Salt Lake City, UT Zoning

Euclidean-zoning. 30 districts · 11 overlays · 7 applicable state preemptions.

Overview

Code type
euclidean
Naming convention
mixed

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]

Worth knowing
  • 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

res_sf 6mu 6com 5res_mf 4ind 4spec 3cbd 2
CodeNameCategory Min lotHeight CoverageFAR Du/acParking Setbacks F/S/R
RE-17Residential Estate (17k)res_sf17,000 sf[1]28 ft[2][3]2.5[4] / /
RE-43Residential Estate (43k)res_sf43,000 sf[5]28 ft[6][7]1[8] / /
R-1Residential (Single-Family, tier 1)res_sf[9]30 ft[10][11]10[12] / /
R-2Residential (Single-Family, tier 2)res_sf[13]30 ft[14][15]10[16] / /
RO-1Residential Office (limited commercial, tier 1)res_sf[17]35 ft[18][19]15[20] / /
RO-2Residential Office (limited commercial, tier 2)res_sf[21]35 ft[22][23]20[24] / /
RMF-30Low-Density Multifamilyres_mf[25]30 ft[26][27]30[28] / /
RMF-35Moderate-Density Multifamilyres_mf[29]35 ft[30][31]35[32] / /
RMF-45Moderate-High Density Multifamilyres_mf[33]45 ft[34][35]45[36] / /
RMF-75High-Density Multifamilyres_mf[37]75 ft[38][39]75[40] / /
CNCommercial Neighborhoodcom[43][44][45][46]15[41] / 15[42] /
CGGeneral Commercialcom[47]55 ft[48][49][50] / /
CBCommunity Businesscom[51][52][53][54] / /
CSCommercial Servicecom[55][56][57][58] / /
CCCommercial Corridorcom[59][60][61][62] / /
D-1Central Business District (Downtown Core)cbd[63]-1 ft[64][65][66] / /
D-2Downtown Southcbd[67]100 ft[68][69][70] / /
MU-2Mixed-Use (Low-Scale)mu[71][72][73][74] / /
MU-3Mixed-Use (Neighborhood)mu[75][76][77][78] / /
MU-5Mixed-Use (Mid-Scale)mu[79][80][81][82] / /
MU-6Mixed-Use (Regional)mu[83][84][85][86] / /
MU-8Mixed-Use (High-Density)mu[87][88][89][90] / /
MU-11Mixed-Use (Urban Core)mu[91][92][93][94] / /
M-1Light Manufacturingind[95]45 ft[96][97] / /
M-1ALight Manufacturing (Variant)ind[98]45 ft[99][100] / /
M-2General Manufacturingind[101][102][103] / /
BPBusiness Parkind[104]50 ft[105][106] / /
OSOpen Space / Conservationspec[107]0[108]0[109] / /
OS-COpen Space / Conservation (Variant)spec[110]0[111]0[112] / /
PLPublic Landsspec[113][114] / /

Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found

Overlays

H
Historic Preservation Overlay
HP
§21A.34.020

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_alteration1[115]
design_review_required1[116]
design_standard_referenceSecretary of Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties[117]
systems_visibility_standardLeast visible / obfuscated manner; minimal impact to historic character[118]
base_density_effectnone[119]
TSA-UC
Transit Station Area (TSA) — Urban Center Station
TOD
§21A.26.078 (TSA districts) / SLC Transit Station Area Development Guidelines (June 2017)

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_ratio0.5[120]
ground_floor_transparency_min_ft20[121]
height_flexibilityabove base district[122]
setback_reduction_streetfacing1[123]
density_intentHigh-density regional commercial hub[124]
TSA-UN
Transit Station Area (TSA) — Urban Neighborhood Station
TOD
§21A.26.078

Mapped ~0.5-mile radius around TRAX stations designated Urban Neighborhood (neighborhood-scale station contexts)

density_target_du_ac_range15-25[125]
ground_floor_transparency_min_in18[126]
max_blank_wall_section_ft20[127]
pedestrian_scale_required1[128]
YCI
Yalecrest Compatible Infill Overlay
CON
§21A.34.120

Yalecrest neighborhood boundary (northeast SLC) per SLC zoning map

character_preservation_required1[129]
design_guidelines_specific1[130]
additions_limited_to_compatible_forms1[131]
density_effectrestrictive[132]
SSSC
South State Street Corridor Overlay
COR
§21A.34.090

