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Planning commission recommends reducing accessory-structure setbacks to support ADUs
Summary
The commission recommended approval to the County Commission of an amendment reducing side/rear setbacks from 15 to 10 feet for residential accessory structures and detached ADUs (up to 1,500 sq ft) in R5 and TR5 zones, citing flexibility for owners and alignment with moderate‑income housing goals; staff noted fire-marshal concerns in wildland-urban interface areas.
The Utah County Planning Commission on June 17 voted to recommend that the County Commission approve amendments to the county land‑use code that would reduce required side and rear setbacks for residential accessory structures, including detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) of 1,500 square feet or less, in R5 and TR5 zones from 15 feet to 10 feet.
Staff described the proposal as intended to "provide greater flexibility for property owners, promote more efficient site design and support the development of more moderate-income housing in alignment with Utah County's adopted moderate-income housing plan," and recommended forwarding the amendment with modifications described in the staff report.
Staff also recorded concern from the fire marshal that reduced setbacks "can increase fire risk only in the wild land urban interface area in this area," and said many TR5/RR5 areas are or would be served by a central water system with hydrants to mitigate risk. Commissioners discussed lot sizes, ADU size limits and the county’s current height practices. Staff and commissioners clarified that a detached ADU of up to 1,500 square feet is allowed provided a restrictive covenant is recorded that requires moderate‑income rental conditions when the unit is rented; the default allowance without the covenant is 1,000 square feet.
No members of the public spoke during the public hearing on the amendment. Unidentified Speaker 4 moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the Utah County Commission of amendments to sections 12.12 and 12.16 of the Utah County Land Use Ordinance with the modifications set out in the staff report; Speaker 8 seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.
The commission directed staff to consider whether additional language is needed (for example, height restrictions tied to proximity to property lines) and to prepare the item as an action before the County Commission. The meeting record shows voice approval but does not include a roll-call tally.
