Utah ADU Builder
Rule changes · latest Oct 14, 2026
Utah ADU rule changes in 2026
Dated ordinance adoptions, proposals and denials from the cities we track, plus the S.B. 284 detached-ADU rule. Each entry links to the city page and, where one exists, the official record or OpenUtah meeting.
Changes on file
62
Since January 1, 2026
Adopted
29
Ordinances and approvals
Pending
27
Proposals not yet adopted
Cities
30
With a dated 2026 change
Note · Counts come from the city research behind the map. A pending item is not law until the council adopts it.
Changes on file by month
- October 20268
- September 202619
- August 202614
- July 20266
- June 20263
- May 20264
- April 20260
- March 20263
- February 20265
- January 20260
Note · Includes council decisions, adopted ordinances, pending proposals and the statewide S.B. 284 entry. Individual permits and variances are left out.
Coming up
- ScheduledTaylorsville
Detached ADU ordinance (Ord. 26-15) up for council vote
The City Council is scheduled to consider Ordinance No. 26-15, adding detached ADUs to the city code, on Oct. 21, 2026.
Follow along
Subscribe with any feed reader: RSS or JSON Feed. Rules by city are also in one table at Utah ADU rules by city, with a CSV download and a JSON API. Know of a change we missed? Send the ordinance or meeting link through a city update request.
October 2026
- AdoptedHerriman
Council approves Olympia development agreement amendment on grant-funded homes
Per the meeting recording, approved the fourth amendment to the Olympia Master Development Agreement for the state affordable-housing grant. The draft the Planning Commission reviewed lets the grant-funded 'New Homes' include internal ADUs even on lots under 6,000 sq ft; this applies only to the Olympia project. (4-0)
Official record - PendingProvo
Provo ADU code update for S.B. 284
The Planning Commission recommended (6-0, per the meeting recording) replacing Chapter 14.30 so detached ADUs are a permitted use on any single-family lot of 11,000 sq ft or more, with parking tied to state limits, a 40% lot-coverage cap, a height-based setback step-back and no separate-meter requirement. City Council hearing set for Nov 3, 2026.
Official record - AdoptedNorth Ogden
Detached ADU minimum lot cut to 11,000 sq ft
The City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-25 (4-0), amending CCNO 11-9M-9 to allow detached ADUs on lots of at least 11,000 sq ft, as state law requires, and to list the HP-1, HP-2 and HP-3 hillside zones.
Official record - AdoptedOrem
Orem updates ADU terms across city code
Ordinance O-2026-0027 (Oct 13, 2026) replaces 'accessory apartment' with 'accessory dwelling unit' throughout the code without changing the rules.
Official record - PendingKaysville
Animal-structure distances measured from the main home, not a DADU
The Planning Commission recommended (5-0, per the meeting recording) measuring required distances for farm-animal structures from the primary dwelling, so a neighbor's new DADU does not make existing animal structures nonconforming. Awaiting City Council action.
Official record - PendingSandy
Council plans to revisit ADU rules
Staff told the Planning Commission on Oct 1, 2026 that council members want to review the ADU rules, including the 11,000 sq ft minimum, in about a year.
Official record - AdoptedHolladay
Holladay updates ADU rules for state law (Ord. 2026-15)
On Oct. 1, 2026 the City Council adopted changes setting detached-ADU parking at two spaces for units of 650 sq ft or more and one space for smaller units, removing door and window placement limits near property lines, and allowing detached ADUs on R-2 and R-M lots with an existing single-family home.
Official record - State lawStatewide
S.B. 284 detached-ADU rule took effect statewide
Utah Code 10-21-304 now requires every specified municipality to permit a detached ADU on a lot of 11,000 sq ft or larger that contains a single-family home, if the home is a permitted use there. Cities may allow smaller lots; development agreements signed on or before May 6, 2026 are not overridden.
Official record
September 2026
- AdoptedAmerican Fork
American Fork adopts detached ADU rules
On Sept 22, 2026 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2026-09-21 (new Section 17.5.136): detached ADUs are allowed on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more with owner occupancy, 12-ft setbacks, a 24-ft height cap, a 1,500 sq ft footprint cap and a 90-day minimum rental.
Official record - AdoptedBountiful
Detached ADUs now approved by city staff
Ord. 2026-08 (adopted Sept 22, 2026) makes detached ADUs a permitted use reviewed by staff instead of an Administrative Committee conditional use permit, allows existing accessory buildings to be converted, and adds privacy rules for units using 3-8 ft setbacks. The 8,000 sq ft lot minimum and the 350-1,250 sq ft size range are unchanged.
