Outdoor Lighting in Salt Lake City, UT: What Residents Actually Need to Know
If you live in Salt Lake City or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Salt Lake City has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.
Billboard Lighting
Electronic billboards in Salt Lake City can't raise ambient light more than 0.3 foot-candle at set distances and must go dark overnight near homes.
Key details: Brightness cap: 0.3 foot-candle above ambient. Curfew: Dark 12 AM-6 AM near residential zones. Required hardware: Automatic dimmer control. Reporting: Annual compliance report to city. New electronic billboards: Generally prohibited outright.
Operating without required dimmer controls, exceeding the 0.3 foot-candle brightness limit, or illuminating between midnight and 6 AM in restricted zones violates the sign code, subjecting the billboard to code enforcement.
Light Trespass & Shielding
On-site lighting in Salt Lake City residential districts must be directed and shielded to contain light and glare within the property: no spillover onto neighbors' yards allowed under the zoning code's general provisions.
Key details: Governing section: § 21A.24.010.K. Applies to: All residential zoning districts. Requirement: Contain light and glare on-site. Foothills districts: Floodlighting of buildings banned. Civil fine: $50 per day, residential.
Violations bring a $50-per-day civil fine per violation on residential property (Salt Lake City Code § 21A.20.040.A) after the correction deadline in Building Services' notice passes.
Dark Sky Rules
In every residential zoning district, onsite lighting must be located, directed, or designed to contain light and glare to the property it's on: no spillover onto neighbors.
Key details: Applies to: All residential zoning districts. Core requirement: Contain light/glare to own property. Parking/loading lots: Fixture not visible from abutting land. Enforcement: Planning Division, zoning code enforcement.
Zoning enforcement issues a notice of violation requiring the fixture be re-aimed, shielded, or replaced; unresolved cases can be cited as a class B misdemeanor under the city's general zoning penalty provision.
The Bottom Line
Salt Lake City's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Salt Lake City is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Salt Lake City's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.