BCG Technology News

Garden Grove ADU Conversion Requirements

Tim Robertson

An entertaining conversation about how Garden Grove ADU Conversions work!

Benefits of ADUs:

The City of Garden Grove highlights the following advantages of ADUs:

  • Affordability: ADUs are generally more affordable to construct than traditional homes due to not requiring land acquisition, extensive new infrastructure, or structured parking.
  • Income Generation: Homeowners can generate rental income by leasing out their ADUs.
  • Cost-Effective Construction: Built primarily with wood frame construction, ADUs are significantly less expensive than units within new multi-family buildings.
  • Diverse Housing Options: ADUs cater to various housing needs, offering spacious living arrangements suitable for couples, small families, friends, young professionals, seniors, and multigenerational families.
  • Increased Housing Supply: ADUs contribute to addressing California's housing shortage.
  • Proximity to Amenities: ADUs offer residents proximity to jobs, amenities, and schools.
  • Aging in Place: ADUs allow seniors to age in place by providing independent living spaces while remaining close to family for support.

Types of ADUs:

  • New Construction: A detached ADU can be built on a property with an existing single-family home or as part of a multi-family development.
  • Conversion: Existing spaces within a single-family home, attached structures (like garages), or portions of multi-family dwellings can be converted into ADUs.
  • Junior ADUs (JADUs): JADUs are smaller units (up to 500 sq ft) contained entirely within the existing structure of a single-family home, often converted from a portion of the living space or attached garage.

Garden Grove Municipal Code and Planning:

The following are key regulations for ADUs in Garden Grove:

Single-Family Residential (SFR):

  • New Construction:
  • Maximum size: 850 sq ft (studio or 1-bedroom), 1,200 sq ft (2+ bedrooms), not exceeding 50% of the main house living area for attached ADUs.
  • Height: One-story, 16 feet maximum.
  • Parking: 1 space per unit (tandem parking allowed), waived if located within 1/2 mile of public transit.
  • Setbacks: 20 feet front, 4 feet side and rear (verify utility easements).
  • Conversion:
  • Requires proof of existing building permits for the space being converted.
  • No additional parking required.
  • Size must meet California Residential Code (CRC) requirements.
  • Accessory structure conversions can have a 150 sq ft expansion for ingress/egress.
  • JADU:
  • Maximum size: 500 sq ft.
  • Must be within the existing single-family home structure (including attached garage conversions).
  • Must include an efficiency kitchen but can share a bathroom with the main house.
  • No additional parking required; however, garage conversions require replacement parking (up to 8 spaces based on bedroom count).
  • Owner occupancy required.

Multi-Family Residential:

  • Conversion:
  • Allowed within existing multi-family structures, limited to 25% of the existing dwelling units.
  • No additional parking required.
  • Size must meet California Residential Code (CRC) requirements.

Get a quote for your ADU project in Garden Grove today: https://adugardengrove.com/

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting official sources or a government website to determine relevance and accuracy.