Salt Lake City Code § 21A.24.010 GENERAL PROVISIONS
21A.24.010: GENERAL PROVISIONS:
A. Statement Of Intent: The residential districts are intended to provide a range of housing choices to meet the needs of Salt Lake City's citizens, to offer a balance of housing types and densities, to preserve and maintain the City's neighborhoods as safe and convenient places to live, to promote the harmonious development of residential communities, to ensure compatible infill development, and to help implement adopted plans.
B. Reserved.
C. Permitted Uses: The uses specified as permitted uses, in section 21A.33.020, "Table Of Permitted And Conditional Uses For Residential Districts", of this title, are permitted provided that they comply with all requirements of this chapter, the general standards set forth in part IV of this title and all other applicable requirements of this title.
D. Conditional Uses: The uses specified as conditional uses in section 21A.33.020, "Table Of Permitted And Conditional Uses For Residential Districts", of this title shall be allowed provided they are approved pursuant to the standards and procedures for conditional uses set forth in chapter 21A.54 of this title, and comply with all other applicable requirements of this title.
E. Obnoxious Or Offensive Uses: No use of land shall be permitted which is obnoxious or offensive by reason of odor, dust, smoke, vapors, noise, light, vibration or refuse matter.
F. Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures: Accessory uses, buildings and structures are allowed in the residential districts subject to the requirements of this chapter, section 21A.36.020, table 21A.36.020B, and section 21A.36.030 of this title, and the provisions of chapter 21A.40 of this title.
G. Flag Lots In Residential Districts: Flag lots are a permitted use only as part of a new subdivision in the FP, FR-1, FR-2 and FR-3 Districts. Flag lots in all other residential districts, unless being approved through the planned development process, may be allowed as a conditional use pursuant to chapter 21A.55 of this title, provided that the Planning Commission finds the flag lot proposal to be compatible with the existing pattern of property development of the surrounding area. The Planning Commission shall also make findings on the standards listed in subsections G1 through G14 of this section:
1. In residential districts other than new subdivisions in the FP, FR-1, FR-2, FR-3 Districts, flag lots shall be approved only when one flag lot is proposed at the rear of an existing lot, unless being approved through the planned development process;
2. Flag lots shall be used exclusively to provide lots for single-family residential dwellings;
3. All lot and yard requirements applicable to flag lots shall apply to the main body of the flag lot. For flag lots, the front yard shall begin at the point where the access strip joins the main body of the lot;
4. Except for the special provisions contained in this subsection G, the creation of a flag lot shall not result in a violation of required lot area, lot width, yards or other applicable provisions of this title;
5. Flag lots shall have a minimum lot depth of one hundred feet (100') measured from the point where the access strip joins the main body of the lot;
6. The flag lot access strip shall have minimum of twenty four feet (24') of frontage on a public street. No portion of the flag lot access strip shall measure less than twenty four feet (24') in width between the street right-of-way line and main body of the lot. A minimum sixteen foot (16') wide hard surfaced driveway shall be provided along the entire length of the access strip. A four foot (4') minimum landscape yard shall be provided on each side of the driveway. (See illustration in chapter 21A.62 of this title.);
7. Flag lots, including the access strip, shall be held in fee simple ownership;
8. The minimum lot area of a flag lot shall not be less than 1.5 times the minimum lot area of the applicable district. The lot area calculation excludes the lot access strip;
9. The minimum required side yard for a single-story building on a flag lot is ten feet (10'). If any portion of the structure exceeds one story in height, all side yard setbacks shall meet the required rear yard setback of the underlying zoning district. The Planning Commission may increase the side or rear yard setback where there is a topographic change between lots;
10. Both the flag lot and any remnant property resulting from the creation of a flag lot (including existing buildings and structures) shall meet the minimum lot area, width, frontage, yard setback, parking and all other applicable zoning requirements of the underlying zoning district;
11. Any garage, whether attached to or detached from the main building, shall be located in the buildable area of the lot;
12. Accessory buildings other than garages may be located in the rear yard area, however, Planning Commission approval is required for any accessory building that requires a building permit;
13. A four foot (4') wide landscaped strip is required along both side property lines from the front to rear lot lines;
14. Reflective house numbers shall be posted at the front of the access strip;
15. In addition to any other provisions that may apply, the creation of a flag lot is considered a subdivision and shall be subject to applicable subdivision regulations and processes.
