Salt Lake County, UT Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county rentals
- Governing chapter
- Chapter 15.32 Fit Premises
- State basis
- Utah Fit Premises Act § 57-22-1
- Tenant remedy
- Repair-and-deduct up to $400
Summary
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.
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 in compliance with applicable codes;E.Maintain stairways, porches, walkways and fire escapes in sound condition;F.Provide smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as required by code;G.Provide operable sinks, toilets, tubs and/or showers;H.Provide heating facilities as required by code;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 49).
Full Breakdown
Salt Lake County Code § 15.32.050 lists the property owner's habitability duties for rental units in the unincorporated area: comply with applicable building, housing and health codes and not rent unless the unit is safe, sanitary and fit for human occupancy; maintain structural integrity, exits, stairways and fire escapes; supply operable sinks, toilets and showers; provide heat, hot water, running water and electricity; and keep the unit free of insects and rodents.
Violations & Fines
A property owner who fails to comply lets the tenant use the repair-and-deduct remedies in §§ 15.32.100-.110 for listed failures, and any Fit Premises Act violation exposes the owner to a tenant civil action for damages and attorney's fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a landlord fix in unincorporated Salt Lake County?
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't repair?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake County
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