City · Utah
ADU rules in Bluffdale
These are the primary sources for accessory dwelling unit regulations in Bluffdale: the city's own zoning code, planning department pages, and permit guides. Start here before talking to anyone: the rules below are what your permit reviewer will apply.
Rules at a glance
D-ADUs are a permitted use in all primary residential zoning districts, mixed use zones, and special district zones, on lots or parcels containing no more than one single-family dwelling; must be located in the rear or side yard and meet accessory-building setbacks and height for the zone
§11.340.020; §11.340.050Internal ADUs (I-ADUs) are a permitted use in all primary residential zoning districts, mixed use zones, and special district zones, within single-family dwellings on parcels greater than 6,000 sq ft; must be enclosed within the primary dwelling footprint (may be above an attached garage)
§11.340.020; §11.340.060ADU may be no more than 50% of the total square footage of all floors of the primary dwelling per Salt Lake County Assessor records, excluding attached garage space; a D-ADU must also be at least 400 sq ft of habitable space
§11.340.040 (Size); §11.340.050 (D-ADU minimum)Owner of record must occupy the primary dwelling as their primary residence (or live in the approved ADU); exceptions for temporary absence up to 3 years (military, job assignment, sabbatical), placement in a medical/assisted-living facility, and up to 90 days during ownership change
§11.340.040; §11.340.030 (owner-occupancy statement with application)Off-street stalls in addition to the primary dwelling's required parking, reserved for ADU occupants, all-weather surface, located behind the front plane of the dwelling; garage stalls count only if additional and not tandem
§11.340.040 (Parking)Permitted use in eligible zones, but an ADU Permit from the Land Use Authority plus a building permit are required before occupancy, and a notice of accessory dwelling unit is recorded against the property
§11.340.020; §11.340.030; §11.340.070ADU may not be rented or leased for less than 30 consecutive days, only one rental agreement may be in effect at a time, and the primary dwelling may not be separately rented while an ADU exists; city FAQ confirms ADUs are not allowed as short-term rentals
§11.340.040The fine print: 7 caveats that can change the picture
- Internal ADUs are only allowed on parcels greater than 6,000 sq ft, so the flat 'yes' for attached ADUs does not apply to smaller lots
- Maximum one ADU per parcel; a D-ADU is not permitted on a property that already has an I-ADU, and a D-ADU approval waives the right to create an I-ADU unless the D-ADU is removed
- D-ADU setbacks, height, and lot coverage follow the accessory-building rules of the underlying zoning district, so detached feasibility is zone-dependent; D-ADUs are prohibited in the front yard
- Trailers, mobile homes, tiny homes with wheels, and other portable structures cannot be used as a D-ADU, and a second kitchen in a D-ADU is not allowed
- ADUs are prohibited on parcels served by a failing septic system; separate utility meters and separate addresses/mailboxes are not allowed
- D-ADUs carry design restrictions near neighbors: translucent windows or skylights within 20 ft of adjacent single-family/townhome property, balcony and exterior-stair setbacks, and no rooftop or second-story decks
- ADUs legally established before July 1, 2023 may continue under prior rules but must still obtain and maintain an ADU permit
Summarized from Bluffdale's ordinance text, read July 2026; every row links the code section it came from. Rules often vary by zone and lot, so treat this as orientation, not a permit determination, and confirm with the planning department before you commit to a design.
ADU regulations
Utah statewide law also applies
Utah sets baseline ADU rights at the state level. Where local rules are stricter than state law allows, state law usually wins, so both are worth reading.
See Utah statewide rulesSpotted something outdated?
Zoning codes change. If a link is dead or Bluffdale has updated its ordinance, report it and we'll verify against the official source.
Report a correctionReady to build?
Planning an ADU in Bluffdale?
Tell us about your project and we'll match you with vetted local designers and builders as we bring them online. No cost, no obligation.