ADU rules in South Jordan

Ord. 2026-24 (adopted 9-15-2026) renamed the 'Guesthouse' a 'Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit or DADU': 'An ADU that qualifies as a DADU under Section 10-21-101 of Utah State Law, and is detached from the primary dwelling, that includes a kitchen and bathroom.' It is now allowed with conforming single-family dwellings 'in zones where single-family is permitted use, unless located in areas with a development agreement adopted prior to May 6, 2026 that prohibits ADUs', on any lot greater than 6,000 sq ft; the old 14,520 sq ft minimum and the flag-lot ban were repealed. A DADU follows the zone's accessory-building setbacks but may not sit closer than 10 ft to a side or rear property line, and an existing accessory structure may be converted. This is looser than the Utah Code 10-21-304 floor (detached ADUs on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more), so the city complies with the state mandate in force since 10-1-2026.

Called 'Internal Accessory Dwelling Unit or IADU': 'An ADU, that qualifies as an internal ADU under Section 10-21-101 of Utah State Law, and is contained within the primary dwelling so that the ADU and the primary dwelling appear to be one unit, that includes a kitchen and bathroom.' The city's September 2026 guidebook shows basement, above-garage and attached configurations. An internal ADU needs a lot greater than 6,000 sq ft in any zone where single-family is a permitted use, which tracks Utah Code 10-21-303 (a city may prohibit internal ADUs on lots of 6,000 sq ft or less). New exterior entrances on the front elevation, or on a street-facing side unless 75% below grade or screened by a 6 ft fence, are prohibited for internal ADUs.

'No DADU shall comprise no more than fifty percent (50%) of the living area of the primary dwelling or be greater than one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet.' Ord. 2026-24 raised the share from 35% to 50% and repealed the 3-bedroom cap and the Planning Commission route to a larger unit; the guidebook reads the two limits as 'whichever is less'. Detached units may be up to 5 ft taller than the main building, never over 25 ft, with one added foot of setback per foot of height above 16 ft. Internal ADUs have no floor-area cap beyond the zone's maximum building coverage (§§17.30.020, 17.40.020), which Utah Code 10-21-303 also requires.

'For all accessory dwelling units, the owner of the property, as reflected in title records, shall make his or her legal residence on the property as evidenced by voter registration, vehicle registration, driver's license, county assessor records or similar means.' The owner must record an affidavit promising to 'live in either the primary or accessory dwelling unit as their permanent residence' and authorizing annual City inspections. Ord. 2026-24 kept both clauses unchanged, and Utah Code 10-21-304(4)(c) expressly lets a city require the owner to live in the house or the detached unit.

'A minimum of one (1) off-street parking spaces, in addition to those already required for the single-family home, shall be provided for an accessory dwelling unit and shall not render the required parking spaces for the single-family home inaccessible.' Spaces must meet Chapter 16.26 standards. Ord. 2026-24 left this unchanged; one space is within both Utah Code 10-21-303 (internal) and 10-21-304(3)(b)-(c) (detached: no more than one space under 650 sq ft, two at 650 sq ft or more). Daybreak ADU parking follows the Daybreak Development Standards Matrix.

Administrative approval: 'All Accessory Dwelling Units shall require the approval of the Planning Department before they are occupied', and 'The Planning Department shall approve accessory dwelling unit applications upon the following standards being met.' Ord. 2026-24 repealed the Planning Commission review track for oversized detached units, so no ADU now goes to the Planning Commission. The guidebook (September 2026) still says an internal ADU not intended for rent needs only a notarized non-rental affidavit, not an ADU permit, which the amended code text does not provide for. A building permit is also required for any construction or remodeling.

'ADUs shall not be rented or offered as rental units for any period less than thirty (30) consecutive days.' Ord. 2026-24 struck the word 'Internal', so the 30-day minimum now covers detached units too; the guidebook says 'Short-term rentals are prohibited in A.D.U.s. Rentals must be for a period of 30 calendar days or more.' Separate utility meters, mailboxes and addresses are prohibited for both internal and detached ADUs.