Garden Grove · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Garden Grove?
In Garden Grove, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 5 base zones (R-2, R-3, GGMU-2, GGMU-3 and CC-1, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (Garden Grove use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-2, R-3, GGMU-2, GGMU-3 and CC-1
- Not allowed: CC-2, CC-OS and AR
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Garden Grove Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Garden Grove's code calls this use “Multiple Family Dwelling (R-2/R-3, S2); Multiple-Family Residential Use - Stand-alone use with no commercial component (mixed-use table, S5)”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-2 Limited Multiple Residential | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| R-3 Multiple-Family Residential | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| GGMU-2 Garden Grove Boulevard Mixed Use 2 | Allowed — see note Note comment: Minimum density of 10 units/acre required in GGMU zones. Residential development requires a commercial component in GGMU-1 (unless 100% affordable development) and certain properties in CC-3; see Section 9.18.020.070 (Restrictions on Uses and Activities within a Vertically Integrated Residential/Commercial Mixed Use Development). Stand-alone multiple-family residential development in the NMU zone is only permitted on sites that do not have access to a principal, major, primary, or secondary arterial street. Such development is not required to include a pedestrian plaza area. Note comment: In all zones that allow multiple-family residential development, where the base density calculates to less than two dwelling units, two multiple-family dwelling units are allowed, provided the development complies with all applicable development standards of the respective zone. | Chapter 9.18 — MIXED USE REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS |
| GGMU-3 Garden Grove Boulevard Mixed Use 3 | Allowed — see note Note comment: Minimum density of 10 units/acre required in GGMU zones. Residential development requires a commercial component in GGMU-1 (unless 100% affordable development) and certain properties in CC-3; see Section 9.18.020.070 (Restrictions on Uses and Activities within a Vertically Integrated Residential/Commercial Mixed Use Development). Stand-alone multiple-family residential development in the NMU zone is only permitted on sites that do not have access to a principal, major, primary, or secondary arterial street. Such development is not required to include a pedestrian plaza area. Note comment: In all zones that allow multiple-family residential development, where the base density calculates to less than two dwelling units, two multiple-family dwelling units are allowed, provided the development complies with all applicable development standards of the respective zone. | Chapter 9.18 — MIXED USE REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS |
| CC-1 Civic Center East | Allowed — see note Note comment: Minimum density of 10 units/acre required in GGMU zones. Residential development requires a commercial component in GGMU-1 (unless 100% affordable development) and certain properties in CC-3; see Section 9.18.020.070 (Restrictions on Uses and Activities within a Vertically Integrated Residential/Commercial Mixed Use Development). Stand-alone multiple-family residential development in the NMU zone is only permitted on sites that do not have access to a principal, major, primary, or secondary arterial street. Such development is not required to include a pedestrian plaza area. Note comment: In all zones that allow multiple-family residential development, where the base density calculates to less than two dwelling units, two multiple-family dwelling units are allowed, provided the development complies with all applicable development standards of the respective zone. | Chapter 9.18 — MIXED USE REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 9.18.020.070 Restrictions on Uses and Activities within a Vertically Integrated Residential/Commercial Mixed Use Development.
- "Limited Multiple Family Dwelling" row (S2): R-2 P, R-3 P. R-1 has no multifamily row. In the mixed-use table the "Residential/Commercial Mixed Use Development" row is P in GGMU, CC-1, CC-2, CC-3, NMU, AR, so multifamily with a commercial component is allowed in more zones than the stand-alone cells show. CC-2 "[-]" applies to stand-alone only.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: PUD (planned unit development) zones and specific plans (Chapter 9.28: each specific plan has its own use list); Overlay zones (Emergency Shelter Overlay Zone) and any other zone whose use table is not in the packet; R-1 use table covers R-1 only; commercial/industrial table has no residential rows. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Garden Grove
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the CC-2 zone in Garden Grove?
No. Garden Grove's use table does not allow it in CC-2 (Civic Center Main Street) (Chapter 9.18 — MIXED USE REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-2 zone in Garden Grove?
Yes. Garden Grove's use table lists it as allowed in R-2 (Limited Multiple Residential) (§ 9.12.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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