Salt Lake County, UT Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Residential signs in unincorporated Salt Lake County are regulated under Title 19 of the County Zoning Ordinance in a content-neutral manner consistent with the United States Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015), which held that content-based sign regulations are subject to strict scrutiny. The County permits temporary and permanent noncommercial signs in residential zones without requiring a permit, provided they comply with generally applicable standards. Typical allowances include a maximum sign area of approximately 6 square feet per face and a total aggregate limit of signs on a residential lot, with slightly larger allowances during election season. Signs may not exceed a height of 4 to 6 feet in front yards or be placed in the public right-of-way, including park strips and sidewalks. Signs cannot be illuminated in residential zones except by steady light that is fully shielded from neighboring properties and the street. Signs may not obstruct vision triangles at driveways and corners as defined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Political, real estate, garage sale, and other messages are treated identically for size and location purposes because regulating them by category is content-based and constitutionally impermissible. Real estate sign removal is generally expected within 14 days of close of sale. Commercial off-premises advertising, including billboards, is not permitted in residential zones. HOAs may impose additional sign restrictions subject to state law protecting political speech on private property, Utah Code Section 57-8a-218.