Salt Lake City, UT Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Salt Lake City, UT, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- ADUs per lot
- One
- Detached ADU max size
- 1,000 sq ft
- Detached ADU base height
- 17 feet
- Owner occupancy
- Required on-site
- Permits needed
- Building permit + zoning certificate
Summary
Salt Lake City allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, but the property owner must live on site, and a detached ADU is capped at 1,000 square feet and 17 feet tall.
The owner of the property, as defined in this section, shall reside on the property... A single ADU is allowed on a property where permitted in Chapter 21A.33 of this title... The maximum building height for a detached ADU is 17 feet... Detached ADU. None may exceed 1,000 square feet in gross floor area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code section 21A.40.200, ADUs are permitted citywide where allowed by the base zoning district, but the property owner must reside on the lot except for duplexes, multi-family or non-residential properties, or a temporary owner absence of three years or less. Only one ADU per lot is allowed. A detached ADU is limited to 1,000 square feet, a 17-foot base height (up to 24 feet for a pitched roof with added setbacks), and must sit at least 3 feet from rear and side lines. Internal ADUs have no floor-area cap. A building permit and zoning certificate are required before occupancy, and rental ADUs must enroll in the city's landlord/tenant initiative program.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or renting an ADU without the required zoning certificate and building permit is a code violation; under the general penalty section 1.12.050, an unpermitted or non-conforming ADU can draw a class B misdemeanor citation, fines up to $1,000, and a stop-work or removal order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my Salt Lake City ADU if I don't live there?
How big can a detached ADU be in Salt Lake City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
How Salt Lake City compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle adu rules.