Owner occupancy recorded
Highland ties owner occupancy to the property title, so plan to live on the property.
Highland, Utah
Highland has adopted its detached ADU rules.
Highland City adopted its detached ADU ordinance on September 1, 2026, ahead of the state's October 1 deadline. If you own a larger Highland lot, a factory-built home in the backyard may now be on the table.
Ordinance O-2026-28 adopted, September 1, 2026
What we confirmed for Highland
Source: Highland City legal notice of adoption, September 2026; Highland City Council coverage; Utah Code 10-21-304.
- Adopted
- September 1, 2026, Ordinance O-2026-28
- Council vote
- 5 to 0, as reported
- Per property
- One ADU, internal or detached
- Owner occupancy
- Recorded against the property title
- Codes
- Building and fire code compliance required
- Detached units
- Separate size, setback and height limits apply
Not confirmed: The adopted size cap, setbacks and height for detached units. The planning commission proposed caps in July, and the final numbers may differ. Confirm with Highland Planning.
What it means for you
What changes for Highland homeowners.
Rules for detached units
Size, setback and height limits apply to detached ADUs, so lot shape matters.
Check your lot size
Any lot of 11,000 sq ft (about a quarter acre) or more meets the state threshold. Look up yours.
Plans that fit
Compact floor plans for a Highland backyard.
Small plans are easier to fit inside setbacks and cap parking at one space under 650 square feet. Open any plan for photos and the floor plan.
Final fit depends on your lot, utilities, the delivery route and the city's current standards. We confirm all of it in a lot review.
How it works here
From your lot to move-in.
- Lot review. We check lot size, setbacks, utilities and the delivery route to your backyard.
- Choose a plan and finishes. Pick a floor plan and one of four finish series.
- City review. We help you prepare the plans and site information Highland will want for approval and the building permit.
- Foundation and utilities. Site work happens on your lot while the home is built in the factory.
- Delivery and set. The home arrives by truck and is set by crane, then finished, connected and walked through with you.
Questions
Highland ADU questions.
Does SB 284 apply to Highland?
Yes. Highland is covered by the state mandate, which requires a covered city to allow a detached ADU on a lot of 11,000 square feet or more that has a single-family home, as a permitted use. Cities can still set size, height, setback, owner-occupancy and rental rules within the limits of the law. Read the SB 284 guide.
How much parking does a detached ADU need?
A city cannot require more than one on-site space for a detached ADU under 650 square feet, or more than two for a unit of 650 square feet or larger.
Can I rent it out?
The state allows a city to require rentals of at least 90 consecutive days and to require the owner to live on the property. Check how Highland applies those rules to your lot.
What if my lot is smaller than 11,000 square feet?
The state mandate does not reach it, but a city may choose to allow smaller lots. Ask Highland Planning what applies to your parcel.
Does Stoneward work in Highland?
Yes. Stoneward is based in American Fork and serves Utah County and the rest of the Wasatch Front. We run a lot review first and tell you plainly if a detached ADU does not fit.
General information, not legal advice. Cities can amend their ordinances, so confirm current rules with Highland before you design or buy.
Own a lot in Highland?
Send us your address. We will check the lot against Highland's rules and tell you honestly whether a detached ADU fits.