St. George, UT Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in St. George, UT, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Accessory dwelling permit
- Parking rule
- Lost garage parking must be replaced
- Tandem parking
- Not allowed as replacement
- Units per lot
- One ADU or guesthouse per lot
Summary
Converting an existing garage or carport into an accessory dwelling unit is allowed, but St. George requires the lost parking to be replaced elsewhere on the property if the change would leave the home short of its required off-street parking.
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:
a. Entrance Locations: Entrances to accessory dwelling units that are located within a single-family dwelling are permitted in the following locations:
(1) An existing entrance to the single-family dwelling.
(2) On the side or rear of the building. Stairs leading to an ADU in the basement are permitted to encroach into the side yard or rear yard up to four feet (4') .
(3) Exterior stairs leading to an entrance above the first level of the single-family dwelling must not be visible from the street.
2. If located in a detached accessory building, the following standards shall apply: +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements | +--------------+---------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
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 lets homeowners convert an existing garage or carport into an accessory dwelling unit, but only with an approved accessory dwelling permit through the community development department (subsection I). If the conversion eliminates covered parking, subsection F requires the displaced space be rebuilt elsewhere on the lot whenever the loss would drop the property below the parking count the single-family home is required to carry. Tandem parking cannot be used to satisfy the replacement, and only one ADU or guesthouse is allowed per lot.
Violations & Fines
Creating an ADU or living space in a garage without an approved accessory dwelling permit, or without replacing displaced parking, is a zoning violation enforceable by the community development department; noncompliant units can be denied permits or ordered corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my garage into a bedroom or ADU in St. George?
Does converting a garage into an ADU count toward my home's allowed density?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
Compare St. George to another location·View the Utah accessory structures overview
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