Rental Property Rules 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
Rent Control
Salt Lake County and every city within it (Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy, Murray, Taylorsville, South Jordan, Draper, Riverton, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Millcreek, Herriman, Bluffdale, Midvale, South Salt Lake) are barred from enacting rent control. Utah Code Title 57, Chapter 20 (Local Rent Control Prohibition) expressly preempts any county, city, or town ordinance that would cap rents or fees on private residential property. Landlords may raise rent freely on month-to-month tenancies with 15 days' written notice under Utah Code §57-17-7. Fixed-term leases can only be changed when they renew. There is no statewide rent cap and no local one.
Rent Control Prohibited in Salt Lake County (Utah State Preemption)
Few RestrictionsUtah Code §57-20-1 — Rent and fee control prohibition
A county, city, or town may not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential property. Nothing in this chapter shall: (a) impair the right of any county, city, or town to manage and control residential property in which the county, city, or town has a property interest; or (b) be const...
Just Cause Eviction
Utah is an at-will, no-just-cause eviction state, and Salt Lake County is preempted from imposing just-cause requirements on private residential landlords. A landlord in Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Sandy, Murray, or unincorporated Salt Lake County can terminate a month-to-month tenancy without giving any reason by serving 15 days' written notice under Utah Code §57-17-7. Fixed-term leases simply expire without renewal. Statutory eviction grounds in Utah Code §78B-6-802 (Forcible Entry and Detainer Act), nonpayment, lease violation, nuisance, criminal activity, holdover, require only 3 calendar days' notice to quit before the landlord can file an unlawful detainer action.
Just Cause Eviction. Not Required in Salt Lake County (Utah Is At-Will)
Few RestrictionsUtah Code §78B-6-802 — Unlawful detainer by tenant for a term less than life
A tenant of real property, for a term less than life, is guilty of an unlawful detainer: (1)(a) when the tenant continues in possession, in person or by subtenant, of the property or any part of the property, after the expiration of the specified term or period for which it is let to the tenant... (1)(c) when the tenant continues in possession, in person or by subtenant, after default in the pa...
Rental Registration
Salt Lake County itself does not run a county-wide rental registry, but every major city in the county requires a rental dwelling business license under authority of Utah Code §10-1-203.5 and §10-8-85.5. Salt Lake City Code Chapter 5.14 ($342/unit, discounted to $35/unit with Landlord/Tenant Initiative enrollment), West Valley City Code §17-2-802, West Jordan City Code 4-2R-2 (Good Landlord Program), Sandy, Murray, South Salt Lake (Title 5 §5.15), and Cottonwood Heights all require a license per rental unit. Most cities offer a 'Good Landlord' discount of 80–95% for landlords who complete an approved training class and adopt a standardized lease addendum with criminal-conduct provisions.
Rental Dwelling Business License Required in Salt Lake County Cities
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake City Code §5.14.020 — License Required for Rental Dwellings
It is unlawful for any person to keep, conduct, operate, or maintain any rental dwelling within the limits of Salt Lake City unless such person holds a current, unrevoked business license for such dwelling issued pursuant to the provisions of this title. The license fee for the operation and maintenance of a rental dwelling shall be as set forth in the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule. ...
Repairs & Habitability
Landlords in unincorporated Salt Lake County must keep rental units safe, sanitary and code-compliant under the county's Fit Premises ordinance, covering everything from structural integrity to heat and running water.
Salt Lake County Rental Fit Premises Standards
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake County Code § 15.32.050(A)-(J) - Property owner to maintain the premises and each dwelling unit
A property owner shall: A.Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing and health codes and county ordinances, and not rent the premises unless they are safe, sanitary and fit for human occupancy;B.Maintain the structural integrity of the building;C.Maintain floors in compliance with safe load-bearing requirements;D.Provide exits, emergency egress, and light and ventilation i...
Rental Property Rules by City in Salt Lake County
5 cities in Salt Lake County have their own rental property rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
2 verified rules • Repairs & Habitability, Rental Registration
2 verified rules • Repairs & Habitability, Rental Registration
1 verified rule • Rental Registration
1 verified rule • Repairs & Habitability
1 verified rule • Rental Registration
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