Yes: Salt Lake City allows one ADU per lot as a permitted use, with no conditional-use hearing and no minimum lot size, in every residential zoning district under City Code 21A.40.200 (Ord. 17-23, in force since April 4, 2023). A detached ADU is capped at 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area and 17 ft tall (up to 24 ft with larger setbacks), needs only 3-ft side and rear setbacks, and cannot sit in the front yard; an internal ADU inside or attached to the house has no size cap. The owner must live in the house or the ADU on single-family lots, a restrictive covenant is recorded, and short-term rental is banned. Expect a building permit through Building Services, about $3,000-$5,000 in permit and plan-review fees for a $150,000-$300,000 project, city impact fees of $3,550-$5,832 per unit under the FY2027 fee schedule, and one parking stall unless you are within a quarter mile of transit or half a mile of a bike lane.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5]
Yes — Salt Lake City allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,000 sq ft under current Utah and Salt Lake City zoning rules.
See what this means for your lot — ask Salt Lake City ADU builders for a quote →
| Allowed Zones | Permitted use (P, no conditional-use permit) in every residential district of the 21A.33.020 use table - FR-1/FR-2/FR-3, R-1/12,000, R-1/7,000, R-1/5,000, SR-1, SR-3, R-2, RMF-30/35/45/75 and FBUN-1 - and wherever else Chapter 21A.33 lists 'Dwelling, accessory unit (ADU)'. Detached ADUs stopped needing conditional-use approval on April 4, 2023 (Ord. 17-23; 21A.40.200.N.3). H Historic overlay and Foothills (21A.24.010.P) rules still apply on top (21A.40.200.B). |
| Max Size (Detached) | 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area (21A.40.200.J.1). Only the ADU's floor area counts when the building also holds a garage or other accessory use; stairs to a second-level ADU, loft space under 7 ft and a storage-only basement with no internal connection are excluded (J.3). A covered patio up to 120 sq ft does not count toward the cap but does count toward lot coverage (H.3). Accessory buildings together may cover at most 50% of the rear yard in single/two-family districts (ADU Handbook v2.2). |
| Max Size (Attached) | No maximum gross floor area for an internal ADU (inside or attached to the house) as long as the building meets the district's coverage, bulk and height standards (21A.40.200.J.2). Internal ADUs must sit within the buildable area of the lot (E.1) and follow the house's height, deck and encroachment rules (F.3, H.5). Utah's internal-ADU statute (formerly Utah Code 10-9a-530, renumbered into Chapter 10-21 in Nov. 2025) makes one internal ADU a permitted use in residential zones statewide. |
| Max Size (JADU) | No junior-ADU category in Salt Lake City or in Utah law. The code recognises only internal ADUs (inside or attached to the house, no size cap) and detached ADUs (1,000 sq ft cap). A basement apartment is an internal ADU; a converted detached garage is a detached ADU and may keep the garage's existing setbacks if it is not expanded (21A.40.200.E.3 note 2). |
| Max Height | Detached ADU: 17 ft, measured the same way as the house (21A.40.200.F.1-2). Up to 24 ft with a pitched roof or 20 ft with a flat roof if the side and rear setbacks grow 1 ft for every foot above 17 ft; no extra setback on a side that abuts an alley or a non-residential district (F.1.a). A detached ADU fully inside the buildable area may use the district's principal-building height (F.1.c); rooftop solar may add 4 ft (F.1.d). Internal ADUs follow the house's height limit (F.3). |
| Max Units | One ADU per property (21A.40.200.D), internal or detached. The ADU cannot be sold or subdivided from the main house (ADU Handbook v2.2), cannot be converted to another principal use (Q.4) and cannot be used as a short-term rental (Q.1). |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5]
Salt Lake City requires a rear setback of about 3 ft for a detached ADU, and parking requirements vary by unit size or location. Owner-occupancy is required.
