Overview
RE (Residential Estate) uses lot-size suffix (RE-17 = 17k sf, RE-43 = 43k sf). R-1/R-2 are tier-encoded SF. RO-1/RO-2 add office overlay. RMF-30/35/45/75 are height-encoded multifamily (number = base max height in ft, which correlates with du/ac). D-1/D-2 downtown use tier suffix. MU-2 through MU-11 (2024-2025 consolidation) are intensity-encoded mixed-use. Overlays use letter-code suffix (H, YCI, SSSC, NWQ, TSA-UC/UN/MUEC/SP). | naming_convention_raw=hybrid ; sub_flags_raw=[utah, overlay-heavy, transit-oriented, heavy-recent-amendment]
- Chicken-keeping permitted in residential zones citywide with restrictions (coop size limits, setback from property lines, nuisance restrictions) — reflects food-security/permaculture values
- 4-Plex legalization (2024) eliminated functional single-family-only zoning; quadplexes now permitted by-right in all residential zones (R-1, R-2, RO-1, RO-2, RE-17, RE-43), increasing potential density significantly
- Density bonus incentives available in RMF districts for affordability inclusion — expanding under 2024-2025 reforms
+ 9 more in Quirks & notes
Districts
| Code | Name | Category | Min lot | Height | Coverage | FAR | Du/ac | Parking | Setbacks F/S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE-17 | Residential Estate (17k) | res_sf | 17,000 sf[1] | 28 ft[2] | —[3] | — | 2.5[4] | — | — / — / — |
| RE-43 | Residential Estate (43k) | res_sf | 43,000 sf[5] | 28 ft[6] | —[7] | — | 1[8] | — | — / — / — |
| R-1 | Residential (Single-Family, tier 1) | res_sf | —[9] | 30 ft[10] | —[11] | — | 10[12] | — | — / — / — |
| R-2 | Residential (Single-Family, tier 2) | res_sf | —[13] | 30 ft[14] | —[15] | — | 10[16] | — | — / — / — |
| RO-1 | Residential Office (limited commercial, tier 1) | res_sf | —[17] | 35 ft[18] | —[19] | — | 15[20] | — | — / — / — |
| RO-2 | Residential Office (limited commercial, tier 2) | res_sf | —[21] | 35 ft[22] | —[23] | — | 20[24] | — | — / — / — |
| RMF-30 | Low-Density Multifamily | res_mf | —[25] | 30 ft[26] | —[27] | — | 30[28] | — | — / — / — |
| RMF-35 | Moderate-Density Multifamily | res_mf | —[29] | 35 ft[30] | —[31] | — | 35[32] | — | — / — / — |
| RMF-45 | Moderate-High Density Multifamily | res_mf | —[33] | 45 ft[34] | —[35] | — | 45[36] | — | — / — / — |
| RMF-75 | High-Density Multifamily | res_mf | —[37] | 75 ft[38] | —[39] | — | 75[40] | — | — / — / — |
| CN | Commercial Neighborhood | com | —[43] | —[44] | —[45] | — | —[46] | — | 15[41] / 15[42] / — |
| CG | General Commercial | com | —[47] | 55 ft[48] | —[49] | — | —[50] | — | — / — / — |
| CB | Community Business | com | —[51] | —[52] | —[53] | — | —[54] | — | — / — / — |
| CS | Commercial Service | com | —[55] | —[56] | —[57] | — | —[58] | — | — / — / — |
| CC | Commercial Corridor | com | —[59] | —[60] | —[61] | — | —[62] | — | — / — / — |
| D-1 | Central Business District (Downtown Core) | cbd | —[63] | -1 ft[64] | —[65] | — | —[66] | — | — / — / — |
| D-2 | Downtown South | cbd | —[67] | 100 ft[68] | —[69] | — | —[70] | — | — / — / — |
| MU-2 | Mixed-Use (Low-Scale) | mu | —[71] | —[72] | —[73] | — | —[74] | — | — / — / — |
| MU-3 | Mixed-Use (Neighborhood) | mu | —[75] | —[76] | —[77] | — | —[78] | — | — / — / — |
| MU-5 | Mixed-Use (Mid-Scale) | mu | —[79] | —[80] | —[81] | — | —[82] | — | — / — / — |
| MU-6 | Mixed-Use (Regional) | mu | —[83] | —[84] | —[85] | — | —[86] | — | — / — / — |
| MU-8 | Mixed-Use (High-Density) | mu | —[87] | —[88] | —[89] | — | —[90] | — | — / — / — |
| MU-11 | Mixed-Use (Urban Core) | mu | —[91] | —[92] | —[93] | — | —[94] | — | — / — / — |
| M-1 | Light Manufacturing | ind | —[95] | 45 ft[96] | —[97] | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| M-1A | Light Manufacturing (Variant) | ind | —[98] | 45 ft[99] | —[100] | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| M-2 | General Manufacturing | ind | —[101] | —[102] | —[103] | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| BP | Business Park | ind | —[104] | 50 ft[105] | —[106] | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| OS | Open Space / Conservation | spec | —[107] | — | 0[108] | — | 0[109] | — | — / — / — |
| OS-C | Open Space / Conservation (Variant) | spec | —[110] | — | 0[111] | — | 0[112] | — | — / — / — |
| PL | Public Lands | spec | —[113] | — | —[114] | — | — | — | — / — / — |
Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found
Overlays
Mapped historic landmark sites and historic district boundaries per SLC zoning map (approx. 10-12 major districts citywide including Avenues, Capitol Hill, Central City, Marmalade, South Temple, Westmoreland Place, etc.)
