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Commission flags need to adopt rules on short‑term rentals and accessory dwelling units after state law change
Summary
Commissioners said Wallsburg lacks local rules on short‑term rentals and has no clear ADU regulations; they identified Senate Bill 34 (2019) as requiring the town review its code and consider specific local standards (setbacks, parking, single‑story limits).
Planning Commission members raised two related housing policy issues Aug. 20: short‑term rentals (Airbnb style) and detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
On short‑term rentals, commissioners said Wallsburg currently falls back to county guidance because the town has no explicit local code addressing short‑term rental operations or business licensing. Several members recommended drafting town rules that would treat short‑term rentals like a business and identify where any revenue or permits would be directed.
On accessory dwelling units, members discussed 2019 Senate Bill 34 (the Affordable Housing Act), which prevents municipalities from categorically banning accessory dwelling units (detached or attached). Commissioners agreed the town’s current code does not regulate detached ADUs and that the absence of local parameters leaves the town unable to block ADU construction outright. Members discussed regulatory approaches—setbacks, parking, one‑story limits for detached units, and designation of low/moderate income housing areas—that would comply with state law while preserving local standards.
The commission tasked staff to research how nearby towns and Wasatch County regulate short‑term rentals and ADUs and to bring sample code language and a summary of county practices to a future meeting for discussion.
