Salt Lake County, UT Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Salt Lake County Code Title 19 allocates livestock keeping to agricultural (A-1, A-2) and agricultural-residential (AR) zones, with specific acreage-based caps. Horses typically require at least one half to one acre for the first animal plus additional area for each additional horse, with similar ratios for cattle and smaller per-animal requirements for sheep and goats. Pigs are generally prohibited in residential zones due to odor. Emigration Canyon, parts of Magna, and rural pockets support these uses, while suburban Kearns, White City, and Copperton are mostly residential and do not permit livestock. Shelters and corrals must meet setbacks, typically 50 to 100 feet from adjacent dwellings, and manure management is required to prevent runoff into streams and groundwater. Although Utah Code 4-25 makes the state nominally open range, Salt Lake County has designated herd districts that shift the burden to the owner to fence livestock in rather than neighbors fencing them out. Loose livestock on roads is a significant liability risk, as Utah case law holds owners responsible for negligent containment. HOAs and CCRs in newer subdivisions commonly prohibit livestock even on AR-zoned parcels. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food regulates brand inspections, transportation, and disease control for livestock.