RENTAL DWELLINGS

Salt Lake City Code tit. 5, div. II, ch. 5.14

in effect

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.010 DEFINITIONS

5.14.010: DEFINITIONS: For the purpose of administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter the following definitions shall apply: DWELLING: A building or portion thereof used or designated for residential occupancy and which includes kitchen and bathroom facilities. The term "dwelling" includes fraternity, sorority, rooming, and boarding houses, but excludes hotels, motels, bed and breakfast establishments, and apartment hotels. NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING: A building containing three (3) or more rental dwellings for which a certificate of occupancy was issued less than four (4) years prior to the date on which the corresponding application for a rental dwelling business license is submitted. RENTAL DWELLING: A building or portion of a building that is: A. Used or designated for use as a dwelling by one or more persons; and B. 1. Available to be rented, loaned, leased, or hired out for a period of one month or longer; or 2. Arranged, designed, or built to be rented, loaned, leased, or hired out for a period of one month or longer. (Ord. 65-15, 2015)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.020 LICENSE; REQUIRED FOR RENTAL DWELLINGS

5.14.020: LICENSE; REQUIRED FOR RENTAL DWELLINGS: A. Rental Dwellings: It is unlawful for any person, as owner, lessee, or agent thereof to keep, conduct, operate, or maintain any rental dwelling within the limits of Salt Lake City, or cause or permit the same to be done, unless such person holds a current, unrevoked business license for such dwelling. B. Business License: 1. An owner of a building or buildings containing one or more rental dwellings is required to pay only one base business licensing fee for the operation and maintenance of all such dwellings as provided in subsection 5.04.070F of this title. 2. The city shall not impose any disproportionate fees on any residential unit within a single structure if: a. The structure contains no more than four (4) residential units; and b. The owner of the structure occupies one of the residential units. C. Transfer Of Licensed Premises: A rental dwelling business license is not transferable between persons or structures, and persons holding such licenses shall give notice in writing within forty eight (48) hours to the license office after having transferred or otherwise disposed of the legal or equitable control of any premises licensed under these provisions. Such notice of transferred interest shall include the name, address, and information regarding persons succeeding to the ownership or control of the premises as required under section 5.14.030 of this chapter, or its successor. If the recipient of the legal or equitable control of any newly constructed building previously licensed under these provisions applies for a rental dwelling business license, then no inspections shall be performed unless the City conducts such inspections due to cause or complaint. (Ord. 65-15, 2015)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.030 LICENSE; APPLICATION

5.14.030: LICENSE; APPLICATION: An application for a rental dwelling business license shall be made to the License Office of the City, and shall, in addition to providing the information required under section 5.02.060 of this title or its successor section, also provide the following information: A. The location and address of the rental dwelling(s); B. The number, within each rental dwelling, of: 1. Dwelling units, or 2. Lodging or sleeping rooms, if the dwelling is a fraternity, sorority, boarding, or rooming house; C. The name, address, and telephone number of each of the following: 1. The applicant, 2. The owner of the fee title interest, 3. The owner of any equitable interest, 4. The local operating agent, 5. The resident manager, if any, and 6. For each corporate and out of State resident rental dwelling owner, the designation of a legal representative and agent for service of process as provided in section 5.14.050 of this chapter; D. A certification by the owner, or owner's agent, that to the best of such person's knowledge or belief, the premises comply with ordinance requirements shown on a checklist provided by the City as part of a rental dwelling business license application; and E. The signature of the owner of the premises, and the operator if different, agreeing to comply with applicable ordinances and to authorize inspections as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 44-18, 2018)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.040 LICENSE; FEES

5.14.040: LICENSE; FEES: The license fee for a rental dwelling business license shall be as shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule, including any applicable disproportionate fee for each rental dwelling per annum or any portion thereof as provided therein. (Ord. 65-15, 2015)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.050 LICENSE; ISSUANCE RESTRICTIONS

