Salt Lake City, UT Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Park strip turf
- Prohibited
- Residential yard turf cap
- Maximum 33%
- Manufacturing district turf
- Prohibited
- Drought-tolerant species share
- 100% of shrubs/groundcover
- Artificial turf
- Prohibited citywide
Summary
Salt Lake City zoning code bans turf grass in park strips, parking lot landscaping, buffers, and tight or sloped spots, and caps turf at 33% in most required yard landscaping.
Turf: Turf is not permitted: a. In the park strip. b. In parking lot perimeter and interior landscaping areas. c. In areas that are less than 8 feet in any dimension at the narrowest point. d. In areas with a slope greater than 25% (4 feet horizontal: 1 foot vertical). e. In required landscape buffer areas.
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 Salt Lake City Code § 21A.48.080.B, turf is banned outright in park strips, parking lot landscaping, landscape buffers, spots narrower than 8 feet, and slopes steeper than 25%. In residential districts under § 21A.48.060.C, turf is capped at 33% of required landscape yard area, and 100% of required shrubs, perennials, and groundcover must be drought-tolerant, adapted, or native species. Artificial turf is prohibited wherever landscaping is regulated by the chapter.
Violations & Fines
Zoning Enforcement (Building Services Division) cites noncompliant landscape installations; violations can hold up certificate of occupancy or trigger a zoning compliance order to remove and replace turf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant grass in the park strip next to my sidewalk?
How much lawn can I have in my front yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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Turf Replacement Rebates in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle turf replacement rebates.