Anaheim Zoning & Permits

Can I build an ADU on my Anaheim residential property?

Yes. California state law requires Anaheim to permit ADUs by-right on all residential lots. You can build a detached ADU up to 1,200 sqft or a Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 sqft within your existing home. No owner-occupancy is required. Applications are processed ministerially through Anaheim's ePERMITS online portal. Contact Anaheim Planning and Building for guidance.

Does my Anaheim property use Southern California Edison (SCE) or Anaheim Public Utilities for electricity?

Most of Anaheim is served by Anaheim Public Utilities (APU), a city-owned municipal utility — not Southern California Edison. This matters for solar permits, net metering rates, and EV charger incentives. APU has its own solar interconnection process separate from SCE. Call APU at (714) 765-5158 to confirm your service territory and get solar interconnection requirements before starting a solar project.

Are there special rules for properties near Disneyland or the Anaheim Resort District?

The Anaheim Resort District (approximately 1,000 acres surrounding Disneyland) is zoned C-R (Resort Commercial) — it is not a residential zone. Residential properties adjacent to the Resort District boundary are subject to standard residential zoning but may be affected by noise, traffic, and visual impact from resort operations. There are no special ADU restrictions for residential properties near (but outside) the Resort District boundary. The Platinum Triangle near Angel Stadium has its own Specific Plan with mixed-use commercial/residential zoning for large development projects.

What is Anaheim's Transient Occupancy Tax rate for Airbnb hosts?

Anaheim's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate is 15% — one of the higher rates in Orange County, reflecting the city's large tourism industry (Disneyland, Angel Stadium, conventions). Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit TOT to Anaheim on behalf of registered hosts. You must obtain an Anaheim Short-Term Rental Permit ($175/year) and post the permit number on your listing. Whole-home STRs are limited to 120 nights per year.

Does Anaheim have any short-term rental rules specific to the Anaheim Resort/Disneyland area?

The Anaheim Resort District itself is commercial zoning — no residential STRs occur within the Resort District's formal boundaries. However, residential neighborhoods adjacent to the Resort (Anaheim Colony area, neighborhoods east/north of Disneyland) can have STRs under the standard Anaheim STR permit process. Note that homes in these neighborhoods command premium Airbnb rates due to Disneyland proximity — confirm your property is in a residential zone (not Resort Commercial) before listing.

What are the JADU rules in Anaheim?

A Junior ADU (JADU) under California Gov Code §66333 (Stats. 2024 Ch. 7 §20) allows you to create a secondary unit up to 500 sqft within your existing single-family home or attached garage without building a new structure. JADUs must have an efficiency kitchen (can share the main home's bathroom) and their own entrance. They qualify for the same owner-occupancy-free rules as standard ADUs. On a single-family Anaheim lot, you can have both an ADU (up to 1,200 sqft) AND a JADU (up to 500 sqft) simultaneously — potentially adding two rental units to your property.

How do school developer fees work for new ADUs in Anaheim?

ADUs under 500 sqft are exempt from school developer fees per California Government Code §66311.5(c)(3) and Education Code §17620. ADUs 500 sqft or larger are subject to developer fees from the Anaheim City School District (elementary) and Anaheim Union High School District. These fees are charged per square foot at the California school fee rate (updated periodically — typically $4-5/sqft residential). Contact Anaheim USD at (714) 999-3511 and Anaheim UHSD at (714) 999-3511 to confirm current fee rates before budgeting your ADU project.