VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND EQUIPMENT

Salt Lake City Code tit. 12, ch. 12.28

in effect

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.010 STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION REQUIRED

12.28.010: STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION REQUIRED: No person shall drive, stop or park, nor shall any owner or person in possession cause or knowingly permit to be driven, stopped or parked on any street or alley within this city any vehicle which is required under the laws of the state of Utah to be inspected, unless such vehicle has been inspected as required by the laws of the state. (Ord. 62-02 § 14, 2002: prior code title 46, art. 9 § 176)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.020 VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSE PLATES REQUIRED

12.28.020: VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSE PLATES REQUIRED: A. Every vehicle, at all times while being driven, stopped or parked upon the streets or alleys of this city, shall: 1. Be registered in the name of the owner thereof in accordance with the laws of the state, unless such vehicle is not required by the laws of Utah to be registered in this state; 2. When required, current validation or indicia of registration attached to the rear plate and in a manner complying with the laws of the state, and free from defacement, mutilation, grease and other obscuring matters so as to be plainly visible and legible at all times; and 3. Display in proper position two (2) valid, unexpired registration plates, one on the front and one on the rear of such vehicle. B. However, if such vehicle is not required to be registered in this state, and the indicia of registration issued by another state, territory, possession or district of the United States, or of a foreign country, substantially complies with the provisions hereof, such registration shall be considered compliance with this code. C. Every commercial vehicle, as defined by section 53-3-102, Utah Code Annotated, at all times while being driven, stopped or parked upon the streets or alleys of this city, shall meet the requirements of this section. (Ord. 62-02 § 15, 2002: Ord. 31-00 § 17, 2000: Ord. 62-84 § 1, 1984: prior code title 46, art. 9 § 177)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.030 CAMPER; DEFINED

12.28.030: CAMPER; DEFINED: As used in this section and section 12.28.040 of this chapter, "camper" means any structure that contains a floor that is designed to be mounted on a motor vehicle and is designed to provide facilities for human habitation or camping, and is six feet (6') or more in overall length and five and one-half feet (51/2') or more in height from floor to ceiling at any point, and has no more than one axle designed to support a portion of the weight. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 177.4)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.040 MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MOUNTED CAMPER; REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

12.28.040: MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MOUNTED CAMPER; REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle with a camper mounted upon it upon the streets or alleys of this city, unless the camper mounted on such vehicle is currently registered, with the appropriate decal attached in plain sight at the rear of the camper, as provided by state law; provided, that this section shall not apply to a nonresident owner of a motor vehicle, which vehicle is currently registered and licensed in another state and which has an out of state camper mounted upon it. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 §§ 177.1, 177.3)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.050 REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE; CARRYING AND DISPLAY

12.28.050: REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE; CARRYING AND DISPLAY: The current, valid registration certificate of every motor vehicle shall at all times be carried in the vehicle to which it refers, or shall be carried by the person driving or in control of such vehicle, who shall display the same upon demand of a police officer. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 179)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.060 REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION PLATES BEFORE SALE

12.28.060: REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION PLATES BEFORE SALE: No person selling a motor vehicle shall deliver possession thereof to a buyer until such seller shall first remove the registration plates from the vehicle. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 177.2)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.070 REGISTRATION; MUTILATION OR ALTERATION PROHIBITED

12.28.070: REGISTRATION; MUTILATION OR ALTERATION PROHIBITED: No person shall reprint, mutilate, obscure or in any other manner alter any lawful evidence of registration displayed by any vehicle in this city. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 178)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.080 CHILD PASSENGERS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

