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Salt Lake City, UT Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Time limit
2 minutes if obstructing
After officer request
1 more minute allowed
Default penalty class
Class B misdemeanor
Max fine
$1,000
Max jail
6 months

Summary

Salt Lake City bans standing, sitting, or lying on a sidewalk for more than two minutes if it blocks pedestrians, and gives police the power to order a move after one minute.

It is unlawful for any person to remain standing, lying or sitting on any sidewalk for a longer period than two (2) minutes, in such manner as to obstruct the free passage of pedestrians thereon, or wilfully to remain standing, lying or sitting thereon in said manner for more than one minute after being requested to move by any police officer...

Source: Salt Lake City CodeView official code

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 § 14.20.100 makes it unlawful to remain standing, lying, or sitting on any sidewalk for longer than two minutes if doing so obstructs the free passage of pedestrians. If a police officer asks a person to move, staying put for more than one additional minute is a separate violation. The same section also bars blocking access to or from any property that opens onto the sidewalk. There's no carve-out for panhandling, resting, or waiting: the two-minute clock runs whenever the obstruction element is met.

Violations & Fines

Class B misdemeanor by default under § 1.12.050: up to a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail, unless a court treats it as a lesser offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sitting on a Salt Lake City sidewalk always illegal?
No. Section 14.20.100 only applies once you obstruct pedestrians' free passage for more than two minutes, or ignore a police officer's request to move for over a minute.
What if I'm blocking a driveway or doorway instead of pedestrians?
Same section: it's also unlawful to obstruct free passage into or out of any property that has access to the sidewalk, regardless of the two-minute clock.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Salt Lake City

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsEncampment SanitationHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Salt Lake City rules

Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah homelessness & encampment rules overview

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