Salt Lake City Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Salt Lake City
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Salt Lake City — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
2018 ADU Ordinance (Salt Lake City Code 21A.40.200)(2018)
The Salt Lake City Council adopted an updated Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance in October 2018, codified at Salt Lake City Code 21A.40.200. It permits one internal, attached, or detached ADU by right on lots with a single-family dwelling, with the property owner generally required to reside on-site. The Planning Division publishes annual ADU implementation reports as required by the ordinance.
Source · codelibrary.amlegal.comUtah HB 82 (2021) — Single-family Housing Modifications(2021)
Sponsored by Rep. Raymond P. Ward and signed into law on May 5, 2021, HB 82 created Utah Code § 10-9a-530, which generally prohibits municipalities from restricting one internal ADU within a primary dwelling. Effective October 1, 2021, it overrides local ADU bans for internal units in most residential zones (cities may exempt up to 25% of residential land, or 67% for major university cities).
Source · le.utah.govTitle 21A Zoning Code with Foothills (FR) districts
Salt Lake City's Title 21A zoning code includes a distinctive Foothills Residential series (FR-1 21,780 sq ft minimum, FR-2 12,000 sq ft, FR-3 8,000 sq ft) that limits building height to 28 feet to protect view corridors and mountain backdrop along the Wasatch Front. These are codified separately from standard R-1 districts.
Source · codelibrary.amlegal.comUtah Code Changes tracker (Planning Division)
The Salt Lake City Planning Division maintains a public 'Utah Code Changes' page that documents how each Utah Legislature session affects city zoning, including HB 82 (2021) and subsequent housing-related bills. This is the city's official channel for state-preemption updates.
Source · slc.gov
Key Zoning Facts
Salt Lake City Zoning Overview
Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah with approximately 199,723 residents, located in Salt Lake County. The city manages land use and development through its local zoning ordinance, which divides the municipality into districts regulating permitted uses, building heights, lot sizes, setbacks, and density.
Salt Lake City follows the Utah State Construction Code, which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC).
Primary Zoning Districts
Salt Lake City's zoning code includes a range of residential districts. The FR-1 (Foothills Residential) district requires a minimum lot size of 21,780 square feet with a 28-foot height limit and setbacks of 25 feet (front), 10 feet (side), and 25 feet (rear). The FR-3 district requires 8,000 square foot minimum lots with setbacks of 20 feet (front), 5 feet (side), and 20 feet (rear). The R-1/5000 district allows 5,000 square foot minimum lots with setbacks of 15 feet (front), 4 feet (side), and 15 feet (rear). All single-family districts have a 28-foot height limit.
The RMF-30 (Multi-Family Residential) district accommodates higher-density housing including apartments, townhouses, and condominiums. Commercial activity is served by the CG (General Commercial) district. The M-1 (Light Manufacturing) district provides for industrial and warehousing uses.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Rules
Salt Lake City allows ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). Utah does not currently have a statewide ADU mandate, but Salt Lake City has adopted its own ADU provisions. Contact the Salt Lake City Planning Department for current requirements including size limits, setbacks, owner-occupancy rules, and permitting procedures.
Development Process
Development in Salt Lake City generally requires obtaining the appropriate permits from the city's planning and building departments. The process typically involves:
- Zoning Verification — Confirm that your proposed use is permitted in the applicable zoning district
- Site Plan Review — For commercial and multi-family projects, submit a site plan for review
- Building Permit — Apply for a building permit with construction documents
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
For projects that do not conform to existing zoning, property owners may need to seek a variance, special exception, or rezoning through the local board of zoning appeals or planning commission.
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Salt Lake City, property owners should:
- Verify the zoning classification of their property
- Review setback, height, and lot coverage requirements for their specific district
- Check for any overlay districts or special regulations
- Determine if the property is in a flood zone using FEMA's flood map service
- Confirm whether HOA covenants or deed restrictions apply
- Contact the Planning Department at (801) 535-7700 for pre-application guidance
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Salt Lake City and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the City of Salt Lake City or the municipal code before making development decisions.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Salt Lake City
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Utah
- Building Code: Utah State Construction Code
- State ADU Override: Yes (Utah Code § 10-9a-530 (created by HB 82, 2021 General Session) — municipalities generally cannot restrict internal ADUs within a primary dwelling.)
County — Salt Lake County
- Role: County-level property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs and deed restrictions for additional requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 21,780 sq ft
- Max Height
- 28 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 8,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 28 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 28 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 4 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
ADU Rules in Salt Lake City
State law (statewide context, not city-specific):
Utah HB 82 (2021), codified at Utah Code section 10-9a-530, requires municipalities to allow an internal accessory dwelling unit as a permitted use in residential zones, with the option for a city to exempt up to 25 percent of its primarily residential zones (or up to 67 percent in qualifying college towns). The law also prohibits HOA and CC&R bans on internal ADUs.
For local size, setback, and parking specifics, contact the Salt Lake City Planning Division.
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Salt Lake City are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Salt Lake City permit fees →Official Sources
City-specific