Skip to content
Porter EngineeringLicensed Utah P.E. · Structural(801) 555-0142
ADUsJune 4, 20246 min readUpdated October 22, 2025

ADU Rules in Weber County: A City-by-City Cheat Sheet

Weber County's ADU landscape, city by city. Ogden is more permissive than most. The west-side cities have their own quirks.

PE
Chad Porter
Licensed Professional Engineer from the State of Utah

Internal ADUs are a permitted use across every Weber County city thanks to Utah's HB 82. But the rules around detached units, parking, owner-occupancy, and design standards vary. Here's the city-by-city quick reference. Updated October 2025.

For the HB 82 background, see our plain-English HB 82 guide. For the Davis County version, see the Davis County cheat sheet.

Ogden

  • Internal ADUs: Permitted use per HB 82 in residential zones
  • Detached ADUs: Allowed in many residential zones; Ogden is one of the more ADU-friendly cities in northern Utah historically
  • Carriage houses on top of detached garages have a long tradition in older Ogden neighborhoods — usually feasible structurally with engineering
  • Historic overlay: Some neighborhoods have preservation rules that affect external structural work
  • Building department: Ogden City Building Services

Roy

  • Internal ADUs: Permitted use per HB 82
  • Detached ADUs: Subject to lot size, setback, and lot-coverage rules
  • Older housing stock means more existing-condition evaluation needed before any ADU work
  • Building department: Roy City Building Department

North Ogden

  • Internal ADUs: Permitted use per HB 82
  • Detached ADUs: Subject to local zoning
  • Bench lots may face additional review for hillside or geo-hazard considerations

South Ogden

  • Internal ADUs: Permitted use per HB 82
  • Mostly older housing stock in established neighborhoods — many ADU conversions are basement or above-garage

Hooper

  • Internal ADUs: Permitted use per HB 82
  • Detached ADUs: Often more practical here than in denser cities because of large lot sizes
  • Many lots are agricultural-residential with their own use rules; confirm zoning first

Plain City, West Haven, Marriott-Slaterville

These west-side Weber County cities follow HB 82 for internal ADUs and generally allow detached units subject to lot size and setback rules. The bigger lots mean detached ADUs are more practical here than in Ogden proper. Always confirm with the specific city building department.

Riverdale

  • Internal ADUs: Permitted use per HB 82
  • Smaller city — quick permit turnaround in our experience

The universal rules across Weber County

  • Building permit always required
  • Stamped structural plans for any new framing, openings, or significant work
  • IRC compliance with local snow load (varies by elevation; bench cities can be 45+ psf)
  • Egress windows in any sleeping room — basement ADUs almost always need an engineered cut
  • Fire separation between units (typically 1-hour rated assembly)

What we'd do next

Send your address and a description of what you're planning. We'll come back same day with a fixed fee, a real read on your specific city's requirements, and a timeline. See our ADU services page for the full scope.

Frequently asked

FAQ

What people ask next

How is Weber County different from Davis on ADU rules?

Both follow HB 82 for internal ADUs. Weber County cities tend to be slightly more permissive on detached units, especially Ogden, which has a long history of accessory structures. The west-side rural-exurban cities (Hooper, Plain City, West Haven) have their own large-lot quirks.

Are these rules current?

We update this regularly, but local ordinances change. Always confirm with your specific city before designing.

Section Next step

Have a project this might apply to?

The right move depends on your specific situation. Send a quick description and we'll come back with a real answer, not a sales pitch.

Request a Quote →Call (801) 555-0142

Same-day quote, most projects