South State Street corridor and Granary District (Central City area) per SLC zoning map

granary_district_adaptive_reuse_loan1[133]
mixed_use_residential_commercial_encouraged1[134]
historic_structure_preservation1[135]
density_bonus_adaptive_reuse1[136]
NWQ
Northwest Quadrant Overlay
ENV
§21A.34.140

Northwest Quadrant area (west of I-215, adjacent to Great Salt Lake and Jordan River) per SLC zoning map; three mapped subareas

subarea_development_areaplanned development with mitigation[137]
subarea_eco_industrial_bufferhybrid zone for low-impact manufacturing/industrial[138]
subarea_natural_arearestricted development; habitat preservation mandate[139]
wildlife_habitat_assessment_required1[140]
riparian_corridor_protection1[141]
native_vegetation_restoration1[142]
FP
Floodplain Overlay
FP
§21A.34 (SLC floodplain combining) + city Flood Damage Prevention ordinance

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_ft1[143]
prohibited_uses_in_100yr_sfhacritical facilities and non-elevated residential[144]
nfip_participation1[145]
compensatory_storage_required1:1 ratio typical[146]
AFPP
Airport Flight Path Protection Overlay
SPEC
§21A.34.040

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_surfacesliding scale per Part 77 approach/transitional/horizontal/conical surfaces[147]
noise_disclosure_required1[148]
incompatible_land_uses_restricted1[149]
faa_coordination_required1[150]
G-MU
Gateway-Mixed Use Overlay
COR
§21A.34 (Gateway district overlay provisions)

The Gateway district area (west downtown, between 400 West and I-15, south of North Temple) per SLC zoning map

mixed_use_required1[151]
pedestrian_orientation_required1[152]
ground_floor_active_use1[153]
historic_warehouse_adaptive_reuse_encouraged1[154]
SNB
Sugar House Business District Overlay
COR
§21A.34 (Sugar House Master Plan implementation)

Sugar House business district (1100 East / 2100 South area, southeast SLC) per SLC zoning map

pedestrian_oriented_design_required1[155]
mixed_use_encouraged1[156]
historic_building_preservation1[157]
height_transition_to_residential1[158]
PMU
Pedestrian-Oriented Mixed-Use Standards
CON
§21A.24 (Mixed-Use District standards)

All MU-X (mixed-use) districts and portions of downtown mapped as mixed-use

ground_floor_transparency_ratio0.75[159]
max_street_level_setback_ft5[160]
max_blank_wall_section_ft20[161]
shared_parking_allowed1[162]
off_street_parking_mandated_minimum0[163]

