Washington County · Service area
St. George usually requires a conditional use permit for detached units — and the statute overrides it.
Conditional use today The statute prohibits exactly this.
Takes about 3 minutes. No email required to see your result.
St. George permits attached ADUs outright but generally routes detached units through a conditional use permit in the rear yard. Section 10-21-304 bars exactly that for qualifying lots in primarily residential zones. The city has also been openly discussing fewer restrictions to support affordable housing.
“A specified municipality shall adopt a land use regulation that permits a detached accessory dwelling unit on any lot or parcel that is 11,000 square feet or larger…” — S.B. 284, Enrolled Copy, Utah Code § 10-21-304, effective October 1, 2026.
The numbers that decide your project
| Rule | St. George — St. George City Code Title 10 |
|---|---|
| Detached ADUs today | Generally require a conditional use permit, sited in the rear yard with setbacks. confirm with city |
| Detached ADUs from Oct 1 | Conditional use permit prohibited for a qualifying detached unit in a primarily residential zone. state law |
| Size | Detached ADUs up to 800 sq ft in a side or rear yard under current code. confirm with city |
| Attached ADUs | Generally permitted outright where zoning standards are met. confirm with city |
| Owner occupancy | Owner-occupant must live in either the single-family dwelling or the ADU. confirm with city |
| Number per lot | One — except inside the Downtown Boundary, where two are allowed. confirm with city |
| Short-term rental | Not permitted. confirm with city |
state law Quoted from the enrolled copy of S.B. 284 — primary source, verified.
confirm with city From the city's published ADU material or council reporting — Arena confirms at the planning counter before design.
moving now The city is actively amending this ahead of October 1, 2026. Treat as a moving target.
We would rather show you the gap than guess. Arena is a builder, not a law firm — confirm your parcel with St. George before you sign anything.
What that means on your lot
That single number decides whether the new state law applies to you. Enter your address above — we'll tell you which rule you fall under and which plans fit, in about three minutes.
Arena publishes every price — seven plans from The Lookout at 735 sq ft to The Launchpad at 2,541 sq ft. One team owns design, engineering, permitting and construction.
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Plans that fit a St. George backyard
Permitting queues in St. George will not get shorter after October 1.