How Sandy Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Sandy maintains 113 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Sandy falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Carport Rules

Carports in Sandy require a building permit when attached to the home or exceeding 200 sqft. They must meet front-yard setbacks (typically 25-30 ft) and side-yard setbacks (3-5 ft), with maximum height usually 15 feet.

Key details: Attached: Permit required. Under 200 sqft Detached: Usually no permit. Front Setback: 25-30 ft typical. Side/Rear: 3-5 ft. Fabric/Portable: Often HOA-banned.

Unpermitted attached carport: $250-$1,000, retro-permit or removal. Setback violation: $100-$500 plus relocation. HOA fabric-carport violations: $100-$500 per CC&R. Enclosing carport without permit: garage-conversion violation rules apply.

Tiny Homes

Tiny homes on permanent foundations are permitted in Sandy as primary dwellings or internal ADUs if they meet full Utah IRC code. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs/RVs) are NOT permitted as permanent dwellings — they are treated as RVs and cannot be occupied long-term on residential property.

Key details: Foundation Tiny Home: Permitted if IRC compliant. IRC Appendix Q: Relaxed <400 sqft rules. THOW/RV: Not permitted as primary dwelling. Temporary RV: 30-90 days typical max. As ADU: OK if on foundation + permits.

Occupying a THOW as primary residence: $500-$2,500 and removal order. Tiny home without foundation/utilities: stop-work, retro-permit. Long-term RV occupancy >90 days: $250-$1,000 per month.

ADU Rules

Sandy permits both internal and detached ADUs in single-family zones under Utah Code §10-9a-530 (HB 462/SB 174). Internal ADUs are permitted by right with registration; detached ADUs require a conditional use permit. Owner-occupancy cannot be required by state law.

Key details: Internal ADU: Permitted by right. Detached ADU: Conditional use permit. Max Size: 1,000 sqft or 75% of primary. Owner Occupancy: Cannot be required (state). Setback: 5 ft side/rear typical.

Unpermitted ADU construction: stop-work order, retroactive permitting, possible removal. Unregistered internal ADU: $250-$1,000 civil penalty. STR operation without license: $500-$2,500/night.

Garage Conversions

Sandy allows garage-to-living-space conversions with a building permit, full code compliance (egress, insulation, HVAC), and typically a requirement to replace lost off-street parking. Converting to a rentable ADU falls under Sandy's internal ADU ordinance.

Key details: Permit: Required always. Egress Window: 5.7 sqft min opening. Parking Replacement: Often required. Rental = ADU: Internal ADU registration. Key Codes: IRC §R302, R303, R310.

Unpermitted conversion: $500-$2,500, mandatory retroactive permit with full code compliance or reversal. Un-replaced parking: possible zoning non-conformity + $250-$500. Rental without ADU approval: $500-$2,500.

Shed Rules

Sandy allows backyard sheds up to 200 sqft without a building permit; sheds 200-1,000 sqft require a permit. Setbacks are typically 3 feet from side/rear property lines and sheds must stay behind the front facade of the primary residence.

Key details: No-Permit Size: Under 200 sqft. Permit Required: 200-1,000 sqft. Setback: 3 ft side/rear typical. Max Height: 12-15 ft. Electrical: Separate permit always.

Unpermitted shed over 200 sqft: stop-work order, $250-$1,000 penalty, mandatory retro-permit or removal. Setback violation: $100-$500 per notice plus required relocation. HOA violations: per CC&R terms ($100-$500 typical).

The Bottom Line

Sandy's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Sandy is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Sandy can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.