State preemptions

Qualifying condition
SLC is a Utah municipality (1st-class city, pop 200,000) with residential zones (RE-17, RE-43, R-1, R-2, RO-1, RO-2). Cities must permit internal ADUs by-right in residential zones. SLC implements via §21A.40.200 which exceeds the state floor (also permits detached ADUs). | title=Utah Code §10-9a-530 (Internal accessory dwelling unit) ; effect_on_city=SLC must permit internal ADUs by-right in all SF residential zones. City retains authority over size, design, and parking. SLC's own §21A.40.200 already meets and exceeds the mandate.
UT HB 406 — Accessory Dwelling Unitsapplies
Qualifying condition
HB 406 (2021) expanded ADU authorization; SLC as a 1st-class city with established residential fabric has adopted detached-ADU permissions via §21A.40.200 (max 17 ft base, up to 24 ft pitched/20 ft flat with increased setbacks, 1 parking stall with transit/bike-lane exemptions). | title=Utah Code §10-9a-511.5 (ADU amendments) ; effect_on_city=SLC's §21A.40.200 detached-ADU framework aligns with HB 406; owner-occupancy required; no STR use; parking exempt within ¼ mi transit or ½ mi bike lane. Retains full local authority on size/design per HB 82/406 framework.
Qualifying condition
Applies to all Utah cities with single-family districts. SLC's RE-17, RE-43, R-1, R-2, RO-1, RO-2 are affected. Limits certain material/aesthetic restrictions beyond Utah Construction Code. | title=Utah Code §10-9a-505.5 et seq. ; effect_on_city=Cities may not impose certain aesthetic/material restrictions beyond Utah Construction Code on single-family dwellings. Bulk standards (lot size, height, setback) retained locally. SLC's 2024 4-plex legalization (transforming R-1/R-2 allowed uses) is a city-level reform; SB 174 does not independently preempt base dimensional standards.
Qualifying condition
Salt Lake County is in the WFRC MPO; SLC (pop 200,000, well above the 5,000 threshold; county pop 1,160,000 > 100k threshold) is required to include MIH plan in General Plan. Must select ≥3 of 23 moderate-income housing strategies, report annually to Utah DWS Workforce Services. HB 462 also caps RDA-area zoning restrictions in qualifying Redevelopment Agency project areas. | title=Utah Code §10-9a-403(2)(b)(ii) ; effect_on_city=SLC must maintain a MIH element with ≥3 menu strategies and file annual DWS progress reports. Non-compliance penalty = loss of transportation funding + $250/day. SLC has adopted multiple strategies including ADU enablement, 4-plex legalization, density bonuses, small-lot dwellings. Station-area planning (SAP) required for SLC UTA/FrontRunner stations — certification timeline applicable.
Qualifying condition
SLC has multiple UTA TRAX light rail stations and the FrontRunner North Temple / Salt Lake Central commuter rail stations within city limits. Cities with fixed-guideway stations must adopt certified Station Area Plans meeting statutory density/use/infrastructure criteria, or face transportation-funding sanctions. | title=Utah Code §10-9a-403.1 (Station Area Plan) ; effect_on_city=SLC must adopt and maintain certified SAPs for each qualifying station. SLC's TSA-UC / TSA-UN / TSA-MUEC / TSA-SP overlay framework and 2024 Ballpark Station MU-8 rezoning are implementation vehicles. Certification status per WFRC/Utah DWS not fetched this pass — treat as under_review until live check. ; retrieval_gap=WFRC / Utah DWS SAP certification dashboards are not machine-retrievable in this pass.
UT Land Use Development & Management Act (LUDMA)applies
Qualifying condition
LUDMA is the enabling statute for all municipal land-use authority in Utah. SLC's Title 21A is promulgated under LUDMA §§10-9a-101 et seq. | title=Utah Code Title 10 Chapter 9a ; effect_on_city=Sets procedural floors (notice, hearings, appeals), vested rights doctrine, and nonconforming-use framework for SLC's entire zoning code. Does not preempt specific base district dimensions.
UT HB 37 (2025) — Voluntary Density Bonusapplies
Qualifying condition
HB 37 (2025) rejected hard statewide preemption of single-family zoning in favor of a voluntary density-bonus framework. Applies to all Utah municipalities. | title=HB 37 — Housing Affordability Amendments ; effect_on_city=SLC may opt into state density-bonus incentives but is not compelled to upzone single-family districts by state mandate. SLC has already adopted 4-plex legalization (2024) and small-lot dwelling reform (2025) independent of HB 37.

Adopted building codes

Statewide; local may lag

2021
2024
2023
2021
IECC (Residential)
2021
IECC (Commercial)
2021

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.

Sort by
LOW
HIGH
drag to orbit · scroll to zoom
Max height
ft
Floor area ratio
Lot coverage
%
Setbacks (F / S / R)
ft
Parking
/unit
Max density
du/ac
Min lot size
sf
Copy zoning profile
Loading…
District Category Height FAR Coverage Setbacks Parking Density Min lot Overlays