Official record - AdoptedOrem
Orem adopts detached ADU rules
Ordinance O-2026-0025 (Sept 22, 2026) makes detached ADUs a permitted use on single-family lots of 11,000 sq ft or more: single story, 850-1,500 sq ft maximum by lot size, owner occupancy, and one or two extra parking spaces.
Official record - PendingTaylorsville
Planning Commission recommends detached ADU rules
On Sept. 22, 2026 the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend the detached ADU text amendment to the City Council.
Official record - PendingHolladay
Planning Commission recommends S.B. 284 ADU amendments
Forwarded a positive recommendation on the S.B. 284 ADU amendments (File 24-04-02-1), including a wording change from its work session. Vote per the meeting recording; minutes not yet published. (4-0)
Official record - PendingOrem
Short-term rental rules still being drafted
The City Council continued work on an owner-occupied short-term rental ordinance on Sept 22, 2026; the draft would allow an STR in a backyard ADU only if it is the property's only active rental.
Official record - AdoptedLayton
ADU rules updated for state law (Ord. 26-27)
The City Council adopted Ordinance 26-27 as presented. It removes ADU rules on matching materials and colors, windows, roof pitch and entrances, adds a process to convert existing accessory structures, and simplifies the detached-ADU setback and height table. Detached ADUs remain allowed on lots of 6,000 sq ft or more.
Official record - AdoptedKaysville
Kaysville adopts detached ADU rules (Ord. 26-09-04)
The council rewrote KCC 17-31-3 to cover internal and detached ADUs. Detached units are allowed on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more, up to 50% of the home's footprint or 1,200 sq ft and no taller than the home (25 ft max), with a 90-day minimum rental. Approved 4-0.
Official record - PendingAmerican Fork
ADU definition amendments recommended
The Planning Commission recommended new definitions for accessory buildings, accessory dwellings, accessory structures and detached ADUs (Sec. 17.12.201 and 17.12.204); no council vote was found as of Oct 17, 2026.
Official record - AdoptedSouth Jordan
City Council approved Ordinance 2026-24 amending definitions, zones and the ADU Floating Zone to conform with state law; vote from transcript.
City Council, Approved
Official record - AdoptedSaratoga Springs
City Council approved Ordinance 26-42 amending Chapter 19.20 to add detached ADU rules (11,000 sq ft min lot) to comply with state law; vote from transcript.
City Council, Approved (4-0)
Official record - AdoptedRoy
Detached ADUs allowed on lots of 11,000+ sq ft
Ord. 26-9 (adopted Sept 15, 2026) makes a detached ADU a permitted use on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more that already have a home. The unit can't be larger than the home, must be in the rear yard, must be rented for 90+ days with a rental dwelling license, and needs 1 parking space (under 650 sq ft) or 2 (650 sq ft or more).
Official record - AdoptedCenterville
Detached ADUs allowed on lots of 8,500+ sq ft
The City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-20 (3-2), creating CZC 12.58. Detached ADUs are now a permitted use with an owner-occupied home in the A-L, R-L and R-M zones on lots of 8,500 sq ft or more: single-story, up to 16 ft tall, 350–1,250 sq ft, and rentals of at least 90 days. A lot may have one internal and one detached ADU.
Official record - AdoptedSandy
Sandy adopts detached ADU rules
Ordinance 26-55 (Sept 15, 2026) allows a detached ADU on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more with an administrative special use permit and business license: up to 2,000 sq ft, 15 ft tall at 10-ft setbacks (18 ft and 1.5 stories with house setbacks), owner occupancy, and no short-term rentals.
Official record - PendingRoy
Planning Commission recommends detached ADU amendments
After a public hearing with no public comments, unanimously recommended the detached ADU amendments to Title 10, chapters 10, 17 and 19. (7-0)
Official record - UpdateWoods Cross
Detached ADU prohibition still on the books
Zoning definitions (adopted Sept 2024) still prohibit exterior/detached ADUs. Watch for a 2026 compliance ordinance so qualifying ≥11,000 sq ft lots become by-right under S.B. 284.
- UpdateOgden
UDC FAQ confirms internal, attached, and detached ADUs
Zone Ogden / UDC materials continue to confirm ADUs in all single-household residential districts, with detached size roughly 300–800 sq ft and rear-yard coverage limits.
