Salt Lake City, UT Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Bonus for keeping single/two-family bldg
- 1 unit (RMF-30)
- Bonus for keeping multi-family bldg
- 2 units (RMF-30)
- RMF-35/RMF-45 bonus range
- 2 or 4 units
- Parking for bonus units
- exempt
- Enforcement mechanism
- recorded restrictive covenant
Summary
Salt Lake City lets RMF-30 property owners add one or two bonus dwelling units, beyond normal zoning limits, if they keep an existing house or apartment building standing instead of tearing it down.
Density Bonus: To encourage the preservation of existing structures, bonus dwelling units may be granted when an existing principal structure is retained as part of a project that adds at least one additional dwelling unit on the same lot pursuant to the following:
1. A density bonus may only be requested at the time of filing for a building permit application to add at least one additional unit on a lot where that unit meets the minimum lot area requirement.
2. One (1) bonus unit may be granted for retaining an existing single or two-family structure and two (2) bonus units for retaining an existing multi-family structure.
3. A bonus unit may be added within or attached to the existing principal structure or as a separate building provided that all other applicable zoning requirements are met. Bonus units are not subject to minimum lot area requirements.
4. The addition of a bonus unit to an existing principal structure does not change the building type of the existing structure.
5. Bonus units are exempt from off-street parking requirements.
6. The exterior building walls and roofline of the existing principal structure must be retained to obtain a bonus unit; however, architectural elements such as window openings and doorways may be modified; dormers may be added; and additions to the rear of the structure are allowed.
7. Any density bonus granted shall be documented through a restrictive
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 section 21A.24.120(E), the RMF-30 Low Density Multi-Family Residential District grants a density bonus when a project retains an existing principal structure while adding at least one new unit. Retaining a single- or two-family building earns one bonus unit; retaining an existing multi-family building earns two bonus units. Bonus units skip minimum lot area and off-street parking requirements, but the exterior walls and roofline of the retained structure must stay intact, and the deal is locked in with a restrictive covenant recorded against the property before final inspection. A parallel rule in section 21A.24.130(D) grants two or four bonus units in the RMF-35/RMF-45 districts on the same preservation logic.
Violations & Fines
Demolishing the retained qualifying structure without also removing the bonus unit(s) breaches the recorded restrictive covenant, which the city or, per Utah Code section 10-9a-802, any adversely affected party can enforce in court, with attorney's fees awarded to the prevailing party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a bonus unit to any RMF-30 lot?
Do bonus units need extra parking?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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Density Bonus Law in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle density bonus law.