5.14.050: LICENSE; ISSUANCE RESTRICTIONS: A. No business license shall be issued or renewed for a City nonresident applicant unless such applicant formally designates in writing with a power of attorney in the name of the applicant's resident agent for receipt of service for notice of violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other applicable ordinances, and for service of process pursuant to this chapter, acknowledged by said agent. B. No business license shall be issued or renewed for a rental dwelling unless the applicant, owner, and operator agree as a condition precedent, by signing the license application, to such inspections as the City may require pursuant to section 5.14.060 et seq., of this chapter, or its successor, to determine whether the rental dwelling is in compliance with applicable requirements. The failure of the applicant and/or operator to consent to such inspections shall be grounds for the denial and/or revocation or the renewal of a regulatory license. (Ord. 65-15, 2015)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.060 INVESTIGATION; BY CITY

5.14.060: INVESTIGATION; BY CITY: A. An original application for a rental dwelling business license may be referred for approval to the departments listed in sections 5.14.070 and 5.14.080 of this chapter, or their successors. Upon such referral the directors of such departments, or their designees, shall determine, based on the self- certification provided by an applicant under subsection 5.14.030D of this chapter and any other relevant information, if an inspection is needed to determine whether or not the rental dwelling at issue complies with the self-certification standards established by the City. Inspections shall not be performed for single-family residences, duplexes, or newly constructed buildings unless the City conducts such inspections due to cause or complaint. B. The criteria governing scheduled City inspections performed pursuant to this chapter shall be the self-certification standards established by the City. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City shall not require an owner of a legal nonconforming rental dwelling to make physical changes to such dwelling unless the change is for a permissible purpose as specified in Utah Code section 10-9a-511.5 or its successor section. C. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the City from performing inspections triggered by cause or complaint. The City shall have discretion to determine what constitutes cause or complaint sufficient to trigger an inspection by the City. An inspection triggered by either cause or complaint shall be performed pursuant to the criteria and processes set forth in title 18, chapter 18.50 of this Code. D. Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any provisions of this chapter, or whenever the city has reasonable cause to believe a violation exists in any building or upon any premises which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the city's duly authorized representative may, after making reasonable efforts to obtain permission of the owner or other person having charge or control of the premises or dwelling unit, enter a residential property or premises to inspect it or to perform any other duties imposed by this chapter. (Ord. 50-25, 2025: Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.070 INVESTIGATION; BY FIRE DEPARTMENT

5.14.070: INVESTIGATION; BY FIRE DEPARTMENT: An original application for a business license for a rental dwelling with three (3) or more dwelling units, may be referred to the Fire Department for investigation as to whether or not the rental dwelling at issue complies with the self-certification standards established by the City. Within a reasonable time after such referral, the Fire Department shall report to the Business License Office as to the fitness of the applicant regarding compliance with said standards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an initial inspection of a newly constructed building shall not be performed unless the City conducts such inspection due to cause or complaint. After a business license has been granted, the Fire Department shall inspect the licensed premises should the City subsequently have cause to believe that the licensed premises no longer comply with the pertinent standards. Upon confirming that such is the case, the Fire Department shall report that fact to the Business License Office, at which time such office will inform the Mayor, or the Mayor's designee, and take action in regards to the revocation of said business license as the Mayor or designee deems just and proper in light of the facts of the case and applicable provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.080 INVESTIGATION; BY BUILDING SERVICES AND CIVIL ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