- PendingCenterville
Council tables detached ADU ordinance to Sept 15
Tabled the DADU ordinance (CZC 12.58) to Sept 15, 2026 and kept the public hearing open while staff prepared options requested by the council. (5-0)
Official record - PendingBountiful
Planning Commission backs detached ADU update without changing size limits
Forwarded a positive recommendation for the detached ADU update with minor wording changes, not including any change to the square-foot limits. Members had discussed raising or removing the 1,250 sq ft cap. (7-0)
Official record
August 2026
- AdoptedClinton
Clinton updates its ADU standards (Ord. 26-02Z)
The City Council unanimously adopted amendments to Chapter 28-3-27: site-plan review before permits, permanent foundations for detached units and tiny homes, parking updates, and a 25% rear-yard hard-surface cap.
Official record - PendingNorth Ogden
Council postpones detached ADU Ordinance 2026-25
Postponed Ordinance 2026-25 so the building official could answer questions about letting a detached ADU be occupied before the main home is completed. (5-0)
Official record - PendingTaylorsville
Planning Commission continues detached ADU amendment to Sept 22
Continued the detached ADU zoning text amendment (File 8Z26-DCA-000633-2026) to Sept. 22, 2026 so commissioners could review the draft and staff could meet with consultants (official Aug. 25 minutes, published with the Sept. 22 meeting record). (unanimous)
Official record - PendingLayton
Planning Commission recommends ADU Ordinance 26-27
Unanimously recommended adopting Ordinance 26-27 as presented (vote count not stated; reported in the Sept 17, 2026 council staff report). (unanimous)
Official record - AdoptedSt. George
City Council approved Ordinance 2026-068 allowing one attached plus one detached ADU on lots of 11,000+ sq ft to comply with SB 284; vote from transcript.
City Council, Approved (5-0)
Official record - PendingSandy
Planning Commission recommends detached ADUs on 10,000 sq ft lots
Recommended the Title 21 detached ADU amendments with nine modifications, including lowering the minimum lot to 10,000 sq ft and relaxing connection and height rules (one commissioner opposed the connection change). (7-0)
Official record - AdoptedSpanish Fork
Detached ADU parking updated for state law
Ord. 14-2026 (adopted Aug 18, 2026): a detached ADU under 650 sq ft now needs 3 total off-street spaces (2 for the home, 1 for the ADU) instead of 4; units of 650 sq ft or more still need 4. ADU spaces still can't be tandem.
Official record - PendingKaysville
Planning Commission recommends detached ADU ordinance
Recommended the DADU ordinance with amendments on minimum lot size (10,000 sq ft), setbacks, size and minimum rental period; the council later adopted an 11,000 sq ft minimum. Tally from the ordinance recital and the published minutes (OpenCity's recording-based summary lists 7-0). (6-0)
Official record - PendingCenterville
Planning Commission recommends detached ADU chapter with 10 changes
Recommended Chapter 12.58 and the table-of-uses amendment with 10 modifications, including permitting DADUs in the A-L zone and limiting a lot to one ADU of any type. Its draft used an 8,500 sq ft minimum lot and a 20 ft height limit; the council kept 8,500 sq ft, cut the height to 16 ft and allowed one internal plus one detached ADU. (7-0)
Official record - AdoptedNibley
Approved Ord. 26-09 amending ADU standards (lot size, impact fees, conversion of existing accessory buildings) as recommended by the Planning Commission (4-0).
City Council
Official record - PendingOrem
Planning Commission recommends ADU definition updates
Recommended updating ADU-related definitions and cross-references in Chapters 19, 21 and 22. (5-0)
Official record - PendingSpanish Fork
Planning Commission recommends detached ADU parking amendment
After a public hearing with no comments, recommended approval of the Title 15 amendment on detached ADU parking (voice vote; no opposition heard on the recording).
Official record - PendingNorth Ogden
Planning Commission splits on ADU occupancy before the main home
Gave a negative recommendation on letting an ADU be occupied before the main home is completed, while recommending the state-required 11,000 sq ft detached-ADU lot size and listing the HP zones (Zoning Text Amendment 2026-07). (4-2)
Official record - AdoptedDraper
Short-term rental rules adopted (Ord. 1721)
Detached ADUs with a valid ADU permit can now get a city short-term rental permit (two-night minimum); properties with an internal ADU cannot host short-term rentals.
Official record
July 2026
- PendingSpanish Fork
Staff review committee recommends detached ADU parking amendment
Recommended approval of the detached ADU parking amendment, per the city's Aug 2026 staff memos.
Official record - PendingOrem
Planning Commission recommends detached ADU rules (Sec. 22-6-11)
Recommended amending Article 22-6 to add detached ADU rules in a new Sec. 22-6-11. (6-0)
Official record - AdoptedLehi
Approved Ordinance 2026-31 amending Chapter 26 detached ADU rules for SB 284: 11,000 sq ft minimum lot, 1 or 2 parking stalls by size, size cap tied to the main home, 6 ft from the house, and no CUP for conversions (5-0).
