Washington County, UT Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- STR use
- Prohibited unless licensed under § 10-13-23
- Long-term rental condition
- Recorded deed restriction required
- License needed to rent
- County business license, § 10-13-18.D.2.f
- Rentable units per parcel
- Only one dwelling may rent
- Enforcing agency
- Community Development Department
Summary
Washington County bars short-term rental use of either an accessory dwelling unit or its associated single-family home unless a Short Term Rental License is issued under § 10-13-23; renting one of the units long-term instead requires a recorded deed restriction.
Short term rentals not permitted. Neither the single family dwelling unit, nor the accessory dwelling unit, shall be used or licensed as a short term rental unless specifically permitted in accordance with section 10-13-23.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-17: Code current through: Ord. 2026-1329-O, passed 8-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
5 states plainly that "neither the single family dwelling unit, nor the accessory dwelling unit, shall be used or licensed as a short term rental" on an ADU parcel, unless the operator separately qualifies for and obtains a Short Term Rental License under § 10-13-23. That cross-reference matters because § 10-13-23's own owner-occupancy, density-limit, and size caps for STRs then apply on top of the ADU chapter's rules, closing off short-term rental as a routine option for ADU parcels. 3, the primary dwelling or the ADU may be rented long-term only if the owner first records a deed restriction, on a form the county accepts, against the property, acknowledging that the lot or parcel will remain owner-occupied.
4. f, and license renewal depends on the owner continuing to submit proof of continued compliance with these occupancy and restriction requirements. No more than one dwelling unit on an ADU parcel, whether the ADU or the primary home, may be rented at any time.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance is enforced through the business license tied to the rental: § 10-13-18.E makes a failure to maintain the owner-occupancy and deed-restriction conditions "just cause" for the county to deny, decline to renew, or revoke the license that authorizes renting the unit, in addition to the zoning enforcement and penalty provisions the chapter otherwise incorporates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I short-term rent my Washington County ADU on Airbnb?
What paperwork does Washington County require to rent an ADU long-term?
Does the deed restriction on a Washington County ADU expire when I sell the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County 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.