Knoxville vs Ogden: ADU, STR & Home Business Rules Compared (2026)
Compare ADU owner-occupancy and parking rules, short-term rental licensing, and home business rules between Knoxville, TN and Ogden, UT.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Knoxville vs Ogden
| KnoxvilleTN | OgdenUT | |
|---|---|---|
| ADUs Allowed? | Yes — permitted, with additional allowances in EN districts (Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3) | Yes — permitted use (Ogden City Code §15-13-39 / Utah Code §10-9a-530) |
| Owner Occupancy Required? | Yes — one of the two dwelling units must be occupied by the owner of the property (Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3) | Yes — the property owner must occupy either the primary or accessory dwelling as a permanent, principal residence (Ogden City Code §15-13-39(C)) |
| Parking Required? | Yes — 1 off-street parking space required for the ADU (Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3) | 2 existing off-street spaces required for the property; no additional space is required specifically for the ADU (Ogden City Code §15-13-39(G)) |
| STR Allowed? | Yes — permitted with a Short-Term Rental Unit Operating Permit (Knoxville Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 Article XV) | Yes — permitted where designated by the applicable zoning district (Ogden City Code §15-13-38(C)(1)) |
| Registration Required? | Yes — operating without a permit is unlawful (Knoxville Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 Article XV) | Yes — a valid Ogden City short-term rental license is required (Ogden City Code §15-13-38(D)) |
| Registration Type | Short-Term Rental Unit Operating Permit (Knoxville Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 Article XV) | Ogden City short-term rental license (Ogden City Code §15-13-38(D)) |
| Home Business Allowed? | Not independently verified for Knoxville — see official source | Yes — home occupation permitted in R-1 single-family residential zones (Ogden City Code §15-15-2) |
| City Permit Required? | Not independently verified for Knoxville — see official source | Not independently verified for Ogden — see official source |
Key Differences
Knoxville and Ogden share nearly the same ADU owner-occupancy structure — both require the property owner to occupy one of the two dwelling units, whether described as "one of the dwelling units" (Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3) or "either the primary or accessory dwelling" (Ogden City Code §15-13-39(C)). Parking requirements differ in framing rather than outcome: Knoxville requires one off-street space specifically for the ADU, while Ogden requires the property to already have two existing off-street spaces and does not require an additional space for the ADU itself (Ogden City Code §15-13-39(G)). Both cities permit short-term rentals with a license or permit requirement — Knoxville's Short-Term Rental Unit Operating Permit (Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 Article XV) and Ogden's short-term rental license (Ogden City Code §15-13-38(D)). Home business rules are the least-verified part of this comparison: Knoxville's allowance and both cities' separate-city-permit question are not independently confirmed here, so check current requirements directly with each city's planning department.
Cost Comparison
Knoxville's ADU building permit fees are based on construction value and typically run $500–$2,000, with a total estimated fee burden of about $1,200–$5,000, plus KUB utility connection fees. Ogden's ADU building permit fees are similarly based on construction value, typically $400–$2,000, with utility connection fees also applying; Ogden has not codified a single all-in total cost estimate, and its fee schedule is maintained externally by the Ogden Building Services Division. Both ranges are drawn from each city's cached fee schedule; confirm current figures with Knoxville Plans Review and Building Inspections or Ogden Building Services before budgeting.
Our Verdict
Knoxville and Ogden are closely matched on the core ADU rules that matter most — both require owner-occupancy of one of the two units, and both effectively require existing or added parking capacity, just structured differently. Both cities are STR-friendly with a license or permit process. The main open question for either city is home-based business rules, which are not independently confirmed here for Knoxville and only partially confirmed for Ogden (allowed, but the separate-permit requirement is unverified) — check with each city's planning department before starting a home-based business.
Explore Each City
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Knoxville and Ogden have similar ADU owner-occupancy rules?
Yes, very similar. Both require the property owner to occupy one of the two dwelling units on the lot — Knoxville's ordinance calls it "one of the dwelling units" (Zoning Code Article 10.3), and Ogden's calls it "either the primary or accessory dwelling" (City Code §15-13-39(C)).
Does Ogden require additional parking for an ADU?
No additional space specifically for the ADU. Ogden requires the property to already have the standard two off-street parking spaces (Ogden City Code §15-13-39(G)), while Knoxville requires one off-street space specifically for the ADU (Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3).
Do both cities require a license to operate a short-term rental?
Yes. Knoxville requires a Short-Term Rental Unit Operating Permit (Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 Article XV), and Ogden requires a valid Ogden City short-term rental license (Ogden City Code §15-13-38(D)).
Is a home business allowed in Ogden?
Yes, home occupation is permitted in Ogden's R-1 single-family residential zones (Ogden City Code §15-15-2). Whether a separate city permit or business license also applies has not been independently confirmed — check with Ogden's planning department for the current requirement.
Source: PropertyZoned Editorial Research. Last verified July 3, 2026.