H. Repealed.
I. Front Facade Controls: To maintain architectural harmony and primary orientation along the street, all buildings shall be required to include an entrance door, and such other features as windows, balconies, porches, and other such architectural features in the front facade of the building, totaling not less than ten percent (10%) of the front facade elevation area, excluding any area used for roof structures. For buildings constructed on a corner lot, only one front facade is required in either the front or corner side facade of the building.
1. Exceptions: Properties located in the FP Zone are exempt from the front facade control requirement.
J. Basement Structures: All dwellings shall have at least one full story aboveground. Residential structures built into a hillside may have less than all elevations exposed when constrained by the slope of the site.
K. Lighting: On site lighting shall be located, directed or designed in such a manner as to contain and direct light and glare only to the property on which it is located.
L. Parking And Loading: All uses in the residential districts shall comply with the provisions governing off street parking in chapter 21A.44 of this title.
M. Signs: All uses in the residential districts shall comply with the provisions governing signs in chapter 21A.46 of this title.
N. Front And Corner Side Yard Landscaping: All required front and corner yards should be maintained as landscape yards. In addition, all uses in residential districts shall comply with the provisions governing landscaping in chapter 21A.48 of this title.
O. Landscaping And Revegetation: Installation of all required landscaping shall begin no later than one month after a certificate of occupancy; except that if a certificate of occupancy is issued between October 15 and the following April 1, installation of the landscaping shall begin no later than April 30. Landscaping shall be substantially completed within nine (9) months after a certificate of occupancy is issued.
P. Special Foothills Regulations: The FP Foothills Protection District, section 21A.32.040 of this title, and the FR-1/43,560, FR-2/21,780 and FR-3/12,000 Districts shall be subject to the regulations of this subsection, other general provisions for residential districts, and the district regulations of each district.
1. Special Building Height Controls: Uses and buildings in the FR-1/43,560, FR-2/21,780, FR-3/12,000 and FP Districts shall conform to the following special height regulations:
a. In the FR-1 District, the maximum building height shall be thirty five feet (35') measured from established grade. The front and rear vertical building wall height shall not exceed thirty one feet (31') measured from finished grade. On a corner lot, roof gable ends which face onto either the front or corner side yard, but not both, are permitted to the height of thirty five feet (35') measured from established grade.
b. In the FR-2, FR-3 and FP Districts, the maximum building height shall be twenty eight feet (28') measured from established grade. The front and rear vertical building walls shall not exceed twenty five feet (25') measured from finished grade. On a corner lot, roof gable ends which face onto either the front or corner side yard, but not both, are permitted to a height of twenty eight feet (28').
c. All building heights for initial construction of a building in a foothill zone shall be measured from the established grade. Up to four feet (4') of fill (or 6 feet within the buildable area of the lot) may be added on top of the established grade in order to bring the exposed portion of the lower story of a single exterior wall of building into compliance with the definition of a basement when the majority of that lower level of that exterior wall already complies with this definition. The height of any subsequent structural modification or addition to a building shall be measured from the finished grade existing at the time a building permit is requested.
2. Repealed.
3. Mechanical Equipment: Mechanical equipment including, without limitation, swamp coolers, air conditioning equipment, heat pumps, vents, blowers and fans shall be screened from view or painted to match the building color adjacent to the equipment. Roof mounted mechanical equipment, excluding solar panels which are subject to Section 21A.40.190 of this title, shall not extend above the highest roof ridgeline.
4. Satellite Antennas: In addition to the regulations contained in chapter 21A.40 of this title, satellite antennas shall be painted nonreflective black or other dark earth tone colors.
5. Exterior Lighting: Floodlighting of buildings and structures is prohibited. Exterior lighting shall be architecturally integrated decorative lighting. Yard areas may be lit only with "directional" lighting and no direct light beam may impact any other property, except for security lights intended to be activated only at limited times as necessary for immediate security.
6. Grade Changes: No grading shall be permitted prior to the issuance of a building permit. Grade changes within a required yard shall comply with Table 21A.36.020.B. Grade changes within the buildable area shall be supported by retaining walls, subject to Section 21A.24.010.P.8.
7. Grading: Unauthorized grading and other surface disturbing activities are prohibited in all undevelopable areas within the lot or the subdivision. Prior to any grading or other surface disturbing activity on the property, the undevelopable areas shall be clearly delineated by temporary fencing or flagging. Any flagging stakes used to delineate undevelopable areas there shall be a minimum of four feet (4') above grade and no more than twenty five feet (25') apart.
