6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Salt Lake County, Utah.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Salt Lake County requires property owners to control vegetation height and weeds on developed lots. Grass and weeds taller than 12 inches on improved property are a public nuisance subject to abatement under Salt Lake County Code. Owners receive notice and 10 days to cut; after that the county may mow at owner expense and assess a lien.
Salt Lake County has no countywide tree removal permit requirement for private property in unincorporated areas. Utah has no statewide private property tree regulation. Trees in public rights-of-way or near power lines require coordination with Salt Lake County Public Works or Rocky Mountain Power.
Salt Lake County enforces weed abatement. Utah Noxious Weed Act (Utah Code §4-17-101) applies statewide. County weed boards enforce.
Salt Lake County enforces water conservation. Utah SB 109 (2022) restricts mandating water-intensive landscaping. Great Salt Lake crisis drives policy.
Water-wise landscaping is strongly encouraged and legally protected in unincorporated Salt Lake County. Utah HB 282 (2022) and SB 109 (2022) bar HOAs and municipalities from banning drought-tolerant landscaping or requiring turf grass. Rebates through Utah Water Savers pay 1 to 3 dollars per square foot for qualifying turf conversion to Localscapes or xeriscape designs.
Backyard composting is permitted and encouraged in unincorporated Salt Lake County for residential yard and vegetable kitchen waste. Compost bins must be maintained to avoid odor, vermin, and leachate nuisance. Large-scale composting requires a UDAF registration or a state solid waste permit depending on volume and feedstock.
5 cities in Salt Lake County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
5 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Native Plants
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