Pop. 140,230 · Salt Lake County
Home occupations allowed in residential zones with a home occupation business license and operating conditions.
West Valley City home occupations cannot display any exterior commercial signage. All advertising of the home address is prohibited. No window signs, yard signs, vehicle signs parked overnight, or illuminated displays permitted under Title 7-6.
Home daycare allowed as a home occupation in residential zones with state licensing and city business license required.
Rainwater harvesting is legal in West Valley City under Utah Code §73-3-1.5. Residents may collect up to 2,500 gallons in registered storage (or 200 gallons without registration) without a water right. No additional city permits required.
Turf and weeds exceeding 8 inches violate West Valley City Code Title 7 nuisance provisions. Neighborhood Services issues 10-day abatement notices; continued noncompliance triggers city mowing billed to owner plus 25% administrative fee.
No general permit required to remove trees on private property; permit needed for street trees and protected zones.
Waterwise and native landscaping encouraged; Flip Your Strip rebates available through local water districts.
Artificial turf permitted in most residential yards; subject to zoning standards and possible HOA rules.
Property owners must trim trees overhanging streets and sidewalks to maintain clearance; city maintains street trees.
West Valley City Code Title 7 (health and sanitation) requires property owners to control noxious weeds and vegetation over 8 inches; failure to abate results in city abatement billed to the owner plus a lien on the property.
Outdoor watering restricted by day and hour under state law and WVC Water ordinance to conserve during drought.
Backyard composting is permitted and encouraged in unincorporated Salt Lake County for residential yard and vegetable kitchen waste. Compost bins must be maintained to avoid odor, vermin, and leachate nuisance. Large-scale composting requires a UDAF registration or a state solid waste permit depending on volume and feedstock.
West Valley City prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals (lions, tigers, bears, venomous reptiles, primates) per WVC Code 6-1. Utah DNR permits required for native wildlife.
West Valley City limits households to 3 dogs and 3 cats over 4 months old without a kennel license. Salt Lake County Animal Services issues multi-pet permits for exceptions.
Dogs must be leashed (maximum 6 feet) in all public areas of West Valley City per Salt Lake County Animal Services ordinance. Off-leash only permitted at designated dog parks.
Feeding deer, raccoons, skunks, and other wildlife is prohibited in West Valley City to prevent nuisance and disease. Songbird feeders permitted. Utah DWR also prohibits big game feeding under R657-3.
West Valley City may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning.
West Valley City has no breed-specific ordinance. Dangerous dog determinations are behavior-based under Utah Code 18-1-3 and Salt Lake County Code.
Beekeeping allowed on residential lots in West Valley City subject to setback requirements. Hives must be registered with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food under the Utah Bee Inspection Act.
Livestock such as horses, goats, sheep, and cattle are allowed in agricultural and agricultural-residential zones of unincorporated Salt Lake County, with acreage minimums per animal. Standard residential zones prohibit most livestock. Manure must be managed, shelters set back from neighbors, and fences maintained. Utah is an open range state but Salt Lake County has herd districts that require owners to contain animals.
Property owners must remove dry vegetation creating fire hazards, particularly within 30 feet of structures.
Open burning of yard waste and debris is prohibited; only recreational and approved agricultural burns allowed.
Western foothills and open space areas are designated Wildland Urban Interface with additional construction and fuel rules.
Backyard fires in West Valley City are limited to approved enclosed fire pits burning clean wood or propane. Open burning prohibited year-round. No burning on Utah DAQ red or yellow air action days. Violations: $150-$1,000 plus fire response costs.
Working smoke alarms required in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on each story under IRC/IFC.
Class C fireworks allowed only on restricted dates around July 4 and July 24; banned in designated wildfire zones.
Recreational fire pits allowed with size, fuel, and setback limits under the adopted International Fire Code.
Utah Code 53-7-301 et seq. and Utah Administrative Rule R710-6 give the State Fire Marshal exclusive authority over liquefied petroleum gas, adopting NFPA 58 statewide for tank installation, storage, certification, and operator licensing.
Pools must meet anti-entrapment, electrical bonding, and barrier safety standards under the adopted codes.
Pools deeper than 24 inches require a 4-foot (residential) or higher barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Hot tubs and spas require electrical permits; a locked ASTM-compliant safety cover exempts them from barrier requirements.
Building permit required for all permanent pools over 24 inches deep and for in-ground pools of any depth.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require permits and barrier compliance; the pool wall itself can serve as the barrier if 48 inches tall.
STR guests must comply with West Valley City noise ordinance; hosts are responsible for guest conduct.
