By SLC Senior Advisor Care Team · October 28, 2026
Utah licenses assisted living as large (17+ residents), small (6-16) or limited capacity (2-5). In Salt Lake and Tooele counties, 56 licenses are large, 12 small and one limited capacity. Nine of the 13 small or limited-capacity homes are Type I, so residents must be able to evacuate alone. Check the license type, overnight staffing and DLBC record before choosing a small home.
Utah's three size classes
Utah's assisted living rule sorts every license by how many residents it houses. Size class and license type are separate; any size can be Type I or Type II.
| Size class | Residents | Local licenses | Of which Type I | Of which Type II |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large | 17 or more | 56 | 5 | 51 |
| Small | 6 to 16 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Limited capacity | 2 to 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Counts use licensed capacity on DLBC's records for Salt Lake and Tooele counties. The pattern is clear: large buildings are overwhelmingly Type II, and small homes are mostly Type I.
What a small home offers
A small assisted living home is usually a house in a neighborhood, with a shared kitchen and living room and a handful of bedrooms. Residents see the same few caregivers every day, meals feel like family dinners, and there is less noise and fewer strangers. For a parent who is overwhelmed by a large building, or who simply prefers a home, that can matter more than any amenity.
Some operators in the valley run several numbered houses on neighboring lots, which lets them share an administrator and nurse while keeping each house small.
The trade-offs
Staffing is thinner. Utah requires qualified direct-care staff on the premises 24 hours a day in every assisted living facility, and a certified nurse aide on duty 24 hours a day in every Type II facility, but in a small home that may mean one person on the overnight shift. Ask what happens if two residents need help at the same time.
Because most small homes are Type I, residents must be able to get out of the building without help. A parent whose mobility is declining may face a move. Hospice is possible in a Type I home only with an assigned, trained person on site around the clock for each resident who cannot exit alone.
Checking a small home's record
Small homes are licensed and inspected by DLBC the same way large buildings are, and their 36-month records are public. Expect fewer findings in absolute terms, because there are fewer residents and fewer medication passes. Read what was cited rather than counting.
Also confirm that the home is on DLBC's records at all. Utah requires a license once a setting cares for two or more unrelated people for more than 24 hours and helps with even one daily activity. A “care home” that is not on DLBC's search should not be caring for your parent.
How costs compare
No public data breaks Utah assisted living prices down by size class. CareScout's 2025 Utah median of $62,790 a year, about $5,233 a month, covers all sizes. In practice, small homes often quote at or below that median, with fewer amenities and, sometimes, shared spaces. Ask exactly what the base rate includes: private room and bathroom, laundry, medication help, incontinence care and transportation.
Ask too how rates change as needs grow. Utah requires a fresh assessment at least every six months and after any significant change, and many small homes price care in levels tied to that assessment.
When a small home stops fitting
The usual reasons a resident leaves a small Type I home are declining mobility, a need for a locked memory care unit, or care needs that exceed what one overnight staff member can safely handle. Ask the home how often residents have moved out for those reasons and where they went. A home that has a clear relationship with a nearby Type II building or nursing facility can make the next move smoother.
Questions for a small-home tour
- Is the license Type I or Type II, and what happens if my parent needs help to evacuate?
- How many staff are on site overnight, and are they awake?
- Who is the administrator, and how many houses do they oversee?
- Is the quoted rate for a private room and bath? Utah requires a separate unit for each resident unless two choose to share in writing.
- Which home health and hospice agencies work with the home?
Our assisted living directory lets you sort by licensed capacity to find small homes, and each profile shows the license type and inspection record.
Frequently asked questions
What is a small assisted living facility in Utah?
A license for six to 16 residents. Limited capacity licenses are for two to five; large licenses are for 17 or more.
Are small assisted living homes cheaper?
Often, but no public data breaks Utah prices down by size. CareScout publishes only the statewide median.
Can a small home offer memory care?
Only if it holds a Type II license with approved secure beds. Most small homes in the area are Type I.
Do small homes get inspected?
Yes. DLBC licenses and inspects them under the same rule as large buildings, and their records are public.
How do I find small homes in the directory?
Sort the assisted living directory by licensed capacity. Licenses with 16 or fewer beds are in Utah's small or limited-capacity size classes.