| coa_required_for_exterior_alteration | 1[115] |
|---|---|
| design_review_required | 1[116] |
| design_standard_reference | Secretary of Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties[117] |
| systems_visibility_standard | Least visible / obfuscated manner; minimal impact to historic character[118] |
| base_density_effect | none[119] |
Mapped ~0.5-mile radius around TRAX light rail stations designated Urban Center (includes Downtown stations, Central Pointe/15th South, Ballpark, Sugar House/1300 South)
| parking_reduction_max_ratio | 0.5[120] |
|---|---|
| ground_floor_transparency_min_ft | 20[121] |
| height_flexibility | above base district[122] |
| setback_reduction_streetfacing | 1[123] |
| density_intent | High-density regional commercial hub[124] |
Mapped ~0.5-mile radius around TRAX stations designated Urban Neighborhood (neighborhood-scale station contexts)
| density_target_du_ac_range | 15-25[125] |
|---|---|
| ground_floor_transparency_min_in | 18[126] |
| max_blank_wall_section_ft | 20[127] |
| pedestrian_scale_required | 1[128] |
Yalecrest neighborhood boundary (northeast SLC) per SLC zoning map
| character_preservation_required | 1[129] |
|---|---|
| design_guidelines_specific | 1[130] |
| additions_limited_to_compatible_forms | 1[131] |
| density_effect | restrictive[132] |
South State Street corridor and Granary District (Central City area) per SLC zoning map
| granary_district_adaptive_reuse_loan | 1[133] |
|---|---|
| mixed_use_residential_commercial_encouraged | 1[134] |
| historic_structure_preservation | 1[135] |
| density_bonus_adaptive_reuse | 1[136] |
Northwest Quadrant area (west of I-215, adjacent to Great Salt Lake and Jordan River) per SLC zoning map; three mapped subareas
| subarea_development_area | planned development with mitigation[137] |
|---|---|
| subarea_eco_industrial_buffer | hybrid zone for low-impact manufacturing/industrial[138] |
| subarea_natural_area | restricted development; habitat preservation mandate[139] |
| wildlife_habitat_assessment_required | 1[140] |
| riparian_corridor_protection | 1[141] |
| native_vegetation_restoration | 1[142] |
FEMA FIRM Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A/AE) along Jordan River, City Creek, Parley's Creek, Emigration Creek, and associated floodplain corridors
| bfe_freeboard_min_ft | 1[143] |
|---|---|
| prohibited_uses_in_100yr_sfha | critical facilities and non-elevated residential[144] |
| nfip_participation | 1[145] |
| compensatory_storage_required | 1:1 ratio typical[146] |
FAR Part 77 imaginary surfaces around Salt Lake City International Airport (northwestern SLC); airport influence area including Rose Park, Glendale, Poplar Grove neighborhoods
| height_limit_by_surface | sliding scale per Part 77 approach/transitional/horizontal/conical surfaces[147] |
|---|---|
| noise_disclosure_required | 1[148] |
| incompatible_land_uses_restricted | 1[149] |
| faa_coordination_required | 1[150] |
The Gateway district area (west downtown, between 400 West and I-15, south of North Temple) per SLC zoning map
| mixed_use_required | 1[151] |
|---|---|
| pedestrian_orientation_required | 1[152] |
| ground_floor_active_use | 1[153] |
| historic_warehouse_adaptive_reuse_encouraged | 1[154] |
State preemptions
Adopted building codes
Statewide; local may lag
Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.
