ADU PLANS · SANTA ANA, CA
ADU plans for Santa Ana
Permit drawings for a backyard unit, garage conversion or junior ADU, drawn to the city's rules.
THE RULES
Santa Ana's ADU rules at a glance
- On one house lot
- One ADU and one junior ADU (up to 500 sq ft, inside the house or attached garage)
- Detached ADU
- Up to 1,000 sq ft, and 20 ft or two stories high
- Setbacks
- 4 ft from the side and rear lot lines
- Parking
- One space for a new unit, unless it's a conversion, a studio, near transit or another listed exception
- Renting it out
- 30 days or longer. No short-term rentals
- Owner on site
- Not required for an ADU
From the city's own page, checked October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on santa-ana.org (new tab).
HOW IT GOES
From idea to approval
Check your lot
ADUs are allowed where homes are. The city's property search shows your zoning and whether the lot qualifies for its pre-approved plans.
Pick a route
Santa Ana offers pre-approved ADU plans. If one fits your lot, you may not need us. For your own layout, or a lot in a flood zone or historic district, you need a custom set.
We draw your set
Site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections and details, plus the plumbing, electrical, mechanical and energy sheets.
City plan check
Santa Ana reviews plans electronically, and state law gives the city 60 days to approve or deny a complete ADU application. We answer any comments, round by round. Your quote says what's included.
We work remotely, from your photos, measurements and sketches. We don't visit the site.
STAMPS
Does it need a stamp?
Not always. In California, plans for a typical wood-frame home or ADU can be prepared without an architect's or engineer's stamp.
The city can still ask for an engineer's calculations for parts like foundations, retaining walls or steel. If yours needs a stamp, a California-licensed engineer reviews and stamps the set.
OUR WORK