STRs must provide off-street parking per residential standards; on-street parking of guest vehicles must comply with city rules.
City does not mandate specific STR insurance but strongly recommended; Airbnb/Vrbo provide host protection programs.
STR occupancy limited by building code (typically 2 per bedroom plus 2) and any conditional use permit terms.
No specific night cap on legal STRs; minimum-stay thresholds effectively define permitted rental types.
Any legal STR requires West Valley City business license and Utah State Tax Commission registration.
Short-term rentals of entire dwellings are generally prohibited in residential zones; owner-occupied room rentals may be permitted with a business license.
STR operators must collect Utah state sales tax, Salt Lake County TRT, and West Valley City transient room tax on stays under 30 days.
Residential EV charger installation requires an electrical permit; Utah state law protects EV charging rights in HOAs and encourages public charging infrastructure.
Vehicles left on public or private property for more than 48 hours without being moved can be declared abandoned and towed under city and Utah state law.
Driveways must be constructed of approved hard-surface material such as concrete or asphalt; new or widened driveways require a curb-cut permit from Public Works.
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR cannot be parked in residential zones except for active loading/unloading; semi-trucks and trailers are prohibited overnight.
Overnight parking on city streets is generally permitted subject to the 48-hour rule; no blanket overnight ban exists but snow-route restrictions apply in winter.
On-street parking is generally allowed but vehicles cannot remain parked in the same spot for more than 48 hours; posted restrictions and snow ordinances apply.
RVs, boats, and trailers may be parked on private driveways but not on front lawns; street parking of RVs is limited to 48 hours unless actively loading or unloading.
Sheds under 200 sq ft exempt from building permit; all sheds must meet zoning setbacks and height limits.
Tiny homes on foundations allowed as dwellings if meeting IRC; tiny homes on wheels classed as RVs and limited.
Garage-to-living-space conversions require building permit and must preserve required off-street parking.
Internal ADUs permitted by right in single-family zones under Utah HB 82; detached ADUs allowed with approval.
Carports in West Valley City require a building permit and must comply with Title 11 UDO setbacks: 20 ft front, 5 ft side, 10 ft rear in R-1 zones. Max coverage 40% of rear yard. Must match house roof pitch and color.
Utah has no shared fence cost statute. West Valley City does not require neighbor consent or cost sharing for boundary fences. Finished side typically faces out by custom.
All swimming pools over 24 inches deep require a 4-foot minimum barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates per IRC Appendix G as adopted by Utah and West Valley City.
Fences 6 feet or shorter do not require a building permit in West Valley City. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit per IRC adopted by Utah.
Most common fence materials allowed in West Valley City: wood, vinyl, masonry, chain link, ornamental metal. Barbed wire and electric fences restricted to agricultural zones.
West Valley City fence heights: 4 feet front yard, 6 feet side and rear yard, 8 feet with administrative permit. Corner lot visibility triangle applies.
Corner lots in West Valley City must maintain a clear sight triangle: no fences, walls, or vegetation over 3 feet within 30 feet of the intersection of property lines.
West Valley City has no leaf-blower specific ordinance. Use is governed by general noise and construction hours, typically 7 AM to 10 PM.
Amplified music plainly audible 50 feet from a residence or beyond property lines after 10 PM violates WVC 7-7-102. Outdoor events require a special event permit.
Commercial operations near residential zones must meet WVC 7-7-102 nighttime limits. Loading dock and HVAC noise audible at residential property lines after 10 PM can be cited.
Aircraft noise is preempted by FAA regulations. West Valley City lies under Salt Lake International Airport flight paths; complaints go to SLC Airport noise office.
Modified exhaust, loud stereos, and engine revving are prohibited under Utah Code 41-6a-1626 and WVC traffic code. Officers cite when audible beyond 50 feet.
A dog that barks continuously for 15 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes is a public nuisance under West Valley City Code 6-1-110. Salt Lake County Animal Services enforces.
West Valley City quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM per Municipal Code Title 7 Chapter 7-7. Unreasonable noise during these hours is a Class C misdemeanor.
Construction noise is permitted 7 AM to 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays in West Valley City. Sunday and holiday construction requires special authorization.
West Valley City participates in the NFIP; portions near the Jordan River and lower Decker Lake area lie in FEMA Zone A/AE and require flood elevation compliance.
Grading that disturbs soil or alters drainage requires a grading permit; lot drainage must direct runoff away from structures and not onto neighboring property.
West Valley City operates an MS4 stormwater system under EPA Phase II rules; construction sites over 1 acre need a UPDES permit and SWPPP.
