How Salt Lake City Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Salt Lake City maintains 198 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Salt Lake City falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf allowed in rear/side yards; restricted in front yards and park strips per SLC zoning (21A.48).

Key details: Fact: Prohibited in front yard and park strip. Fact: Allowed in side/rear yards. Fact: Permeable base required. Fact: Historic overlay may restrict. Fact: Not a substitute for required landscape area.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Native Plants

Salt Lake City actively encourages native and water-wise plantings through the Flip Your Strip program and Chapter 21A.48 landscaping standards. Utah Code §10-9a-530 prohibits cities from banning xeriscape.

Key details: Code Section: SLC 21A.48 Landscaping. Rebate: Flip Your Strip: $1.25/sq ft. State Preemption: Utah Code §10-9a-530. Turf Phase-Out: HB 410 — new builds 2027. Plant List: SLC-approved water-wise species.

No fines for planting natives — actively incentivized. Failure to meet 21A.48 landscape standards on new construction can block certificate of occupancy until corrected.

The rules around native plants in Salt Lake City lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal in Salt Lake City under Utah Code §73-3-1.5, but users must register with the Utah Division of Water Rights. Limited to 2,500 gallons with registration; 200 gallons without.

Key details: No Registration: Up to 200 gallons (2 containers). With Registration: Up to 2,500 gallons. State Law: Utah Code §73-3-1.5. Register With: UT Division of Water Rights (free). Use: Same parcel only.

Unregistered collection above 200 gal or over-limit collection: Division of Water Rights enforcement; typically warning first, then administrative penalty up to $5,000 per Utah Code §73-2-25.

Weed Ordinances

Salt Lake City Code Chapter 9.20 requires property owners to remove noxious weeds and vegetation over 12 inches. Violations carry $150 first-offense fines and city abatement costs are billed back.

Key details: Code Section: SLC Municipal Code 9.20. Height Trigger: Over 12 inches. Notice Period: 10 days to abate. First Fine: $150. State List: Utah Noxious Weed List §4-17.

First offense: $150 civil penalty. Second: $300. Third: $500. City abatement: actual costs + 25% administrative fee recorded as property lien.

Compared to other cities, Salt Lake City takes a harder line on weed ordinances. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tree Trimming

Public street trees managed by Urban Forestry; private pruning of park-strip trees requires a permit (SLC Code 2.26).

Key details: Fact: Park-strip trees are city property. Fact: Permit required to prune public trees. Fact: No topping allowed. Fact: Urban Forestry maintains schedule. Fact: Private yard trees unregulated outside overlays.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Compared to other cities, Salt Lake City takes a harder line on tree trimming. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Water Restrictions

Watering restricted by season; no watering 10 AM-6 PM May-October per Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.

Key details: Fact: No watering 10 AM-6 PM May-Oct. Fact: No runoff onto streets. Fact: Drought stages trigger day-of-week limits. Fact: 35 percent turf cap on new builds. Fact: Fines escalate for repeat violations.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Compared to other cities, Salt Lake City takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing public/park-strip trees requires Urban Forestry permit and replacement; private tree removal generally unregulated (SLC 2.26).

Key details: Fact: Public tree removal needs permit. Fact: Replacement required. Fact: Hillside overlay protects private trees. Fact: Development tree preservation plan. Fact: Fines up to 2500 dollars for unlawful removal.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Salt Lake City actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Grass Height Limits

Salt Lake City enforces a 12-inch maximum grass/weed height under Municipal Code §9.20. Violations start at $150. Exemptions exist for approved water-wise and natural landscapes.

Key details: Max Height: 12 inches. Code: SLC 9.20.010. First Fine: $150. Cure Period: 10 days after notice. Exemption: Designed water-wise landscapes.

Civil penalty: $150 first offense, $300 second, $500 third. City abatement: mowing cost plus 25% admin fee billed as lien.

Compared to other cities, Salt Lake City takes a harder line on grass height limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Salt Lake City, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Salt Lake City can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.