Authored by Lee Sands, Local Government Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute
Young couples and others trying to save up money to buy their own home face an uphill battle. With rising rents and a limited supply of housing, finding an affordable place to live is a real challenge.
One solution is for city councils, planning commissions, staff, and stakeholders to all collaborate on reforming Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations, including the Detached ADU ordinance outlined in this policy brief. Luckily, the proposal in this brief does not require government subsidies, mandate detached ADUs, or burden the taxpayers of Utah.
Attached and detached ADUs, distinct from the already-legal “internal” ADUs, deserve careful consideration from cities and counties. They would enable homeowners to offer relatives and young families entry-level housing, with the increased privacy of sharing fewer walls. These units would also be part of the solution Utah needs to ease both its housing shortage and its affordability crisis.