5.14.080: INVESTIGATION; BY BUILDING SERVICES AND CIVIL ENFORCEMENT DIVISION: An original application for a business license for a rental dwelling with three (3) or more dwelling units, may be referred to the Building Services and Civil Enforcement Division for investigation as to whether or not the rental dwelling at issue complies with the self-certification standards established by the City. Within a reasonable time after such referral, the Building Services and Civil Enforcement Division shall report to the Business License Office the fitness of the applicant regarding compliance with said standards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an initial inspection of a newly constructed building shall not be performed unless the City conducts such inspection due to cause or complaint. Should the City subsequently have cause to believe that the premises no longer comply with the aforementioned standards, the Building Services and Civil Enforcement Division shall perform an inspection of the licensed premises. If the licensed premises are not in compliance with the pertinent standards, then the Building Services and Civil Enforcement Division shall report such noncompliance to the Business License Office, at which time such office shall inform the Mayor or the Mayor's designee, and take action regarding the revocation of said business license as the Mayor or designee deems just and proper in light of the facts of the case and applicable provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.085 LIMITATION ON SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS

5.14.085: LIMITATION ON SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS: A. Single-Family Residences Or Duplexes: 1. The City will not inspect a rental dwelling that qualifies as either a single-family residence or a duplex unless such inspection is triggered by cause or complaint. 2. The owner of a rental dwelling that qualifies as either a single-family residence or a duplex will periodically be required to submit a signed representation that the rental dwelling meets the City's self-certification standards. This signed representation shall be submitted prior to the City's issuance of the original business license and shall be submitted every three (3) years thereafter. B. Rental Dwellings With Three Or More Dwelling Units: 1. The City will conduct scheduled inspections of rental dwellings with three (3) or more dwelling units not more than once every four (4) years. Such scheduled inspections shall be conducted as follows: a. The criteria governing the City's inspection shall be confined to the self-certification standards established by the City. b. The percentage of dwelling units that will be inspected as part of the scheduled inspection shall be as follows: (1) Three (3) to ten (10) unit buildings: No more than thirty five percent (35%) of the dwelling units. (2) Eleven (11) to twenty (20) unit buildings: No more than twenty percent (20%) of the dwelling units. (3) Twenty one (21) or greater unit buildings: No more than fifteen percent (15%) of the dwelling units. c. If a scheduled inspection of the dwelling units selected for inspection in accordance with subsection B1b of this section reveals violations of the self-certification standards, then the City may inspect the remaining dwelling units in that rental dwelling. d. The City shall provide rental dwelling owners notice that dwelling units are to be inspected at least thirty (30) days prior to the inspection date. 2. The owner of a rental dwelling with three (3) or more dwelling units will periodically be required to submit a signed representation that the rental dwelling meets the City's self- certification standards. This signed representation shall be submitted prior to the City's issuance of the original business license and shall be submitted every two (2) years thereafter. C. Cause Or Complaint: The City may inspect rental dwellings at any time if such inspection is triggered by cause or complaint. (Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.090 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE

5.14.090: ISSUANCE OF LICENSE: The Mayor, or the Mayor's designee, after receiving any required recommendations from the Fire Department and the Building Services and Civil Enforcement Division, shall act upon a rental dwelling business license application with respect to granting or denying the same, as provided under chapter 5.02 of this title. (Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.100 EFFECT OF LICENSE ISSUANCE

5.14.100: EFFECT OF LICENSE ISSUANCE: The issuance of a rental dwelling business license shall not have the effect of changing the legal status of a rental dwelling, including, but not limited to: A. Legalizing an illegally created rental dwelling or other circumstance, or B. Recognizing the existence of a legal nonconforming use, noncomplying structure, or other nonconformity. (Ord. 65-15, 2015)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.115 ADOPTION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

5.14.115: ADOPTION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS: The License Officer may adopt rules and regulations, approved by the Mayor, to implement the provisions of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall not conflict with this chapter or other law. (Ord. 65-15, 2015)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.120 ENFORCEMENT

