Overview

• Are short-term rentals (STRs) allowed in Spring City, UT? Yes, but only in limited forms and subject to clear conditions. Spring City permits short-term rentals of guest houses and bed-and-breakfast (B&B) operations; there is no provision allowing short-term rentals of primary single-family residences. Both guest house STRs and B&Bs require a business license/conditional use permit, compliance with applicable building, health, and zoning codes, and payment of the transient room occupancy tax. City code continues to evolve; the city is updating zoning ordinances to reflect recent state legislation and is making its code “more friendly to businesses,” with additional changes anticipated.

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

• Determine your structure type
  • Guest house (detached): Allowed on the same lot as a primary single-family home, limited to 625 sq ft, and must use the same utility services as the main home. A business license/conditional use permit is required to rent the guest house on a short-term basis.
  • Bed-and-breakfast (B&B): Allowed as a conditional use in specified zones (notably in the R-MF multifamily residential zone), with conditions including room limits and food-handling compliance.
• Obtain required approvals
  • Zoning permit (if adding or converting structures) and, thereafter, county building permit.
  • Business license/conditional use permit for guest house STR or B&B (as applicable).
• Prepare for compliance
  • Ensure property meets setbacks, utility, health, and historic district requirements (where applicable).
  • Comply with all building codes and nuisance/visibility regulations.
  • If the property falls within the Main Street Historic District (overlay), obtain a certificate of review from the Historic Preservation Subcommittee before building permits.
• Operate and maintain
  • Meet ongoing obligations: transient room occupancy tax, possible state tax ID, and adherence to all zoning and nuisance standards.
  • Plan for sewer hookup if within 300 feet of city main lines; otherwise secure septic system permit from the Central Utah Public Health Department.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Core city forms and processes
  • Spring City Forms & Fees page (for zoning permits and related forms; forms are posted on the city website).
  • Spring City Business License Application (PDF; see “Business License Application” linked via the city code/business regulations page).
• Step-by-step application process (as summarized in the city FAQs)
  1. Zoning Permit (Spring City): Required for new structures or additions; submitted to the City Office for review/approval by the Zoning Administrator. Submit a complete application with required documentation; irregularities may trigger Planning & Zoning Commission review or appeal to the Board of Adjustment.
  2. Building Permit (Sanpete County): After city zoning approval, obtain the county building permit. County rules may include HUD standards for manufactured/modular homes and health/safety codes.
  3. Business License/Conditional Use Permit (Spring City): For STRs, the city requires a home business license (even if in a commercial zone) and a conditional use permit. The city circulates your application to adjacent neighbors via registered mail with return receipt; there is a two-week neighbor response period before any final action.
  4. Historic District Review (if applicable): If your property lies within the Main Street Historic District overlay, meet with the Historic Preservation Subcommittee to obtain a certificate of review before proceeding with building permits. The Subcommittee is advisory but its certificate is required to move forward.
• Utility and health prerequisites
  • Sewer hookup is mandatory if the closest property line is within 300 feet of a city sewer main line; otherwise, a septic permit through Central Utah Public Health Department is required.
  • All occupied residential units must have garbage collection services at residents’ expense.
• Tax and compliance
  • Transient Room Occupancy Tax applies to B&Bs and short-term rental operations (rate not specified in provided materials).
  • State food-handling requirements apply to B&Bs; hotels/lodging ordinances may also apply.
  • State tax ID may be required depending on the business model and services.

