What South Jordan Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

South Jordan, Utah may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 87 tracked ordinances across 26 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Utah criminalizes using a drone to conduct surveillance or capture images of private property without consent under Utah Code 76-9-408. South Jordan residents can seek civil remedies for drone voyeurism, harassment, or nuisance in addition to state criminal charges..

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Secondary (irrigation) water restricted to 2-3 days per week during drought; no daytime watering 10am-6pm May through October..

Also covered: Native Plants (permissive), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for South Jordan for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Rooftop solar installations in South Jordan require a building and electrical permit, an over-the-counter expedited review per Utah's solar streamlining law, and a licensed solar contractor. Most residential installs are permitted within a few business days..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for South Jordan for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage sale signs are allowed in South Jordan without a permit if kept on private property, small in size (typically 4 sq ft or less), and removed promptly after the sale. Signs placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or in medians are prohibited and subject to removal..

Also covered: Political Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for South Jordan for details.

Building Safety

Electrical Permits: Electrical work in South Jordan requires a permit from the city Building Division, and most work must be performed by a Utah-licensed electrician, per state law..

Also covered: Smoke Alarms (strict), Roofing Permits (moderate), Plumbing Permits (moderate). See the full building safety guide for South Jordan for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home occupations cannot display commercial signage — no yard signs, window signs, or lighted advertising visible from the street..

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for South Jordan for details.

Animal Ordinances

Breed Restrictions: South Jordan designates dangerous dogs based on behavior under Title 6. Utah Code §18-1-3 governs liability, and Utah Code §11-46-201 preempts breed-specific legislation statewide..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Livestock (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for South Jordan for details.

Noise Ordinances

Vehicle Noise: Modified exhaust, loud stereos, and prolonged engine idling in South Jordan are regulated by Title 5 Chapter 3 and Utah Code §41-6a-1626 (muffler requirements)..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Aircraft Noise (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for South Jordan for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pools in South Jordan require a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates per the International Residential Code Appendix G as adopted by Utah..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for South Jordan for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Class C fireworks legal only July 2-5, July 22-25, and Dec 31-Jan 1, 11am-11pm (midnight on holidays); restricted areas along Wasatch foothills..

Also covered: Smoke Detectors (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for South Jordan for details.

Rental Property Rules

Mold Disclosure: Utah and South Jordan have no statute or ordinance requiring landlords to disclose mold in rental properties, but landlords must provide habitable premises under Utah's Fit Premises Act, which courts have applied to significant mold infestations..

Also covered: Lead Paint Disclosure (moderate), Rental Registration (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for South Jordan for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Illegal dumping is prohibited in South Jordan under municipal code and Utah state law. Depositing waste on public property, vacant lots, or waterways can result in fines from $200 to thousands of dollars plus cleanup costs, and large-volume dumping is a state criminal offense..

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (permissive), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for South Jordan for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: South Jordan parks are closed to the public from approximately 10:00 PM to sunrise (or 6:00 AM) unless a permitted event or lit facility use is authorized. Remaining in a closed park is a Class B or C misdemeanor infraction..

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for South Jordan for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Medical cannabis is legal in Utah under the Utah Medical Cannabis Act (HB 3001, 2018). Patients with a qualifying condition and a medical cannabis card can purchase from licensed pharmacies; South Jordan does not host a licensed cannabis pharmacy within its limits..

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: South Jordan does not require a permit for casual residential garage or yard sales. Sales must be conducted on the homeowner's private property, not block pedestrian or vehicle traffic, and follow frequency limits so as not to become a de facto retail business..

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for South Jordan for details.

Short-Term Rentals

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.

Also covered: Parking Rules (moderate), Occupancy Limits (moderate), Registration Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for South Jordan for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Above-Ground Pools: South Jordan regulates above-ground residential swimming pools through the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) adopted by the City Building Department, with Utah State amendments under Title 15A. The barrier around an above-ground pool must be at least 48 inches high above grade, must not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere, and must surround the entire perimeter.

Also covered: Fencing Requirements (strict), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for South Jordan for details.

HOA Rules

HOA Disputes: South Jordan HOA disputes are handled under the Utah Community Association Act, which requires notice and an opportunity to cure before fines and allows mediation before litigation..

Also covered: HOA Fines & Enforcement (moderate), HOA vs. City Rules (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for South Jordan for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: South Jordan's Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program prohibits dumping any non-stormwater material into storm drains, ditches, or waterways. Violations can result in citations, cleanup costs, and state penalties up to $10,000 per day..

Also covered: Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for South Jordan for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: South Jordan prohibits storing inoperable, unregistered, or wrecked vehicles on residential property in public view. Junk vehicles must be enclosed in a garage, screened, or removed within the notice period set by code enforcement, typically 10-15 days..

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: South Jordan does not currently maintain a formal Do-Not-Knock registry, but residents can post 'No Solicitors' or 'No Trespassing' signs that are legally enforceable against commercial solicitors. Violations become criminal trespass under Utah law..

Also covered: Solicitor Permits (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for South Jordan for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: South Jordan prohibits light trespass and glare from exterior lighting onto adjacent residential properties. Outdoor fixtures must be shielded to prevent direct view of the light source from neighboring lots or public rights-of-way..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for South Jordan for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: Utah Code §41-6a-1406 defines abandoned vehicles as unattended for 48+ hours on public highways. South Jordan Code Compliance prohibits abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets and private property.

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for South Jordan for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: On corner lots in South Jordan, both street-facing yards are treated as front yards for setback purposes. The street-side yard typically requires a 15- to 20-foot setback, and a clear-view triangle must be maintained at the intersection..

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks operating in South Jordan must hold a South Jordan business license, a Salt Lake County Health Department mobile food permit, and comply with Utah's statewide food truck reciprocity law under Utah Code §11-56-104..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for South Jordan for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: South Jordan allows ADUs (accessory apartments) per the city's Accessory Dwelling Unit Guidebook and Utah Code §10-9a-530 (HB 462, 2022). ADU Affidavit required.

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for South Jordan for details.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to South Jordan, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with South Jordan's city hall or code enforcement office.