Utah ADU rules by city
Which cities now allow a backyard ADU?
Utah's SB 284 required larger cities to allow detached ADUs by October 1, 2026. Here is where the cities we work in stand, based on council records and local reporting.
American Fork
Not allowed before. Now permitted on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more, with a 24 ft height limit.
See American Fork details Adopted September 2026Orem
Never allowed before. Now permitted, limited to a single story at 20 ft.
See Orem details Adopted September 15, 2026Saratoga Springs
Ordinance 26-42 adopted 4 to 0. Impact fees can apply to detached units.
See Saratoga Springs details Updated July 2026Lehi
Minimum lot cut from 14,520 sq ft to 11,000 sq ft.
See Lehi details Code amended 2026Mapleton
Earlier code needed a half acre. Council amended it to comply with state law.
See Mapleton details Adopted September 1, 2026Highland
Ordinance O-2026-28. One ADU per property, owner occupancy recorded on title.
See Highland details Adopted fall 2026Sandy
Ordinance 26-55. Reported 18 ft height cap and 2,000 sq ft size cap.
See Sandy details In progressTaylorsville
Adding detached ADUs to its code. Adoption not yet confirmed.
See Taylorsville details Confirm with the cityWest Valley City
State law applies. No adopted ordinance confirmed.
See West Valley City details Adopted September 22, 2026Bountiful
Moved from conditional use to administrative approval.
See Bountiful detailsStatus labels mean: adopted, we found the ordinance or council record; in progress, a draft is moving; confirm with the city, we could not find an adopted ordinance. Details are general information and cities may amend their rules.
Questions
Before you pick a city page.
Why do the rules differ from city to city?
SB 284 sets a floor: covered cities must permit detached ADUs on lots of 11,000 square feet or more. Within that, each city can set its own size, height, setback, owner-occupancy and rental rules, so two neighbors in different cities can get different answers.
How current is this information?
It reflects council records and news coverage through early November 2026. Several cities said they will revisit their rules, so confirm the current ordinance with your city before you design.
My city is not listed.
Most Wasatch Front cities are covered by SB 284. Send us your address and we will check your city, your lot size and the delivery route.
Not sure your lot qualifies?
Send us your address. We will check lot size, your city's rules and the delivery route, then tell you straight whether a detached ADU makes sense.