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West Valley City, UT Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

ADU rules in West Valley City, UT, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Detached ADU min lot
11,000 sq ft
Internal ADU min lot
Over 6,000 sq ft
Owner-occupancy
Required for both types
Detached rental term
90+ consecutive days
Internal rental term
30+ consecutive days

Summary

West Valley City sets detailed lot, setback, size, parking, and owner-occupancy standards for both detached and internal accessory dwelling units.

Detached Accessory Dwelling Units shall be prohibited on a Lot that: Is less than 11,000 square feet in area; Does not contain a Single Unit Dwelling... The owner of a Lot where a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit is located shall reside in the Single Unit Dwelling on the same Lot or in the Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit. A business license shall be required to rent a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit... rented for a period of at least 90 consecutive days.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-30, passed June 23, 2026).

Full Breakdown

West Valley City Municipal Code § 7-7-107.5 governs Detached Accessory Dwelling Units: they are barred on lots under 11,000 square feet, lots without a Single Unit Dwelling, or lots already holding an ADU; must sit in the side or rear yard, be smaller than the primary home, sit back at least 5 feet (10 in Agricultural Zones) from side/rear lines and 20 feet from a street-adjoining line, and the property owner must live in either unit. A companion § 7-7-115.5 governs Internal ADUs, limiting one per parcel, barring a separate utility meter, requiring an added parking space, and prohibiting an internal ADU on a lot of 6,000 square feet or less or where the owner does not occupy the home. Both sections were enacted or amended by Ord. No. 26-28 on 06/23/2026 and expressly operate alongside Utah Code Title 10, Chapter 21, which sets the state floor for internal ADUs.

Violations & Fines

A business license is required to rent either unit type; renting without one, or violating siting/occupancy standards, is enforced through the City's zoning and business-license processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent out my West Valley City ADU short-term?
No, § 7-7-107.5 requires detached ADU rentals of at least 90 consecutive days, and § 7-7-115.5 requires internal ADU rentals of at least 30 consecutive days.
Do I need to live on the property to have an ADU?
Yes for both types: the owner must reside in either the primary home or the detached ADU, and an internal ADU is barred if the owner doesn't occupy the home as their primary residence.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in West Valley City

All West Valley City rules

How West Valley City compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare West Valley City to another location·View the Utah accessory structures overview

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