Skip to main content

Missing Middle Housing

Middle housing is a neighborhood-centric strategy centers on diverse housing options, such as duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, and multiplexes.


"House-scale buildings with multiple units in walkable neighborhoods"

What is Missing Middle Housing?

Zoning Analysis

Zoning across Salt Lake County has been studied to identify opportunities to allow for missing middle housing types. Opportunities have been categorized as follows:

  • Significant Opportunities: Four or more types of Missing Middle housing types are permitted.
  • Moderate Opportunities: Four or more types of Missing Middle housing types are permitted and/or conditional.
  • Limited Opportunities: Three or fewer types of Missing Middle housing are permitted and/or conditional.


Explore the map by jurisdiction or by missing middle category.

Where to Place Missing Middle Housing and How to Do It

Local Research

Salt Lake County has supported and funded research conducted by Utah Foundation into middle housing. The study, "Is the Middle Missing? A Guide to Expanding Options for Utah Homebuyers and Renters," explores missing middle housing through four installments released between November 2021 and February 2022.

Regional Solutions Event

On Oct. 7, 2021, Salt Lake County held an event focusing on Missing Middle Housing, featuring author and expert Daniel Parolek. He discussed the opportunities of “Missing Middle Housing” types in Utah’s housing market.
A panel also spoke to the different opportunities and barriers Utah faces in solving its housing crisis. The panel featured:

  • Rep. Steve Waldrip — Utah Legislator
  • Shawn Teigen — Utah Foundation VP & Researcher
  • Natalie Gordon — North Salt Lake City Council Member
  • Nate Pugsley — Builder, Brighton Homes Founder & CEO