Salt Lake City Code § 12.58.010 PURPOSE
12.58.010: PURPOSE:
The purpose of this chapter is primarily educational, as well as to protect the public health and improve the environment by reducing emissions while conserving fuel. (Ord. 25-12, 2012)
IDLING OF VEHICLES
Salt Lake City Code tit. 12, ch. 12.58
in effectSalt Lake City Code § 12.58.020 DEFINITIONS
12.58.020: DEFINITIONS:
For purposes of this chapter, these definitions shall apply:
DRIVER: Any driver who drives, operates, or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
IDLE: The operation of a vehicle engine while the vehicle is stationary or not in the act of performing work or its normal function.
VEHICLE: Any self-propelled vehicle that is required to be registered and have a license plate by the Utah department of motor vehicles. (Ord. 25-12, 2012)
Salt Lake City Code § 12.58.025 PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER; ENFORCEMENT
12.58.025: PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER; ENFORCEMENT:
A. This chapter shall be enforceable on all public property and on private property that is open to the general public, unless the private property owner:
1. Has a private business that has a drive-through service as a component of the private property owner's business operations and posts a sign provided by or acceptable to the city informing its customers and the public of the city's time limit for idling vehicle engines; or
2. Adopts an idle reduction education policy approved by the city.
B. Law enforcement personnel shall exercise reasonable caution and utilize customary safety procedures in their enforcement of this chapter. (Ord. 25-12, 2012)
Salt Lake City Code § 12.58.030 IDLING RESTRICTION WITHIN CITY LIMITS
12.58.030: IDLING RESTRICTION WITHIN CITY LIMITS:
No driver, while operating a vehicle within city limits, shall cause or permit a vehicle's engine to idle for more than two (2) minutes, except for the following kinds of idling:
A. Idling while stopped:
1. For an official traffic control device;
2. For an official traffic control signal;
3. At the direction of a police officer;
4. At the direction of an air traffic controller;
5. For airport airside operations requirements.
B. Idling as needed for the health or safety of a driver or passenger, including police K-9 or other service animals.
C. Idling as needed for authorized emergency or law enforcement vehicles to operate equipment.
D. Idling as needed for repair, maintenance or inspection of the vehicle.
E. Idling as needed for the period recommended by the manufacturer for efficient operations of a turbocharged heavy duty vehicle. This includes building air pressure in air brake systems, among other requirements.
F. Idling as needed to operate auxiliary equipment for which the vehicle was primarily designed or equipped, such as: emergency equipment, refrigeration unit, lift, crane, pump, drill, hoist, or ready mixed equipment, except a heater or air conditioner. (Ord. 11-21, 2021: Ord. 25-12, 2012)
Salt Lake City Code § 12.58.040 PENALTIES
12.58.040: PENALTIES:
A. Violation: Violation of section 12.58.030 of this chapter is a civil offense and shall be penalized as follows:
1. First offense: A warning but no fine.
2. Subsequent offenses: A civil fine in an amount equal to the penalty identified for a parking violation under section 12.56.190, "Parking Meters; Overtime Parking Prohibited", of this title.
B. Penalties: The civil penalties specified in subsection A of this section shall be assessed in accordance with section 12.56.550, “Unauthorized Use Of Streets, Parking Lots, And Other Areas; Penalties”, of this title.
C. Receipt Of Notice: As used in this section, "receipt of notice" means the affixing of a notice to the vehicle alleged to have been employed in a violation of this chapter, or by delivery of such notice to the owner or driver thereof.
D. Strict Liability Of Owner: Whenever any vehicle shall have been employed in a violation of this chapter, the person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be strictly liable for such violation and the penalty therefor.
E. Appeal Procedures: A violation of this chapter may be appealed as an unauthorized use of the streets pursuant to section 12.56.570 of this title and is subject to subsection 12.56.570H of this title.
F. Outstanding Notices: Notices issued pursuant to this chapter shall be considered notices of unauthorized use of streets within the city for purposes of section 12.96.020 of this title. (Ord. 11-21, 2021: Ord. 38-13, 2013)
Source: Salt Lake City, Utah, City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-53576Fetched: 11/1/2026