Davis County · 22,537 residents
North Salt Lake ADU rules
North Salt Lake: internal ADUs allowed (lot 6,000+ sq ft); detached ADUs allowed. Owner occupancy applies.
Internal ADU (inside the home)
Detached ADU (backyard building)
Not yet fully verified · last reviewed September 7, 2026 See sources
North Salt Lake ADU rules at a glance
| Rule | Internal ADU (basement, attic, inside the home) | Detached ADU (backyard building) |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed? | Allowed | Allowed |
| Minimum lot | 6,000 sq ft. Statewide statute includes a small-lot pathway around 6,000 sq ft for many internal ADUs — confirm how North Salt Lake applies it on your zone. | No explicit citywide DADU minimum lot size in 10-1-44; the lot must still meet parking, setback, and coverage standards. S.B. 284’s ≥11,000 sq ft floor is a statewide mandate NSL already largely meets in practice. |
| Owner occupancy | Owner occupancy required (temporary absence exceptions exist). | Owner occupancy required (temporary absence exceptions). |
| Parking | +1 off-street stall (more for 2+ bedrooms); tandem with main dwelling parking not allowed. | Parking already described by staff as within S.B. 284 caps; show stalls on the site plan. |
| Size limits | Not yet verified — confirm with the city | Detached size typically 300–1,200 sq ft, ≤2 bedrooms. |
| Height | Not yet verified — confirm with the city | Second-story detached units must meet primary height/setbacks; confirm district limits. |
| Setbacks | Not yet verified — confirm with the city | Rear: side yard of the zone + rear 10' (5' if no openings on that side). Second-story DADUs must meet primary setbacks/height. |
| Zones | Not yet verified — confirm with the city | Governed by Code 10-1-44—confirm your zoning district and land use permit path. |
| Permit process | Land use permit + building permit. One ADU per single-family lot. | Land use permit + building permit; architectural compatibility expected. Tiny homes need a permanent foundation with running gear removed. |
State law: detached ADUs from October 1, 2026
North Salt Lake is a “specified municipality” under Utah S.B. 284. Beginning October 1, 2026, it must permit one detached ADU as a permitted use on a lot of 11,000 sq ft or more that has a detached single-family home. The city can still apply setbacks, height, design, owner-occupancy and limited parking rules, and it may allow detached ADUs on smaller lots. How the state ADU laws work.
How our property map screens North Salt Lake lots
The map colors parcels using the rules on this page and the recorded lot size. A color is a planning screen, not a permit; North Salt Lake makes the decision.
- No numeric external minimum is recorded for North Salt Lake. The map keeps the statewide 11,000 sq ft external screen and shows the researched status (generally allowed) on the property report.
- "Likely" above 15,000 sq ft is this site's planning band for a large recorded lot. It is not a sentence in the North Salt Lake code. Owner occupancy, parking, setbacks, zones, and HOA rules below still have to be checked.
Planned communities, PRDs and PUDs
Reviewed on September 22, 2026 against this city's research file, its published ADU page where one was found, and Utah meeting packets. No adopted sentence was confirmed that allows or bans an ADU in every PUD, PRD, PRUD, or planned community. If the assessor class or subdivision name says PUD, PRD, PRUD, planned unit development, planned residential development, planned community, resort community, or master planned community, the map keeps that lot highly unlikely regardless of size. A plat, CC&Rs, or development agreement can still prohibit an ADU where the zone allows one.
Planning notes for North Salt Lake
North Salt Lake explicitly lists basement, attached, detached and above-garage ADU options. The best choice depends on the lot and design, so there is value in comparing more than one layout. Its land-use process includes safety certifications; new construction also needs a building permit.
Bring these to your review
- Preferred layouts, including any above-garage option
- Egress, smoke/CO protection and stair information
- Parking and existing permit records
The question to resolve first
Which listed ADU type makes the best use of this property while satisfying §10-19-17?
Sources
We link only to government sources and public meeting records. Codes change; confirm the current version with North Salt Lake before you apply.
- North Salt Lake accessory dwelling units
City guidance references regulations amended April 1, 2025
- Utah S.B. 284 (2026), enrolled bill
Statewide detached-ADU requirements for specified municipalities, operative October 1, 2026.
- Official North Salt Lake website
Common North Salt Lake ADU questions
Can you build an ADU in North Salt Lake?
North Salt Lake: internal ADUs allowed (lot 6,000+ sq ft); detached ADUs allowed. Owner occupancy applies. This is planning guidance, not a permit. Confirm the zone on your parcel with North Salt Lake.
What lot size does North Salt Lake require for an ADU?
Internal ADU: 6,000 sq ft minimum. Statewide statute includes a small-lot pathway around 6,000 sq ft for many internal ADUs — confirm how North Salt Lake applies it on your zone. Detached ADU: No explicit citywide DADU minimum lot size in 10-1-44; the lot must still meet parking, setback, and coverage standards. S.B. 284’s ≥11,000 sq ft floor is a statewide mandate NSL already largely meets in practice.
Does North Salt Lake require the owner to live on the property?
Internal ADU: Owner occupancy required (temporary absence exceptions exist). Detached ADU: Owner occupancy required (temporary absence exceptions).
How much parking does a North Salt Lake ADU need?
Internal ADU: +1 off-street stall (more for 2+ bedrooms); tandem with main dwelling parking not allowed. Detached ADU: Parking already described by staff as within S.B. 284 caps; show stalls on the site plan.
What does it cost to build an ADU in North Salt Lake?
Wasatch Front planning bands are often about $55,000–$145,000 for an internal suite, $70,000–$175,000 for a garage conversion, and $95,000–$250,000 or more for a new detached unit, before unusual site work. These are planning ranges, not bids.
Can an HOA block an ADU in North Salt Lake?
City approval does not override CC&Rs or plat notes. Read the HOA documents and your subdivision plat before you design. A private restriction can stop a unit the city would otherwise allow.
Before you design: general checks for any Utah ADU
General planning advice, not North Salt Lake code.
- Confirm the zoning district on the city zoning map. The county assessor’s “residential” class is not zoning.
- Read your HOA CC&Rs and subdivision plat notes; private restrictions can block a unit the city allows.
- Sketch existing and proposed parking. Driveway geometry and access often decide what fits.
- Ask early about sewer, water and electrical capacity; utilities can force a redesign.
- Expanding a building’s footprint usually triggers full setback and height rules.
Nearby city ADU rules
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Utah ADU Builder provides educational planning guidance. This page is not legal advice and not a permit. Population: UGRC POPLASTESTIMATE / Census-derived municipal estimates (manual fill where UGRC blank). Editorial standards.