The West Bountiful City Council adopted Ordinance #515-26 on September 15, 2026, amending Title 17 of the West Bountiful Municipal Code to establish new regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). According to a September 16 certificate of passage, the ordinance aims to provide alternative housing options and uniform standards for ADUs in accordance with state law.
The new regulations cover both internal and detached accessory dwelling units. For internal ADUs, the property owner must reside on the property as their principal residence, with exceptions for business, medical, military, or religious reasons lasting no more than three years. Additionally, owners are prohibited from renting both the primary dwelling and the ADU as separate units, and the units cannot be used as short-term rentals.
Detached ADUs are subject to specific development standards, including a minimum lot size of 11,000 square feet in all single-family residential zones. The gross floor area for a detached ADU is limited to 50 percent of the primary dwelling's footprint or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, with a minimum size of 201 square feet. The ordinance also prohibits the use of septic tanks or onsite wastewater disposal systems for detached ADUs.
The ordinance requires an ADU agreement to be recorded with the County Recorder, which binds subsequent owners to the regulations. If ownership changes, the new owner must submit a new application and occupy the property as their principal residence or the ADU must be vacated. Detached ADUs must also be identified with a separate address using the letter "B" for emergency clarity.
The modifications follow a public hearing held by the West Bountiful Planning Commission on September 8, 2026, which provided a recommendation to the City Council.
