Independent Living in Utah

Located just west of the Rocky Mountains, Utah is ripe with natural beauty and charming towns and cities. Known as “The Beehive State” for the industrious nature of the people who have called it home, Utah’s state’s motto is simply the word “Industry.” The state was settled by Mormons in the 19th century and roughly 60% of the state’s current population are Mormon. Aside from being home to the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere, Utah is very mountainous, and is known for having some of the world’s best skiing slopes. Salt Lake City, the state’s largest city, is a major metropolitan area with plenty of world-class amenities to offer. Between the region’s beautiful natural landscape and the welcoming appeal of cities like Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah is a wonderful place to retire.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 40 retirement communities in Utah that offer independent living. The median monthly cost of independent living in Utah is about $2,350.

Independent living communities don’t need to be licensed in Utah, as long as they’re stand-alone communities. However, many independent living communities operate in larger, combined facilities. These combined assisted living facilities must be licensed by Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services Division of Licensing and Background Checks, and the type of license depends on the level of care provided.^[01]

Type I assisted living facilities are for seniors who either need limited assistance or no assistance at all. There are also Type II facilities that are for seniors who need significant assistance with activities or nursing services.^[01] Your independent living community may be combined with either type.

Some of the regulations below may apply to your independent living options, but you can review our Utah assisted living laws and regulations page for an in-depth overview.

Residents and their rights

Typically, you need to be at least 65 years old and not require senior care services to move into a Utah independent living community.^[01] And, since you’ll rent an independent living apartment similar to how you’d rent a traditional apartment, the community must uphold certain standards to respect your rights as a renter.

Whether you move into a combined or stand-alone community, the property owner is responsible for respecting each of your rights below:^[02]

• Clean and safe common areas
• Functioning heat, air conditioning, plumbing, electricity, and hot and cold water
• 24 hours’ notice before the owner enters your rental
• A written statement of your rental cost

If you move into a combined community, you should also be given a written and signed resident agreement that includes the following information:^[01]

• The cost of room and board
• Service charges that may apply if your needs change
• Policies for admission, discharge, refunds, and eviction

Combined assisted living communities should also give every resident 30 days’ notice before any costs increase.^[01]

Reasonable accommodations and modifications

It may be helpful to understand your additional rights as a renter if you are a senior with a disability. These include the right to reasonable accommodations and modifications in your independent living rental under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Reasonable accommodations are changes that the community makes to its rules and policies. Examples include changing rental due dates, assigning an accessible parking space, and allowing you to live with a service animal.^[03]

Reasonable modifications are physical changes to the building that make it easier for you to use your rental. Examples include installing bathroom grab bars, widening doorways to fit a wheelchair, and adding entryway ramps.^[03]

Building requirements

If the independent living community you’re interested in is part of a combined assisted living facility, the buildings may look slightly different depending on the license type. For example, Type I facilities will have at least one shower or bathtub for every 10 seniors and at least one toilet and sink for every six seniors. Type II facilities will have one shower or bathtub for every 10 seniors and one toilet and sink for every four seniors.^[01]

Both Type I and Type II facilities must be able to provide three meals a day in addition to snacks. They should also give each senior their own unit or apartment that includes a bathroom, living space, and sleeping space. However, up to two seniors can share a room if they both ask for it in writing.^[01]

Utah Department of Health contact information

Utah Department of Health and Human Services
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Phone: 833-353-3447

Surveys and reports

Utah combined assisted living facilities renew their licenses every two years. The Department of Health and Human Services will survey, or inspect, each facility whenever possible or after a complaint has been filed.^[01]

When corrections are needed during a survey, the Office of Licensing shares a Notice of Agency Actions report. To view these reports, visit the Notice of Agency Actions page, scroll down to “Health Facilities,” and click on “Notice of Agency Actions.” To view the report and any actions that were taken, click on a community’s name.