Bluffdale staff unveil ADU toolkit to simplify accessory-unit process, target January launch

Bluffdale planning staff on Nov. 13 presented an accessory-dwelling-unit (ADU) toolkit they say will make it easier for residents to understand and pursue ADU approvals and help the city meet state moderate-income housing reporting requirements.

"We are required by the state to report on our moderate income housing progress every single year," said Caitlin, a planning department staff member who introduced the item and the consultant team. She said the toolkit and a companion checklist are intended to provide clarity for residents and city staff, be consistent with existing city resources and be quick and easy to use.

Heidi Nielsen, the FFKR consultant who led toolkit development, told the council the team met monthly since June, conducted an open house and surveyed residents who had previously completed ADUs to refine content. "We developed three guiding principles — clarity for residents and city staff, consistent language and a comprehensive but easy-to-use document," Nielsen said.

Staff said the toolkit will include links to the ADU land-use application and checklists for both internal (attached) and detached ADUs. Caitlin described typical submittal requirements: an ADU land-use application form, site plan showing property boundaries and proposed parking, and proof of compliance with construction codes.

Council members asked for clearer web navigation and QR links. One councilmember noted the council had difficulty finding an ADU-specific link and requested that staff add a direct QR code to the planning application. "The link to the ADU application is ... in the toolkit in earlier pages and at the end," Nielsen said, and staff agreed to add or prominently place an ADU-specific link and QR code on the city's webpages.

Council questions also focused on design standards, modular or manufactured housing, and parking requirements. Staff noted state statute limits what cities can require for design standards on single-family homes, meaning internal ADUs generally cannot be held to prescriptive design standards, though detached ADUs may be subject to design requirements. On parking, staff said the current ordinance sets two parking spaces for detached ADUs and one for internal ADUs; they acknowledged this could be revisited given lot-size differences across Bluffdale neighborhoods.

Caitlin said the city has seen a notable portion of its permitted ADUs approved since the most recent ADU ordinance adoption and that the toolkit should make participation more accessible. Josh Narvaez, representing the Salt Lake County Housing Trust Fund, joined the presentation to note the county would help share the toolkit in county communications.

Staff asked council to treat the ADU toolkit presentation as an information item and invited feedback during final review. They said the toolkit is in final review and the target launch date is January, at which time staff will deploy web banners, newsletter notices and social-media outreach and will track ADU permitting as part of the city’s ongoing moderate-income housing reporting.

The council did not take formal action on the toolkit at the meeting; staff committed to making web and QR-code improvements and to researching any additional questions raised about modular/manufactured housing and parking if the council requests follow-up.