If your goal is to invest in real estate or add to your portfolio you might have had thoughts of renting out short term via Airbnb or VRBO.

This is a great way to go but there are restrictions is some parts of town. Do your research. To make your research easier we took a deep dive into this subject for neighborhoods near the cottonwood canyons. We get questions about short term rentals in this neck of the woods all the time. 

SANDY CITY

The Sandy City Council has allowed short term rentals since late 2018 with some restrictions: they require a yearly permit and business license obtained through the city, the homes must be owner occupied for more than half of the year, and rentals are limited to a maximum of 29 consecutive days.  

Obtaining the permit is relatively straightforward. There are some hoops to jump through (such as city inspections, posting city rules and regulations prominently inside the house, and showing compliance with the city rules) but, so long as there are available permits for your area there isn’t any substantial barrier to short term rentals in the city.

Sandy City Ordinances. 15A-11-26 Residential Short Term Rental (STR)

Sandy City Ordinances. Chapter 5-19 Short Term Rentals

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS

Short term rental ordinances in Cottonwood Heights are much more restrictive – largely because of the prime location for visitors and an overzealous city council.  Like Sandy, short term rental applicant must obtain a use permit and business license, however short-term rentals are not allowed in any single-family residential zone in Cottonwood Heights.  Here is a link to the zoning map of the city.  Short terms rentals are only permitted in R-2-8, RM (Residential Multifamily), MU (Mixed Use), NC (Neighborhood Commercial), and RO (Residential Office) zoning districts.  You’ll see that Cottonwood Heights is largely comprised of single family residential zones where short term rentals are prohibited.

Cottonwood Heights Code of Ordinances, Section 19.89 SHORT TERM RENTALS