Artificial Turf: Salt Lake City vs South Jordan
How do artificial turf rules compare between Salt Lake City, UT and South Jordan, UT?
Salt Lake City and South Jordan have similar restriction levels.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake County
Artificial turf allowed in rear/side yards; restricted in front yards and park strips per SLC zoning (21A.48).
View full Salt Lake City rules →South Jordan, UT
Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County does not prohibit artificial turf on private residential lots. Inside Salt Lake City limits, Chapter 21A.48 (Landscaping and Buffers) prohibits artificial turf in any location where landscaping is regulated by the chapter, including required front-yard landscape areas and park strips, after a March 2024 City Council clarification. Suburban Salt Lake County cities have varied rules - confirm with the local planning office.
View full South Jordan rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Salt Lake City | South Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Fact | Prohibited in front yard and park strip | - |
| County Position | - | Allowed; not counted as required landscape |
| Salt Lake City Rule | - | Prohibited where landscaping is regulated (Chapter 21A.48) |
| Effective | - | March 2024 Council clarification |
| Park Strips (SLC) | - | No artificial turf |
| Front Yards (SLC) | - | No artificial turf |
| State Protection | - | HB 282 covers live plants only - not turf |
| South Salt Lake | - | Restricted (Ord. 2023-29 / Ch. 17.06) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Salt Lake City FAQ
Can I use turf in my park strip for water savings?
No, artificial turf is not allowed in the park strip; use live water-wise plants instead.
Does turf count toward landscape coverage?
Typically no, zoning requires living plant material for landscape compliance.
South Jordan FAQ
Can I install artificial turf in my front yard in Salt Lake City?
No. Under Salt Lake City Code Chapter 21A.48, artificial turf is prohibited in any location where landscaping is regulated, including required front-yard landscape areas and the park strip between sidewalk and curb. This was clarified by the City Council in March 2024.
Can I use artificial turf in unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Yes - the county does not ban it. But under Chapter 19.77 (Water Efficient Landscape Design Standards), artificial turf does not count toward the required living landscape area in new development. Plan to install living water-wise plantings or hardscape to meet the chapter's minimums.
Does state law protect my right to install artificial turf?
No. Utah Code Sec. 17-50-339 (HB 282, 2022) protects only live water-wise and xeriscape plantings - it does not require an HOA, city, or county to permit artificial turf. Cities like Salt Lake City may still prohibit synthetic turf in required landscape areas.
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