City Council
Official record - PendingProvo
Council sends five detached ADU changes to the code rewrite
Reached consensus to send five proposed external-ADU changes (S.B. 284 eligibility on 11,000+ sq ft lots, a 40% parcel-coverage cap, administrative utility connections, a tiered height/setback rule, and parking per state law) to staff for the zoning-code rewrite.
Official record - AdoptedTremonton
Adopted Ord. 26-10 amending Chapters 1.03 and 1.07: defined small accessory structures, fixed accessory/main building height discrepancy, changed side setbacks for ADUs, allowed single-family homes in RM-8/RM-16 (5-0 roll call)
City Council
Official record - DeniedDraper
Council denies detached ADU conversion amendment (Ord. 1727)
The City Council voted 4-0 to deny a resident-proposed change that would have allowed existing accessory buildings to be converted into detached ADUs with accessory-building setbacks.
Official record
June 2026
- AdoptedProvidence
Adopted Ordinance 10-2026, IADU/ADU incentive extension amendment (city ordinance page lists adoption 06/17/2026; codifier history shows 6/29/2026). Vote tally not published in text form.
City Council
Official record - PendingDraper
Planning Commission recommends the Rohr ADU text amendment
Forwarded a positive recommendation to the City Council on the Rohr ADU Text Amendment (Application 2026-0051-TA). (5-0)
Official record - AdoptedDraper
ADU permit fees set at $450, with a $50 renewal (Res. 26-29)
Adopted Resolution #26-29 amending the consolidated fee schedule, including ADU permit fees ($450 initial application; $50 renewal). Tally per the meeting recording. (5-0)
Official record
May 2026
- AdoptedHerriman
Herriman adopts Chapter 10-36 ADU rules (Ord. 2026-11)
Internal and detached ADU rules were combined. Detached ADUs are a permitted use on lots of 10,000 sq ft or more (up to 1,000 sq ft and 25 ft tall), with one ADU per lot. Approved unanimously.
Official record - AdoptedCottonwood Heights
Approved Ordinance 465 amending 19.75.050 and 19.76.030 regarding separate utility meters for ADUs and guest houses (5-0).
City Council
Official record - UpdateSalt Lake City
CRA ADU financing program still active
Community Reinvestment Agency ADU financing (CDCU-administered) saw a ~$2.9M allocation in 2025 and term-sheet modifications in May 2026—worth checking if you need soft financing for a backyard or conversion unit.
- AdoptedSalt Lake City
CRA Board adopted Resolution 1 of 2026 amending and restating the terms of its Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing Program.
Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) Meeting, Approved (7-0)
Official record
March 2026
- PendingCedar City
Recommended approval of text amendments replacing specific state-code citations with general references and adding a definition for external ADUs.
Planning Commission
Official record - PendingPleasant Grove
Planning Commission recommended approval of a code text amendment to Section 10-15-47 revising parking requirements for accessory apartments.
Planning Commission, Approved
Official record - AdoptedWest Jordan
City Council approved Ordinance 26-18 amending City Code 13-5B-8 (Accessory Dwelling Units); video shows the 6-0 vote on March 24, 2026.
City Council Meeting, Approved (6-0)
Official record
February 2026
- PendingHerriman
Council continues detached ADU ordinance pending S.B. 284
Continued the detached ADU ordinance (Z2026-002) pending the outcome of S.B. 284. (5-0)
Official record - DecisionSouth Jordan
Motion made to approve Ordinance 2026-04 amending ADU Floating Zone prohibitions; the record does not state the result.
City Council Meeting, Not recorded
Official record - AdoptedDraper
Ord. 1704 amends parking for internal-ADU deviations
Adopted Ordinance #1704 (residential parking requirements), which amended the parking standard for I-ADU deviations in §9-31-055 (per the code's history note).
Official record - PendingHerriman
Planning Commission recommends permitting detached ADUs
Recommended permitting detached ADUs with staff changes, including a 7,000 sq ft minimum lot, 1,000 sq ft maximum floor area and 25 ft maximum height; the council later adopted a 10,000 sq ft minimum. Tally as reported by the City Planner in the May 27, 2026 minutes. (6-0)
Official record - AdoptedSouth Jordan
City Council approved Ordinance 2026-03 after striking the section on prohibitions in the ADU Floating Zone.
City Council Meeting, Approved (5-0)
Official record