FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2026
Contact:
Jessica Kjar
External Affairs Manager
Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities (WALC)
[email protected]
AS UTAH SENATE PASSES SB284, UTAH MOVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO ESTABLISHING STATEWIDE FOUNDATION FOR DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities (WALC) applauds the Utah Senate for passing SB284, legislation that establishes a consistent statewide foundation for the creation of Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs) across Utah.
DADUs, sometimes called mother-in-law apartments, backyard cottages, or accessory apartments, are often built to house students, essential workers, adults with disabilities, aging parents, or family members seeking a fresh start. They also provide homeowners with supplemental income that can help them remain in their homes amid rising costs.
SB284 represents an important step toward expanding housing options by setting clear baseline expectations that allow DADUs in communities statewide. While modest in scope, the bill creates a durable policy framework that can be strengthened over time as Utah continues to address its housing shortage.
“SB284 lays an essential foundation,” said Lauren Cole, Policy Manager for WALC. “DADUs are one of the most proven, cost-effective ways to expand housing supply incrementally within existing neighborhoods. This bill moves Utah toward greater consistency and clarity, and it gives communities a starting point to build from.”
Importantly, nothing in SB284 prevents cities from adopting stronger DADU policies. Local governments remain empowered to go further—by reducing parking requirements, streamlining approvals, and removing barriers such as setbacks and lot coverage requirements that make these much-needed small homes infeasible to build.
WALC will continue working directly with cities across the Wasatch Region to implement its model DADU policy, which draws on data, research, and case studies from cities nationwide with successful ADU markets. That model policy can be found at: https://www.wasatchalc.org/adus
“State policy sets the floor, not the ceiling,” said Turner Bitton, Executive Director of WALC. “We know from cities across the country that well-designed DADU policies increase housing options without disrupting neighborhood character. SB284 creates a statewide baseline. Now we must work with local governments to adopt evidence-based best practices that allow DADUs to be built at scale and at reasonable cost.”
In a state experiencing rapid growth and rising housing prices, incremental housing solutions like DADUS are a critical part of a broader strategy to expand supply and improve affordability.
WALC thanks the bill sponsors and Senate leadership for recognizing the importance of housing choice and looks forward to continued collaboration to ensure every community in Utah can provide homes for people at every stage of life.
About Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities (WALC)
Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities champions community development in the Wasatch Region through programs and public policies focused on housing, land use, local governance, and transportation.
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