ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit in Anaheim (2026)
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit requirements, fees, and process for Anaheim, CA. Find out if you need a permit and how to apply.
Yes, a ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit is required in Anaheim, CA.
A ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit is required in Anaheim, CA. The Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division handles permit applications for Anaheim. Below you will find the current thresholds, fees, and process for obtaining a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit in Anaheim.
When Is a Permit Required?
When a ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit Is Required in Anaheim: All ADUs and JADUs
Permit Fees
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit Fees in Anaheim: $2,000–$8,500 typical. Estimated timeline: 3-6 weeks.
Estimated timeline: 3-6 weeks
How to Get a ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit in Anaheim
Verify whether your project meets the permit threshold in Anaheim: All ADUs and JADUs.
Prepare your permit application and plans. Contact the Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division at https://www.anaheim.net/220/Planning-Building for required documentation.
Submit your application online at https://epermits.anaheim.net/ or in person at the Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division.
Pay the permit fee: $2,000–$8,500 typical.
Wait for plan check approval. Estimated timeline: 3-6 weeks.
Schedule required inspections through https://www.anaheim.net/2186/Inspections. All inspections must pass before project is finalized.
Important: Ministerial approval within 60 days. Anaheim Public Utilities connection fees for new utility service. Pre-approved standard ADU plans available.
Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division
Phone: (714) 765-5153
Website: https://www.anaheim.net/220/Planning-Building
Online Permits: https://epermits.anaheim.net/
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:00pm (200 S. Anaheim Blvd)
Frequently Asked Questions
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 at (714) 765-5153 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 65852.22 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 750 sqft are exempt from school developer fees under California Gov Code 65852.2(f)(3). ADUs 750 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.
Source: Anaheim Building Code — ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Requirements. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source