Sources & references

Primary source
Through 2026 amlegal supplement · retrieved 2026-04-19
Citations
  1. [1] i
  2. [2] §21A.24.010
  3. [3] §21A.24.010
  4. [4] i
  5. [5] i
  6. [6] §21A.24.010
  7. [7] §21A.24.010
  8. [8] i
  9. [9] §21A.24.050
  10. [10] §21A.24.050
  11. [11] §21A.24.050
  12. [12] i§21A.24.050
  13. [13] §21A.24.060
  14. [14] §21A.24.060
  15. [15] §21A.24.060
  16. [16] i§21A.24.060
  17. [17] §21A.24.080
  18. [18] §21A.24.080
  19. [19] §21A.24.080
  20. [20] i§21A.24.080
  21. [21] §21A.24.090
  22. [22] §21A.24.090
  23. [23] §21A.24.090
  24. [24] i§21A.24.090
  25. [25] §21A.24.110
  26. [26] §21A.24.110
  27. [27] §21A.24.110
  28. [28] §21A.24.110
  29. [29] §21A.24.120
  30. [30] §21A.24.120
  31. [31] §21A.24.120
  32. [32] §21A.24.120
  33. [33] §21A.24.130
  34. [34] §21A.24.130
  35. [35] §21A.24.130
  36. [36] §21A.24.130
  37. [37] §21A.24.140
  38. [38] §21A.24.140
  39. [39] §21A.24.140
  40. [40] §21A.24.140
  41. [41] §21A.26.010
  42. [42] §21A.26.010
  43. [43] §21A.26.010
  44. [44] §21A.26.010
  45. [45] §21A.26.010
  46. [46] §21A.26.010
  47. [47] §21A.26.050
  48. [48] i§21A.26.050
  49. [49] §21A.26.050
  50. [50] §21A.26.050
  51. [51] §21A.26.030
  52. [52] §21A.26.030
  53. [53] §21A.26.030
  54. [54] §21A.26.030
  55. [55] §21A.26.040
  56. [56] §21A.26.040
  57. [57] §21A.26.040
  58. [58] §21A.26.040
  59. [59] §21A.26.060
  60. [60] §21A.26.060
  61. [61] §21A.26.060
  62. [62] §21A.26.060
  63. [63] §21A.30.020
  64. [64] §21A.30.020
  65. [65] §21A.30.020
  66. [66] §21A.30.020
  67. [67] §21A.30.030
  68. [68] i§21A.30.030
  69. [69] §21A.30.030
  70. [70] §21A.30.030
  71. [71] §21A.24
  72. [72] §21A.24
  73. [73] §21A.24
  74. [74] §21A.24
  75. [75] §21A.24
  76. [76] §21A.24
  77. [77] §21A.24
  78. [78] §21A.24
  79. [79] §21A.24
  80. [80] §21A.24
  81. [81] §21A.24
  82. [82] §21A.24
  83. [83] §21A.24
  84. [84] §21A.24
  85. [85] §21A.24
  86. [86] §21A.24
  87. [87] §21A.24
  88. [88] §21A.24
  89. [89] §21A.24
  90. [90] §21A.24
  91. [91] §21A.24
  92. [92] §21A.24
  93. [93] §21A.24
  94. [94] §21A.24
  95. [95] §21A.28.020
  96. [96] §21A.28.020
  97. [97] §21A.28.020
  98. [98] §21A.28.025
  99. [99] §21A.28.025
  100. [100] §21A.28.025
  101. [101] §21A.28.030
  102. [102] i§21A.28.030
  103. [103] §21A.28.030
  104. [104] §21A.32
  105. [105] §21A.32
  106. [106] §21A.32
  107. [107] §21A.32.130
  108. [108] §21A.32.130
  109. [109] §21A.32.130
  110. [110] §21A.32.130
  111. [111] §21A.32.130
  112. [112] §21A.32.130
  113. [113] §21A.32.140
  114. [114] §21A.32.140
  115. [115] §21A.34.020
  116. [116] §21A.34.020
  117. [117] §21A.34.020
  118. [118] §21A.34.020
  119. [119] §21A.34.020
  120. [120] §21A.26.078
  121. [121] §21A.26.078
  122. [122] §21A.26.078
  123. [123] §21A.26.078
  124. [124] §21A.26.078
  125. [125] i§21A.26.078
  126. [126] §21A.26.078
  127. [127] §21A.26.078
  128. [128] §21A.26.078
  129. [129] §21A.34.120
  130. [130] §21A.34.120
  131. [131] §21A.34.120
  132. [132] i§21A.34.120
  133. [133] §21A.34.090
  134. [134] §21A.34.090
  135. [135] §21A.34.090
  136. [136] i§21A.34.090
  137. [137] §21A.34.140
  138. [138] §21A.34.140
  139. [139] §21A.34.140
  140. [140] §21A.34.140
  141. [141] §21A.34.140
  142. [142] §21A.34.140
  143. [143] §21A.34
  144. [144] §21A.34
  145. [145] §21A.34
  146. [146] i
  147. [147] §21A.34.040
  148. [148] §21A.34.040
  149. [149] §21A.34.040
  150. [150] §21A.34.040
  151. [151] §21A.34
  152. [152] §21A.34
  153. [153] §21A.34
  154. [154] §21A.34
  155. [155] §21A.34
  156. [156] §21A.34
  157. [157] §21A.34
  158. [158] §21A.34
  159. [159] §21A.24
  160. [160] §21A.24
  161. [161] §21A.24
  162. [162] §21A.24
  163. [163] §21A.24

Research status

Publication gates

primary url presentpassed
no aggregator citedpassed
confidence tags full formpassed
overlays have parameters trigger confidencepassed
preempt section city specificpassed

Data quality

66%completeness44 confirmed30 partial16 inferred
Documented gaps
  • 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

cohort:needs-dom-retrievalfreshness:volatileblocker:amlegaldata:gaps-present

Verification

last_verified_at2026-04-19T00:00:00Z
verifier_specialistverification-pass
verifier_version1.0
verification_resultpassed
atomic_claims_checked48
atomic_claims_passed48
atomic_claims_failed0
failed_claims
narrative_refnarratives/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.