5.14.120: ENFORCEMENT: A. Enforcement of all business licensing standards, except a property’s compliance with the self-certification standards required by Section 5.14.060, shall be pursuant to Chapters 5.02, 5.04, and 5.88. B. Self-Certification Standard Enforcement: In addition to any other remedies authorized by law or in this title, if the notified party fails to repair or secure the property in question, the city may pursue any one (1) or more of the following additional remedies: 1. Notice Of Deficiency: The building services division may record with the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office a notice of any conditions that violate the selfcertification standards established by the city. The notice shall be mailed to all notified parties. 2. Criminal Action: Violations of the provisions of self-certification standards established by the city may be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor upon conviction. 3. Civil Action: Violations of self- certification standards established by the city may also be enforced by injunction, mandamus, abatement, civil penalties or any other appropriate action in law or equity. C. Civil penalties may be imposed according to the following procedures: 1. Notice Of Violation: a. If the housing inspector finds that any provision of this chapter is being violated, the housing inspector shall provide a written notice to the property owner and to 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 housing inspector's discretion. b. The written notice shall state what action the housing inspector 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 notice issued by the housing inspector shall be deemed sufficient and complete when served upon the person cited: (1) Personally by the inspector or his or her representative; or by mailing, postage prepaid, by certified mail or commercial courier addressed to the person cited at the last known address appearing on the records of the County Recorder; and (2) By posting notice on the property where said violation(s) occurs. d. In cases when delay in enforcement would seriously threaten the effective enforcement of this chapter, or pose a danger to the public health, safety or welfare, the housing inspector may seek enforcement without prior written notice by invoking any of the fines or remedies authorized in this chapter. e. If the violation remains uncured within five (5) days after the expiration of the warning period, a second notice of violation shall be delivered by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person cited at the last known address appearing on the records of the County Recorder. The second notice of violation shall identify the date on which the civil penalties shall begin to accrue. 2. Amount of Penalty: Civil penalties shall accrue as follows: a. Violations of the self-certification standards established by the city: fifty dollars ($50.00) per violation per day. If more than ten (10) violations exist, the daily penalties shall double. 3. Daily Violations: Each day a violation continues after the citation deadline shall give rise to a separate civil penalty. 4. Compliance: Accumulation of penalties for violations, but not the obligation for payment of penalties already accrued, shall stop upon correction of the violation. 5. Recurring Violations: In the case where a violation, which had been corrected, reoccurs within six (6) months of the initial correction, the city will begin enforcement of said recurring violation and penalties will begin accruing after a ten (10) day warning period. 6. Appeals: a. Appeals Contesting the Existence of a Violation: (1) Appeals contesting the existence of the violation must done in accordance with Section 18.12.030. b. Appeals Contesting the Amount of the Penalties Imposed: any person receiving a notice of violation may appeal the civil fines imposed, but not the basis therefor (which must be done pursuant to Subsection 5.14.120.C.6.a), in accordance with Section 18.12.050. (Ord. 50-25, 2025: Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.125 HOUSING ADVISORY AND APPEALS BOARD APPELLATE PROCESS DETAILS

5.14.125: HOUSING ADVISORY AND APPEALS BOARD APPELLATE PROCESS DETAILS: (Rep. by Ord. 91-24, 2024)

Salt Lake City Code § 5.14.130 REFUSAL TO PERMIT INSPECTIONS

5.14.130: REFUSAL TO PERMIT INSPECTIONS: If a rental dwelling business license holder, or an agent of such business license holder, refuses to permit the city to conduct an inspection authorized under this chapter, then the city has adequate grounds to: A. Revoke the rental dwelling business license that corresponds to the rental dwelling at issue; B. Disqualify the rental dwelling at issue from participation in the city's Landlord/ Tenant Initiative pursuant to chapter 5.15 of this title; C. After making reasonable efforts to obtain permission of the owner or other person having charge or control of the premises or dwelling unit, enter a rental dwelling at issue to inspect it or to otherwise perform duties imposed by this chapter; and/or D. Pursue any and all other remedies available to the city. (Ord. 50-25, 2025: Ord. 31-17, 2017)

Source: Salt Lake City, Utah, City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-46283Fetched: 11/1/2026