Salt Lake City Zoning & Land Use Guide
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
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
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 →