ADU Rules: Garden Grove vs Midway City
How do adu rules rules compare between Garden Grove, CA and Midway City, CA?
Garden Grove and Midway City have similar restriction levels.
Garden Grove, CA
Orange County
Garden Grove regulates ADUs and JADUs under Garden Grove Municipal Code Chapter 9.54 (Ord. 2966). Only one ADU and one JADU are allowed per single-family lot. Attached ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling (whichever is less), with an 800 sq ft floor where the primary unit is under 1,600 sq ft, and JADUs at 500 sq ft.
View full Garden Grove rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Unincorporated Orange County allows ADUs on any residentially zoned lot under OC Zoning Code (Title 7, Division 9) and California Government Code §65852.2 (ADUs) and §65852.22 (JADUs). State law preempts most local restrictions: minimum 800 sqft, 16 ft height, and 4 ft side/rear setbacks must be allowed by right.
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Garden Grove | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | GGMC Ch. 9.54 (Ord. 2966) | - |
| Max Attached ADU (2+ BR) | 1,200 sq ft or 50% primary | - |
| Min Attached ADU | 800 sq ft floor | - |
| Max JADU | 500 sq ft | 500 sqft (within existing dwelling) |
| Setback (side/rear) | 4 ft minimum | - |
| State Law | - | Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2 (ADU) & §65852.22 (JADU) |
| Local Code | - | OC Zoning Code Title 7, Division 9 |
| Max Detached ADU | - | 1,200 sqft |
| Setbacks | - | 4 ft side/rear (state minimum) |
| Height | - | 16 ft minimum allowed; up to 18-25 ft per state law |
| Parking | - | None required if within 1/2 mi of transit or garage conversion |
| Owner-Occupancy | - | Required when JADU is present (§65852.22) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Garden Grove FAQ
How many ADUs can I build on my Garden Grove lot?
Under GGMC Chapter 9.54, no more than one ADU and one JADU are allowed per single-family lot. Multifamily lots may add ADUs based on state law formulas.
How big can my Garden Grove ADU be?
Per GGMC 9.54.040, attached two-bedroom-plus ADUs are limited to 1,200 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever is less, with an 800 sq ft floor where the primary dwelling is under 1,600 sq ft.
Can I sell my Garden Grove JADU separately?
No. GGMC 9.54.050 prohibits the JADU from being sold, mortgaged, or transferred separately from the primary residence.
Midway City FAQ
Can I build an ADU on my unincorporated Orange County lot?
Yes — state law (Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2) requires the County to allow at least one ADU on any lot zoned for residential use, including single-family and multifamily zones. Minimum lot size requirements are preempted.
Do I need to live on the property to rent out an ADU?
No owner-occupancy is required for a standalone ADU under §65852.2. However, if you build a JADU under §65852.22, the owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or the JADU.
How tall can my detached ADU be?
State law guarantees at least 16 ft. Properties within 1/2 mile of transit or on multifamily lots can go up to 18 ft (single-story) or 25 ft (two-story) per Gov. Code §65852.2(c)(1)(D).
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