Zoning & Rules
Understand what Salt Lake City zoning says, what a parcel screen can tell you, and what still needs to be verified before you design or build.
Rules become useful when they are tied to a real property.
Property Explorer is the screening tool. This page explains the rule categories behind that screen and gives you the City contacts needed to verify the result.
A screening result is not a building approval. Parcel dimensions, setbacks, access, parking, utilities, subdivision requirements, overlays and unit entitlement can change what is actually possible.
Know what kind of zoning you are starting with.
A lower-density residential district. Lot configuration, allowed housing form, ADU rules and any applicable housing incentives should be checked for the specific parcel.
A residential district where two-family opportunities may be relevant. Verify the specific use, lot standards, parking, setbacks and development form.
Intended for smaller-scale multi-family housing and incremental growth. Density is only one part of the screen; building type and site standards still control fit.
A higher residential intensity than RMF-30. Confirm allowed building type, dimensional standards, access, parking and any site-specific constraints.
Mixed-use zoning can create housing opportunities, but use, frontage, design and site standards need parcel-specific review before relying on a capacity number.
Historic districts, environmental conditions, special-purpose zones and overlays can add requirements beyond the base zoning district.
Four checks before you rely on a concept.
Confirm zoning
Verify the parcel is inside Salt Lake City and confirm the current zoning district and any overlay.
Confirm site standards
Check lot dimensions, setbacks, height, access, parking, building form and any subdivision requirement.
Confirm utilities
Water, sewer, stormwater and utility capacity can determine whether an otherwise promising concept is practical.
Confirm permitting path
Ask whether the concept is permitted, requires Planning review, needs a subdivision action, or has another approval step.
Who to call.
These contacts are included so a homeowner, buyer or developer can verify a SmallSaltLake.City screen directly with the City.
Property zoning inquiries, zoning ordinances, application requirements, general plans and project guidance.
City & County Building · 451 S State Street
General Planning Counter assistance and appointment scheduling.
Building permits, building code, permit processing and inspections.
801-535-6000
Permit processing: 801-535-7968
Development-related water, sewer and utility coordination.
Zoning enforcement and property/code concerns.
Coordinated review involving Planning & Zoning, Building Services, Public Utilities, Transportation and Engineering for projects that need cross-department guidance.
Start with the Planning Division to determine whether a DRT meeting is appropriate.
Take the rule back to the property.
Use Property Explorer to screen the parcel, then use the contacts above to verify the parts that matter before investing in a site plan or development concept.