Construction sites must install erosion and sediment controls (silt fence, inlet protection, stabilized entrances) per the citys stormwater ordinance and UPDES permit.
Holiday and seasonal decorative displays are permitted on private residential property without a permit, subject to safe installation and light trespass courtesy.
Garage sale signs are allowed on private property with owner consent and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends. Signs in the public right-of-way may be removed by the city.
Political signs are allowed on private property with owner consent. West Valley City does not impose size or duration limits that differ from commercial signs, consistent with Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
Mobile food vendors must hold a West Valley City business license, a Salt Lake County Health Department mobile food permit, and follow Utah Code 11-56 reciprocity rules.
Food trucks can operate on private property with owner permission and in designated public spaces; vending in residential streets and public parks requires special permits.
Property owners must keep premises free of rodents, vermin, and insect infestations under the citys property maintenance code; failure to abate can result in citations.
West Valley City defers to federal lead-paint disclosure (42 USC §4852d) for pre-1978 housing. Sellers and landlords must provide the EPA lead pamphlet, disclose known hazards, and allow 10-day inspection. RRP certification required for renovations disturbing >6 sq ft.
Scaffolding on construction sites must comply with OSHA standards and IBC requirements; encroachment into public right-of-way requires a permit from Public Works.
Utah Labor Commission regulates elevator installation, inspection, and maintenance; annual inspections required.
Salt Lake County requires building permits for most construction in unincorporated areas, enforced by the County Building Services and Permits Division under Title 15 of the County Code. The County has adopted the 2021 International Building Code, International Residential Code, and International Fire Code with Utah state amendments. Permits are required for new structures, additions, most remodels, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and accessory structures over 200 square feet.
Salt Lake County Building Services conducts inspections at defined construction milestones for permitted work in unincorporated areas. Inspections must be scheduled at least one business day in advance through the County online portal or by phone. Passing each required inspection is mandatory before proceeding to the next phase of construction, and final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before building use.
Construction, alterations, additions, and most accessory structures in unincorporated Salt Lake County require a building permit. Work must follow the International Residential Code, International Building Code, and other ICC codes as adopted by the State of Utah, and must pass required inspections before use or occupancy.
Residential setbacks in West Valley City typically require 25 ft front, 8 ft side, and 20 ft rear in the R-1 zone; corner lots and accessory buildings have separate rules.
Maximum lot coverage by all buildings in R-1-8 residential zones is typically 40%; impervious surface coverage may be further limited for stormwater compliance.
Residential structures in R-1 zones are limited to 35 feet or 2.5 stories; accessory buildings are capped at 15-20 ft depending on proximity to property lines.
Medical cannabis pharmacies in West Valley City are limited to state-licensed operators and must meet zoning buffer requirements from schools, parks, and residential zones.
Home cultivation of cannabis is prohibited in West Valley City and throughout Utah. Only state-licensed medical cannabis cardholders may possess cannabis, and cultivation is limited to licensed facilities.
Door-to-door solicitors in West Valley City must obtain a solicitor permit and background check through the Business Licensing Division before going door to door.
West Valley City honors posted No Soliciting signs. Licensed solicitors who knock at homes displaying such signs are subject to citation and license revocation.
HOAs enforce CC&Rs through notice, fines, and legal action; Utah requires notice and opportunity to cure.
HOA architectural committees enforce CC&Rs; Utah law requires reasonable review timelines and written decisions.
Utah Community Association Act governs HOA board meetings, notice, voting, and records in West Valley City.
HOAs may levy regular and special assessments per governing documents; late fees and liens allowed under Utah law.
HOA disputes in West Valley City are governed by Utah Code §57-8a (Community Associations Act). Homeowners may pursue internal HOA dispute resolution, mediation through Utah REEB, or civil action in Third District Court. No city-level HOA mediation service.
West Valley City does not have a formal dark-sky ordinance but its zoning code requires outdoor lighting to be shielded and directed away from neighboring properties.
Exterior lights that shine directly onto a neighbors property or into living space can be cited as a nuisance under the citys zoning and nuisance ordinances.
West Valley City requires a Good Landlord Program business license for rental dwellings under Municipal Code Title 5. Participants receive reduced disproportionate rental fees by meeting training and tenant-screening standards.
Utah state law (UCA 10-8-85.5) preempts local rent control; West Valley City cannot limit how much landlords charge for residential rent.
West Valley City has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Utah state law governs landlord-tenant terminations under the Utah Fitness Premises Act and Title 78B Chapter 6 Part 8.
