City · Utah
ADU rules in Murray
These are the primary sources for accessory dwelling unit regulations in Murray: 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
Allowed with an administrative ADU permit on properties that allow single-family dwellings as a permitted use, but only on lots of at least 10,000 sq ft; limited to one story and 20 ft (or the height of the principal structure, whichever is less), not in the front yard, with 10 ft rear/side and 20 ft corner-side setbacks
Murray City Code 17.78.030, 17.78.050Allowed with an administrative ADU permit on properties that allow single-family dwellings as a permitted use; one ADU per lot; separate entrance may not be on the front yard; separate utility meters prohibited
Murray City Code 17.78.030, 17.78.040Detached ADU must be less than 50% of the primary residence's square footage and in no case exceed 1,000 sq ft; total floor area of a detached structure containing an ADU also capped at 1,000 sq ft. No explicit floor-area cap is stated for attached ADUs, which are instead limited by the underlying zone's lot coverage and setbacks
Murray City Code 17.78.050.G, 17.78.050.N; 17.78.040.HOwner (titleholder or contract purchaser) must occupy either the principal unit or the ADU as their permanent residence and may not receive rent for the unit they occupy; a recorded affidavit is required, and the ADU must be vacated and converted back if owner occupancy ends
Murray City Code 17.78.040.A, 17.78.050.A, 17.78.060, 17.78.080.AOne off-street space in addition to the primary unit's parking, with a total of three off-street spaces required on the property; occupant vehicles must park on site and on-street parking is reserved for visitors. Same standard for attached and detached ADUs
Murray City Code 17.78.040.G, 17.78.050.HADUs meeting the chapter's development standards are allowed in any zone that permits single-family housing after approval of an accessory dwelling unit permit by the Community and Economic Development Director or designee (administrative approval, not a conditional use hearing); building permit and inspection follow
Murray City Code 17.78.030, 17.78.070By applying for an ADU the owner agrees that neither the main dwelling nor the ADU will be used as a short-term rental, defined as renting all or part of the property for less than 30 days at a time; a residential rental business license is required to rent either unit; city may lien the property up to $100/day for violations
Murray City Code 17.78.090, 17.78.100, 17.78.080.BThe fine print: 6 caveats that can change the picture
- ADUs are only allowed in zones where single-family dwellings are a permitted use; only one ADU per lot
- Detached ADUs require a minimum lot size of 10,000 sq ft in all single-family residential zones, so many smaller lots cannot build one
- The 1,000 sq ft / under-50%-of-primary size cap applies to detached ADUs; the chapter states no explicit floor-area cap for attached ADUs
- Separate utility meters are prohibited and a separate ADU entrance may not face the front yard
- If the owner stops living on the property the ADU must be vacated and the property restored to a single-family residence (kitchen/laundry connections removed)
- Ordinance history shows recent amendments (Ord. 24-26, 23-03, 21-25); code posted as 2026 S-16 supplement
Summarized from Murray'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 Murray has updated its ordinance, report it and we'll verify against the official source.
Report a correctionReady to build?
Planning an ADU in Murray?
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.