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Salt Lake County, UT Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Cap source
International Building Code occupant load
Must post
nameplate sign at entrance
Sign size limit
3 by 5 inches
Sign also lists
24-hour local contact

Summary

Salt Lake County sets no county-written guest number for short-term rentals; instead §5.19.080 requires a permanent nameplate sign near the front entrance stating the building's occupant load as allowed by the International Building Code plus a 24-hour local contact.

City-specific rules exist: Salt Lake City, and Sandy have their own occupancy limits rules that differ from Salt Lake County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

One nameplate sign shall be permanently attached to the building in a conspicuous location near the front entrance of the short-term rental. The nameplate sign shall:1.Provide the name and telephone number of at least one responsible individual located within the county that can be contacted twenty-four hours a day,2.Contain the occupant load of the building as allowed by the International Building Code,3.Be made of durable, weather resistant material,4.Not exceed three inches by five inches in dimension, and5.Contain no advertising.

Source: Salt Lake County Building ServicesView official 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

080 handles short-term rental occupancy through disclosure rather than a flat county cap. Every short-term rental must carry one nameplate sign, permanently attached to the building in a conspicuous location near the front entrance, and the code gives that small sign five jobs. First, it must provide the name and telephone number of at least one responsible individual located within the county who can be contacted twenty-four hours a day, so any problem at the rental has a reachable local person behind it rather than an out-of-area owner.

Second, it must contain the occupant load of the building as allowed by the International Building Code. That is where the practical guest limit for a Salt Lake County short-term rental actually comes from: the IBC occupant-load figure for that specific building, published on the sign, rather than a number the county picked. Third, the sign must be made of durable, weather-resistant material, since it lives outdoors year-round. Fourth, it may not exceed three inches by five inches in dimension, keeping it a discreet placard rather than signage. Fifth, it may contain no advertising, so it cannot double as a marketing piece for the listing.

Violations & Fines

Operating without the required nameplate sign, or with a sign that omits the occupant load or the 24-hour local contact, violates §5.19.080 and can trigger action against the short-term rental license.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can stay at a Salt Lake County short-term rental?
The county does not write its own number. The limit posted on the required nameplate sign is the building's occupant load as allowed by the International Building Code, per §5.19.080.
What has to be on the sign?
The name and phone number of at least one responsible individual within the county reachable twenty-four hours a day, plus the building's IBC occupant load. It must be durable and weather resistant, no larger than three inches by five inches, with no advertising.
Where does the sign go?
Permanently attached to the building in a conspicuous location near the front entrance of the short-term rental.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Salt Lake County

All Salt Lake County rules

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