| Rear Setback | 3 ft from the rear property line for a detached ADU (21A.40.200.E.3), rising 1 ft per foot of height above 17 ft (F.1.a). Additions, including a second storey on an existing garage, must meet these setbacks; a conversion with no expansion may keep the garage's existing setbacks (E.3 notes). Second-storey windows on a wall within 10 ft of a rear or side line must be clerestory (sill 6 ft up) unless they face the house, an alley, or a commercial or non-residential lot (K). |
| Side Setback | 3 ft from an interior side property line; on a corner lot, 20% of the lot width or 10 ft, whichever is less, from the corner-side line (21A.40.200.E.3). A detached ADU in the interior side yard must sit behind the rear facade of the house; in the corner side yard it may be no closer to the street than the house unless the lot is under 50 ft wide (E.2). Side setbacks grow 1 ft per foot of height above 17 ft (F.1.a). |
| Front Setback | Not permitted in the required front yard (21A.40.200.E.2). Anywhere inside the lot's buildable area (the part of the lot outside all required yards) a detached ADU is permitted and may use the district's principal-building height (E.2, F.1.c). Rooftop patios are prohibited and decks over 2 ft high are barred outside the buildable area (H.1-2). |
| Parking Required | 1 off-street stall for the ADU on top of the house's required parking (21A.40.200.G.1) - waived if the lot is within a 1/4-mile radius of a public transit stop, within 1/2 mile of a city-designated bike lane or path, in a district with no parking minimum, or already has a spare stall beyond the house's minimum (G.1.a-d). The house's own required stalls cannot be removed to make room for the ADU. |
| Owner Occupancy | Required on single-family lots: a deed-listed owner, a relative by blood, marriage or adoption, or a family-trust trustor must live in the house or the ADU (21A.40.200.C). Not required when the principal use is a duplex, multi-family or non-residential building (C.4.a); absences of up to 3 years for military service or job assignments and moves into medical or nursing care are excused (C.4.b-c). A recorded restrictive covenant carries the requirement and bans short-term rental of both units (P). |
| Min Lot Size | None - 'There is no minimum lot size required for an ADU' (21A.40.200.N.1), and an ADU does not count toward district density (N.2). The base district's building-coverage and rear-yard-coverage limits still apply (L). |
Permit Process & Fees [6][7][8][9]
An ADU permit in Salt Lake City goes through a standard permit review. Review times are not published. The Handbook shows building-code, fire, Public Utilities, Engineering and Transportation reviews before the permit, then covenant, owner-occupancy and zoning-certificate steps before occupancy; ask Building Services (801-535-7968) for the current residential queue. Permit fees: About $3,000-$5,000 in building-permit plus plan-review fees for a $150,000-$300,000 ADU: permit $1,425.97 plus $8 per $1,000 over $100,000 (Code 18.32.035), plan review 65% of that (FY2027 Consolidated Fee Schedule, amended 6/16/2026). Trade permits and a $35-per-unit rental licence are extra.
| Approval Process | Building permit through Building Services for every ADU (21A.40.200.M); plans are also reviewed by Public Utilities, Engineering and Transportation (ADU Handbook v2.2, p. 26). Before occupancy: record the ADU restrictive covenant with the Salt Lake County Recorder and give Planning a copy (P.6), obtain a zoning certificate (O.1) and, if renting, a rental dwelling business licence with Good Landlord enrolment (O.2). A licensed general contractor must pull the permit for an attached second unit (Utah Code 58-55-301, 58-55-305). |
| Review Timeline | Review times are not published. The Handbook shows building-code, fire, Public Utilities, Engineering and Transportation reviews before the permit, then covenant, owner-occupancy and zoning-certificate steps before occupancy; ask Building Services (801-535-7968) for the current residential queue. |
| Permit Fees | About $3,000-$5,000 in building-permit plus plan-review fees for a $150,000-$300,000 ADU: permit $1,425.97 plus $8 per $1,000 over $100,000 (Code 18.32.035), plan review 65% of that (FY2027 Consolidated Fee Schedule, amended 6/16/2026). Trade permits and a $35-per-unit rental licence are extra. |
| Impact Fees | Charged on every new dwelling unit (ADU Handbook v2.2). FY2027 city impact fees per residential unit: single-family rate $5,832 (park $5,173, transportation $429, fire $171, police $59) or multi-family rate $3,550 (park $3,078, transportation $242, fire $171, police $59); Building Services (801-535-7712) assigns the ADU's category. A $545 sewer and $1,871 water connection fee apply only if the ADU gets its own service; storm water $374 per 1/4 acre where it applies (CFS FY2027; Code 18.98, 17.44.060, 17.16.040). |
| Plan Check | 65% of the building-permit fee (Code 18.32.035, CFS FY2027). Expedited review costs twice the standard plan-review fee (18.20.050); review of an identical plan set is 30% (Utah HB 368, 2025). Review duration is not published. |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Five pre-approved standard plans on the Building Services ADU page (checked Sept 2026): a 650 sq ft 1-bedroom, a 775 sq ft 2-bedroom, an 800 sq ft 2-bedroom, a detached-garage conversion and a second-storey garage conversion, all drawn by private firms. A site review is still required for the permit and all fees still apply. The Planning Division's ADU Handbook (v2.2) is the zoning guide. |
Get Free ADU Quotes in Salt Lake City
Tell us about your project and we'll pass it to ADU builders serving Salt Lake City. Free, no obligation — you choose who to work with. We don't have builders in every area yet; if nobody covers yours, we'll email you to say so.