8. Retaining Walls: All cuts and fills in excess of two feet (2') shall be supported by retaining walls if required by the Zoning Administrator. Any stacking of rocks to create a rock wall in excess of a thirty percent (30%) slope, that is intended to retain soil, shall be considered a retaining wall. No retaining wall may exceed four feet (4') in height above the established grade except as provided in subsections P6a, P6b and P6c of this section. In a terrace of retaining walls, each four foot (4') vertical retaining wall must be separated by a minimum of three (3) horizontal feet, and any six foot (6') retaining wall must be separated from any other retaining wall by a minimum of five (5) horizontal feet. The horizontal area between terraced retaining walls shall be landscaped with vegetation. All retaining walls, in excess of four feet (4') in height shall be approved by an engineer licensed by the State, and the engineer's approval shall be consistent with the provisions of a geotechnical report. The Zoning Administrator may require an engineer's approval for retaining walls less than four feet (4') that there are sufficient risk factors, such as slope, soil stability, or proximity to structures on abutting property.
9. Roads And Driveways: To ensure that private roads and driveways minimize impact on the natural landscape, plans for the design and improvement of roads and driveways shall be subject to review and approval by the City Engineer and Fire Department as a condition of building permit issuance. Design standards and guidelines for private roads and driveways shall include the following:
a. Driveways which serve more than one parcel are encouraged as a method of reducing unnecessary grading, paving, and site disturbance. The drive approach for driveways which serve more than one parcel shall not exceed the standard widths for drive approaches as specified by the Salt Lake City Transportation Division.
b. Driveway approaches shall not be located within six feet (6') of any side property line. The zoning administrator may approve exceptions based on the driveway slope and dimension, slope of the roadway or lot, location of existing drive approaches serving abutting properties, and proposed uses.
(1) Driveway approaches shall maintain a twelve foot (12') separation from another drive approach. Drive approaches shall be located ten feet (10') from a corner property line or five feet (5') from the termination of a corner curb radius, whichever is greater. Drive approaches located along a designated right turn lane shall maintain a fifty foot (50') setback from the termination of a corner curb radius. The zoning administrator exceptions to this requirement.
c. A driveway shall not exceed sixteen percent (16%) average slope with standard vertical curve transitions from the property line to a legal parking space.
(1) The cross slope of driveways may not exceed four percent (4%).
d. Driveway approaches shall maintain a five foot (5') offset from power poles, fire hydrants, trees or any other roadside hazards. The zoning administrator exceptions to this requirement.
e. Sight obstructions along driveways shall maintain a ten foot (10') wide by ten foot (10') deep sight distance triangle as noted in section 21A.62.050, figure 21A.62.050I of this title. Obstructions in the required sight distance triangle shall not exceed thirty inches (30") in height. The zoning administrator exceptions based upon location and type of material.
f. The zoning administrator may approve grade changes that exceed the limitations in section 21A.24.010.P.6 when necessary to accommodate a driveway that provides access to legal parcels or legal parking areas.
10. Fence Restrictions: Fences and walls shall only be constructed after first obtaining a building permit subject to the standards of this section.
a. As a part of the zoning review process, a fencing plan shall be submitted which shall show:
(1) Any specific subdivision approval conditions regarding fencing;
(2) Material specifications and illustrations necessary to determine compliance with specific subdivision approval limitations and the standards of this section.
b. Field Fencing Of Designated Undevelopable Areas: Fencing on areas identified as undevelopable areas or transitional areas on any subdivision granted preliminary approval by the Planning Commission after November 4, 1994, or any lot previously platted which identifies undevelopable areas or transitional areas shall be limited to the following standards unless subdivision approval granted prior to November 4, 1994, included specific fencing requirements which are more restrictive. The more restrictive requirement shall apply.
(1) Low visibility see through fencing shall consist of flat black colored steel "T" posts and not more than four (4) strands of nonbarbed steel wire, strung at even vertical spacing between such "T" post, and erected to a height of not more than forty two inches (42") above the natural ground surface.
(2) When fencing lot boundary lines, vegetation or native brush shall not be cleared so as to create a visible demarcation form off site.
(3) The existing surface of the ground shall not be changed by grading activities when erecting boundary fences.
(4) Fence materials and designs must not create a hazard for big game wildlife species.
