Home › Utah ADU rules › Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is a 1st-class city (population 204,657), so Utah's detached ADU law applies: from October 1, 2026 it must allow a detached ADU on any lot of 11,000 sq ft or more that has a single-family home. Salt Lake City already goes further, with no minimum lot size. Salt Lake City adopted its ordinance on April 4, 2023; its rules are below.
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| Minimum lot size | No minimum lot size: any lot in a zone that permits homes State floor: 11,000 sq ft (Utah Code § 10-21-304). A city may allow smaller lots, not require larger. Source |
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| Maximum size | No larger than the main building and no more than 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less. Together with garages, sheds and other accessory buildings it may cover no more than 50% of the rear yard in residential districts, and the lot's building-coverage limit applies. Source |
| Height | Up to 17 ft. Up to 24 ft with a pitched roof or 20 ft with a flat roof, if every required setback grows by 1 ft for each foot above 17 ft. Source |
| Parking | One parking space in addition to existing parking. It can be waived within ¼ mile of a transit stop or ½ mile of a bike path. Source |
| Owner occupancy | On a single-family property the owner, or an owner's family member, must live in the main building or the ADU. Exceptions include an owner in a hospital or nursing facility, or a temporary absence of up to three years. Source |
| Setbacks and location | At least 3 ft from side and rear lot lines; corner side yard at least 10 ft or 20% of the lot width, whichever is less. All setbacks grow by 1 ft for each foot of height above 17 ft. Source |
| Rentals | One unit may be rented if the owner lives on the property, enrolls in the Good Landlord Program and holds a business license. No short-term rentals of less than 30 days. The ADU can't be sold separately. One ADU per lot, allowed by right. Source |
Impact fees. Salt Lake City charges an impact fee for each dwelling unit, ADUs included.
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Design your Ekstra in Salt Lake CityOn a lot with a single-family home in a residential zone, yes: Salt Lake City is covered by Utah Code § 10-21-304, which requires it to allow one from October 1, 2026. Salt Lake City has adopted its ordinance.
There is none: Salt Lake City allows a detached ADU on any lot in a zone that permits homes. The state only requires cities to allow them on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more.
No larger than the main building and no more than 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less. Together with garages, sheds and other accessory buildings it may cover no more than 50% of the rear yard in residential districts, and the lot's building-coverage limit applies.
On a single-family property the owner, or an owner's family member, must live in the main building or the ADU. Exceptions include an owner in a hospital or nursing facility, or a temporary absence of up to three years.
One unit may be rented if the owner lives on the property, enrolls in the Good Landlord Program and holds a business license. No short-term rentals of less than 30 days. The ADU can't be sold separately. One ADU per lot, allowed by right.
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Last verified September 23, 2026. Not legal advice. Confirm with Salt Lake City Planning (801-535-7700) before you design or apply.