Salt Lake County, UT Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

The junk vehicle ordinance in unincorporated Salt Lake County is part of the County property maintenance and nuisance code, with authority drawn from Utah Code Section 41-6a-1408 and County police power. The ordinance defines a junk or abandoned vehicle as any motor vehicle that lacks current license plates, lacks current registration, is missing essential operating components such as wheels, engine, or transmission, is incapable of being moved under its own power, or has been stored on the property for more than 30 days without being driven. Storing such a vehicle in public view on a residential lot constitutes a nuisance. Owners may keep a project or inoperable vehicle on their property if it is stored fully inside a garage, carport with all sides enclosed, or screened from neighboring properties and the street by a 6 foot solid sight-obscuring fence or mature landscaping that fully blocks the view. Recreational vehicles such as boats, trailers, and RVs that are currently registered are generally permitted in side or rear yards with specific setbacks but may face driveway and front yard limits. Code Enforcement responds to complaints by posting a written notice on the vehicle and property giving the owner 15 days to either remove the vehicle, bring it into compliance with registration and operability, or screen it from view. Vehicles not brought into compliance are tagged for tow to an impound lot, with towing and storage fees plus administrative penalties charged to the property owner or vehicle owner. Repeat violations can result in escalating civil penalties.