Salt Lake County, UT Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard height cap
- 35 feet for main buildings
- Steep-slope cap
- 30 feet if slope exceeds 15%
- Accessory building cap
- 20 feet, extra setback above 14 feet
- Minimum stories
- At least one story required
Summary
In Salt Lake County's unincorporated R-1 single-family zones, homes are capped at 35 feet, dropping to 30 feet on lots where the original slope exceeds 15 percent or in the hillside protection zone; every dwelling must have at least one story.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this title no building or structure shall exceed the following height (see Section 19.04.095 (A) for definition of "height"):
A.Main Buildings.1.Thirty feet on property where the slope of the original ground surface exceeds fifteen percent or the property is located in the hillside protection zone. The slope shall be determined using a line drawn from the highest point of elevation to the lowest point of elevation on the perimeter of a box which encircles the foundation line of the building or structure. Said box shall extend for a distance of fifteen feet or to the property line, whichever is less, around the foundation line of the building or structure. The elevation shall be determined using a certified topographic survey with a maximum contour interval of two feet.2.Thirty-five feet on properties other than those listed in number one of this subsection.3.No dwelling shall contain less than one story.B.Accessory Buildings.1.No building which is accessory to a single-family dwelling shall exceed twenty feet in height. For each foot of height over fourteen feet, accessory buildings shall be set back from property lines an additional foot to allow a maximum height of twenty feet. (Ord. 1509 § 3, 2003; Ord. 1285 § 2 (part), 1994)
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
Salt Lake County zoning caps main buildings in the R-1-3 through R-1-43 single-family residential zones at 35 feet. The limit drops to 30 feet where the original ground slope exceeds 15 percent or the lot sits in the hillside protection zone, measured off a certified topographic survey. Accessory buildings attached to a single-family lot may not exceed 20 feet and must step back an extra foot from the property line for every foot of height over 14 feet. No dwelling may have fewer than one story.
Violations & Fines
Building over the height cap without an approved variance is a zoning violation; the county can require the structure be modified or removed, plus infraction penalties under the general county code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Is there a height limit on a detached garage or shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake County
Compare Salt Lake County to another location·View the Utah building setbacks & zoning overview
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