St. George, UT Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Short-term ADU rental
- Not permitted
- Occupancy rule
- Owner must live on property
- Long-term rental
- Requires deed restriction
- Rental ADU
- Business license required
- Violation penalty
- Class C misdemeanor
Summary
St. George bans short-term rental of accessory dwelling units outright and only permits an ADU where the property owner actually lives on-site, in either the main house or the ADU itself.
Occupancy: The city shall only permit an accessory dwelling unit when an owner-occupant lives on the property within either the single-family dwelling or accessory dwelling unit. Short-term rental of an accessory dwelling unit is not permitted.
C. The total number of residents that reside in an accessory dwelling unit may not exceed the number allowed for a “family” as defined in this title.
D. Number Of Accessory Units Per Parcel: An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) shall be allowed only on parcels containing a single-family dwelling. Only one (1) accessory dwelling unit or guesthouse shall be allowed on a lot or parcel. Within the Downtown Boundary, two (2) ADUs are allowed per lot.
E. Not A Unit Of Density: Accessory dwelling units are not considered a unit of density and therefore are not included in the density calculation for residential property.
F. Parking: An additional off-street parking space is required for each ADU. Tandem parking is not allowed for accessory dwelling units. If an accessory dwelling unit is created within an existing garage or carport, parking spaces contained therein shall be replaced elsewhere on the property if the loss of the parking space would cause the single-family dwelling to be noncompliant with the required parking standard.
G. Size And Location Requirements:
1. If located within or attached to a single-family dwelling:
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
St. George City Code section 10-17A-3(B) makes ADU occupancy owner-occupancy-only: the city permits an accessory dwelling unit only when an owner-occupant lives on the property, in either the single-family dwelling or the ADU, and states flatly that short-term rental of an ADU is not permitted. Renting an ADU long-term still requires a recorded deed restriction keeping the main house owner-occupied and a rental dwelling business license under 10-17A-3(I). Violating title 10's accessory dwelling standards carries a class C misdemeanor under section 10-1-14 unless another penalty is specified.
Violations & Fines
Class C misdemeanor under City Code 10-1-14; the city can also deny or revoke the accessory dwelling permit and rental business license for noncompliant short-term use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list my St. George ADU on Airbnb or VRBO?
What do I need to rent my ADU long-term in St. George?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
Compare St. George to another location·View the Utah accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.