Garage Conversions: Midway City vs Santa Ana
How do garage conversions 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 the conversion of an existing garage, carport, or accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under Section 7-9-90 of the Codified Ordinances and California Government Code Section 65852.2. A garage-conversion ADU may be the size of the converted structure plus up to 150 square feet for ingress/egress, processed ministerially, and the parking space lost in the conversion does not need to be replaced.
View full Midway City rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Garage conversions in Santa Ana are treated as ADUs under SAMC Sec. 41-194 and California ADU law. Converted garages do not require replacement parking. The structure must meet habitability standards including kitchen, bathroom, ventilation, and structural integrity requirements.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Midway City | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | OC Codified Ord. Sec. 7-9-90 | - |
| State Law | Cal. Gov't Code 65852.2 / 65852.22 | - |
| Conversion Size | Existing footprint + up to 150 sq ft ingress/egress | - |
| Max Size | 1,200 sq ft (ADU); 500 sq ft (JADU) | - |
| Parking Replacement | Not required (Sec. 7-9-90(d)(3)) | - |
| Permit Process | Ministerial (60-day review) | - |
| Short-Term Rental | Prohibited (Sec. 7-9-90(c)(5)) | - |
| Permit Authority | OC Public Works Development Services | - |
| Framework | - | ADU per Sec. 41-194 |
| Replacement Parking | - | Not required |
| Setbacks | - | Exempt for conversions |
| Pre-2020 Conversions | - | AB 2533 legalization path |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Midway City FAQ
Do I have to replace the parking space if I convert my garage to an ADU in unincorporated Orange County?
No. Section 7-9-90(d)(3) of the Orange County Codified Ordinances expressly states that no replacement of removed parking spaces is required when an existing garage, carport, or covered parking garage is converted to an ADU or removed to accommodate ADU construction. This mirrors California Government Code 65852.2 and is one of the strongest permissive ADU rules in the state.
How big can my garage-conversion ADU be?
Section 7-9-90(a)(2) caps a conversion ADU at the square footage of the converted structure, up to 1,200 square feet. Section 7-9-90(c)(1) separately allows an expansion of up to 150 square feet beyond the existing dimensions for ingress/egress (which counts toward the maximum). A junior ADU is capped at 500 square feet under Section 7-9-90(a)(3) and Government Code 65852.22.
Can I rent out my converted garage on Airbnb?
No. Section 7-9-90(c)(5) prohibits any ADU or JADU from being used as a short-term rental of less than 30 days. The unit may be used as a long-term rental of more than 30 days. Short-term-rental use can support administrative action against the ADU and code-enforcement penalties.
Santa Ana FAQ
Can I convert my garage into living space in Santa Ana?
Garage conversions in Santa Ana are treated as ADUs under SAMC Sec. 41-194 and California ADU law. Converted garages do not require replacement parking. The structure must meet habitability standards including kitchen, bathroom, ventilation, and structural integrity requirements.
What permits do I need for a garage conversion in Santa Ana?
Framework: ADU per Sec. 41-194. Replacement Parking: Not required. Setbacks: Exempt for conversions. Pre-2020 Conversions: AB 2533 legalization path.
Compare other topics
See how Midway City and Santa Ana compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool