Salt Lake County, UT Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- General pets
- microchipping is not countywide-mandatory
- Impounded animals
- must be microchipped before redemption (§8.08.040(B))
- Who can redeem
- owner or authorized adult 18+, after paying fees
- Guard dogs
- must be chipped and registered (§8.03.060(E))
- Microchip vs. license
- a chip never replaces the county pet license (§8.04.060(C))
- Minimum hold
- 5 business days before disposition (§8.08.030)
Summary
Salt Lake County doesn't require every pet to carry a microchip, but any animal impounded by the county must be microchipped before it's released back to its owner, under Code §8.08.040(B). Guard dogs are the one category the county chips proactively: those must already be microchipped and registered before their permit issues.
8.01.010 - Definitions. "Microchip" means electronic identification implanted subcutaneously in an animal and is a secondary form of identification. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. ... 8.08.040 - Redemption of animals. A.The owner of any impounded animal or his/her authorized representative (a legally responsible adult of age eighteen or more) may redeem such animal within the holding period specified in this title, provided he/she pays all applicable and enforceable fees, costs for veterinary care and other services rendered, and meets all requirements of this title. Any animal not reclaimed prior to the period specified in this title shall become property of the appropriate animal control agency.B.All animals shall be microchipped upon redemption.C.Failure to redeem an impounded animal as provided above shall constitute abandonment of the animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 49).
Full Breakdown
010 defines 'microchip' as electronic identification implanted subcutaneously in an animal, a secondary form of ID read by a scanner off a unique chip number. 030, an impounded animal is held for a minimum of five business days before further disposition. 040(A) lets the owner, or an authorized representative at least eighteen years old, redeem the animal within the holding period by paying all applicable fees, veterinary care costs and other charges; an animal not reclaimed in time becomes the property of the animal control agency.
Subsection (B) then imposes the microchip requirement directly: 'All animals shall be microchipped upon redemption,' regardless of whether the animal already carried one. Subsection (C) makes failure to redeem within the holding period count as abandonment. 060(C) says owners may have an identifying microchip implanted in their animals, but specifies that a microchip is not legal licensure and doesn't substitute for the animal's required county license and tag. 060(E) requires guard dogs to be microchipped with the number registered with the appropriate animal control agency, alongside posted warning signs at every access point. 020 lets an animal control officer choose between a criminal citation and a notice of violation with a compliance deadline.
Violations & Fines
An owner cannot redeem an impounded animal without the shelter microchipping it under §8.08.040(B); if the animal isn't redeemed at all within the holding period, that failure counts as abandonment under §8.08.040(C) and the animal becomes county property. A guard dog found without the microchip and registration required by §8.03.060(E) exposes its owner to a civil notice of violation or citation under §8.09.010, billed per the division's fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Salt Lake County require me to microchip my dog or cat?
What happens to my pet's microchip status if I have to bail it out of the county shelter?
Can a microchip take the place of my county pet license?
Are guard dogs required to be microchipped in Salt Lake County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake County
Compare Salt Lake County to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
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