Not starting from scratch
Layton has had a detached ADU path since 2021, so there is a track record of what the city expects at the permit counter.
Layton, Davis County
Layton already allows detached ADUs, and is updating the rules.
Unlike many Utah cities, Layton did not have to start from zero. It adopted standards for internal, attached and detached ADUs in 2021. The city is now amending its detached ADU standards to line up with SB 284, so the lot-size and size details are worth confirming.
Already allowed since 2021; city is amending for SB 284
What we confirmed for Layton
Source: Layton City Ordinance 21-23; Layton City ADU handout (May 2026); Layton Planning Commission work meeting agenda; Utah Code 10-21-304.
- Before
- Ordinance 21-23, adopted September 16, 2021, set standards for internal, attached and detached ADUs
- City guidance
- A permit is required, and the full rules are in Section 19.06.300 (May 2026 handout)
- State requirement
- Allow a detached ADU on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more with a single-family home
- Amendment
- A Planning Commission item proposed amending the detached ADU standards in Title 19
- Parking
- State law caps it at 1 space under 650 sq ft and 2 at 650 sq ft or more
- Status
- Council adoption of the amendment not confirmed
Not confirmed: Layton's current minimum lot size, size cap and setbacks for detached units, and whether the council has adopted the amendment. Confirm with Layton Planning.
About Layton
Davis County's biggest city, with a head start.
Layton is the largest city in Davis County, running from the Wasatch foothills on the east toward the Great Salt Lake on the west, with Hill Air Force Base along its southern edge. Its neighborhoods range from older streets near the center to newer subdivisions toward the west, and a steady local workforce tied to the base and to the Layton Hills area.
What sets Layton apart from the other cities we cover is that it already had a detached ADU ordinance. For a homeowner, that means the question is less "is it allowed" and more "do the current numbers fit my lot". SB 284 sets a ceiling on how much lot a city can demand, so Layton's amendment is about making sure its standards do not ask for more than state law allows.
What it means for you
What this means for a Layton homeowner.
A permit is required
Layton's handout is explicit that an ADU needs a permit, and points to Section 19.06.300 for the full standards.
Standards are being amended
A Planning Commission item proposed changes to the detached standards, so ask which version applies when you apply.
Davis County choice
Layton sits in a county with other cities updating their rules, like Bountiful and West Point.
Plans that fit Layton
Plans that suit a Layton backyard.
Cabana 2 Bed (638 square feet) and Mysa 500 keep the footprint small and stay on one level. Morada 800 is a wide single-story home with one or two bedrooms, and Rabbit 800 stacks two stories on a footprint under 15 by 30 feet when the yard is narrow. Confirm height and size limits in Section 19.06.300 before choosing.
Final fit depends on your lot, utilities, the delivery route and Layton's current standards. We confirm all of it in a lot review.
Flat lots, long utility runs and a clear approach.
Much of Layton is relatively flat, which keeps grading simple, but newer west-side lots can be deep and the main house may sit far from the back. The cost driver is usually the distance from sewer, water and power to the new unit. We walk the lot, check access for the delivery truck and crane, and price the site work line by line.
How to plan the full budgetGetting it built in Layton
From a Layton lot to move-in.
- Read Section 19.06.300. Ask Layton Planning for the version that applies to your application.
- Check the lot. Confirm lot size and where the unit can sit.
- Choose a plan. Match footprint and height to the current standards.
- Permit and review. We prepare the plan set and site plan for Layton's ADU permit.
- Site work, set and finish. Foundation and utilities, crane day, then finish work.
Questions
Layton ADU questions, answered.
Does Layton allow detached ADUs?
Yes. Layton adopted Ordinance 21-23 on September 16, 2021, creating standards for internal, attached and detached accessory dwelling units. A permit is required, and the standards are in Section 19.06.300.
Is Layton changing its rules for SB 284?
A Planning Commission agenda proposed amending the detached ADU standards in Title 19. We could not confirm whether the council has adopted the amendment, so ask Layton Planning which version applies.
What lot size does Layton require?
State law says a covered city cannot require more than 11,000 square feet for a detached ADU on a lot with a single-family home. Layton's own figure should be confirmed with the city.
Do I need a permit for a detached ADU in Layton?
Yes. Layton's ADU handout says a permit is required.
How much parking will I need?
State law caps it at one on-site space under 650 square feet and two at 650 square feet or more.
General information, not legal advice. Cities can amend their ordinances, so confirm current rules with Layton before you design or buy.
Nearby
Compare nearby cities.
Other Davis County cities:
Own a lot in Layton?
Send us your address. We will check it against Layton's current standards and tell you honestly whether a detached ADU fits.