12.28.080: CHILD PASSENGERS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: A. Definitions: As used in this section, "motor vehicle" means a vehicle defined in section 12.04.260 of this title, or its successor, except authorized emergency vehicles defined in chapter 12.04, article II, of this title, mopeds, campers, sleepers, motorcycles, motor homes, school buses, taxicabs, vehicles owned, operated or leased by a public transit district, commercial vehicles owned or operated by persons holding a certificate of convenience and necessity issued by the state public service commission, or vehicles which weigh over ten thousand (10,000) pounds' gross weight which are not equipped with seat belts by the manufacturer. B. Child Restraint Device Required: A parent or legal guardian driver, who is transporting his or her child in a motor vehicle on a street or highway within the city, shall: 1. Provide for the protection of a child younger than two (2) years of age by using a child restraining device approved by the commissioner of public safety of the state to restrain the child in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer; 2. Provide for the protection of a child two (2) years of age or older, who is not yet five (5) years of age, by using either a child restraining device or a safety belt approved by the commissioner of public safety of the state to restrain the child in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer. C. Exceptions: Subsection B of this section does not apply where all seating positions which can be equipped with child restraining devices or safety belts are occupied by other passengers. D. Violations: 1. A driver convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of an infraction, and shall be penalized not more than the maximum allowed by state law. 2. The court in which a charge is pending shall dismiss the action against a driver who, during or before any court appearance on the matter, submits proof of acquisition, rental or purchase of a child restraint device or safety belt as required by subsection B of this section. E. Noncompliance Not Evidence Of Standard Of Care Or Duty In Civil Proceedings: Failure to provide and use a child restraining device or safety belt to restrain a child as required under this section may not be considered comparative negligence, nor is the failure to provide and use the restraining device or safety belt admissible as evidence in the trial of a civil action with regard to negligence. (Ord. 21-03 § 2, 2003: Ord. 31-00 § 18, 2000: prior code title 46, art. 24 § 294)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.085 SEAT BELT USAGE

12.28.085: SEAT BELT USAGE: A. Driver And Front Seat Passengers: 1. Except as provided in section 12.28.080 of this chapter, or its successor, for children under five (5) years of age and except as provided in subsection A2 of this section for passengers who are at least five (5) years of age but younger than eighteen (18) years of age, the driver and front seat passengers of a "motor vehicle", as defined in subsection 12.28.080A of this chapter, or its successor, operated on a street or highway in Salt Lake City shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system, which meets standards promulgated by the Utah department of public safety. 2. The driver of a motor vehicle shall secure or cause to be secured a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system on any passenger in the front seat who is at least five (5) years of age but younger than eighteen (18) years of age. B. Exceptions: This section does not apply to a driver or front seat passenger of: 1. A motor vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966; 2. A motor vehicle in which the driver or passengers possess a written verification from a licensed physician that the driver or passenger is unable to wear a safety seat belt system for physical or medical reasons; 3. A motor vehicle which is not required to be equipped with a safety seat belt system under federal law; 4. A motor vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States postal service while performing the duties of a rural letter carrier; or 5. A motor vehicle engaged in pick up, delivery or service operations involving repeated starts and stops and requiring the front seat occupant to frequently and repeatedly enter and leave the vehicle. C. Enforcement: Enforcement of this section by law enforcement agents shall be only as a secondary action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of this title other than this section, or another offense. D. Violations: A person who violates subsection A of this section shall be fined ten dollars ($10.00) per offense. E. Noncompliance Not Evidence Of Standard Of Care Or Duty In Civil Proceedings: Failure to wear, secure or cause to be secured a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system as required under this section may not be considered comparative negligence, nor is such failure admissible as evidence in the trial of a civil action with regard to negligence. (Ord. 61-88 § 1, 1988)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.090 LIGHTS, BRAKES, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT

12.28.090: LIGHTS, BRAKES, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT: A. No person shall drive, move, stop or park, nor shall the owner or person in possession cause or knowingly permit to be driven, moved, stopped or parked on any street or alley, any vehicle: 1. Which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person or property; 2. Which is not equipped with those serviceable lamps, reflectors, brakes, horn and other warning and signaling devices, windows, windshields, windshield wipers, mirrors, mufflers, fenders, tires, and other parts and equipment in the position, condition and adjustment meeting the requirements of the laws of the state as to such parts and equipment; 3. Which, when upon a street or highway, is operating more than four (4) headlamps, auxiliary lamps and/or spot lamps on the front of such vehicle, each projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred (300) candlepower at any one time; 4. Which is of such size, weight or condition, or is loaded or equipped in such manner as is in violation of the laws of the state with respect to such vehicle. B. No person shall do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by the laws of the state relating to tires, lamps, brakes, fenders, horns, sirens, whistles, bells and other parts and equipment, and size, weight and load of any vehicle; provided, however, an authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with and may display flashing lights which do not indicate a right or left turn. C. Any motorcycle or motor driven vehicle carrying a passenger on a public highway, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab shall be equipped with footrests for such passenger. D. No person shall operate any motorcycle or motor driven cycle with handlebars above shoulder height. E. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or motor driven cycle upon a public highway unless such person is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the state commissioner of public safety. This subsection shall not apply to persons riding within a closed cab. (Ord. 62-02 § 16, 2002: prior code title 46, art. 9 § 174)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.095 LIGHTS AND ILLUMINATING DEVICES; DUTY TO DISPLAY; TIME

12.28.095: LIGHTS AND ILLUMINATING DEVICES; DUTY TO DISPLAY; TIME: A. The operator of a vehicle shall turn on the lamps or lights of such vehicle within the traveled portion of a roadway at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the roadway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet (1,000') ahead. B. Whenever a requirement is made as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which the lamps or devices shall be visible, the provisions apply during the times specified under subsection A of this section for a vehicle without load on a straight, level, unlighted roadway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated. C. Whenever a requirement is made as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it shall mean from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when the vehicle is without a load. (Ord. 9-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.100 MUFFLERS AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS

12.28.100: MUFFLERS AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS: Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase or change the character of the noise emitted by the motor of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle. No person shall sell, furnish, provide or purchase, nor shall any person attach to any vehicle any device which will or is intended to increase or change the character of the sound of the original muffling equipment on any motor vehicle. No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified. (Ord. 31-00 § 19, 2000: prior code title 46, art. 9 § 172)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.110 WINDSHIELDS, WINDOWS AND OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION

12.28.110: WINDSHIELDS, WINDOWS AND OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION: No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, side or rear windows of such vehicle other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law, nor shall any person drive any vehicle when the windshield or any window is broken, shattered or in such a defective condition as to impair the driver's vision, or when the driver's vision is obstructed by any article or articles suspended or otherwise attached to such motor vehicle. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 171)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.120 FUMES AND SMOKE

12.28.120: FUMES AND SMOKE: The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 173)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.130 LOADS PROJECTING TO REAR; FLAGS AND LIGHTS REQUIRED

12.28.130: LOADS PROJECTING TO REAR; FLAGS AND LIGHTS REQUIRED: No person shall drive any vehicle with a load or object upon such vehicle extending four feet (4') or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle without having during the daytime a red flag at least sixteen inches (16") square attached at the extreme rear end of the load or object so projecting, and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear, or a red light or lantern at the extreme rear of the load or object so projecting, during the period of from a half hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, which shall be plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions at least five hundred feet (500') to the sides and rear of such vehicle. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 175)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.140 HEAVY, LARGE, LONG AND OTHER RESTRICTED VEHICLES

