Published: 8 Oct 2026 · Last verified: 8 Oct 2026 · Next review: Jan 2027 Cost figures are re-checked against permit records quarterly. Changes are logged in Corrections.
Three cities, one county, one 800 square foot ADU — and three completely different ideas of what the city should charge for it. Anaheim taxes the impact, Fullerton barely charges for the permit, and Garden Grove gives away the plans for free.
This is the second comparison post in the series, following LA County. Same method: identical six-phase ledger, identical construction baseline, only the local fee layer changes.
The three totals
| City | Total (800 sq ft) | $/sq ft | vs. LA baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton | $318,000 | $398 | −$2,000 |
| Garden Grove | $318,000 | $398 | −$2,000 |
| Anaheim | $320,000 | $400 | at parity |
The $2,000 spread understates the real differences. Anaheim’s impact fees alone exceed Fullerton’s by roughly $4,000 — the totals converge because Anaheim offsets with free plans (design savings) and Fullerton carries its own quirks.
Where the money goes: the fee layer compared
Impact fees: the widest gap in the series
| City | ADU impact-fee method (750+ sq ft) | 800 sq ft ADU pays |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | Pro-rata, highest rate in series | ~$10,411 |
| Fullerton | Pro-rata vs. primary dwelling | ~$6,411 on a 1,500 sq ft house |
| Garden Grove | Dual cliff — 500 sq ft school / 750 sq ft DIF | Lower tier |
Anaheim’s ~$10,411 is 1.6× Fullerton’s and the highest DIF in the series. Garden Grove’s structure is the most forgiving at the margin.
Building permits: cheapest vs. priciest
| City | Permit + plan check (800 sq ft example) |
|---|---|
| Fullerton | $1,223 — series lowest |
| Garden Grove | Mid-range |
| Anaheim | $1,672 — includes plan check, the only city to bundle it |
Fullerton’s $1,223 is the cheapest permit in the series. Anaheim’s $1,672 is notable for including plan check in a single line — no other city does that.
Free plans: two of three
| City | Pre-approved ADU program |
|---|---|
| Garden Grove | ADU Go — 4 free city-produced designs |
| Anaheim | ADU Express — 4 free designs, 7-step pipeline (most in series) |
| Fullerton | In development — 842 sq ft plan (clears the 750 cliff) |
Garden Grove’s “city of free plans” identity and Anaheim’s four-design pipeline are genuine cost savers on the design line ($8,000–$14,000 in the baseline). Fullerton’s in-development 842 sq ft plan is ironic: at 842 sq ft it would itself trigger the impact fees its own cheap permit avoids.
School fees
| City | School district fee (800 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $4,304 — resolution names ADUs directly (series first) |
| Fullerton | ~$4,136–$4,304 tier |
| Garden Grove | $4,136 — GGUSD verified rate |
Anaheim’s distinction: its school district resolution explicitly names ADUs — the first in the series to do so.
What this tells a homeowner
- Anaheim is the fee-heavy choice. The highest impact fees in the series, partially offset by free plans and a bundled permit. Best for homeowners who value the free design pipeline over the fee bill.
- Fullerton is the permit-light choice. Cheapest permit in the series, moderate impact fees. The 842 sq ft plan in development is worth watching — if it ships, it changes the design-cost math.
- Garden Grove is the balanced choice. Free plans, dual-cliff fee structure, mid-range everything. The “city of free plans” label is earned.
- SB 1117 reshuffles this table on 1 Jan 2027. Anaheim’s $10,411 impact fee is the most exposed to the marginal-fee rewrite — fees applying only above 750 sq ft will cut it hardest. Our fee calculator reflects the new math after the quarterly re-verification.
Methodology note
Construction phases 2–6 are carried from the Los Angeles County baseline in all three cities; none publishes phase-level construction costs. Only the fee layer is city-specific, sourced from official fee schedules, ordinances, and district resolutions. Unconfirmed items are marked in each city post.