Specific regulations for short-term rentals in this city, county, and state

• City of Spring City (municipal code and FAQ)
  • Allowed STR forms:
    • Guest houses (detached) may be rented short-term with a business license/conditional use permit. Detached guest houses are limited to 625 sq ft and must share utilities with the main home.
    • Bed-and-breakfast (B&B) operations are allowed as a conditional use subject to conditions (room limits, food-handling, transient room tax, home business license, and state tax ID as required).
  • Primary residence STRs: Not allowed. City code maintains low-density, single-family residential character; row or apartment houses are prohibited.
  • Multi-family zone (R-MF): Permits attached single- and multi-family dwellings (duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, apartments) with detailed density and dimensional standards; B&Bs are allowed as conditional uses; short-term rentals are referenced as a conditional use category within R-MF, but the city’s general STR policy remains to allow only guest houses and B&Bs in residential zones.
  • Historic District overlay: Main Street Historic District properties require a certificate of review from the Historic Preservation Subcommittee before permits are issued.
  • Setbacks and dimensions: Corner lots have 30-foot front setbacks; side yards minimum 10 feet; rear yards minimum 30–32 feet; accessory structures have specific setbacks (including reduced setbacks for “Small Lots” that are ≤0.45 acres and legally grandfathered). Structures ≤200 sq ft require a zoning permit with no fee; larger accessory structures require a standard zoning permit.
  • Height and visibility: Max structure height 45 feet; visibility barriers must comply with height and location standards; fences/walls ≤8 feet unless otherwise authorized; sight lines at intersections must remain unobstructed.
  • Sewer and utilities: City sewer hookup required if within 300 feet of main line; otherwise septic via Central Utah Public Health Department. All occupied units must have garbage collection.
  • Drainage: Two percent grade drainage for 25 feet around each structure; stormwater must be retained on-site or drained naturally without flooding or polluting adjacent properties.
  • Guest house limit: No more than one guest house (detached or internal) per buildable lot in any zone.
  • Code updates: City is modifying code to be more business-friendly and to accommodate 2023 state legislative changes affecting guest homes and rental apartments. Code amendments may alter how certain accessory or rental arrangements are treated.
• Sanpete County (state of Utah)
  • Building permits, inspections, and safety codes are administered at the county level; manufactured/modular homes must meet HUD standards (post-June 1976), be placed on a permanent foundation, and meet health, fire, and safety codes. Mobile homes are only allowed in the R-3 mobile home park zone.
  • Septic systems are permitted through the Central Utah Public Health Department when city sewer is not available.
• State of Utah (selected highlights relevant to STRs)
  • 5 kW cap on interconnected power generation (grid-tied or off-grid) until the city updates its policy; power generation requires approval by the city power department, Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council, and Sanpete County prior to installation.
  • State law requires sewer hookup if the city sewer main is within 300 feet of your property line, overriding septic in such cases.

Contact information (phone, email, website where available)

• Spring City Office/Zoning Administrator: Spring City offices handle zoning permits and business licenses; contact the City Office during business hours for zoning and licensing inquiries. Specific phone/email not provided in the materials.
• Spring City Planning & Zoning Commission: Reviews conditional use permits; irregular zoning permit applications may be escalated for Commission review.
• Spring City Board of Adjustment: Handles appeals of Planning & Zoning Commission decisions.
• Spring City Historic Preservation Subcommittee: Provides advisory review and issues the certificate of review required for projects within the Main Street Historic District.
• Sanpete County Building Department: Administers building permits after city zoning approval.
• Central Utah Public Health Department: Issues septic permits for properties beyond 300 feet of city sewer.
• Spring City Justice Court: Handles code violations and citations.

Links to source pages

• Spring City official website: springcityutah.gov/
• Spring City Municipal Code: springcityutah.gov/code/
• Spring City Planning & Zoning Commission: springcityutah.gov/planning-zoning-commission/
• Spring City FAQs (permit processes, guest house/B&B STR rules, utilities, etc.): springcityutah.gov/faqs/
• Spring City Forms & Fees (zoning permits, business license application): springcityutah.gov/spring-city-forms/
• Utah Division of Water Rights – Rainwater Harvesting (state rules): waterrights.utah.gov/forms/rainwater.asp

Operational notes and practical implications for investors

• Guest house STRs are the most straightforward path to STR income in Spring City given current rules. Ensure the unit is ≤625 sq ft, shares utilities with the main home, and is supported by a proper zoning permit and county building permit.
• B&B operations require conditional use approval, robust compliance with food safety rules, and adherence to transient room tax obligations. B&B room limits and operational standards are codified in the R-MF zone conditional use provisions.
• Properties within the Main Street Historic District need early engagement with the Historic Preservation Subcommittee; the certificate of review is a prerequisite to building permits.
• Utility constraints matter: city sewer hookup is mandatory where available; on-site septic is only permissible beyond 300 feet. Factor utility extension and connection costs into acquisition and development plans.
• The city is actively updating its code to reflect state legislative changes and to be more business-friendly, so additional STR-related provisions may emerge. Monitor city channels for ordinance updates and any new online forms or fee schedules.