Anaheim, California Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Anaheim Zoning Overview
Anaheim is the most populous city in Orange County and home to the Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center, and Angel Stadium. The city's zoning and land use framework is administered by the Planning & Building Department under the Anaheim Municipal Code.
Residential Zoning
Anaheim's residential districts use the RS (Residential Single-Family) and RM (Residential Multi-Family) prefix system. The RS-2 zone provides for standard single-family lots of at least 7,200 square feet, while RS-3 allows smaller lots. The RM-1 zone accommodates multi-family housing including apartments and townhomes.
ADU Development
Anaheim permits ADU construction on residentially zoned lots in compliance with California's statewide ADU laws. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet are allowed, and the city processes applications ministerially within 60 days. Property owners may also construct a JADU within the primary dwelling.
Special Planning Areas
The Anaheim Resort Specific Plan governs development in and around the Disneyland Resort area with unique standards for land use, design, and density. The Platinum Triangle and other specific plan areas also have tailored zoning requirements that differ from the citywide code.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Anaheim
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — California
- Building Code: 2022 California Building Code (Title 24, based on 2021 IBC)
- Energy Code: 2022 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6)
- Seismic Zone: Zone 4 (high seismicity)
- State ADU Override: Yes (AB 68, SB 13, AB 881, AB 2221)
County — Orange County
- Role: Regional planning coordination and unincorporated area regulation
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
- Anaheim Resort Specific Plan — Overlay governing development in the Disneyland Resort area with unique land use, design, and density standards.
- Scenic Corridor Overlay — Properties along designated scenic corridors are subject to additional design and landscaping standards.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Many Anaheim neighborhoods have active HOAs with CC&Rs that may restrict ADU construction or impose design guidelines beyond city zoning requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 7,200 sq ft
- Max Height
- 28 ft / 2 stories
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 28 ft / 2 stories
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- 7,200 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft / 3 stories
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- FAR
- 1.0
ADU Rules in Anaheim
- Max Size
- 1,200 sq ft
- Max Height
- 16 ft
- Rear Setback
- 4 ft
- Side Setback
- 4 ft
- Parking
- No additional parking required within 0.5 miles of public transit
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required per state law
- Permit Timeline
- 60 days for ministerial approval
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Anaheim are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Anaheim permit fees →