Hotel Keepers' Liability

Utah Code tit. 29, ch. 29-1

in effect

Utah Code § 29-1-1 Fireproof safe for use of guests -- Limitation of liability.

29-1-1. Fireproof safe for use of guests -- Limitation of liability. If an innkeeper, hotel keeper, boarding house keeper, or lodging house keeper keeps on the premises a fireproof safe or vault, and gives notice to guests, boarders or lodgers, by posting a copy of this section in a prominent or conspicuous place in the office of the inn, hotel, boarding house or lodging house and in the rooms occupied by the guests, boarders or lodgers, that the keeper keeps for their use a fireproof safe or vault and will not be liable for money, jewelry, documents or other articles of unusual value and small compass, unless placed therein, the keeper is not liable, except so far as the keeper's acts or the acts of the keeper's employees shall contribute thereto, for any loss of or injury to such articles, if not deposited with the keeper to be placed in such safe or vault, or in any case for more than the sum of $250 for any such property, unless the keeper shall have given a receipt in writing therefor to the guest, boarder or lodger, and the value of the article so placed with the keeper for safekeeping shall have been declared by such guest, boarder or lodger. Amended by Chapter 365, 2024 General Session

Utah Code § 29-1-2 Property worth more than $250 -- Limitation of liability -- Special arrangements -- Theft by, or negligence of, innkeeper or servant.

29-1-2. Property worth more than $250 -- Limitation of liability -- Special arrangements -- Theft by, or negligence of, innkeeper or servant. An innkeeper, hotel keeper, boarding house or lodging house keeper is not required to receive from a guest for deposit in such safe or vault, property described in the next preceding section exceeding a total value of $250, and is not liable for such property exceeding such value whether received or not. Such innkeeper, hotel keeper, boarding house or lodging house keeper, by special arrangement with a guest, may receive for deposit in such safe or vault property upon such written terms as may be agreed upon. A person who is an innkeeper, hotel keeper, boarding house or lodging house keeper shall be liable for a loss of any of such property of a guest in the person's inn caused by the theft or negligence of the innkeeper or the innkeeper's servant. Amended by Chapter 297, 2011 General Session

Utah Code § 29-1-3 Other personal property -- Limitation of liability.

29-1-3. Other personal property -- Limitation of liability. (1) The liability of a person who is an innkeeper, hotel keeper, boarding or lodging house keeper, for loss of or injury to personal property placed in the person's care by the person's guests other than that described in Section 29-1-1, shall be that of a depositary for hire. (2) The liability described in Subsection (1) may not exceed $150 for each trunk and its contents, $50 for each valise, suitcase or other piece of hand luggage and its contents, and $10 for each box, bundle or package, and its contents, so placed in the person's care, unless the person has consented in writing with the guest to assume a greater liability. Amended by Chapter 297, 2011 General Session

Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title29/Chapter1/29-1.html?v=C29-1_1800010118000101Fetched: 10/26/2026