ADU Rules: Midway City vs Santa Ana
How do adu rules rules compare between Midway City, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Midway City has fewer restrictions than Santa Ana.
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 →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Santa Ana allows ADUs on all residential lots per SAMC Sec. 41-194 and California Gov. Code Sec. 65852.2. Up to one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot. Detached ADUs may be up to 16 feet tall with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. No owner-occupancy requirement.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Midway City | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Max JADU | 500 sqft (within existing dwelling) | - |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side/rear (state minimum) | 4 ft side/rear |
| 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) | - |
| Max Per Lot | - | 1 ADU + 1 JADU (SF) |
| Height (Detached) | - | 16 feet |
| Code Section | - | Sec. 41-194 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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).
Santa Ana FAQ
Can I build an ADU on my property in Santa Ana?
Santa Ana allows ADUs on all residential lots per SAMC Sec. 41-194 and California Gov. Code Sec. 65852.2. Up to one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot. Detached ADUs may be up to 16 feet tall with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. No owner-occupancy requirement.
What are the size limits for an accessory dwelling unit in Santa Ana?
Max Per Lot: 1 ADU + 1 JADU (SF). Height (Detached): 16 feet. Setbacks: 4 ft side/rear. Code Section: Sec. 41-194.
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