Salt Lake City, UT Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Max weed height
- 6 inches (15.2 cm)
- Minimum firebreak width
- 15 feet
- Enforcing agency
- Division of Building Services
- Notice cure period
- At least 10 days
- Penalty class
- Class B misdemeanor
Summary
Salt Lake City requires property owners to cut weeds and dry vegetation to 6 inches or less to prevent fire hazards, with a minimum 15-foot firebreak on large parcels.
WEEDS: Vegetation growing upon any real property within Salt Lake City which will attain such a growth as to become a fire hazard when dry... Weeds shall be maintained at a height of not more than six inches (6") (15.2 cm) at all times... the inspector may, by written order, allow and limit the required cutting of weeds to a firebreak of not less than fifteen feet (15') (4.6 m) in width cut around the complete perimeter of the property and around any structures existing upon the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City code treats overgrown dry grass, stubble, brush and tumbleweeds as a fire hazard when left to grow. Owners must keep weeds at 6 inches (15.2 cm) or less citywide, including the strip between the property line and the roadway. On large properties where cutting everything is impractical, a building inspector can instead order a firebreak at least 15 feet wide cut around the property's perimeter and around any structures. Violations get written notice and a minimum 10-day cure period before the city can step in.
Violations & Fines
Class B misdemeanor per section 9.16.110; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense, and the city can cut/clear the property itself and bill the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can weeds get on my Salt Lake City property before it's a violation?
What if my lot is too big to clear entirely?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah fire regulations overview
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle brush clearance.