an existing garage or carport.
In multiple-family zones, the city must allow at least one ADU in an existing apartment building and up to 25 percent of the existing units, plus up to two detached ADUs (or eight on larger multi-family lots) subject to an 18-foot height limit and 4-foot side/rear setbacks. 050).
Violations & Fines
An ADU built without the required City permits, or that exceeds Section 18.38.015's size, height or setback standards, is subject to the Code's general enforcement and misdemeanor penalty under Section 1.01.370: up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both, with continuing violations charged separately for each day. Non-conforming units can also be denied final occupancy approval until brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ADUs can I build on a single-family lot in Anaheim?
How big can a detached ADU be in Anaheim?
What setback does an ADU need from the property line in Anaheim?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
How Anaheim compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle adu rules.