Renting Out Basement Single Family Homes - Salt Lake County

[R Trevor Dowdle]

I am looking to purchase a single family home with a 2nd entrance and kitchen downstairs so that I can rent it out as a standard or vacation rental.  This would be in the Riverton, Herriman, South Jordan, or West Jordan area.

Does anyone have experience with doing something like this in these areas?  I am looking to find out what kind of properties to look for and or strategies available to do this legally.  

I worry that I am going to invest in a property for the purpose of renting out the basement just to find that the city is now stopping me from doing so.

Thank you kindly,

Trevor

[Travis Fisher]

I had the same plan!  And I still think it's a good one but like you just said you have to do some research so you can know the rules.   While I was researching I figured out that "mother in law" doesn't get you anywhere with city statutes.   You need to search for "Accessory Dwelling"  For example "Herriman Accessory Dwelling"   That will usually get you what you need.  Here's what we found out so you don't have to do the same research:

West Jordan - Does not allow

South Jordan - Does not allow

Herriman - Allowed in rural areas but not in newer suburban areas. 

Murray - Allowed (Murray is very open to this as long as you follow their basic rules) 

Salt Lake City - Allowed (single bedroom only I think?)

Sandy - Allowed with limits (separate heater, fire insulation between dwellings....)

West Valley - Does not allow

Taylorsville - Does not allow

Salt Lake County - Allowed (Kearns, Magna, Cottonwood Heights....)

If you want more info the best thing to do is to call the city office and talk to the Planning and Development department.  Probably just Planning in most cities.  Tell them you are looking at houses in their city and ask if they allow accessory dwellings.  They can give you more info for each city that you're interested in.  

I saved some info from my searching.  If you want I can find a way to post it.  But most of what you need is already here. Or if you want more info from a specific city let me know.

Good luck and I hope it works out!  For some of us that are starting late, this is about the only way to house hack with a family.

Travis