ENFORCEMENT
Salt Lake City Code tit. 21A, pt. II, ch. 21A.20
in effectSalt Lake City Code § 21A.20.020 COMPLAINTS REGARDING VIOLATIONS
21A.20.020: COMPLAINTS REGARDING VIOLATIONS:
A civil enforcement officer may investigate any complaint alleging a violation of this title and take such action as is warranted in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.030 PROCEDURES UPON DISCOVERY OF VIOLATIONS
21A.20.030: PROCEDURES UPON DISCOVERY OF VIOLATIONS:
A. If the civil enforcement officer finds that any provision of this title is being violated, the civil enforcement officer may provide a written warning notice to the property owner and any other person determined to be responsible for such violation. The written notice shall indicate the nature of the violation and order the action necessary to correct it. Additional written notices may be provided at the civil enforcement officer's discretion.
B. The written warning notice shall state what action the building services division intends to take if the violation is not corrected. The written notice shall include information regarding the established warning period for the indicated violations and shall serve to start any warning periods provided in this chapter.
C. Such written warning notice issued by the civil enforcement officer, if issued, shall be deemed delivered when:
1. A copy of the written notice is posted on the property where said violation(s) occur, and
2. The written notice is either:
a. Mailed certified mail or using any reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery to the property owner at the last known address appearing on the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder and any other person determined to be responsible for such violation, at their last known address, or
b. Personally served upon the property owner and any other person determined to be responsible for such violation.
D. In cases when delay in enforcement would seriously threaten the effective enforcement of this title, or pose a danger to the public health, safety or welfare, the civil enforcement officer may seek enforcement without issuing a warning notice and may proceed directly to issuing a notice and order as set forth in Subpart E.
E. Upon discovery of a violation of this title, or if the violation remains uncorrected after expiration of the warning period set forth in the warning notice, if issued, the civil enforcement officer may issue a notice and order.
1. The written notice and order shall state:
a. The name and address, if known, of the responsible party;
b. The date and location of each violation;
c. The code sections violated;
d. That the violations must be corrected;
e. Provide a specific date by which the enforcement official orders that the violations be corrected by;
f. The amount of the civil fine to accrue for each violation, or other enforcement action that the enforcement official intends to pursue, if the violation is not corrected by the date specified;
g. Identification of the right to and procedure to appeal; and
h. The signature of the enforcement official.
2. The enforcement official shall serve the notice and order on the responsible party by:
a. Posting a copy of the written notice and order on the noncompliant property, and
b. By mailing the notice and order through certified mail or reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery. If the responsible party is the property owner of record, then mailing shall be to the last known address appearing on the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder. If the responsible party is any other person or entity other than the owner of record, then mailing shall be to the last known address of the responsible party on file with the city.
c. Notwithstanding the foregoing, personal service upon the responsible party shall be sufficient to meet the notice and order service requirements of this Subsection 21A.20.030.E.2.b.
F. Following the issuance of a notice and order, any responsible party shall correct the violations specified in the notice and order. Upon correction of the violations specified in the notice and order, the responsible party shall contact the enforcement official identified in the notice and order to request an inspection of the property.
G. If one or more violations are not corrected by the deadline specified in the notice and order, civil fines shall accrue at the rate set forth in Section 21A.20.040. Accumulation of civil fines for violations, but not the obligation for payment of civil fines already accrued, shall stop upon correction of the violation(s) once confirmed through an inspection requested pursuant to Subsection E.
H. The responsible party shall have the right to contest the notice and order at an administrative hearing in accordance with Chapter 21A.16. Failure to timely request an administrative hearing and pay the administrative hearing fee set forth in the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule shall constitute a waiver of the right to a hearing and a waiver of the right to appeal.
I. Upon expiration of the citation period set forth in a notice and order, and where the violation(s) remain uncorrected, the city may record on the noncompliant property with the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office a notice of noncompliance. The recordation of a notice of noncompliance shall not be deemed an encumbrance on the noncompliant property but shall merely place interested parties on notice of any continuing violation of this title at the noncompliant property. If a notice of noncompliance has been recorded and the enforcement official later determines that all violations identified in the notice of noncompliance have been corrected, the enforcement official shall issue a notice of compliance by recording the notice of compliance on the property with the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office. Recordation of the notice of compliance shall have the effect of canceling the recorded notice of noncompliance.
