St. George, UT Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in St. George, UT, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Units per lot
- 1 (2 in Downtown Boundary)
- Occupancy rule
- Owner must live on property
- Short-term rental
- Not permitted
- Max detached height
- 25 feet
- Extra parking
- 1 additional space required
Summary
St. George allows one accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot, but only if the owner lives on-site and the ADU is never rented short-term.
B. 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. ... D. Number Of Accessory Units Per Parcel: ... 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.
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
City code permits an ADU only where an owner-occupant lives in either the main house or the ADU itself, and bars short-term rental outright. Only one ADU or guesthouse is allowed per lot (two within the Downtown Boundary), it cannot be sold off separately from the main lot, and it doesn't count toward density. Detached units are capped at 25 feet in height and must stay smaller than the main house's floor area, with a 6-foot separation from other structures. An extra off-street parking space is required, and a rental dwelling business license plus a recorded owner-occupancy deed restriction are required before renting it out.
Violations & Fines
Building or renting an ADU without the required accessory dwelling permit, deed restriction, and rental business license is a code violation enforced by the Community Development Department; short-term rental of an ADU is expressly prohibited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my St. George ADU on Airbnb?
Do I need a permit to build an ADU in St. George?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
How St. George compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare St. George to another location·View the Utah accessory structures overview
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