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Garden Grove updates housing element work, preapproved ADU plans and timelines for general plan overhaul
Summary
City planning and building staff told council they are implementing the certified housing element, will post preapproved ADU plans on the city website and expect to begin a comprehensive general plan update in 2026, with major code changes (electrification, inspections) coming in 2025 that will affect multifamily property owners.
City planning and building officials updated the Garden Grove City Council on Aug. 27 about progress on the housing element, preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans and an upcoming comprehensive general plan update.
Maria Parra of the Planning Services Division told council the city's housing element — adopted Nov. 2021 and certified in December 2023 — is guiding implementation actions such as objective development and design standards, zoning code updates and an SB 9 ordinance. Parra said staff is working on potential inclusionary housing and an affordable‑housing overlay; both would require consultant studies and return to council for consideration in 2025.
"We will bring that action to council in 2025," Parra said, noting the need to issue RFPs to retain consultants for economic and feasibility studies.
Deputy Director and Building Official David Dent described parallel work in Building & Safety. He said the city has completed several preapproved ADU designs under a 2021 grant and will post those plans on the city's website so applicants can pursue a streamlined ADU process. Dent referenced forthcoming state requirements (identified in the presentation as AB 1332, effective 01/01/2025) that mandate publicly posted preapproved plans and allow acceptance of preapproved plans from design professionals.
Dent also summarized upcoming state‑driven inspections for elevated exterior elements on multifamily buildings, describing a private consultant inspection and owner‑led repair process that will be implemented after the state’s initiation date. "Currently, we have approximately 3,291 units that are 3 stories or more and contain elevated exterior decking or stairs," Dent said in the presentation; he added the city expects private consultants to identify structural repairs and that enforcement would follow if owners do not address required work.
The building official also previewed the 2025 California Green Code and other triannual code updates the city must adopt; Dent said the updates will increase electrification requirements for new construction and significant remodels and require EV‑capable electrical infrastructure in many commercial remodels.
Councilmembers thanked staff for reduced permit wait times since the city's fully digital "GG Ready" permitting system launched in 2023. Several councilmembers asked whether residents who lack internet access can still obtain in‑person help; Dent said paper applications can still be processed at the counter and staff will continue to assist customers who need in‑person help.
Staff said they will return to council with recruitment updates for building and safety staffing and with detailed project timelines and funding needs tied to the general plan update; Parra said the city aims to commence the General Plan update in 2026 and complete it by 2028, including the required environmental (CEQA) document.
What happens next: staff will bring back consultant solicitations and budget proposals for council approval as part of the 2025–26 biannual budget process and will provide further details about the inspection requirements and any assistance or education programs for property owners prior to enforcement.