1. Tell us your project
Takes about a minute.
Takes about a minute.
2. We match local pros
Up to 5 independent local ADU builders — never more, and we tell them nothing you don't submit here.
Up to 5 independent local ADU builders — never more, and we tell them nothing you don't submit here.
3. You choose
Compare quotes, verify license & insurance, hire (or don't). No spam either way.
Compare quotes, verify license & insurance, hire (or don't). No spam either way.
🔒 Your info is secure. We share it only with contractors quoting your project. No spam, no obligation.
Just browsing? Search ADU builders near you by ZIP code.
Construction Costs [10][11]
Building an ADU in Salt Lake City typically costs $180,000-$350,000 ($300-$350 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $120,000-$200,000.
See what this means for your lot — ask Salt Lake City ADU builders for a quote →
| Average Build Cost | $180,000-$350,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $300-$350 |
| Garage Conversion | $120,000-$200,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $100,000-$180,000 |
Finance Your ADU Project
Most ADU projects are funded through HELOCs, construction loans, or cash-out refinancing. Compare rates from top lenders.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Rental Income Potential [12][13][14]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Salt Lake City rents for around $1,600-$2,000, an estimated Roughly 5-10% gross yield: a 1-bedroom at the HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent ($1,456/mo, about $17,500/yr) against a $180,000-$350,000 build, before vacancy, tax, insurance and upkeep - 10-20 years to recover the build cost.
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,300-$1,650 |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,600-$2,000 |
| Short-Term Rental | No. An ADU may not be rented as a short-term rental (21A.40.200.Q.1) and the recorded restrictive covenant bars short-term rental of both the ADU and the main house (P.3). |
| Est. Annual ROI | Roughly 5-10% gross yield: a 1-bedroom at the HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent ($1,456/mo, about $17,500/yr) against a $180,000-$350,000 build, before vacancy, tax, insurance and upkeep - 10-20 years to recover the build cost. |
Explore Prefab ADU Options
Prefab ADUs can save 20-40% vs. traditional construction and cut build time in half.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Sept 20, 2026 verification: 21A.40.200 re-read on American Legal (code current through Ord. 40-26 of June 16, 2026, nothing pending codification) - the last ADU amendment is still Ord. 17-23 (2023); fees re-based on the FY2027 Consolidated Fee Schedule (Ord. 2026-29, June 16, 2026); rents on HUD FY2026 FMR.
- Utah SB 284 (2026 General Session) enacts Utah Code 10-21-304, effective Oct. 1, 2026: first- to fourth-class cities, Salt Lake City included, must permit a detached ADU on any lot of 11,000 sq ft or more that holds a single-family house, without a conditional-use permit, with at most 1 parking stall under 650 sq ft (2 above). Salt Lake City already goes further - no lot minimum, permitted in every residential district since April 2023.
- Utah's municipal land-use act was renumbered Nov. 6, 2025 (Laws of Utah 2025, 1st Special Session, ch. 15): the internal-ADU statute long cited as 10-9a-530 now sits in Utah Code Chapter 10-21; its substance - one internal ADU is a permitted use in primarily residential zones - is unchanged.
