Irvine says it reviews ADU and JADU applications under state statute. A completed Residential ADU application and ADU Verification Form are required for every project. City-specific size and height numbers are not summarized on the main project page we checked, so confirm those with Planning before you design.[1]
What is an ADU? An accessory dwelling unit is a small second home on the same lot as the main house: a backyard unit, garage conversion, attached addition or guest house with its own kitchen and bath.
California cities can set their own ADU rules, but never stricter than state law. Grey lines show the state floor from the HCD ADU Handbook.
| Size limits | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: a city's maximum size must allow at least 850 sq ft, or 1,000 sq ft for more than one bedroom, and local rules cannot block an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks (Gov. Code 66321).[3] |
|---|---|
| Height | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: detached ADUs get at least 16 ft; 18 ft within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor (plus 2 ft to match roof pitch) or on a lot with a multistory multifamily building; attached ADUs up to 25 ft or the main home's limit if lower (Gov. Code 66321).[3] |
| Setbacks | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: side and rear setbacks can be no more than 4 ft for new ADUs; converted existing space needs no new setback (Gov. Code 66314, 66323).[3] |
| Parking | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: at most 1 space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, and none within a half mile walk of public transit, in a historic district, within one block of a car share, or for ADUs inside the house (Gov. Code 66314, 66322).[3] |
| Owner occupancy | A covenant must be obtained from Planning, notarized and recorded with the County of Orange Recorder when the case planner notifies you.[1] State law: no owner occupancy requirement for ADUs (Gov. Code 66315). A JADU requires the owner to live on site if it shares a bathroom with the main home (Gov. Code 66333).[3] |
| Permit steps and timeline | Submit online through IrvineReady!. Required items include the ADU Verification Form (from Planning), ADU Permit Application, building plans, site-plan development standards checklist, hold harmless affidavit, recorded covenant (from Planning, notarized with the Orange County Recorder when notified), owner/applicant affidavit, developer deposit form, school fee determination, Transportation Corridor Agency form and address application. Staff screens for completeness in about two business days, then emails a fee payment link.[1] State law: the city must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is an existing home on the lot (Gov. Code 66317).[3] |
| Fees | Fees are paid after completeness review via a link staff emails. See the city Fee Schedule page for current rates. School fees and Transportation Corridor Agency forms are part of the package.[1] State law: no impact fees on ADUs of 750 sq ft or less; above that, impact fees must be proportional to the size of the main home. Plan check, permit and school fees can still apply.[3] |
Also worth knowing: Contact Planning at planning@cityofirvine.org or (949) 724-6308. The city also advertises a Pre-Approved ADU Plans Program.[1]
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Sources
Every fact above links to an official city or state page. Rules change; check the source before you build.
- [1] City of Irvine: Constructing an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) checked Oct 2026
- [2] City of Irvine: Pre-Approved ADU Plans Program checked Oct 2026
- [3] HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026) checked Oct 2026