Landscaping Rules in Salt Lake County, UT (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Salt Lake County, Utah.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Salt Lake County's operation division can order abutting owners to remove dead or diseased trees on county roads, and can trim or prune any road tree without notice.
Salt Lake County Road Tree Trimming Authority
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code §14.44.030
The operation division, upon giving proper notice to abutting property owner, shall have the authority to condemn and remove, or order the removal by the abutting property owner of any tree, tree stump, shrub or vine upon any county roads, avenues or ways where the tree, tree stump, shrub or vine is dead, diseased or for any other reason undesirable. The operation division shall have authority ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the foothills and canyons overlay zone, a significant tree removed from inside the approved limits of disturbance must be replaced with two new trees on the same lot.
Salt Lake County FCOZ Tree Replacement Rule
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code §19.72.110(D)(1)(a)
When a significant tree is removed from inside the established limits of disturbance, which removal is not required by wildland-urban interface standards... the applicant or developer shall replace such tree(s) on the lot... A significant tree that is removed shall be replaced by two trees with a minimum size of one inch caliper for deciduous trees and a minimum height of four feet for conifero...
Weed Ordinances
Salt Lake County does not actively enforce a grass-height ordinance at the county level - the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) explicitly states it cannot investigate noxious weed or overgrown vegetation complaints. In incorporated areas (Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy, Murray, South Salt Lake, etc.), each municipality enforces its own grass and weed height limit. Salt Lake City Code Sec. 9.16.040 caps weeds and grass at 6 inches; South Salt Lake Code Sec. 8.04 applies the same 6-inch standard.
Salt Lake County Grass Height & Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake City Code Sec. 9.16.040 - Weed Control Specifications
Weeds shall be maintained at a height of not more than six inches (6") at all times, and the cuttings shall be promptly cleared and removed from the premises. Low-growing puncturevine, poison ivy, and bindweed must be removed regardless of height. Weeds which are eradicated by chemicals must be done so before their height exceeds six inches (6"), or they must be cut at a level not exceeding six...
Water Restrictions
Salt Lake County is not a water utility and does not set outdoor watering schedules. Restrictions are set by the water provider serving each property - Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD wholesale), Granger-Hunter Improvement District, Hexagon Water (Murray), and Sandy City Public Utilities. Utah Division of Water Resources' Weekly Lawn Watering Guide is the regional baseline. Watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is widely prohibited or strongly discouraged during the irrigation season (typically May 1 - October 1).
Salt Lake County Water Restrictions & Outdoor Watering
Heavy RestrictionsUtah Code Sec. 73-10-34 - Secondary water metering
A secondary water supplier that supplies secondary water within a county of the first or second class and begins design work for new service on or after April 1, 2020, to a commercial, industrial, institutional, or residential user shall meter the use of pressurized secondary water by the users receiving that new service... [A] secondary water supplier shall meter the use of pressurized seconda...
Native Plants
When Salt Lake County reviews a landscape plan under Chapter 19.77, not less than eighty percent of the trees and shrubs used on the site must be water conserving species capable of withstanding dry conditions once established. Native plants must be used to the maximum extent feasible, and any turf must be a drought-tolerant grass variety.
Salt Lake County Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code § 19.77.030(B)
Introduction and Use of Native and Other Drought-Tolerant Plants. In order to promote maximum water conservation, not less than eighty percent of the trees and shrubs used on a site shall be water conserving species capable of withstanding dry conditions once established. Native plants shall be used to the maximum extent feasible. Drought-tolerant grass varieties shall be used in areas planted ...
Landscaping Rules by City in Salt Lake County
5 cities in Salt Lake County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Native Plants
7 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
5 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Native Plants
2 verified rules • Tree Trimming, Water Restrictions
5 verified rules • Native Plants, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
All Salt Lake County ordinances
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