Note: Short-term rentals are permitted in Riverton, UT, but strictly regulated. They are allowed only in owner-occupied, primary residences and only with an approved Conditional Use Permit followed by a valid business license.

Overview & Allowability

• Are STRs allowed? Yes. Short-term rentals (rentals for fewer than 30 days) are permitted in all residential zones in Riverton, but only as a Conditional Use Home Occupation. The property must be owner-occupied and the owner’s primary residence.
• Key constraints: owner must reside at the property a minimum of 185 nights per year; rentals are limited to 150 nights per year; minimum two-night stay; maximum 29 consecutive nights per renter; maximum eight renters at any time; one active rental agreement at a time; 24/7 response capability within one hour; off-street parking within the home’s frontage footprint; posting of renter information; and strict compliance with noise and property maintenance rules.
• Operating without a Conditional Use Permit and business license is illegal. Violations can lead to permit revocation and license suspension or loss.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Riverton

• Confirm eligibility
  • Confirm the property is in a residential zone (all are allowed conditionally).
  • Ensure the property is your bona fide primary residence (≥185 nights/year).
• Prepare the Conditional Use application
  • Complete the “Conditional Use – Home Occupation – Short-Term Rental” application and sign the ownership declaration and owner-occupancy affidavit.
  • Assemble required submittals (see the Required Documents checklist below).
  • Pay application fees:
    • Conditional Use Home Occupation: $175.00
    • Mail processing fee: $0.80 per mailed notice (notices sent to properties within 300 feet; number of notices varies by property)
• Submit and schedule
  • Submit the application via the Planning Department.
  • The Planning Commission holds a public hearing; notices are mailed to neighbors within 300 feet. You are responsible for noticing costs.
  • The Commission may approve, approve with conditions, or deny.
• After Conditional Use approval
  • Apply for the Riverton City Business License for a Short-Term Rental (annual renewal).
  • Obtain any required building permits and verify compliance with Building and Fire Codes.
  • If you will collect Transient Room Tax (TRT) directly, register with the Utah State Tax Commission.
• Launch and maintain
  • Post the required renter information packet inside the residence.
  • Provide 24/7 contact information to renters and neighbors within 300 feet; be able to respond physically within one hour.
  • Maintain compliance with off-street parking, privacy fencing, occupancy limits, and noise ordinance.
  • Maintain records of rental nights and associated tax filings; respond to inspections or audits if requested.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Conditional Use Permit application checklist (from the City application and ordinance):

• Completed application form, signed by the applicant
• Ownership Declaration
• Proof of ownership (deed records or equivalent)
• Proof of primary residency (any one of the following is acceptable):
  • Federal or state tax returns
  • Government-issued ID showing the property address
  • Deed records
  • Signed and notarized affidavit attesting to ownership
  • Other suitable proof as determined by the Planning Department
• Evidence of adequate off-street parking on the property within the footprint of the home’s frontage (include drawings/photos)
• Proof of compliance with existing CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions)
• Copy of the short-term rental business license application
• Proof of sales tax license
• Proof of business entity registration (if applicable) with the State of Utah: corporations.utah.gov
• Proof that all Conditional Use fees have been paid
• Owner-Occupancy Affidavit (submit with application)
• Compliance with noise ordinance (Riverton City Code) and property maintenance standards (Riverton City Code)

Post-approval licenses and registrations:

• Riverton City Business License (annual)
• Building permits and inspections if any construction or finishing is performed
• Utah State Tax Commission Transient Room Tax registration (if you collect and remit TRT directly)
  • Registration portal: tax.utah.gov/businesses/transient-room-tax

Regulatory references:

• Riverton City Code Chapter 18.190 (Home Occupations)
  • Section 18.190.051 (Short-Term Rentals) for detailed operating requirements
• Riverton City Code – noise ordinance (referenced in 18.190.051(12))
• Riverton City Code – building and fire codes (for safe occupancy and compliance)

Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

City of Riverton – key STR requirements (RCC 18.190.051):

