Business Licensing & Operations in Salt Lake County, UT (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Salt Lake County, Utah.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Any sexually oriented business in unincorporated Salt Lake County, adult businesses, nude entertainment venues, outcall services, seminude dancing bars and nude/seminude dancing agencies, must hold a sexually oriented business regulatory license from the county before opening. Operating without one is unlawful under Salt Lake County Code §5.20.070, and the location must already be zoned for that use under Title 19 before the license application is even accepted.
Salt Lake County Sexually Oriented Business License
Significant RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code §5.20.070 - Business license required; §5.20.380 - Violation—Penalty
It is unlawful for any person to operate a sexually oriented business, as defined herein, in the county without first obtaining a sexually oriented business regulatory license. The license shall specify the type of business for which it is obtained. The license shall be obtained pursuant to the general business license procedures outlined in Chapter 5.02. ... In addition to revocation or suspen...
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage establishment anywhere in unincorporated Salt Lake County without a county business license is unlawful under Code §5.16.020. Applicants must submit a state massage therapist certificate and the exact address, then clear zoning, fire and health review before the mayor signs off on the license.
Massage Establishment License Required, Salt Lake County
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code §5.16.020
5.16.020 - License—Required. It is unlawful for any person to operate, conduct, carry on or maintain a massage establishment in the county without first obtaining a business license from the county. ... 5.16.050 - Investigation of applicant and premises. A.All applications for massage establishment licenses shall be referred to:1.The planning and development services division for zoning approva...
Tobacco Retail License
Running a retail tobacco specialty business, including a vape or e-cig shop, in unincorporated Salt Lake County without a county license is unlawful under Code §5.21.020. The county also won't issue or renew that license until the retailer holds a Salt Lake County Health Department permit and a state tax commission tobacco sales license.
Salt Lake County Tobacco and Vape Retail License
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code §5.21.020
5.21.020 - License required. It is unlawful for any person to operate, conduct, carry on or maintain a retail tobacco specialty business without first obtaining from the county a license to operate a retail tobacco specialty business. ... 5.21.040 - Application and issuance restrictions. ...D.The county license office shall not recommend issuance of a business license or retail tobacco specialt...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
You can't run an auto repair, body or towing business out of your Salt Lake County home. County Code §19.85.010.B excludes "motor vehicle, trailer or boat repair," "auto body and/or fender work," and "towing operations" from the definition of a home business, so none qualify for a home-business permit or license no matter how small the operation.
Salt Lake County Bars Home Auto Repair
Heavy RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code § 19.85.010.B.1, B.7, B.8
"Home business" shall mean any business activity, other than those listed below, which is conducted entirely within a dwelling or attached garage and is clearly incidental, secondary and in addition to the use of the structure for dwelling purposes. ... "Home business" shall not include the following business activities taking place at the home: 1. Motor vehicle, trailer or boat repair; ... 7. ...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in Salt Lake County
5 cities in Salt Lake County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
7 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Massage Establishments
8 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
7 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
7 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
All Salt Lake County ordinances
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