Salt Lake County · 93,022 residents
Sandy ADU rules
Sandy: internal ADUs allowed; detached ADUs are not generally allowed today. Beginning October 1, 2026, state law (S.B. 284) requires the city to permit a detached ADU on qualifying single-family lots of 11,000 sq ft or more. Owner occupancy applies.
Internal ADU (inside the home)
Detached ADU (backyard building)
Not yet fully verified · last reviewed September 7, 2026 See sources
Sandy ADU rules at a glance
| Rule | Internal ADU (basement, attic, inside the home) | Detached ADU (backyard building) |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed? | Allowed | Not generally allowed |
| Minimum lot | Statewide statute includes a small-lot pathway around 6,000 sq ft for many internal ADUs — confirm how Sandy applies it on your zone. | 11,000 sq ft. State mandate: must allow on ≥11,000 sq ft residential lots with permitted single-family dwelling by 2026-10-01. |
| Owner occupancy | Accessory apartment approval requires proof of owner occupancy; permit not transferable and expires on sale / change of owner's residence / license expiration. | Not yet verified — confirm with the city |
| Parking | Off-street parking required under §21-11-1. | Not yet verified — confirm with the city |
| Zones | Primarily residential zone districts for accessory apartments / extended living areas / guesthouses (§21-11-1). | Residential zones with permitted single-family dwelling (state requirement). |
| Permit process | Administrative special use permit from Community Development + accessory apartment business license. | Ordinance required by Oct 1, 2026; must include conversion process for legally constructed accessory structures; CUP cannot be required for mandated DADUs. |
State law: detached ADUs from October 1, 2026
Sandy 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 Sandy 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; Sandy makes the decision.
- Because external ADUs are not typical in the Sandy research, the map does not mark a new external ADU as likely there.
- "Likely" above 15,000 sq ft is this site's planning band for a large recorded lot. It is not a sentence in the Sandy 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 Sandy
Sandy’s ordinance material distinguishes accessory living areas and detached guesthouses. Start by describing the actual kitchen, sleeping area and intended occupants, rather than choosing a label from a listing. We can help establish the current classification and compare renovation or detached options against the applicable standards.
Bring these to your review
- Existing and proposed room uses
- Guesthouse or apartment permit history
- Entrances, parking and proposed exterior changes
The question to resolve first
Which current dwelling classification applies to the space you want to create?
Sources
We link only to government sources and public meeting records. Codes change; confirm the current version with Sandy before you apply.
- Utah S.B. 284 (2026), enrolled bill
Statewide detached-ADU requirements for specified municipalities, operative October 1, 2026.
- Official Sandy website
Common Sandy ADU questions
Can you build an ADU in Sandy?
Sandy: internal ADUs allowed; detached ADUs are not generally allowed today. Beginning October 1, 2026, state law (S.B. 284) requires the city to permit a detached ADU on qualifying single-family lots of 11,000 sq ft or more. Owner occupancy applies. This is planning guidance, not a permit. Confirm the zone on your parcel with Sandy.
What lot size does Sandy require for an ADU?
Internal ADU: Statewide statute includes a small-lot pathway around 6,000 sq ft for many internal ADUs — confirm how Sandy applies it on your zone. Detached ADU: 11,000 sq ft minimum. State mandate: must allow on ≥11,000 sq ft residential lots with permitted single-family dwelling by 2026-10-01.
Does Sandy require the owner to live on the property?
Internal ADU: Accessory apartment approval requires proof of owner occupancy; permit not transferable and expires on sale / change of owner's residence / license expiration. Detached ADU: Not yet verified — confirm with the city.
How much parking does a Sandy ADU need?
Internal ADU: Off-street parking required under §21-11-1. Detached ADU: Not yet verified — confirm with the city.
What does it cost to build an ADU in Sandy?
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 Sandy?
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 Sandy 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
Want to know what fits on your Sandy lot?
Free, no obligation. We review your parcel against these rules and, if you want, introduce independent design and construction partners. Partners may pay us for referrals.
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.