Skip to content

Garden Grove · Building on your lot

Lot splits under SB 9 in Garden Grove

Garden Grove's own rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

Ask about lot splits under sb 9 in Garden Grove See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Garden Grove Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Garden Grove's code says

Garden Grove code What Garden Grove's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • At most 2 new lots of about equal area; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits.
    § 9.56.110 · code text
    provided that one lot shall not be smaller than 40% of the lot area of the original lot proposed for subdivision.
Unit size
  • At most 800 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: Applies to each new primary home in an SB 9 two-unit project or on a lot from an urban lot split.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    The total floor area of each new primary dwelling unit developed as part of an SB 9 two-unit residential development or on a lot created through an urban lot split shall not exceed 800 square feet.
  • May be expanded up to 800 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to an existing primary home under 800 square feet, legally built before the complete application.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    A primary dwelling that was legally established prior to the submittal of a complete application for an urban lot split or an SB 9 two-unit residential development and that is smaller than 800 square feet may be expanded to 800 square feet.
Minimum new lot size
  • At least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to each of the 2 lots created by an urban lot split.
    § 9.56.110 · code text
    Both newly created lots must each be no smaller than 1,200 square feet.
Setbacks
  • At least 5 feet interior side setback.
    Applies: Applies to each new primary home and its attached garage or accessory structure.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    b. Interior side setback: five feet.
  • At least 15 feet rear setback.
    Applies: Applies to each new primary home and its attached garage or accessory structure.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    d. Rear setback: 15 feet.
  • At least 5 feet interior side setback.
    Applies: Applies to detached garages and accessory structures.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    b. Interior side setback: five feet.
  • At least 5 feet rear setback.
    Applies: Applies to detached garages and accessory structures.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    d. Rear setback: five feet.
  • At least 4 feet.
    Applies: The reduced side or rear setback, when needed so 2 units or an 800-square-foot new primary home can be built.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    but in no event may any structure be less than four feet from a side or rear property line.
Standards
  • One story at ground level, and should not be more than 17 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to each new primary home.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    Each new primary dwelling unit shall be one story, constructed at ground level, and should not be more than 17 feet in height measured from ground level to the highest point on the roof.
  • Lot coverage at most 50%, counting all buildings, covered porches and patios, and covered parking.
    Applies: Applies to an SB 9 two-unit project or a lot from an urban lot split.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    The maximum lot coverage shall not exceed 50%.
  • At least 225 square feet.
    Applies: A continuous private recreation area for each new primary home, at least 10 feet each way.
    § 9.56.100 · code text
    Each new primary dwelling unit shall provide, at a minimum, a continuous private recreation area of 225 square feet with minimum interior dimensions of 10 feet.
  • Each new lot needs at least 25 feet of frontage on the public right-of-way.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits.
    § 9.56.110 · code text
    Each resulting lot must have frontage on the public right-of-way of at least 25 feet.
Owner occupancy
  • Applicant signs an affidavit to live in one unit as principal residence for 3+ years after the final map.
    Applies: Applies to the urban lot split applicant living on one of the new lots.
    § 9.56.110 · code text
    The applicant for a parcel map for an urban lot split must sign an affidavit provided by the City stating that the applicant intends to occupy one of the dwelling units on one of the resulting lots as the applicant's principal residence for a minimum of three years after the final parcel map for the urban lot split is approved.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Garden Grove?

Garden Grove's code: At most 2 new lots of about equal area; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot. (Applies to urban lot splits.) (§ 9.56.110); At most 800 square feet of floor area. (Applies to each new primary home in an SB 9 two-unit project or on a lot from an urban lot split.) (§ 9.56.100).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Garden Grove property

Ask GoCodebook how Garden Grove's lot splits under sb 9 rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Garden Grove

All building on your lot rules in Garden Grove

Garden Grove Municipal Code — full text