Under state law, each single-family home may now add at least one Accessory Dwelling Unit. Owner occupied single-family parcels may add one Accessory Dwelling Unit and one Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU). Multi-family parcels, per every four existing residential units, may add one Accessory Dwelling Unit, so long as the existing units were legally established.

ADU projects on single family or multi-family residential parcels will not be subject to the minimum lot size of the underlying local zoning code or by special ordinance. ~ AB-68

Lot Coverage -
ADUs < 800 sq. ft: Not Applicable
ADUs > 800 sq. ft: The standards of the underlying zone shall apply.
JADUs: The standards of the underlying zone shall apply

JADU: 500 sq. ft. Up to 150 square feet may be added to an existing main dwelling unit to accommodate ingress or egress, but the overall unit size shall not exceed 500 square feet.
Attached ADU:
50% of main dwelling unit or 1,200 square feet (whichever is less). Studio and one-bedroom units permitted up to 850 square feet. Two bedroom units permitted up to 1,000 square feet. 1,200 square feet.
Detached ADU: 1,200 sq. ft.

JADU: The standards of the underlying zone shall apply
ADUs < 800 sq. ft.:
- Front: Underlying zone
- Side: 4 feet
- Rear: 4 feet
- A detached Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be located no closer to the front property line than the front-most building wall of the main dwelling unit; except for Accessory Dwelling Units resulting from the conversion of an existing garage, carport, or covered parking structure.

ADUs > 800 sq. ft.: Attached
- Front: Underlying Zone
- Side: 4 Feet
- Rear: 4 Feet
ADUs < 800 sq. ft.: Detached
- Front: Underlying zone
- Side: 4 feet
- Rear: 4 feet
- A detached Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be located no closer to the front property line than the front-most building wall of the main dwelling unit; except for Accessory Dwelling Units resulting from the conversion of an existing garage, carport, or covered parking structure.

Parcels which convert an existing garage to an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Junior ADU will not be subject to replacement parking requirements. ~ Updated: State Law AB-68

Parking for the Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be provided in accordance with Section 18.42.030 (Residential Parking Requirements).

Units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary dwelling.

Design. An Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall conform to the following design standards:
- Exterior stairs and doors shall not be visible from any public right-of-way, excluding alleys;
- The design, color, material and texture of the roof shall be substantially the same as the main dwelling unit;
- The color, material and texture of all building walls shall be similar to, and compatible with, the main dwelling unit;
- The architectural style of the Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be the same or similar to the main dwelling unit, or, if no architectural style can be identified, the design of the Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be architecturally compatible with the main dwelling unit, and shall maintain the scale and appearance of the main dwelling unit;
- If the Accessory Dwelling Unit is constructed above the main dwelling unit or garage, all windows and doors shall be designed to minimize the privacy impacts onto adjacent properties including, but are not limited to, window placement above eye level, windows and doors located toward the existing on-site residence;
- When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure that is visible from any public right-of-way is converted or demolished in conjunction with the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit, the design shall incorporate features to match the scale, materials and landscaping of the original main dwelling unit that preserve the existing streetscape and character of the surrounding neighborhood

Attached ADUs/JADU: The standards of the underlying zone shall apply.

Detached ADUs: The maximum height is 16 feet or the height of the main dwelling unit, whichever is greater.

The application for an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be reviewed by the Planning and Building Director for compliance with the provisions of this section. If the Planning and Building Director determines that the application and evidence submitted show that the Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit will comply with the requirements of this Section 18.38.015, the application shall be approved within 60 days of receipt; otherwise, the application shall be denied. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, no waiver of, administrative adjustments, or variance from any requirement of this Section 18.38.015 shall be approved, nor shall any application for such a waiver, administrative adjustments, or variance be accepted for processing.

Not specified by State Standards. Copy Link

JADUs: One of the residential dwellings on a lot on which the Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit is proposed to be established shall be occupied as the primary residence of the owner of the lot, and shall not be rented or leased as long as the Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit exists. Owner occupancy shall not be required if the owner is another governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization;

The Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit may be metered separately from the main dwelling unit for gas, electricity, communications, water and sewer services. For new construction, a separate utility connection may be required directly between the Accessory Dwelling Unit and the utility.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit proposed for any lot that includes a building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historic Places, or the City of Anaheim's local historic inventory shall conform to the requirements for the historic structure;
- An Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit proposed for a property under a Mills Act Contract must comply with all Mills Act guidelines, including design conformance with the United States Secretary of the Interior Standards;
- An Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit proposed for any lot that includes a building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historic Places, or the City of Anaheim's local historic inventory are encouraged to comply with the design guidelines outlined in the City of Anaheim Citywide Historic Preservation Plan and other historic preservation plans as may be approved by the City Council; and
- Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the City Council acts to establish mandatory design standards for historically classified structures, the Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall conform to the mandatory standards.

*** Beginning in 2020, according to state law, all residential zoning districts, including single-family and multi-family, are allowed to build Accessory Dwelling Units. ***

Adequate access by emergency services to both the primary residence and Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be provided.