South Jordan's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In South Jordan, Utah, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Parking Rules

STR guests in South Jordan must park on-site in the driveway or garage; street parking is allowed only where posted, and RV/overnight restrictions still apply.

Key details: On-site parking: Required. Street limit: 48 hours typical. Lawn parking: Prohibited. RV/trailer: Restricted. Enforcement: Code enforcement + tow.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Occupancy Limits

South Jordan STR occupancy generally follows the International Property Maintenance Code: 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with local nuisance rules enforced against overcrowding.

Key details: Standard cap: 2 per bedroom + 2. Min sleeping room: 70 sq ft first person. Events/parties: Not allowed. Enforcement: Nuisance, noise, parking. Code basis: IPMC as adopted.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Registration Rules

South Jordan requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning, but Utah Code 10-8-85.4 limits the city's ability to ban rentals based solely on online listings.

Key details: City license: Required. State preemption: Utah Code 10-8-85.4. Owner-occupied: Protected from listing-based enforcement. Tax registration: Utah Tax Commission. Safety: Smoke alarms, egress required.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Noise Rules

South Jordan does not have a short-term rental-specific noise ordinance. The City permits STRs in condos, townhouses, single-family houses, and detached guest houses operating under an approved Accessory Dwelling Unit permit; basement/internal ADUs are not allowed to be used as STRs. Guest noise is governed by the general municipal nuisance and disturbing-the-peace standards in the South Jordan Municipal Code, with practical quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. consistent with Salt Lake County practice. Utah Code 17-50-338 (counties) and the parallel Utah Code 10-8-85.4 (municipalities) bar South Jordan from punishing a host solely for listing a property on an STR website like Airbnb or Vrbo, but the City may still enforce noise, nuisance, and zoning rules against the underlying conduct.

Key details: STR Noise Ordinance: None (general nuisance code applies). Allowed STR Types: Condos, townhouses, SFH, guest houses (ADU). Prohibited STR Type: Internal/basement ADUs. Practical Quiet Hours: 10 PM - 7 AM (Salt Lake County standard). State Disorderly Conduct: Utah Code 76-9-102.

Noise complaints at a South Jordan STR are typically handled by the South Jordan Police Department through the non-emergency line at (801) 840-4000, and may result in a disorderly conduct infraction under Utah Code 76-9-102 or a municipal nuisance citation. Repeated, documented disturbances may also be cited by Code Compliance as a violation of the home-occupation conditions in South Jordan Municipal Code Chapter 5.38, or may trigger revocation of the host's business license under Title 5. Operating an STR out of an internal ADU (basement apartment) is a separate zoning violation enforced by the City. State law (Utah Code 17-50-338 and 10-8-85.4) does not shield hosts from noise, nuisance, or zoning enforcement; it only bars the City from punishing a host solely for the act of listing the rental on a website.

Insurance Requirements

South Jordan does not impose a stand-alone liability insurance mandate on short-term rental hosts. STRs are allowed in condos, townhouses, single-family houses, and detached guest houses with an approved ADU permit; internal/basement ADUs are not allowed to be used as STRs. Hosts must obtain a City business license under Title 5 of the Municipal Code (and a Chapter 5.38 home occupation license if customers visit the home), and Utah does not have a statewide STR insurance statute. Utah Code 10-8-85.4 prohibits the City from punishing a host solely for listing the property on an STR website, but does not address insurance, so coverage is left to the host's contracts, platform protections (Airbnb AirCover, Vrbo Liability Insurance), and any conditions the City may attach to a home occupation or business license.

Key details: Local Insurance Mandate: None (no STR-specific requirement). State Insurance Mandate: None statewide. Allowed STR Types: Condos, townhouses, SFH, detached guest houses (ADU). Prohibited STR Type: Internal/basement ADUs. Business License: Required (Municipal Code Title 5).

Operating an STR without the required City business license under Title 5 is a municipal violation enforced by the South Jordan Business Licensing Division and Code Compliance, and may result in citations and license denial or revocation. Operating an STR out of an internal ADU (basement apartment), or in violation of a Home Occupation license condition in Chapter 5.38, is enforced as a zoning violation by Code Compliance. State law (Utah Code 10-8-85.4) limits the City's ability to punish a host solely for listing on an STR website, but does not shield other licensing, zoning, building, or transient-room-tax obligations.

The rules around insurance requirements in South Jordan lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Taxes & Fees

STR operators in South Jordan must collect: Utah state sales tax (4.85–4.95%), Salt Lake County transient room tax (4.25%), and state transient room tax (0.32%). Registration with the Utah State Tax Commission required. Combined effective STR tax rate is approximately 10–11%. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit most taxes.

Key details: State Sales Tax: ~4.95% (Utah Code §59-12-103 + county option). County TRT: 4.25% Salt Lake County transient room tax. State TRT: 0.32% state transient room tax. Platform Collection: Airbnb/VRBO collect and remit automatically.

Non-remittance: penalty + interest. Utah Tax Commission audit. Tax evasion: misdemeanor charges.

Permit Requirements

South Jordan allows short-term rentals (STRs) in condos, townhouses, single-family houses, and approved ADU guest houses. A business license is required from the South Jordan Business Licensing Department. Internal ADUs (basement apartments) cannot be used as STRs. Verify current permit requirements with South Jordan directly.

Key details: Allowed Types: Condos, townhouses, single-family, ADU guest houses. Business License: Required — South Jordan Business Licensing. Internal ADUs: NOT allowed as STRs. Contact: (801) 446-4357 — Business Licensing.

Operating without registration: $200 to $1,000/day. Safety violations: correction notice and fines.

The Bottom Line

South Jordan's short-term rentals 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 South Jordan is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects South Jordan's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.