Salt Lake City, UT Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Salt Lake City's zoning code takes an expressly permissive stance on lawn ornaments. SLC Code Chapter 21A.48 (Landscaping and Buffers) defines landscaping to include ornamental objects such as fountains, statuary, and other similar natural and artificial objects designed and arranged to produce an aesthetically pleasing effect — meaning these features count toward (rather than against) required landscaping. The chapter does require at least one-third of any required front yard to be vegetation, so a yard composed entirely of ornaments without any plantings could be cited, but typical decorative use is fully permitted. Three operational rules constrain lawn ornaments: (1) the sight-triangle/clear-view rule under SLC Code Title 12 prohibits ornaments tall enough to obstruct driver visibility at intersections, driveways, and alleys (generally objects above 3 feet in the corner sight triangle); (2) ornaments cannot encroach into the public right-of-way (parking strip placement requires care — Chapter 21A.48 governs parking strip plantings and prohibits hardscape installations that interfere with city maintenance); and (3) any structure exceeding a true 'ornament' threshold (e.g., a large kinetic sculpture with electrical service or a fountain with structural footings) may trigger building or accessory-structure permitting under Chapter 21A.40. HOAs may impose stricter aesthetic standards under CC&Rs.