Garage sales are permitted at residences up to 3 times per year with a maximum duration of 3 consecutive days each. No permit fee is required.
West Valley City requires property owners to remove snow and ice from adjacent public sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall ends.
Vacant lots must be kept free of weeds, debris, and standing water. Owners must mow weeds and remove trash; the city may abate at owner expense if neglected.
West Valley City enforces nuisance and property maintenance standards under Municipal Code Title 7. Junk, inoperable vehicles, overgrown weeds, and deteriorated structures are prohibited.
Trash and recycling bins must be stored out of public right-of-way view between collection days, typically behind the front building line or within a screened enclosure.
Unincorporated Salt Lake County prohibits weeds and uncultivated vegetation over 12 inches tall on developed residential lots under County ordinance and the Utah Noxious Weed Act at Utah Code Section 4-17-101. Property owners are responsible for controlling weeds along the property line to the curb. Violations receive written notice with 10 days to abate before County contractor cleanup and lien.
Recreational drone use in West Valley City is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 and Utah state law. Local rules prohibit drone launches from city parks and over emergency scenes.
Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 certification and a West Valley City business license when based or operating commercially in the city.
West Valley City parks are closed from 11 PM to 6 AM unless posted otherwise or a special use permit is issued. Entering a park during closed hours is a misdemeanor.
West Valley City enforces a juvenile curfew for persons under 18. Curfew hours are 11 PM to 5 AM Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 5 AM Friday and Saturday.
Utah Code 57-8a-801 limits HOA authority to restrict residential solar; reasonable aesthetic placement rules are permitted but outright bans are void.
Residential rooftop solar requires a combined building and electrical permit; Utah state law provides streamlined solar permitting and net metering through Rocky Mountain Power.
Recycling is voluntary in West Valley City. Residents may subscribe to curbside recycling with a blue can through the city, and drop-off centers accept common recyclables.
West Valley City offers two free curbside bulk waste pickups per year to residents. Items must be scheduled and placed out the evening before the assigned pickup day.
Trash and recycling bins must be placed at the curb with wheels toward the house, at least 3 feet from other cans, mailboxes, or parked cars, and stored out of public view on non-collection days.
West Valley City provides weekly curbside trash collection through contracted haulers. Cans must be placed out by 7 AM on collection day and removed by end of day.
Illegal dumping in unincorporated Salt Lake County is prosecuted under Utah Code Sections 76-6-106.3 and 76-10-807 and County ordinance. Dumping on public or private land without permission can result in fines up to 10000 dollars, cleanup costs, and in aggravated cases a third-degree felony. The County offers free tip lines and reward programs for information leading to convictions.
Utah Title 34 Chapter 40 establishes the state minimum wage and preempts local governments from enacting their own minimum wage ordinances.
Utah preempts local paid leave mandates through employment regulation provisions, leaving private-sector leave benefits to employer discretion or state law.
Utah preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances by reserving employment scheduling regulation to the state Legislature.
Utah recognizes both a concealed firearm permit under Title 53 Chapter 5 and permitless concealed carry for qualifying adults statewide, preempting local restrictions.
Utah Code 53-5a-102 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority to the Legislature with limited exceptions for state property and government buildings.
Utah generally allows open carry of firearms by adults who may lawfully possess them, with local regulation preempted by Utah Code 53-5a-102.
Utah Code 76-10-505 and related sections govern carrying firearms in vehicles, allowing loaded carry by qualifying adults under permitless carry while preempting local rules.
Utah Code 63G-12-301 and following sections require private employers with 15 or more employees to use a status verification system such as E-Verify for new hires.
Utah Code 17-22-9.5 requires county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, effectively preempting sanctuary policies through HB 497 enforcement provisions.
Utah law supports agricultural zoning, greenbelt taxation, and Right to Farm protections that limit local restrictions on customary agricultural land uses.
Utah Code 78B-6-1101 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when surrounding land uses change toward residential development.
Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local governments from regulating auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam containers, and similar packaging items.
Utah Code 11-39-110 prevents local bans on polystyrene foam food containers by classifying them as preempted auxiliary containers under state law.
Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local regulation of plastic straws and similar single-use service items as auxiliary containers under state law.
Utah Code 76-10-104 prohibits sale, furnishing, or provision of tobacco and electronic cigarettes to anyone under 21 years of age statewide.
Utah restricts flavored electronic cigarette products outside specialty tobacco retailers, regulating where minors-prohibited flavored vapes may lawfully be sold.
Utah regulates vape retailers under Title 26B and Title 59, requiring licensing, age verification, and compliance with state nicotine and flavor restrictions.