City · Utah
ADU rules in Pleasant Grove
These are the primary sources for accessory dwelling unit regulations in Pleasant Grove: 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
Accessory apartments are defined to include units within a detached accessory structure associated with a single-family dwelling, but only in the A-1, R-R, R-1, RM-7, DV, and Grove mixed housing zones, on owner-occupied single-family lots that can satisfy the parking requirements; tiny homes on permanent foundations may also serve as the detached accessory apartment.
§10-15-47(A), (E), (S)Units within or attached to a single-family dwelling (over the garage, in the basement, or in an addition) are allowed, but only in the A-1, R-R, R-1, RM-7, DV, and Grove mixed housing zones; no accessory apartment may be in any multi-family dwelling, and the lot must satisfy the parking requirements.
§10-15-47(A), (E), (G)§10-15-47 sets no square-footage limit for accessory apartments; it instead limits occupancy (one person, a related family, or up to 4 related and/or unrelated persons living as a single housekeeping unit) and requires detached units to meet the zoning requirements for single-family neighborhoods. The Chapter 15 table of contents shows no separate accessory-building size section either.
§10-15-47(D), (G)No accessory apartment may be created, established, or occupied unless the property owner occupies either a portion of the main dwelling or a detached accessory unit on the same lot; the section defines owner occupancy in detail (primary dwelling and mailing address, at least 50% recorded equity interest, special rules for trusts and LLCs) and exempts only bona fide temporary absences of 3 years or less for a job assignment, sabbatical, or voluntary service.
§10-15-47(C)Covered parking, garages, and tandem driveway parking count; spaces may not be in front or street-side yard setbacks except in an approved driveway, and parking areas must be paved (concrete or asphalt, with limited alternative surfacing allowed for accessory-unit spaces not directly connected to the street). Tiny-home accessory apartments follow the same parking rule.
§10-15-47(J), (S)(8)Accessory apartments are approved through registration with the Community Development Department ($25 fee with a registration form, site plan, and floor plans) plus a building permit for any construction; this is a staff-level process with no hearing described. Unregistered apartments are not considered legal or approved, and failure to register can bring a $500 fine that may become a property lien.
§10-15-47(P), (Q)The accessory apartment shall not be intended for sale or detached by deed and shall only be rented; occupants are limited to one person, persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship, or foster care, or up to 4 related and/or unrelated persons as a single housekeeping unit, plus temporary guests staying under 30 days per rolling year. No minimum lease term or short-term rental rule appears in this section.
§10-15-47(D), (O)The fine print: 8 caveats that can change the picture
- Allowed only in the A-1, R-R, R-1, RM-7, DV, and Grove mixed housing zones; never in a multi-family dwelling (§10-15-47(E))
- Maximum of one accessory apartment per owner-occupied single-family dwelling or lot (§10-15-47(F), (S)(1))
- A lot that cannot satisfy the 6-space off-street parking requirement cannot have an accessory apartment at all (§10-15-47(E), (J))
- New structures need a separate accessible entrance; existing homes must use existing street-facing, side, or rear entrances, and two side-by-side front doors are prohibited except where the second door accesses the basement (§10-15-47(H))
- The unit shares the main dwelling's address as unit B, and any separate utility meters must stay in the property owner's name with the owner responsible for payment (§10-15-47(I), (M))
- Interior access between the main dwelling and an attached unit must be maintained unless the fire department confirms sufficient egress (§10-15-47(N))
- Tiny homes qualify as accessory apartments only on a permanent site-built foundation with running gear removed, permanent utility connections, and materials aesthetically consistent with the main dwelling (§10-15-47(S))
- No explicit size cap in the ordinance section; detached units are still subject to the underlying zone's requirements for single-family neighborhoods, which were not individually reviewed (§10-15-47(G))
Summarized from Pleasant Grove'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 Pleasant Grove has updated its ordinance, report it and we'll verify against the official source.
Report a correctionReady to build?
Planning an ADU in Pleasant Grove?
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.