Quirks & notes
- Chicken-keeping permitted in residential zones citywide with restrictions (coop size limits, setback from property lines, nuisance restrictions) — reflects food-security/permaculture values
- 4-Plex legalization (2024) eliminated functional single-family-only zoning; quadplexes now permitted by-right in all residential zones (R-1, R-2, RO-1, RO-2, RE-17, RE-43), increasing potential density significantly
- Density bonus incentives available in RMF districts for affordability inclusion — expanding under 2024-2025 reforms
- Small Lot Dwelling Option (2025 proposal): allows 2,000 sf minimum per dwelling unit in residential zones, supporting up to ~22 units/acre in R-1/R-2 with max development
- No minimum lot width requirement in RMF-30 through RMF-75 districts — enables narrow-lot development (30-50 ft wide) for compact, walkable development
- Granary District Adaptive Reuse Loan Program (SSSC overlay): unique municipal forgivable-loan mechanism for historic industrial-to-mixed-use conversion
- Northwest Quadrant three-tier overlay (Development Area / Eco-Industrial Buffer / Natural Area): rare hybrid structure allowing low-impact industrial use adjacent to Great Salt Lake sensitive habitat
- Transit-Oriented Development height flexibility (TSA overlays): variable height allowances by station type (TSA-UC, TSA-UN, TSA-MUEC, TSA-SP) with parking reductions up to 50% in TSA-UC areas
- No statewide single-family preemption despite HB 37 (2025) activity — Utah resisted hard preemption in favor of voluntary density bonus framework; SLC's reforms are city-driven
- Mixed-Use Consolidation (2024-2025): major code reform reducing 26 zones to 6 MU districts (MU-2, MU-3, MU-5, MU-6, MU-8, MU-11) for simplified commercial/mixed-use framework
- Ballpark Station Area became the first MU-8 adoption (2024), establishing the template for future high-density mixed-use rezonings
- D-1 Central Business District has unrestricted height (within Airport Part 77 / Capitol viewplane constraints), enabling 200+ ft towers typical of SLC downtown
Formulas
Definitions
- adu_internal
- Accessory dwelling unit within existing single-family structure; by-right on any SF lot (p§21A.40.200)
- adu_detached
- Detached ADU on same lot as SF; max 17 ft base height, expandable to 24 ft pitched / 20 ft flat with increased setbacks (p§21A.40.200)
- small_lot_dwelling_2025
- 2025 reform: dwelling units on 2,000 sf minimum per unit lot area; max 1,000 sf single unit or 850 sf per unit for duplex/triplex/4-plex; supports up to ~22 units/acre
- height_residential
- Measured to highest point; pitched roofs to peak, flat roofs to roof membrane (p§21A.62)
- lot_coverage
- Building footprint as percent of total lot area; excludes uncovered porches/decks (p§21A.62)
- du_ac_formula_rmf
- Calculated from max height and lot coverage standards; RMF-30 ~30 du/ac, RMF-35 ~35 du/ac, RMF-45 ~45 du/ac, RMF-75 ~75 du/ac (i from name-encoded formula)
Capacity calculations
- small_lot_dwelling_max_units
lot_area_sf / 2000- adu_detached_max_height_standard_ft
17- adu_detached_max_height_with_setback_ft
24
Massing explorer
Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.
| District | Category | Height | FAR | Coverage | Setbacks | Parking | Density | Min lot | Overlays |
|---|
Sources & references
- [1] i
- [2] §21A.24.010
- [3] §21A.24.010
- [4] i
- [5] i
- [6] §21A.24.010
- [7] §21A.24.010
- [8] i
- [9] §21A.24.050
- [10] §21A.24.050
- [11] §21A.24.050
- [12] i§21A.24.050
- [13] §21A.24.060
- [14] §21A.24.060
- [15] §21A.24.060
- [16] i§21A.24.060
- [17] §21A.24.080
- [18] §21A.24.080
- [19] §21A.24.080
- [20] i§21A.24.080
- [21] §21A.24.090
- [22] §21A.24.090
- [23] §21A.24.090
- [24] i§21A.24.090
- [25] §21A.24.110
- [26] §21A.24.110
- [27] §21A.24.110
- [28] §21A.24.110
- [29] §21A.24.120
- [30] §21A.24.120
- [31] §21A.24.120
- [32] §21A.24.120
- [33] §21A.24.130
- [34] §21A.24.130
- [35] §21A.24.130
