ST. GEORGE — As housing pressures mount in Springdale due to its proximity to Zion National Park, town leaders are revisiting an accessory dwelling unit ordinance aimed at creating more housing options for local workers.
An accessory dwelling unit is defined as a secondary residential unit that shares a building lot with a larger primary home. The council's proposed ordinance, which would regulate these units, was tabled during a June council meeting. Members agreed to pause the proposal to revise provisions tied to workforce housing.
The ordinance has been in development for more than a year and a half, shaped by public outreach, a survey and recommendations from the town's Housing Committee and Planning Commission. The ordinance outlines how internal and external units may be used. Internal units are fully contained within the original structure, while external units are standalone structures built on the same property.
Councilmember Randy Aton moved to table the ordinance for further review and to work with town staff to revise its language. He said a key concern is how to ensure external units support the local workforce rather than being used as short-term or seasonal rentals.
Aton, speaking with St. George News, noted that his opinions are his own and not necessarily those of the council.