12.28.140: HEAVY, LARGE, LONG AND OTHER RESTRICTED VEHICLES: A. Designated Vehicles: All vehicles, combinations of vehicles or combinations of vehicles and load having a length of more than forty five feet (45'), or a width of more than eight feet (8') with load or a width of more than fourteen feet (14') with or without load, and all vehicles registered for thirty six thousand (36,000) pounds' gross weight or more are restricted vehicles. B. Central Business District Restrictions: No restricted vehicle shall enter or occupy any portion of a central traffic district between the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) A.M. and six thirty o'clock (6:30) P.M. of any day, and no restricted vehicle shall enter or occupy any city street at any time of the day that is not designated as a restricted vehicle and truck route or a hazardous cargo route as set out in sections 12.104.040, "Schedule 3, Restricted Vehicle And Truck Routes", and 12.104.050, "Schedule 4, Hazardous Cargo Routes", of this title, unless so authorized by a permit issued therefor in accordance with section 12.28.150 of this chapter, or its successor. Exceptions will be made for those instances where designations are on the above mentioned restricted routes. C. Areas For Driving: All restricted vehicles shall be driven only upon the state highways, including the interstate system, within the city limits, deviating therefrom only when necessary to traverse another street or streets when necessary for loading, unloading or servicing, and then only departing from the said state highway route at the nearest reasonable and practical point; provided, however, that no such vehicle shall be loaded, unloaded or serviced upon any street or part of street if there is usable off street loading, unloading or servicing space available. D. Commercial Vehicle Routes: Commercial vehicles which service the intracity needs, except those specified in subsections A, B, E and F of this section, shall use the streets designated in section 12.104.040, "Schedule 3, Restricted Vehicle And Truck Routes", of this title. E. Explosives, Corrosives And Flammable Substances: Vehicles carrying explosives, corrosives or flammable substances, in compliance with department of transportation regulations governing such transportation, may be driven only upon those streets or parts of streets described in chapter 12.104.050, "Schedule 4, Hazardous Cargo Routes", of this title, unless otherwise authorized by a written permit issued by the chief of the city fire department. The United States department of transportation rules and regulations governing transportation of explosives, flammables and other dangerous articles, are applicable to common, contract and private carriers in the city, and are hereby adopted by this reference. In no event shall any such vehicle operating in violation of the department of transportation rules and regulations operate on any street or road in the city. F. Exemptions: The provisions of this section shall not apply to passenger buses operating under the authority of the state public service commission, nor to authorized emergency vehicles. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 180)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.150 RESTRICTED VEHICLES; SPECIAL PERMITS

12.28.150: RESTRICTED VEHICLES; SPECIAL PERMITS: Special permits of duration of more than one month may be issued by the mayor, or his or her designee, upon application in writing and good cause being shown therefor, or temporary permits for a duration of less than one month may be issued by the chief of police upon application and good cause being shown therefor, authorizing the applicant to operate or move any vehicle as defined in subsection 12.28.140A of this chapter, or its successor, upon any street at any time upon such conditions as may be set forth in the permit. (Ord. 31-00 § 20, 2000: prior code title 46, art. 9 § 181)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.160 WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

12.28.160: WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: A. It is unlawful for any person to drive or move, or for the owner of any vehicle to cause the vehicle or permit the vehicle to be driven or moved upon any street in the city if such vehicle's weight exceeds the weight limitation provided in section 27-12-151, Utah Code Annotated, 1953, as amended, or its successor. B. Any police officer having reason to believe that the height, width, length or weight of the vehicle is unlawful is authorized to require the driver to stop and submit to a measurement or weighing of the same. Weighing may be done either by means of portable or stationary scales, and the officer may require that such vehicle be driven to the nearest scales in the event such scales are within two (2) miles. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 181.1)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.170 MANDATORY REDUCTION OF LOAD

12.28.170: MANDATORY REDUCTION OF LOAD: In addition to issuing any citation for violating the vehicle restrictions contained in section 12.28.140 of this chapter, or the weight restrictions contained in section 12.28.160 of this chapter, or successor sections, the officer who determines that the height, width, length or weight is unlawful may require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable place and require that the vehicle remain standing until such portion of the load is removed as is necessary to reduce said load to size limits or width limits as permitted under the ordinance codified herein. All materials so unloaded shall be cared for by the owner or operator of such vehicle at the risk of such owner or operator. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 181.2)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.28.180 WIDTH LIMITATIONS FOR VEHICLES

12.28.180: WIDTH LIMITATIONS FOR VEHICLES: A. No vehicle shall exceed a total outside width of eight feet (8'), including any load thereon, except that the limitation as to width of a vehicle shall not apply to vehicles or equipment specified in section 27-12-148(2), Utah Code Annotated, or to vehicles operated under the terms of the special permit issued under section 27-12-155, Utah Code Annotated, or any successor sections. B. No passenger vehicle shall carry any load which extends beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of such vehicle, nor shall any passenger vehicle carry a load which extends more than six inches (6") beyond the line of the fender on the right side thereof. (Prior code title 46, art. 9 § 181.3)

Source: Salt Lake City, Utah, City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-52586Fetched: 11/1/2026