Garden Grove Offers Four Free ADU Plans. What Still Goes Into a Building Application?

A free plan does not mean a free build

Garden Grove calls a secondary home an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. Some families call it a backyard home or a place for parents. The city currently lists four plans that it owns and makes available to applicants at no charge.

The plans measure 447, 630, 750, and 1,000 square feet. They are for a studio, a one-bedroom unit, a two-bedroom unit, and a three-bedroom unit. The city says the plans have been reviewed in advance and are available online.

Homeowners can browse the plans on Garden Grove’s ADU Go page or download each architectural plan directly:
- CP-1 — studio, 447 square feet
- CP-2 — one bedroom, 630 square feet
- CP-3 — two bedrooms, 750 square feet
- CP-4 — three bedrooms, 1,000 square feet

The free material is the architectural plan. Garden Grove says the city plans do not include structural drawings or Title 24 sheets prepared for a specific site. Applicants remain responsible for site-specific documents, including a site plan and structural plans and calculations when needed.

So “free plans” does not mean the city waives every custom design cost, permit, utility charge, or construction expense. This article does not estimate the total cost of a project.

Which properties can use ADU Go plans?

Garden Grove advises homeowners to contact its Planning Division before choosing a plan. A project must still comply with Chapter 9.54 of the city’s municipal code. The ordinance includes standards for setbacks, height, and building separation; some limits depend on the lot and site layout.

The city also says a property in Special Flood Hazard Area Zone A is not eligible to use the ADU Go plans. That is a condition of this pre-approved-plan program. It does not mean every ADU project outside that area is automatically approved.

What happens after you find a plan?

Garden Grove directs homeowners to contact the Planning Division first to discuss the property. Applications using an ADU Go plan are submitted through the GG READY portal.

The city-owned plans cover architecture only. Homeowners are responsible for preparing site-specific documents, including a site plan, Title 24 materials, and structural design as required. The city’s review depends on the property and the application.

The city’s ADU page also links to FAQs and some Vietnamese forms. Those materials can help homeowners prepare questions, but the Planning Division is the place to confirm requirements for a specific parcel.

Five questions to ask before setting a budget

• Is the property in Zone A or another area that needs special review?
• Which plan fits the setbacks, primary home, and existing structures?
• What site plan, Title 24, and structural documents are still needed?
• What are the current permit, plan-check, water, and sewer charges?
• Are other permits or inspections required before construction?

These questions can help a family understand the project before paying for design work or hiring a contractor. They do not replace a determination by the city’s Planning Division or Building and Safety staff.

What to remember

An ADU can help family members live near one another while keeping separate space. But a plan posted online cannot determine whether a particular parcel qualifies. Garden Grove recommends starting with its Planning Division; homeowners can then prepare the required application and permits.

This article is for general information only and is not financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. Please consult a licensed professional before making decisions.

Translation assisted by AI and reviewed by an editor.