This title shall be known, cited and referred to as the ZONING ORDINANCE OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, or the ZONING ORDINANCE. All references to the various provisions of chapters 21A.02 through 21A.62 of this title shall be considered as references to correspondingly numbered sections and chapters of this title. (Ord. 54-14, 2014: Ord. 26-95 § 2(1-1), 1995)

The City Council of Salt Lake City adopts this title pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Development and Management Act, title 10, chapter 9, of the Utah Code Annotated or its successor, and such other authorities and provisions of Utah statutory and common law that are relevant and appropriate. (Ord. 26-95 § 2(1-2), 1995)

The purpose of this title is to promote the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Salt Lake City, to implement the adopted plans of the City, and to carry out the purposes of the Municipal Land Use Development and Management Act, title 10, chapter 9, of the Utah Code Annotated or its successor, and other relevant statutes. This title is, in addition, intended to:

   A.   Lessen congestion in the streets or roads;

   B.   Secure safety from fire and other dangers;

   C.   Provide adequate light and air;

   D.   Classify land uses and distribute land development and utilization;

   E.   Protect the tax base;

   F.   Secure economy in governmental expenditures;

   G.   Foster the City's industrial, business and residential development; and

   H.   Protect the environment. (Ord. 26-95 § 2(1-3), 1995)

All master plans or general plans adopted by the Planning Commission and City Council for the City, or for an area of the City, shall serve as an advisory guide for land use decisions. Amendments to the text of this title or zoning map should be consistent with the purposes, goals, objectives and policies of the applicable adopted master plan or general plan of Salt Lake City. (Ord. 26-95 § 2(1-4), 1995)

   A.   General Applicability: The provisions of this title shall apply to all of the land area within the corporate limits of Salt Lake City, as indicated on the zoning map as provided in chapter 21A.22 of this title. Except as expressly provided in this title, no development shall be undertaken without prior zoning approval pursuant to the provisions of this title.

   B.   Exemptions: The following properties, uses and structures shall, to the extent provided by law, be exempt from the regulations of this title:

      1.   Properties Of The State Of Utah Or Federal Government: Properties owned and occupied by the State of Utah or the United States. Where laws applicable to such properties require the property owner to take reasonable steps to comply with local regulations, this exemption shall not be construed to abrogate that requirement.

      2.   Utility Installations: Wires, cables, conduits, vaults, laterals, pipes, mains, valves or other similar equipment for the distribution to consumers of telephone or other communications, electricity, gas or water, or the collection of water, sewage, or stormwater when owned, operated and/or maintained by a governmental entity or a public utility. Such installations shall comply with Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations and those of other authorities having jurisdiction. This exemption includes ground mounted utility boxes installed by a governmental entity in the public right-of-way for public safety and management purposes, such as traffic control devices, utility boxes for lighting and parking meters. All other ground mounted utility boxes shall not be exempt from the regulations of this title and are subject to section 21A.40.160, "Ground Mounted Utility Boxes", of this title.

      3.   Railroad Facilities: Railroad tracks, signals, bridges and similar facilities and equipment located on a railroad right-of- way, and maintenance and repair work on such facilities and equipment. (Ord. 13-19, 2019: Ord. 14-15, 2015)

   A.   To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this title shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction or designated use of any building for which a complete building permit application and appropriate fees were received prior to the effective date hereof, April 12, 1995, or any amendment hereto, unless the permit is allowed to expire. If the applicant allows the permit to expire, the applicant shall be subject to the provisions of this title. If such building permit pertains to a phase of development only, any subsequent phase for which a building permit is required shall comply with the parking and landscaping requirements of this title.

   B.   Any complete application for a development project that has been filed with either the Planning Commission, Historical Landmark Commission, or City Council shall be allowed to comply with the zoning regulations in effect at the time that the complete application was filed. At the conclusion of the applicable process, an applicant shall file for the appropriate permits and pursue them to completion. If the applicant allows the permit to expire, the applicant shall be subject to the provisions of this title. (Ord. 8-12, 2012)

This title is organized into six (6) parts as described in subsection A of this section and includes different types of zoning districts and regulations for the use and development of land as described in subsections B and C of this section.