J. If the city files an action for injunctive relief seeking abatement of one or more violations and the district court authorizes the abatement of one or more violations and the city incurs costs and the costs are not paid, a lien or garnishment may be placed to recover the costs and may be considered an encumbrance on the property. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.040 CIVIL FINES
21A.20.040: CIVIL FINES:
A. General: If the violations are not corrected by the citation deadline, civil fines shall accrue at $50 a day per violation for those properties legally used for purposes that are solely residential uses, and $200 a day per violation for those properties used for purposes that are not residential uses. Fines for violations pertaining to use of a dwelling unit shall be per dwelling unit.
B. Affordable housing incentives per 21A.52.050: If the violation(s) are not corrected by the citation deadline, civil fines shall accrue at the rate set in the Consolidated Fee Schedule per day per violation. If the violation(s) include renting an affordable rental unit in excess of the approved rental rate then an additional monthly fine shall accrue that is the difference between the market rate of the unit and the approved rental rate that is agreed to by the applicant at the time of approval for a project using the incentives.
C. Failure to obtain certificate of appropriateness per 21A.34.020: For development or any building activity on properties subject to Section 21A.34.020 without a certificate of appropriateness, if such violation is not corrected by the citation deadline, civil fines shall accrue at $50 per day, except that the fine shall be $250 per day for full or partial demolition of a contributing structure without a certificate of appropriateness and $500 per day for full or partial demolition of a landmark site without a certificate of appropriateness. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 22-24, 2024: Ord. 74-23, 2023: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.050 DAILY VIOLATIONS
21A.20.050: DAILY VIOLATIONS:
Each day a violation continues after the citation deadline shall be considered a separate offense and give rise to a separate civil fine. Accumulation of civil fines for violations, but not the obligation for payment of civil fines already accrued, shall stop upon correction of the violation. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.060 COMPLIANCE
21A.20.060: COMPLIANCE:
The city may use such lawful means as are available to obtain compliance with the provisions of this title and to collect the civil fines that accrue as a result of the violation of the provisions of this title, including a legal action to obtain one or more of the following: an injunction, an order of mandamus, an order requiring the property owner or occupant to abate the violations, an order permitting the city to enter the property to abate the violations, and a judgment in the amount of the civil fines accrued for the violation, including costs and attorney fees. The city has sole discretion over which remedy or combination of remedies it may choose to pursue.
Violations of the provisions of this title or failure to comply with any of its requirements are punishable as a Class C misdemeanor upon conviction. (Ord. 91- 24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.070 RECURRING VIOLATIONS
21A.20.070: RECURRING VIOLATIONS:
In the case where a violation, which had been corrected, reoccurs at the same property within 6 months of the initial correction and is due to the actions or inactions of the same person or property owner as the prior violation(s), the building services division may begin enforcement of said recurring violation by sending by certified mail or reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery a notice and order in the form described in Subsection 21A.20.030.E of this chapter. Civil fines set forth in Section 21A.20.040 of this chapter will begin accruing if the violation is not remedied within 10 calendar days of the citation deadline contained in that notice. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.080 APPEALING CIVIL FINES TO A FINES HEARING OFFICER
21A.20.080: APPEALING CIVIL FINES TO A FINES HEARING OFFICER:
A. Powers And Duties Of Fines Hearing Officer: The Fines Hearing Officer, appointed pursuant to section 21A.06.070 of this title, may hear and decide appeals of civil fines imposed pursuant to this chapter. As set forth in this section, the Fines Hearing Officer may reduce civil fines and approve civil fine payment schedules.
B. Right to Appear: Any person receiving a notice of violation may appear before a fines hearing officer to appeal the amount of the civil fine imposed by submitting a civil fine appeal on a form provided by the building services division. However, no party may appear before a fines hearing officer until violations from which the civil fines stemmed have been corrected and a notice of compliance has been issued. Appeals to a fines hearing officer contesting the amount of the civil fine imposed, must be filed within 30 days from the date of the notice of compliance.
C. Responsibility: Commencement of any action to remove or reduce civil fines shall not relieve the responsibility of any person cited to correct the violation or make payment of subsequently accrued civil fines nor shall it require the city to reissue any of the notices required by this chapter.
D. Reduction of Civil Fine: Civil fines may be reduced at the discretion of the fines hearing officer after the violation is corrected from which the civil fines stemmed and if any of the following conditions exist:
1. The violation pertains to landscaping, in which case the time for payment and correction of landscaping violations may be abated from October 15 through the next April 1, or such other times as caused by weather conditions adverse to successful landscaping;
2. Strict compliance with the notice and order would have caused an imminent and irreparable injury to persons or property;
3. The violation and inability to correct the same were both caused by a force majeure event such as war, act of nature, strike or civil disturbance;
4. A change in the actual ownership of the property was recorded with the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office after the first or second notice was issued and the new property owner is not related by blood, marriage or common ownership to the prior owner; or
5. Such other mitigating circumstances as determined by the fines hearing officer.
E. Payment Schedule: At the request of a person subject to civil fines governed by this chapter, the fines hearing officer may approve a payment schedule for the delayed or periodic payment of the applicable civil fine to accommodate the person's unique circumstances or ability to pay.