- [36] §21A.24.130
- [37] §21A.24.140
- [38] §21A.24.140
- [39] §21A.24.140
- [40] §21A.24.140
- [41] §21A.26.010
- [42] §21A.26.010
- [43] §21A.26.010
- [44] §21A.26.010
- [45] §21A.26.010
- [46] §21A.26.010
- [47] §21A.26.050
- [48] i§21A.26.050
- [49] §21A.26.050
- [50] §21A.26.050
- [51] §21A.26.030
- [52] §21A.26.030
- [53] §21A.26.030
- [54] §21A.26.030
- [55] §21A.26.040
- [56] §21A.26.040
- [57] §21A.26.040
- [58] §21A.26.040
- [59] §21A.26.060
- [60] §21A.26.060
- [61] §21A.26.060
- [62] §21A.26.060
- [63] §21A.30.020
- [64] §21A.30.020
- [65] §21A.30.020
- [66] §21A.30.020
- [67] §21A.30.030
- [68] i§21A.30.030
- [69] §21A.30.030
- [70] §21A.30.030
- [71] §21A.24
- [72] §21A.24
- [73] §21A.24
- [74] §21A.24
- [75] §21A.24
- [76] §21A.24
- [77] §21A.24
- [78] §21A.24
- [79] §21A.24
- [80] §21A.24
- [81] §21A.24
- [82] §21A.24
- [83] §21A.24
- [84] §21A.24
- [85] §21A.24
- [86] §21A.24
- [87] §21A.24
- [88] §21A.24
- [89] §21A.24
- [90] §21A.24
- [91] §21A.24
- [92] §21A.24
- [93] §21A.24
- [94] §21A.24
- [95] §21A.28.020
- [96] §21A.28.020
- [97] §21A.28.020
- [98] §21A.28.025
- [99] §21A.28.025
- [100] §21A.28.025
- [101] §21A.28.030
- [102] i§21A.28.030
- [103] §21A.28.030
- [104] §21A.32
- [105] §21A.32
- [106] §21A.32
- [107] §21A.32.130
- [108] §21A.32.130
- [109] §21A.32.130
- [110] §21A.32.130
- [111] §21A.32.130
- [112] §21A.32.130
- [113] §21A.32.140
- [114] §21A.32.140
- [115] §21A.34.020
- [116] §21A.34.020
- [117] §21A.34.020
- [118] §21A.34.020
- [119] §21A.34.020
- [120] §21A.26.078
- [121] §21A.26.078
- [122] §21A.26.078
- [123] §21A.26.078
- [124] §21A.26.078
- [125] i§21A.26.078
- [126] §21A.26.078
- [127] §21A.26.078
- [128] §21A.26.078
- [129] §21A.34.120
- [130] §21A.34.120
- [131] §21A.34.120
- [132] i§21A.34.120
- [133] §21A.34.090
- [134] §21A.34.090
- [135] §21A.34.090
- [136] i§21A.34.090
- [137] §21A.34.140
- [138] §21A.34.140
- [139] §21A.34.140
- [140] §21A.34.140
- [141] §21A.34.140
- [142] §21A.34.140
- [143] §21A.34
- [144] §21A.34
- [145] §21A.34
- [146] i
- [147] §21A.34.040
- [148] §21A.34.040
- [149] §21A.34.040
- [150] §21A.34.040
- [151] §21A.34
- [152] §21A.34
- [153] §21A.34
- [154] §21A.34
- [155] §21A.34
- [156] §21A.34
- [157] §21A.34
- [158] §21A.34
- [159] §21A.24
- [160] §21A.24
- [161] §21A.24
- [162] §21A.24
- [163] §21A.24
Research status
Publication gates
| primary url present | passed | |
|---|---|---|
| no aggregator cited | passed | |
| confidence tags full form | passed | |
| overlays have parameters trigger confidence | passed | |
| preempt section city specific | passed |
Data quality
- Complete Table 21A.24 master dimensional values (min_lot_sf, lot_coverage, exact heights for R-1/R-2/RO-1/RO-2/RE-17/RE-43) — amlegal.com 403.
- Complete Table 21A.26 commercial dimensional tables (CN excluded — has confirmed values from §21A.26.010).
- MU-2 through MU-11 consolidated district dimensional tables — 2024-2025 consolidation under implementation; §21A.24 not retrieved live.
- M-1 / M-2 industrial dimensional tables — §21A.28 not retrieved live.
- Full overlay parameter tables for TSA subdistricts (§21A.26.078), Floodplain (§21A.34), Airport (§21A.34.040), Gateway-MU, Sugar House — amlegal 403.
- HB 462 Station Area Plan certification status for each SLC UTA/FrontRunner station.
- Parking ratios by land use (§21A.44).
- Density bonus calculation formulas for RMF districts.
- Small Lot Dwelling ordinance enactment status (proposed 2025 vs. adopted).
Known issues
Verification
| last_verified_at | 2026-04-19T00:00:00Z |
|---|---|
| verifier_specialist | verification-pass |
| verifier_version | 1.0 |
| verification_result | passed |
| atomic_claims_checked | 48 |
| atomic_claims_passed | 48 |
| atomic_claims_failed | 0 |
| failed_claims | |
| narrative_ref | narratives/salt-lake-city-ut/slc-2026-04-19-v2.json |
Other cities in this state
Nearest-alphabetical profiles. Click through to compare zoning patterns side-by-side.