Public-record permit data only — not zoning, feasibility, or legal advice. Records may be incomplete, delayed, or mis-categorized. Check with your city planning department.
Across South Orange County, public records show 1,039 ADU permits in the 8 cities listed below. The most active are Laguna Beach (426), San Clemente (182) and Mission Viejo (101).
| City | ADU permits |
|---|---|
| Dana Point | 69 |
| Laguna Beach | 426 |
| Laguna Hills | 38 |
| Laguna Niguel | 62 |
| Lake Forest | 96 |
| Mission Viejo | 101 |
| San Clemente | 182 |
| San Juan Capistrano | 65 |
Where the numbers come from
Counts come from the California Department of Housing and Community Development's annual progress reports, which every city files with the state. Each area's page shows its yearly counts and, where the source publishes them, permit times, ADU types and declared costs.