Sandy council adopts short-term rental ordinances 7-0 with changes to vacancy rule and tracking software
February 4, 2025, 5:15 p.m. · Council Chambers, Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, and Zoom
The Sandy City Council adopted Ordinance 25-08 on short-term rental business licenses and Ordinance 25-09 on residential short-term rentals, each by roll call 7-0. Ordinance 25-09 passed with three amendments, including removing the one-night vacancy requirement between rentals. The council also heard fire code, fire study, rezone and accessory dwelling unit proposals as information items and adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · City code
Fire prevention, Title 20 amendments (matter 25-038)
Discussed
Fire Marshal Gerald Strebel proposed changing Title 20 to refer to the current edition of the International Fire Code, so the code would need amending less often. The item was informational and returns for action.
Item 2 · Public safety
Fire Department progress report on the PCG management and operations study (matter 25-039)
Discussed
Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie reported that PCG made 30 recommendations: 15 operational, 10 administrative and 5 capital. The status given was 13 completed, 9 in progress, 4 feasible but not started and 5 not feasible because of budget, which totals 31.
Item 3 · Zoning
Sandy Towns rezone, 0.43 acre from CN to RM(12) on 8600 South
Discussed
Jake Warner, Mike Wilcox and Ryan Kump presented. The applicant is Riley Street. The concept shows two duplexes, four units, and the Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation. The item was informational and returns for action. The file number differs between the title and the matter record.
- Applicant: Riley Street
- Acres: 0.43
- Units in concept: 4
- Current zone to proposed: CN to RM(12)
Item 4-5 · City code
First readings: external accessory dwelling unit amendments by Council Members Aaron Dekeyzer and Brooke D'Sousa (matters 25-036 and 25-037)
Discussed
DeKeyzer proposes that external accessory dwelling units be clearly subordinate in size and living area to the primary dwelling. D'Sousa proposes counting them as a separate secondary dwelling unit to assess effects on neighborhoods, schools, utilities, services and traffic. Questions covered water meters, subdivision, neighborhood effects and how the state counts them. The council supported a future staff workshop and wants to compare the two proposals after the state session.
Item 6a · City code
Short-term rentals: Title 15 business license application and renewal (Ordinance 25-08)
Approved · 7-0
Melissa Anderson of Community Development presented. The Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation with conditions. Cathy Spuck proposed an occupancy scale based on square footage. Passed 7-0 by roll call.
Item 6b · City code
Short-term rentals: Title 21 residential short-term rentals (Ordinance 25-09)
Approved · 7-0
Adopted with three amendments: remove the one-night vacancy requirement between rentals; have the city buy and use short-term rental tracking software; and have the city select or produce the required training if none is available, subject to council approval. Council Member Marci Houseman's friendly amendment requiring council approval of the owner education program was accepted. Council Member Aaron Dekeyzer's friendly amendment on the 8-occupant limit was withdrawn. A resident raised parking concerns, and the council noted a parking plan is required. The minutes give no price for the software.
- PurchaseAmount not given
What residents said
Short-term rentalsAccessory dwelling unitsParking
Robert Goodman, a University of Utah planning student, supported accessory dwelling units as a moderate-income housing strategy. Cathy Spuck proposed an occupancy scale based on square footage, and a resident raised parking concerns about short-term rentals.