- FY2027 Consolidated Fee Schedule (amended June 16, 2026): impact fees per new residential unit - single-family $5,832, multi-family $3,550; building permit $1,425.97 plus $8 per $1,000 of valuation over $100,000, plan review 65%.
- Ord. 17-23 (effective April 4, 2023): conditional-use requirement for detached ADUs removed citywide; 1,000 sq ft detached cap, 3-ft setbacks, 17-ft height, parking waivers near transit and bike lanes, owner-occupancy and restrictive covenant retained (21A.40.200).
- Backyard Keys ADU loan pilot (Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency, 2026): up to $200,000 at 3% fixed for owner-occupants west of I-15, priority in the 9-Line CRA.
Tips for Building an ADU in Salt Lake City
- Cost basis: the four cost ranges are carried from the July 2026 entry (no industry cost guide could be re-read on Sept 20, 2026); a 1,000 sq ft detached ADU at $300-$350 per sq ft lands at $300,000-$350,000 before impact and connection fees.
- Check the parking waiver first: within a 1/4-mile radius of any transit stop or 1/2 mile of a city bike lane or path no ADU stall is required (21A.40.200.G) - that covers most of the older neighbourhoods; Planning (801-535-7700) will confirm for your address.
- The certificate of occupancy is held until the restrictive covenant is recorded with the Salt Lake County Recorder and the zoning certificate is issued (21A.40.200.O-P); a rental dwelling licence ($35 per unit with Good Landlord certification, $342 without) is needed before you rent.
- Owner-occupancy is enforced through the covenant and only excused for absences of up to 3 years or a move into medical care (21A.40.200.C); if you expect to move out for good, the ADU only works on a duplex, multi-family or non-residential lot.
- Converting an existing detached garage keeps its existing setbacks; adding a second storey does not - the addition must meet the 3-ft and corner-side setbacks, the 17-ft height rule and the second-storey window limits (21A.40.200.E.3 notes, F, K).
- Ask Building Services (801-535-7712) which impact-fee category applies to your ADU before you set the budget - the FY2027 single-family and multi-family per-unit rates differ by $2,282.
- Westside owner-occupants (west of I-15): the Backyard Keys pilot lends up to $200,000 at 3% fixed for 5 years with a 30-year amortisation and up to 10% forgiveness for rent-restricted ADUs; Good Landlord training and financial counselling are conditions, and applications open as funding allows.
- Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification): short term allowed: No. An ADU may not be rented as a short-term rental (21A.40.200.Q.1) and the recorded restrictive covenant bars short-term rental of both the ADU and the main house (P.3). Long-term rental needs a rental dwelling business licence: $35 per unit with Good Landlord certification, $342 without (FY2027 Consolidated Fee Schedule, p. 16; Code 5.14.040). | roi estimate: Roughly 5-10% gross yield: a 1-bedroom at the HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent ($1,456/mo, about $17,500/yr) against a $180,000-$350,000 build, before vacancy, tax, insurance and upkeep - 10-20 years to recover the build cost from rent alone.
ADU Builders in Salt Lake City
Looking for an ADU builder in Salt Lake City? ADU projects need a contractor experienced with local zoning, the permit process, and utility connections — not every general contractor has built one. We match Salt Lake City homeowners with experienced local ADU contractors who provide free, no-obligation quotes. Getting at least three bids typically saves 20-40% on the same scope.
Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Salt Lake City Code 21A.40.200 Accessory Dwelling Units (American Legal, code current through Ord. 40-26, June 16, 2026) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Code 21A.33.020 Table of Permitted and Conditional Uses for Residential Districts primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Planning Division ADU Handbook, Version 2.2 primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Utah SB 284 (2026 General Session), enrolled - enacts Utah Code 10-21-304 Detached accessory dwelling units, effective Oct. 1, 2026 primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Utah Code 10-9a-530 Internal accessory dwelling units (as amended 2023; renumbered into Chapter 10-21 effective Nov. 6, 2025) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule FY2027 (amended June 16, 2026 by Ord. 2026-29): building permits 18.32.035, plan review, impact fees 18.98, sewer 17.44.060, water 17.16.040, rental licence 5.14.040 primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Building Services - Accessory Dwelling Unit Standard Plans primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Planning Division ADU Handbook, Version 2.2 (process, impact fees, contractor requirement) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Code 21A.40.200 M-P (building permit, zoning certificate, restrictive covenant) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule FY2027 (impact and connection fees) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Cost ranges carried from the July 2026 entry; no industry guide re-read Sept 20, 2026 (see notes) industry — Accessed 2026-07-01
- HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents, Salt Lake City, UT HUD Metro FMR Area (1-BR $1,456, 2-BR $1,747) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Code 21A.40.200 P-Q (short-term rental ban, covenant) primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency - Backyard Keys ADU Loan Program primary — Accessed 2026-09-20
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Salt Lake City?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in Permitted use (P, no conditional-use permit) in every residential district of the 21A.33.020 use table - FR-1/FR-2/FR-3, R-1/12,000, R-1/7,000, R-1/5,000, SR-1, SR-3, R-2, RMF-30/35/45/75 and FBUN-1 - and wherever else Chapter 21A.33 lists 'Dwelling, accessory unit (ADU)'. Detached ADUs stopped needing conditional-use approval on April 4, 2023 (Ord. 17-23; 21A.40.200.N.3). H Historic overlay and Foothills (21A.24.010.P) rules still apply on top (21A.40.200.B). in Salt Lake City. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area (21A.40.200.J.1). Only the ADU's floor area counts when the building also holds a garage or other accessory use; stairs to a second-level ADU, loft space under 7 ft and a storage-only basement with no internal connection are excluded (J.3). A covered patio up to 120 sq ft does not count toward the cap but does count toward lot coverage (H.3). Accessory buildings together may cover at most 50% of the rear yard in single/two-family districts (ADU Handbook v2.2).. Owner-occupancy is required: Required on single-family lots: a deed-listed owner, a relative by blood, marriage or adoption, or a family-trust trustor must live in the house or the ADU (21A.40.200.C). Not required when the principal use is a duplex, multi-family or non-residential building (C.4.a); absences of up to 3 years for military service or job assignments and moves into medical or nursing care are excused (C.4.b-c). A recorded restrictive covenant carries the requirement and bans short-term rental of both units (P).
How much does an ADU cost in Salt Lake City?
ADU construction in Salt Lake City typically costs $180,000-$350,000. Garage conversions run $120,000-$200,000, and prefab ADUs cost $100,000-$180,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Salt Lake City?
Average ADU rents in Salt Lake City are $1,300-$1,650 for a 1-bedroom and $1,600-$2,000 for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Salt Lake City?
1 off-street stall for the ADU on top of the house's required parking (21A.40.200.G.1) - waived if the lot is within a 1/4-mile radius of a public transit stop, within 1/2 mile of a city-designated bike lane or path, in a district with no parking minimum, or already has a spare stall beyond the house's minimum (G.1.a-d). The house's own required stalls cannot be removed to make room for the ADU.. Check with Salt Lake City planning department for the latest Utah ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City does not publish a standard ADU review timeline. The Handbook shows building-code, fire, Public Utilities, Engineering and Transportation reviews before the permit, then covenant, owner-occupancy and zoning-certificate steps before occupancy; ask Building Services (801-535-7968) for the current residential queue. Permit fees: About $3,000-$5,000 in building-permit plus plan-review fees for a $150,000-$300,000 ADU: permit $1,425.97 plus $8 per $1,000 over $100,000 (Code 18.32.035), plan review 65% of that (FY2027 Consolidated Fee Schedule, amended 6/16/2026). Trade permits and a $35-per-unit rental licence are extra.
Ready to Build in Salt Lake City?
Get free, no-obligation quotes from top-rated ADU contractors in Salt Lake City.
Get Free Quotes →Build ADUs in Salt Lake City?
Homeowners read this page while planning, then ask us to connect them with a local builder. We pass those requests to builders who cover Salt Lake City — a flat fee only on the leads you accept, no subscription, and you contract directly with the homeowner.
See who's waiting in Utah →