Sandy's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Sandy, Utah, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Occupancy Limits
STR occupancy is limited by building code (typically 2 per bedroom plus 2) and by Sandy property maintenance standards prohibiting overcrowding.
Key details: Fact: Typically 2 per bedroom plus 2. Fact: Minimum 70 sq ft for a bedroom. Fact: Egress windows required for sleeping rooms. Fact: Based on IPMC standards. Fact: License revocation for overcrowding.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Insurance Requirements
Sandy does not mandate a specific STR insurance policy but operators should carry commercial lodging or short-term rental liability insurance; platform host protection is not a substitute.
Key details: Fact: No specific city insurance minimum. Fact: Standard homeowners policy usually excludes STR. Fact: $1M liability recommended. Fact: Platform coverage is secondary. Fact: HOA may require specific coverage.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Taxes & Fees
STR operators must collect Utah state sales tax, state transient room tax (0.32%), county transient room tax, and Sandy municipal transient room tax, plus pay an annual business license fee.
Key details: Fact: Utah sales tax ~7.75%. Fact: State TRT 0.32%. Fact: Salt Lake County TRT 4.25%. Fact: Register with Utah State Tax Commission. Fact: Annual Sandy business license fee.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Parking Rules
STRs must provide off-street parking for all guest vehicles; on-street parking cannot be used to meet requirements and must comply with Sandy parking ordinance.
Key details: Fact: Off-street parking required for guests. Fact: 48-hour on-street parking limit. Fact: Winter parking restrictions apply. Fact: RV parking rules apply to guests. Fact: Cannot block sidewalks or fire hydrants.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Night Caps
Sandy does not impose a specific annual night cap on short-term rentals, but the 30-day threshold defines what counts as short-term versus long-term rental.
Key details: Fact: No annual night cap in Sandy. Fact: 30-day threshold for short-term. Fact: Stays 30+ days are long-term tenancies. Fact: Zoning compliance still required. Fact: License conditions may set limits.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
The rules around night caps in Sandy lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Registration Rules
STR operators must obtain a Sandy business license, register with the Utah State Tax Commission for TRT, and comply with zoning and safety inspections.
Key details: Fact: Sandy business license required. Fact: Utah Tax Commission registration. Fact: Smoke and CO alarms mandatory. Fact: 24/7 local contact required. Fact: Annual renewal.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Noise Rules
Short-term rental guests must follow Sandy noise ordinance (Title 9), with quiet hours 10pm-7am and operator responsibility for guest conduct.
Key details: Fact: Quiet hours 10pm-7am. Fact: Title 9 noise ordinance applies. Fact: 24/7 local contact required. Fact: House rules must be posted. Fact: License revocation for repeat violations.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Permit Requirements
Short-term rentals in Sandy require a business license and compliance with zoning restrictions; whole-home STRs are largely prohibited in residential zones under Utah law that still allows cities to restrict non-owner-occupied rentals.
Key details: Fact: Business license required. Fact: Whole-home STR generally prohibited in residential zones. Fact: Owner-occupied room rental may qualify as home occupation. Fact: Transient room tax collection required. Fact: Under 30 days defined as short-term.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Compared to other cities, Sandy takes a harder line on permit requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
Sandy's short-term rentals 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.