How Sandy Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Sandy maintains 131 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.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Sandy requires the property owner to reside in the primary dwelling as their actual primary residence before an accessory apartment permit is granted, and owners must prove it with tax returns, government ID, and a notarized affidavit.

Key details: Owner-occupancy required: Owner must live in primary dwelling. Proof documents: Tax returns, government ID, notarized affidavit. Eligible fee title owner: Individual or family trust only. Corporate ownership: Not eligible for permit. Permit expires on: Sale or change of primary occupant.

Obtaining or maintaining an accessory apartment permit while the property owner does not actually reside in the primary dwelling, or after a change of the primary occupant or sale of the property, violates Section 21-11-1's owner-occupancy requirement and voids the special use permit, subjecting the owner to code enforcement remedies including those under Utah Code Section 10-9a-530.

This is one of the stricter rules in Sandy's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Sandy City prohibits renting an accessory apartment, extended living area, or guesthouse for less than 30 consecutive days unless the property has separate short-term rental approval, and bars mixing short-term and long-term rentals on the same property at once.

Key details: Minimum rental term: 30 consecutive days. Short-term rental of ADU: Prohibited absent separate approval. Mixed short/long-term rental: Prohibited simultaneously. Subleasing accessory apartment: Prohibited.

Renting an accessory apartment, extended living area, or guesthouse for stays under 30 consecutive days without separate short-term rental approval, or renting the same property under both short-term and long-term terms simultaneously, violates Section 21-11-1. The City may pursue remedies under Utah Code Section 10-9a-530 in addition to revoking the accessory apartment's special use permit and business license.

Compared to other cities, Sandy takes a harder line on adu rental restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Shed & Carport Rules

Sandy caps most residential accessory buildings at 25 percent of the rear yard or a set square-footage ceiling based on lot size, holds side and rear setbacks to as little as two feet, and limits height to 15 or 20 feet depending on the zone.

Key details: Side/rear setback (rear yard): 2 feet. Front setback: 30 feet. Max size, largest lots: 25% of rear yard or 2,000 sq ft. Max single building size: 1,500 sq ft without CUP. Max height, R-1-12 or smaller: 15 ft rear yard.

Building an accessory structure that exceeds the applicable square-footage cap, violates the two-foot side/rear or 30-foot front setback table, exceeds the 10/15/20-foot height limits for its zone, or places a 240-square-foot-or-larger detached garage in the side yard without qualifying for an exception violates Section 21-11-2. Larger sizes or heights require Planning Commission approval through a conditional use permit.

ADU Rules

Sandy allows only one accessory apartment or extended living area per single-family home, requires an administrative special use permit and business license, and mandates that the unit share a common wall with the main house rather than sit in a detached building.

Key details: Max accessory apartments per lot: 1. Permit required: Administrative special use permit. License required: Accessory apartment business license. Recording required: Salt Lake County Recorder. Separate utilities: Prohibited.

Creating a second accessory apartment on a lot, occupying an accessory building with the unit, installing separate utility meters or a separate address, or operating without the required administrative special use permit and business license violates Section 21-11-1. Sandy may pursue any remedy under Utah Code Section 10-9a-530 in addition to City code enforcement.

Compared to other cities, Sandy takes a harder line on adu rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Garage Conversions

Sandy allows an existing garage, shed, or workshop to be converted into a guesthouse if it meets all guesthouse standards and the Building Code, but the conversion cannot eliminate the home's required off-street parking stalls.

Key details: Conversion allowed from: Shed, garage, or workshop. Parking requirement: Cannot eliminate required stalls. Max guesthouse size: 400 sq ft, 1 bedroom. Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft. Kitchen limit: Kitchenette only, no full kitchen.

Converting a garage to a guesthouse without replacing the eliminated required parking stalls, exceeding the 400-square-foot or one-bedroom limit, installing a full kitchen, or converting without the administrative special use permit and recorded approval violates Section 21-11-1. The City may apply remedies under Utah Code Section 10-9a-530 for noncompliance.

Compared to other cities, Sandy takes a harder line on garage conversions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Sandy is tougher than many cities when it comes to accessory structures. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Sandy, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.