• Owner-occupied and primary residence
  • Owner must live in the dwelling at least 185 nights per year
  • Rentals limited to 150 nights per year
• Stays and occupancy
  • Minimum two-night stay; maximum 29 consecutive nights per renter
  • Only one active rental agreement at a time; no overlapping rentals
  • Maximum eight renters at any given time
  • Minimum four hours of vacancy between renters
• Operations
  • Provide 24/7 contact to renters and neighbors within 300 feet; respond physically within one hour
  • Post an informational packet inside the residence with escape routes, emergency contacts, appliance controls, and hazard information
  • Display the property address conspicuously at the entrance or mailbox
  • All rental activities confined to the residence and fenced side/rear yards; privacy fencing required in zones with one-third-acre lots or smaller
  • Off-street parking only, within the footprint of the home’s frontage
• Compliance and enforcement
  • Noise: more than one violation by any renter within a 72-hour period that results in a citation requires terminating the rental
  • Property maintenance: three or more violations within any 12-month period will result in loss of the business license
  • Revocation: Conditional Use may be revoked for permit violations or ordinance non-compliance; a hearing is held, and the permittee receives at least 10 days’ notice
  • Reapplication: following revocation or denial, a new application for the same business type and location will not be accepted for one year; fees apply upon reapplication

Salt Lake County – transient lodging rule:

• Short-term rentals (fewer than 30 days) in Salt Lake County must collect and remit Transient Room Tax (TRT). Hosts are responsible for registration and monthly filings with the Utah State Tax Commission. If you list on platforms that handle tax collection, confirm whether you must register separately and whether the platform remits on your behalf.

State of Utah – TRT and business registration:

• TRT registration is required for lodging shorter than 30 days; file monthly returns and remit taxes: tax.utah.gov/businesses/transient-room-tax
• If operating under a business entity, register with the State of Utah (corporations.utah.gov)
• Comply with state-level taxation and any health/safety requirements applicable to transient lodging

Local Authority Contacts (Riverton)

• Planning & Zoning (Conditional Use permits; Home Occupations)
  • Phone: 801-208-3149
  • Email: planning@rivertonutah.gov
  • Applications: rivertonutah.gov/planning/applications.php
• Building Inspections & Permits (code compliance and permitting)
  • Phone: 801-208-3148
  • Web: rivertonutah.gov/building/index.php
• Business Licensing (annual STR business license)
  • Phone: 801-208-3129
  • Email: business@rivertonutah.gov
  • Web: rivertonutah.gov/business/licensing/index.php

Source Links

• Riverton Planning FAQs (STR overview and references to permit process)
  • rivertonutah.gov/planning/faq.php
• Riverton City Code Chapter 18.190 – Home Occupations (includes 18.190.051 Short-Term Rentals)
  • codepublishing.com/UT/Riverton/html/Riverton18/Riverton18190.html
• Short-Term Rental Conditional Use Application (PDF)
  • cms8.revize.com/revize/rivertonut/departments/planning/applications-permits/short-term-rental-permit-application.pdf
• Planning Commission Minutes – STR hearing and conditions discussion (Dec 14, 2023)
  • utah.gov/pmn/files/1070139.pdf
• Salt Lake County – Transient Room Tax registration (Utah State Tax Commission)
  • tax.utah.gov/businesses/transient-room-tax
• Utah State Business Entity Registration
  • corporations.utah.gov

Practical tips for investors:

• Before purchase, verify neighborhood CC&Rs and any HOA limits that could restrict short-term rental operations.
• Confirm off-street parking sufficiency on the lot and ensure address visibility for emergency responders and guests.
• Maintain meticulous records of rental nights, guest counts, and TRT filings; perform periodic self-audits to avoid accumulative violations.
• Consider a property management plan that ensures you or a local representative can physically respond within one hour at all times.
• Engage with neighbors proactively; providing contact information and setting clear guest expectations reduces complaint risk and helps sustain permit status.