ADU rules in North Salt Lake

ADUs are allowed in a detached accessory structure (cottage home, guest house, tiny home, or above a detached garage) in any zone on a single-family lot, subject to owner occupancy and setback, parking, and lot coverage standards. Not allowed on multi-family lots.

ADUs are allowed within or attached to the main dwelling (basement or addition) or over an attached garage in any zone on a single-family lot; one ADU per owner-occupied single-family dwelling. Not allowed in any multi-family dwelling or on a multi-family lot.

Detached-structure ADUs must be 300 to 1,200 sq ft with no more than 2 bedrooms. Basement ADUs may occupy the entire basement regardless of area or bedroom count. The size subsection states no explicit cap for other attached types (addition or over-garage). The Planning Commission can approve ADUs over 1,200 sq ft by conditional use permit with mitigating conditions.

The owner must occupy either a portion of the main dwelling or the detached accessory unit on the same lot; owner occupied means full-time residency by the owner shown on Davis County tax rolls. Exception for a bona fide temporary absence of 3 years or less (job assignment, sabbatical, or voluntary service) when the owner lived there before leaving and intends to return.

At least 1 off-street space for the ADU above what the single-family dwelling requires, and one additional space for ADUs with 2 or more bedrooms. ADU parking may not be in tandem with the main dwelling's required parking. ADUs within 1/4 mile of a bus rapid transit route may reduce the main dwelling's requirement by 1 space. Spaces must be on a paved (concrete or asphalt) surface and outside front or street-side setbacks except in an approved driveway. Reduced or waived ADU parking is possible via conditional use permit, potentially with occupancy restricted to tenants without vehicles.

ADUs (new or existing unpermitted) require a land use permit from the community development department, a staff-level review of the application, site plan, floor plans, and life-safety items, plus a building permit for construction or remodeling; the city page says there is no fee for the land use permit. A Planning Commission conditional use permit is only needed to modify the size, parking, or setback standards.

The ADU may not be sold or detached by deed and shall only be rented. Occupancy is limited to one person, a related family, or up to 4 unrelated persons living as a single housekeeping unit (plus temporary guests under 30 days). Under the short term rental rules, a property with a valid ADU land use permit may rent one of its dwelling units as an STR for up to 365 nights per year, subject to the city's STR land use permit and business license requirements.