ADU Construction in Irvine

Irvine is one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States, with a population over 300,000. The city consistently ranks among the safest in America and is home to UC Irvine, the Irvine Spectrum, and numerous Fortune 500 headquarters. Irvine's strong job market and top-rated schools drive some of the highest rental rates in Orange County. Master-planned neighborhoods typically have well-maintained infrastructure, making ADU construction straightforward from a utility and site-access standpoint. However, many Irvine communities are governed by HOAs — while state law (AB 1033) has expanded ADU rights in HOA communities, architectural review may still apply.

Zoning & requirements

Setbacks

4-foot minimum from rear and interior side property lines for new detached ADUs. No setback required for conversions of existing legal structures.

Height

16 feet for single-story detached ADUs. Up to 18 feet with additional 2 feet for roof pitch. Two-story ADUs may reach 25 feet in qualifying zones under AB 1332.

Parking

No additional parking required if within 0.5 miles of transit (Irvine has multiple OCTA and Metrolink stops). Most locations qualify for parking exemptions.

Lot Size

5,000–8,000 sqft in most residential neighborhoods. Some communities have larger lots up to 10,000+ sqft.

Owner Occupancy

No owner-occupancy requirement (permanent per AB 976, effective 2025).

Additional Notes

HOA communities may require architectural review but cannot outright prohibit ADUs under state law (AB 1033). ADUs under 750 sqft are exempt from impact fees.

How to permit your ADU in Irvine

Verify HOA rules

If your property is in an HOA community, review CC&Rs and submit for architectural review. State law prevents HOAs from banning ADUs, but they may regulate design elements like materials and colors.

Pre-application consult

Visit the Development Assistance Center at City Hall for a free pre-application review. Bring your APN, property survey, and preliminary site plan.

Submit plans

Submit complete architectural and engineering plans to the Community Development Department. Include site plan, floor plans, elevations, structural calculations, Title 24 energy compliance, and MEP plans.

Plan check & corrections

Plan check typically takes 4–6 weeks for ADU applications. Address any plan check corrections and resubmit. The city is required to process compliant ADU applications within 60 days.

Pull permit & construct

Pay fees and pull your building permit. Begin construction with a licensed contractor. Schedule inspections at each phase: foundation, framing, rough MEP, insulation, and final.

Final inspection & occupancy

Pass final inspection and receive your Certificate of Occupancy. Your ADU is now legally habitable and can be rented immediately.

City of Irvine Community Development — Development Assistance Center • Fees: $6,000–$15,000 total (plan check, building permit, school fees, utility connections). Impact fees waived for units under 750 sqft. • Timeline: 4–6 weeks plan check. 60-day max for complete applications per state mandate.