(5) No field fencing shall be erected in conflict with pedestrian easements dedicated to Salt Lake City.
c. Buildable Area Fencing: Fencing on any portion of a lot identified as buildable area or required side yard on any subdivision granted preliminary approval by the Planning Commission after November 4, 1994, or any lot previously platted which identifies undevelopable area or transitional areas shall be limited to the following standards unless subdivision approval granted prior to November 4, 1994, includes specific fencing requirements which are more restrictive. The more restrictive requirement shall apply.
(1) Open, see through fencing constructed of tubular steel, wrought iron or similar materials, finished with a flat black, nonreflective finish constructed to a height of six feet (6') or less; or
(2) Sight obscuring or privacy type fencing shall be of earth tone colors, or similar materials to the primary dwelling, and located in a way which screens private outdoor living spaces from off site view.
d. Front Yard Fencing: Walls and fences located within the front yards and along roadways shall not exceed a maximum of forty two inches (42") in height.
11. Utilities: To the maximum extent practical, all utilities shall be placed within existing road rights-of-way and front yard setbacks. For lots platted after September 4, 1992, all water, sewer, electrical, telephone, cable television and other utilities shall be placed underground, except that transformers, pedestals and other appurtenances which are normally located aboveground in connection with the underground installations are permitted. All areas disturbed by the installation of underground utilities shall be revegetated in conformance with the regulations of this subsection, and chapter 21A.48 of this title. Temporary or emergency utilities may be erected and maintained aboveground for no more than four (4) months.
12. Landscaping and Revegetation:
a. Installation of all required landscaping shall begin no later than one month after a certificate of occupancy; except that if the certificate of occupancy is issued between October 15 and the following April 1, installation of the landscaping shall begin no later than April 30. Landscaping shall be substantially completed within nine (9) months after a certificate of occupancy is issued. Landscaping shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 21A.48 of this title, and shall also conform to the following requirements:
(1) Front Yards and Side Yards: Front yards, corner side yards and interior side yards shall be completely landscaped except for driveways, walkways and patios/decks.
(2) Disturbed Areas: All other areas disturbed during construction shall be either landscaped or revegetated to a natural state.
(3) Undevelopable Areas: Lawns or gardens are prohibited in the undevelopable areas. Native and drought tolerant plant species established in undevelopable areas may be enhanced by irrigation and supplemental planting as approved by the zoning administrator, provided the zoning administrator finds that such supplemental planting is in keeping with the natural conditions.
b. Special Landscape Regulations in the FR-1/43,560 and FR-2/21,780 Districts: In addition to the regulations in Chapter 21A.48 "Landscaping and Buffers" the following special landscape regulations apply:
(1) Landscape Plan: In addition to the landscape plan submittal requirements listed in Section 21A.48.050, landscape plans shall also include:
(a) Delineation between the proposed revegetation of disturbed site areas.
(b) As a condition of site plan approval, a plan for erosion.
(c) An irrigation plan designed to provide sufficient water for at least the first two years of growth to establish revegetation of natural areas.
(2) Tree Preservation and Replacement: Existing trees over 2 inches in caliper that are removed from the site to accommodate development shall be replaced. Whenever microclimate conditions make it practical, the proportion of replacement tree species shall be the same as the trees removed.
(3) Slope Revegetation: All slopes graded or otherwise disturbed shall be restored/replanted. Restored vegetation shall consist of native or adapted grasses, herbaceous perennials, or woody trees and shrubs as appropriate for slope and microclimate conditions.
Q. Restrictions On Community Gardens 1 : Repealed.
R. Accessory Storage: Unless otherwise specified, all accessory storage in residential districts shall be located within enclosed buildings. Firewood and the temporary storage of materials for construction activity in progress on the premises shall be excepted. Ordinary household recycling storage and household garbage container storage is also permitted outdoors. RV parking and storage shall conform to the provisions set forth in chapter 21A.44 of this title.
S. Compliance with Noise Regulations Required: Any construction work in residential zoning districts shall comply with Section 9.28.040, "Noises Prohibited."
T. Dwelling Unit Occupancy: A dwelling unit may not be occupied by more than one "family" as defined in chapter 21A.62 of this title.
U. Repealed.
V. Repealed. (Ord. 3-26, 2026: Ord. 83-24, 2024: Ord. 56-24, 2024: Ord. 29- 24, 2024: Ord. 12-24, 2024: Ord. 10-24, 2024: Ord. 64-21, 2021: Ord. 46-17, 2017)
Notes
1 | 1. See section 21A.36.210 of this title.