Anaheim Site Plan Requirements | Permits & Zoning Guide

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating a site plan for building permits in Anaheim, CA. Covers zoning requirements, setbacks, stormwater management, and submission procedures.

Anaheim Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Anaheim, California requires meeting specific requirements set by the Planning and Building Department. Anaheim's development is governed by the Anaheim Municipal Code (Title 18 — Zoning), with unique considerations including The Anaheim Resort overlay (home to Disneyland), the Platinum Triangle mixed-use development area, seismic safety, and California's statewide ADU and housing legislation.

What Is a Site Plan

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. Planning and Building requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Title 18 and the California Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through Anaheim GIS at maps.anaheim.net.

Required Site Plan Elements

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks per Title 18
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use
  • Lot coverage calculation
  • Parking spaces per Title 18
  • Landscaping per WELO and Title 18 requirements
  • Stormwater management
  • North arrow and scale
  • Orange County APN

Anaheim Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • RS-2 (Single-Family, 7,200 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 40%. Height max 35 feet.
  • RS-3 (Single-Family, 5,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 50%. Height max 35 feet.
  • RS-4 (Single-Family, small lot): Front 15 feet, side 5 feet, rear 10 feet. Lot coverage max 55%.
  • RM-2 (Multi-Family, low): Front 20 feet, side 10 feet, rear 20 feet.
  • RM-3/RM-4 (Multi-Family, medium/high): Front 15-20 feet, side 10-15 feet.
  • Platinum Triangle Mixed-Use (PTMU): Form-based standards, build-to lines, minimal setbacks, high-density mixed-use up to 100+ units/acre.
  • Anaheim Resort (AR): Special overlay for tourism-related uses near Disneyland with enhanced design and landscape standards.

Platinum Triangle Mixed-Use Zone

The Platinum Triangle is Anaheim's premier mixed-use development area:

  • Form-based standards: Build-to lines, minimum building heights, ground-floor activation requirements
  • High density: Allows up to 100+ dwelling units per acre
  • Reduced parking: Lower parking ratios than standard zones, shared parking encouraged
  • Public amenity requirements: Open space, plazas, and pedestrian connections required
  • Development Agreement: May be required for larger PTMU projects

ADU Requirements

  • ADU and Junior ADU allowed per California law on any residential lot
  • Detached ADU: Up to 1,200 sq ft, 4-foot side/rear setbacks
  • Junior ADU: Up to 500 sq ft within existing structure
  • No parking required within 1/2 mile of transit
  • Ministerial approval for compliant ADUs

Stormwater Management

  • Priority Development Projects: Projects creating 10,000+ sq ft of impervious surface must comply with Orange County NPDES permit requirements
  • LID measures: Bioretention, permeable pavement, and infiltration required
  • Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP): Required for regulated projects
  • Hydromodification: Required to match pre-development hydrology

How to Submit

ePlanSoft Portal

Submit through Anaheim's ePlanSoft portal at anaheim.net/permits for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 162.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per fee schedule; includes development impact fees for transportation, parks, fire, police, and library
  • Timeline: Residential 4-6 weeks. Commercial 6-12 weeks. PTMU projects may require additional design review.

Creating Your Anaheim Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Anaheim property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Planning and Building submission.

Seismic and Geological Considerations

  • Active faults: Anaheim is near the Newport-Inglewood and Whittier faults with Seismic Design Category D applying to most construction
  • Liquefaction zones: Parts of Anaheim are in mapped liquefaction zones; geotechnical investigation may be required before foundation design
  • Soft-story retrofit: Older multi-family buildings with soft ground stories may require seismic strengthening per California retrofit regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Anaheim?
In RS-2 zones (7,200 sq ft lots), front setbacks are 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet with 40% lot coverage. RS-3 zones (5,000 sq ft) have 20-foot front setbacks and 50% coverage. RS-4 small lots have 15-foot front setbacks and 55% coverage. Platinum Triangle uses form-based standards. Check maps.anaheim.net.
What is the Platinum Triangle?
The PTMU zone allows high-density mixed-use development up to 100+ units/acre with form-based standards, build-to lines, reduced parking, and public amenity requirements. Development Agreements may be required for larger projects. This is Anaheim's primary growth area.
What is the Anaheim Resort overlay?
The AR overlay covers the tourism area near Disneyland with special design and landscape standards for tourism-related uses. Enhanced architectural standards and landscape requirements apply. Projects must complement the resort character.
Can I build an ADU?
Yes, per California law. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, 4-foot setbacks. Junior ADUs up to 500 sq ft. No parking near transit. Ministerial approval for compliant ADUs — no discretionary review required.
What stormwater management is required?
Projects creating 10,000+ sq ft of impervious surface need WQMP compliance per Orange County NPDES. LID measures required including bioretention and permeable pavement. Hydromodification management required to match pre-development hydrology.
What landscaping is required?
California's WELO applies to projects with 500+ sq ft of new landscape. Water budgets, drought-tolerant plants, and efficient irrigation required. The Anaheim Resort overlay has enhanced landscape standards.
How do I submit plans?
Submit through ePlanSoft at anaheim.net/permits. Walk-in at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 162. Residential permits take 4-6 weeks.
How long does plan review take?
Residential 4-6 weeks. Commercial 6-12 weeks. PTMU projects may have additional design review. ADU permits are typically faster with ministerial approval.

How to Create a Site Plan in Anaheim

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Anaheim GIS at maps.anaheim.net to find zoning, Platinum Triangle or Anaheim Resort overlay status, and lot dimensions. Note your Orange County APN.
  2. Determine Overlay Requirements: Check if you're in the Platinum Triangle (PTMU), Anaheim Resort (AR), or standard residential zone. Each has different setback, parking, and design standards.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Anaheim address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Title 18.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, landscaping per WELO, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare WQMP for regulated projects. Prepare WELO landscape documentation. For PTMU, prepare design review materials.
  6. Submit Through ePlanSoft: Upload plans through anaheim.net/permits. Pay fees including impact fees.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Navigate design review if required for PTMU. Once approved, pay fees, receive permit, schedule inspections.