F. Failure to Submit Payment on Payment Schedule: If a payment schedule has been developed by the fines hearing officer, the failure by a person owing civil fines to submit any two (2) payments as scheduled shall cause the entire amount of the original civil fine to become immediately due. (Ord. 3-26, 2026: Ord. 91- 24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.090 NOTICE OF CITY'S INTENT TO ABATE ZONING VIOLATIONS
21A.20.090: NOTICE OF CITY'S INTENT TO ABATE ZONING VIOLATIONS:
A. If the city obtains a court order permitting entry on the property for the purpose of abating zoning violations, the building services division shall provide written notice of that order to the property owner of record at the address on file with the Salt Lake County Recorder.
B. The notice shall: 1) identify the property owner of record according to the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder, 2) describe the property and the violations the court order permits the building services division to enter the property to abate, 3) attach a copy of the court order, and (4) inform the property owner when the abatement is scheduled to occur.
C. Notice may be delivered in person, or by certified mail, or by reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery, if mailed to the last known address of the property owner according to the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.100 COLLECTION OF THE COSTS OF ABATEMENT
21A.20.100: COLLECTION OF THE COSTS OF ABATEMENT:
A. If the building services division or an agent thereof enters a property to abate a violation pursuant to a court order, as set forth in Section 21A.20.090 of this chapter, the building services division may collect the cost of that abatement, by filing a property tax lien, as set forth in this section.
B. Upon completion of abatement work, the building services division shall prepare an itemized statement of costs and mail it to the property owner by certified mail or by any reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery, demanding payment within 30 days of the date the statement is post marked.
C. The itemized statement of costs shall:
1. Include:
a. The address of the property at issue;
b. An itemized list of all expenses incurred by the building services division, including administrative costs;
c. A demand for payment; and
d. The address where payment is to be made;
2. Notify the property owner:
a. That failure to timely pay the expenses described in the itemized statement may result in a lien on the property in accordance with this chapter and Utah Code section 10-11-4 or its successor;
b. That the property owner may file a written objection to all or part of the statement within 20 days of the date the statement is postmarked; and
c. Where the property owner may file the objection, including the name of the office and the mailing address.
D. The itemized statement of costs described in subsection C of this section shall be deemed delivered when mailed by certified mail or by any reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery addressed to the last known address of the property owner, according to the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder.
E. If the property owner files a timely objection, the building services division will schedule a hearing in accordance with title 52, chapter 4 of the Utah Code (Open and Public Meetings Act), and will mail or deliver to the property owner prior to the hearing a notice stating the date, time, and location of the hearing.
F. At the hearing described in subsection E of this section, a fines hearing officer shall review and determine the actual cost of abatement incurred by the building services division in abating the property, including administrative costs. The property owner must pay any amount the fines hearing officer determines is due and owing to the Salt Lake City Treasurer at the address provided in the statement of costs within 30 days of the date of the hearing.
G. If the property owner fails to make payment of the amount set forth in the itemized statement within 30 days of the date of the mailing of that statement, or to file a timely objection, then the building services division may certify the past due costs and expenses to the Salt Lake County Treasurer and the Treasurer will proceed as set forth in Utah Code section 10-11-4 or its successor.
H. If the property owner files a timely objection but fails to make payment of any amount found due and owing under subsection F of this section within 30 days of the date of the hearing, the building services division may certify the past due costs and expense to the Salt Lake County Treasurer and the Treasurer will proceed as set forth in Utah Code section 10-11-4.
I. After entry by the Treasurer of the County, as set forth in subsections G and H of this section the amount entered shall be a nonrecurring notice charge as defined in Utah Code 11-60-102, is a lien on the property, and shall be collected by the Salt Lake County Treasurer at the time of the payment of general taxes.
J. Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, where the property owner presents evidence demonstrating financial hardship to the satisfaction of the building services division, the building services division may waive some or all administrative fees and the actual costs incurred in abating the property if the property abated is the property owner's principal place of residence. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 56-18, 2018)
Source: Salt Lake City, Utah, City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-63871Fetched: 11/1/2026