Salt Lake City, UT Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Yes, for every rental dwelling
- Applies to
- Owner, lessee, or agent
- Transfer notice deadline
- 48 hours in writing
- 3+ unit buildings
- Scheduled City inspections
- Violation penalty
- Up to Class B misdemeanor
Summary
Salt Lake City requires every owner, lessee, or agent operating a rental dwelling to hold a current, unrevoked business license before renting it out.
It is unlawful for any person, as owner, lessee, or agent thereof to keep, conduct, operate, or maintain any rental dwelling within the limits of Salt Lake City, or cause or permit the same to be done, unless such person holds a current, unrevoked business license for such dwelling.
B. Business License:
1. An owner of a building or buildings containing one or more rental dwellings is required to pay only one base business licensing fee for the operation and maintenance of all such dwellings as provided in subsection
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
Under City Code § 5.14.020, it's unlawful to keep, conduct, operate, or maintain any rental dwelling in Salt Lake City without a current business license, whether you're the owner, lessee, or agent. Owners pay one base licensing fee per building regardless of unit count, but structures with three or more rental dwellings face scheduled City inspections tied to the license. Licenses aren't transferable: sell or hand off control of the property and you must notify the License Office in writing within 48 hours.
Violations & Fines
Renting without a license is unlawful under § 5.14.020; violating self-certification standards can bring a Class B misdemeanor charge plus civil penalties, injunction, or abatement action under § 5.14.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a rental license for a single rented room?
What if I sell my rental property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah rental property rules overview
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Rental Registration in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle rental registration.