How United Build Partners helps Anaheim homeowners
We're an ADU advisory and contractor-matching service, not the construction company. We start with a free review of your Anaheim property and goals, help you understand whether your project could qualify for the city's Express Program, and — when it's a good fit — connect you with up to three contractors in our network.
ADU rules and permitting in Anaheim
Anaheim's ADU rules build on the same statewide floor every California city follows — ministerial review, no discretionary hearings, and a 60-day clock on complete applications under state law (see our California ADU laws guide). Some older sections of Anaheim's own municipal code reference longer review windows, but current state law generally controls where the two conflict — confirm the current operative timeline directly with the city's Planning Services Division.
What's specific to Anaheim
- Unit allowance: most single-family lots are allowed one detached ADU and one Junior ADU.
- Size: detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet; attached ADUs capped at 50% of the primary home's floor area or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less.
- Setbacks: generally a 4-foot minimum from side and rear property lines for detached units.
- Online submission: Anaheim accepts ADU applications through its GoPost online portal, in addition to in-person submission by appointment at the Planning Services Division counter.
ADU Express Program
For qualifying new detached ADUs, Anaheim has introduced an Express Program described as offering one-day permitting and no design cost — a significantly faster and cheaper path than a fully custom design typically allows. Eligibility and current program details are managed through the city's dedicated ADU resource (referred to as "ADUheim" on the city's site) — confirm your project's eligibility directly with Anaheim's Planning Services Division before assuming it applies to your lot.
Property and lot considerations
Anaheim's neighborhoods range from dense, older tracts closer to Downtown and the resort district to more spread-out residential areas further out. Whether your lot qualifies for the Express Program's fast-track path depends on factors like whether you're building new detached construction versus a conversion, and your specific site conditions — a property review is the most direct way to find out.
Common ADU types for Anaheim homeowners
Given the Express Program's focus on new detached construction, many Anaheim homeowners with qualifying lots find the detached ADU path particularly attractive right now. Homeowners with an existing garage instead often consider a garage conversion, and those wanting the lowest-cost entry point look at a Junior ADU.
Cost factors in Anaheim
Construction costs in Anaheim generally fall within the same $285–$350 per square foot range as the rest of our Orange County service area — see our full ADU cost guide. If your project qualifies for the Express Program's no-design-fee benefit, that can meaningfully reduce your total project cost compared to a fully custom design elsewhere.
Financing your Anaheim ADU
Most homeowners fund construction through a HELOC, cash-out refinance, or dedicated construction loan — see our ADU financing overview for how each works, and our HELOC vs. construction loan comparison for how to decide between the two most common options.
Rental income and property value in Anaheim
Anaheim's tourism-driven economy and dense residential neighborhoods support real rental demand for many homeowners, though actual achievable rent depends heavily on your specific neighborhood and unit, and we don't have a verified, current rent figure to quote. See our ADU rental income guide and ROI calculator to work through your own numbers.
How our process works
Frequently asked questions
It's a city incentive program for qualifying new detached ADUs, described as offering one-day permitting and no design cost. Eligibility depends on your specific project — confirm current details with Anaheim's Planning Services Division.
Yes — Anaheim accepts ADU applications through its GoPost online portal, in addition to in-person submission by appointment.
Most single-family lots are generally allowed one detached (or attached) ADU plus one Junior ADU. See our guide on how many ADUs one property can have for the broader statewide framework.