   A.   Structure Of This Title: This title consists of:

 

 

   B.   Types Of Zoning Districts In This Title: This title establishes three (3) types of zoning districts: 1) base zoning districts; 2) special purpose districts; and 3) overlay districts. These districts are found in part III of this title. Base zoning districts regulate the types of activities and land uses that may take place on a particular lot with appropriate regulations and development standards for each district. Special purpose districts consist of regulations that address special types of land uses, such as the airport or institutional uses. Overlay districts consist of regulations that address specific subjects that may be applicable in a variety of areas in the City, such as historic areas or environmentally sensitive areas.

   C.   Types Of Regulations In This Title: The following types of regulations are contained in this title:

      1.   Land Use Regulations: Land use regulations for each base zoning district specify land uses permitted as of right, or allowed after obtaining conditional use approval. The regulations include special requirements applicable to specific uses. Land use regulations for all districts appear in part III of this title. Land use regulations may be modified by overlay districts also found in part III of this title, or by procedures in part V, "Amendments And Special Approvals", of this title.

      2.   Development Standards: Development standards for each zoning district include fixed dimensional standards and performance standards. Fixed dimensional standards are numerical maximum or minimum conditions which govern the development on a site. These standards are intended to promote uniformity of development in terms of the dimensions being controlled. Performance standards establish certain criteria which must be met on a site, but allow flexibility as to how those criteria can be met.

Development standards control the height, size, location and other particular aspects of structures and uses on sites intended for development. These standards also prescribe buffering requirements between districts and between certain potentially incompatible uses. Development standards for each zoning district appear in part III of this title. Development standards for base zoning districts may be modified by overlay districts which are found in part III of this title, or through procedures in part V, "Amendments And Special Approvals", of this title. The development standards in part III of this title are supplemented by additional development standards in part IV of this title. The development standards in part IV of this title also include sign regulations applicable to the zoning districts.

      3.   Administration: Administration includes creation of, and allocation of powers and duties to, decision making bodies and officials, requirements for zoning certificates, general application and public hearing procedures for administrative interpretations, appeals of administrative decisions and variances. These administrative regulations appear in part II of this title.

      4.   Enforcement: Enforcement contains the remedies available to the City to enforce this title. These regulations appear in part II of this title.

   D.   General Terms In This Title: Chapter 21A.60 of this title includes a list, with cross references, and chapter 21A.62 of this title includes definitions for terms used in this title. (Ord. 46-17, 2017: Ord. 54-14, 2014: Ord. 35-99 § 103, 1999: Ord. 26-95 § 2(2-1), 1995)

The regulations contained in this title shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the following rules:

   A.   Minimum Requirements: All regulations shall be construed as the minimum requirements necessary to promote the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the City.

   B.   Relationship To Easements, Covenants And Other Agreements: The provisions of this title are not intended to interfere with, abrogate or require enforcement by the City of any legally enforceable easements, covenants, or other agreements between private parties that may restrict the use of land or dimensions of structures more than the provisions of this title. When the regulations of this title impose greater restrictions than are imposed by such easements, covenants or other agreements between parties, or than are required by laws or other applicable ordinances, the provisions of this title shall control.

   C.   Number: A word importing the singular number may be applied to plural persons and things. The use of the plural number shall include any single person or thing.

   D.   Tense: The present tense of a word includes the future tense as well.

   E.   Shall, May: The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.

   F.   Computation Of Time: The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday recognized by the City, that day shall be excluded.

   G.   Year: The word "year" shall mean any consecutive twelve (12) month period unless otherwise indicated. (Ord. 26-95 § 2(2-2), 1995)

It is unlawful, whether acting as owner, occupant or contractor, or otherwise to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, demolish, or change the use of any building or other structure within Salt Lake City contrary to any provisions of this title without first obtaining a building or demolition permit from the Division of Building Services and Licensing unless the proposed improvements are such that the Division of Building Services and Licensing does not require a permit. It is also unlawful for any person, whether acting as owner, occupant or contractor to install any hard surfacing material, other than sidewalks, ornamental landscaping features, or for the minor repair of existing legal hard surfaced areas on any property without first obtaining a building permit from the Division of Building Services and Licensing. It is also unlawful for any person, whether acting as an owner, occupant or contractor, to install accessory structures without first obtaining a building permit from the Division of Building Services and Licensing, unless the adopted Building Code excludes such accessory structure from a building permit requirement.

Projects located within the boundaries of a Historic Preservation Overlay District, or on a landmark site shall submit an application for certificate of appropriateness for all improvements regardless of any building permit requirements. (Ord. 11-10 § 3, 2010)