bds
|
ba
|
sqft
ac lot
|
car garage
|
|
Homes with Casitas & Guest Houses in Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Cottonwood Heights sits on the east bench of the Salt Lake Valley between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and the homes here tend to be larger, older, and on more generous lots than what you'll see in newer west-side suburbs. That combination — established neighborhoods with room to build — is exactly why detached casitas and guest houses show up on the MLS here more often than in tighter Wasatch Front cities. Most of the inventory with separate guest quarters clusters on the upper bench near Wasatch Boulevard, in Hidden Valley, and along the streets that climb toward the canyon mouths, where lot sizes routinely run a third of an acre or more and views of Mount Olympus and Lone Peak come standard.
Buyers searching for a casita in Cottonwood Heights are usually solving a specific problem: housing aging parents within driving distance of Intermountain Medical Center, giving adult kids a landing pad while they save for their own place, or carving out a private office 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake and the same distance to Brighton and Solitude ski resorts. Price points typically start in the high $800Ks for an attached mother-in-law setup and run past $2M for custom homes with full detached guest houses on view lots. Zoning and ADU rules matter a lot here, so it's worth confirming whether a unit is permitted, grandfathered, or non-conforming before you fall in love with it. Browse the active listings below to see what's currently on the market.
May 2026 · Cottonwood Heights market
Live from the Utah MLS — what's actually happening in Cottonwood Heights right now.
Median sale
$728,500
26 closed in May 2026
Median DOM
16 days
listing → contract
Sale-to-list
98.8%
of final list price
Unsold inventory
69
active + pending
6 matching · page 1 of 1
Active listings
Prefer the map?
See all 6 homes with casitas & guest houses on a map
Pan around Cottonwood Heights and refine by drawing your own boundary.
Common questions
About homes with casitas & guest houses in Cottonwood Heights.
How common are casitas and guest houses in Cottonwood Heights? ▾
They're a niche segment here. Most Cottonwood Heights homes were built between the 1970s and early 2000s on quarter- to half-acre lots, and detached guest quarters are usually found on the larger east-bench parcels near Top of the World, Hidden Valley, and the older estate streets off Wasatch Boulevard. Expect a handful of active listings at any given time rather than dozens.
Will the city let me rent a casita as an ADU or short-term rental? ▾
Cottonwood Heights allows internal and attached accessory dwelling units under specific zoning conditions, but short-term rentals (under 30 days) are heavily restricted in residential zones. If rental income is part of your plan, verify the specific parcel's zoning with the city's community development office before writing an offer.
Do casitas in this area usually have full kitchens and separate utilities? ▾
It varies widely. Older guest houses often have a wet bar and 3/4 bath but no full kitchen, while newer custom builds on the upper bench typically include a full kitchen, laundry, and sometimes a separate electric meter. The MLS remarks and appraisal will usually clarify whether the structure is legally a second dwelling or a non-conforming accessory space.
What price premium should I expect for a guest house? ▾
On a comparable lot, a permitted detached casita typically adds $75,000 to $200,000 over a similar home without one, depending on size, finish level, and whether it has its own entrance and parking. Homes that combine a casita with a view lot near Big Cottonwood Canyon can push well past $1.5M.
Are guest houses practical given Cottonwood Heights winters? ▾
Yes, as long as the structure is properly insulated and has its own heat source. The city sits around 4,700 to 5,500 feet, gets real snow from December through March, and detached units need freeze protection on plumbing. Buyers should ask about the heating system, roof age, and whether the path from main house to casita is shoveled or covered.
Who typically buys homes with casitas here? ▾
Multigenerational families housing aging parents or adult children, ski-season hosts who want guest space close to Brighton and Solitude (both about 20 minutes up Big Cottonwood Canyon), and remote professionals who use the second structure as a dedicated office or studio. Pure investor buyers are less common because of the rental restrictions.