Salt Lake City, UT Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Pitched roof max
- 28 feet to ridge
- Flat roof max
- 20 feet
- Interior side wall max
- 20 feet at setback line
- District example
- R-1/12,000 Single-Family
- Historic overlay
- Landmark commission can add height
Summary
Single-family homes in Salt Lake City's R-1/12,000 district top out at 28 feet to the ridge on a pitched roof, or 20 feet on a flat roof, measured from established grade.
D. Maximum Building Height: 1. The maximum height of buildings with pitched roofs, as measured from the established grade, shall be: a. Twenty eight feet (28') measured to the ridge of the roof; or b. The average height of other principal buildings on the block face. 2. The maximum height of a flat roof building, as measured from the established grade, shall be twenty feet (20').
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Salt Lake City caps pitched-roof house height at 28 feet measured to the ridge from established grade, or the average height of other principal buildings on the block face if that's higher. Flat-roof buildings are capped lower, at 20 feet. Interior side yard exterior walls are further limited to 20 feet unless the wall is set back further than the minimum required yard, in which case wall height can climb a foot for every extra foot of setback. Homes in an H Historic Preservation Overlay District can request additional height through the historic landmark commission.
Violations & Fines
Building without a permit that reflects the height limit risks a stop-work order and required modification from the Salt Lake City building permits division; contested height disputes go to the board of adjustment for a variance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Salt Lake City house exceed 28 feet?
Does a flat roof get the same height allowance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle structure height limits.