Slc, Utah Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in SLC, UT?

Short-term rentals are effectively prohibited in Salt Lake City proper. The city does not have specific regulations or allowances for land use known as "short-term rental." Properties offering accommodations for fewer than 30 consecutive days are categorized as hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast uses under city zoning ordinances. These uses are generally not permitted in residential zoning districts where most housing stock is located.

While this prohibition presents challenges for traditional short-term rental operations, there are legal alternatives for generating rental income from your property that comply with current regulations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Slc?

Slc hosts earn a median $24,986/year with $114 ADR and 77% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $35,824+ per year.

See the full Slc market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Given the regulatory environment in Salt Lake City, investors have several compliant pathways:

1. Long-Term Rental Operations (30+ Days)

The most straightforward approach is to operate as a traditional landlord offering month-to-month or longer tenancies. Units with self-contained kitchens and bathrooms in residential zoning districts can be legally rented for periods of 30 days or more with appropriate business licensing.

2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Salt Lake City allows ADUs on properties located within zoning districts where residential uses are permitted, subject to:

Owner occupancy requirement for single-family dwellings
The property owner or owner's family member must live in either the main building or the ADU
ADUs cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the main building
You can rent one of the units as long as the owner resides in the other unit and enrolls in the Good Landlord Program
Business licensing is required

Important Note: Short-term rentals with lease periods under 30 days are considered hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast uses and are generally not permitted in residential zoning districts where ADUs are allowed.

3. Zoning Verification Process

Before proceeding with any rental operation, it's recommended to:

Request a Zoning Verification Letter through the Citival Access Portal
Consider an Administrative Interpretation to determine in writing that you can use your property for rental purposes
Use the online zoning map to determine zoning compliance

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

For Long-Term Rentals (30+ Days)

Business License - Required for rental operations
Zoning Verification Letter - Recommended to confirm legal use
Good Landlord Program Enrollment - Required if renting ADUs on single-family properties
Building Permits - May be required for property modifications

For ADU Operations

Business License
Building Permits - For ADU construction/conversion
Good Landlord Program Enrollment - Mandatory for single-family properties with ADUs
Owner Occupancy Documentation

For Short-Term Rental Determination

Administrative Interpretation Application - To determine if property can be used for short-term rental purposes
Zoning Verification Letter

Contact Information for Applications

Planning Counter: 801-535-7700
Business Licensing: 801-535-7721
Building Services: 801-535-7938
Zoning Questions Email: planning@slc.gov

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Salt Lake City

Zoning Restrictions

No dedicated "short-term rental" land use category exists in Salt Lake City
Properties offering accommodations under 30 days are classified as hotel/motel/bed & breakfast uses
These commercial lodging uses are prohibited in residential zoning districts
Hotel, motel, and bed & breakfast uses are only permitted in specific commercial zoning districts

State Law Constraints

Utah Code 10-8-85.4 prohibits local jurisdictions from "punishing an individual solely for the act of listing or offering a short-term rental on a short-term rental website." This limits enforcement options for the city.

Enforcement Efforts

Salt Lake City has increased enforcement capabilities by:

Allocating $49,000 for data-gathering software to identify non-compliant properties
Implementing systems to track booking patterns rather than just online listings
Focusing on actual usage verification rather than advertising evidence

Property Type Restrictions

ADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals regardless of owner occupancy status
Single-family homes with ADUs must have owner occupancy and cannot rent either unit short-term
Properties must meet minimum parking requirements for rental operations

State-Level Regulations for Utah

Tax Requirements

State Sales Tax: 4.85% base rate, but local option taxes often raise effective rates above 7%
Transient Room Tax: Many counties apply additional 1-4% tax on nightly lodging
If booking platforms (Airbnb/Vrbo) don't collect these taxes automatically, owners must register with the Utah State Tax Commission

Business Entity Formation

Property owners forming legal business entities (LLCs, corporations) must register with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.

Housing Considerations

Utah does not maintain a comprehensive statewide short-term rental framework. Local municipalities handle most regulatory aspects, creating a patchwork of requirements across different cities and counties.

Contact Information for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

Salt Lake City Planning Division

Phone: 801-535-7700
Email: planning@slc.gov
Address: 451 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Online Zoning Map: arcg.is/19e4CC

Salt Lake City Business Licensing

Phone: 801-535-7721

Salt Lake City Building Services

Phone: 801-535-7938
Email: building@slc.gov

Civil Enforcement Division

Phone: 801-535-7224
Email: building@slc.gov

Online Resources

Citizen Access Portal: https://aca-prod.accela.com/SLCREF/
Zoning Verification Letter: http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Applications/ZV.pdf
Administrative Interpretation: http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Applications/Administrative%20Interpretation.pdf
ADU Handbook: http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Guides/ADU_Handbook.pdf

Source Pages

Investment Recommendation: Given Salt Lake City's restrictive stance on traditional short-term rentals, investors should focus on long-term rental strategies, ADU development with owner occupancy, or properties in commercially zoned areas where hotel/motel uses are permitted. The regulatory environment favors traditional rental models over the typical short-term rental investment strategy.

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Salt Lake City sits in the north-central part of Utah as the state capital and seat of Salt Lake County. The city itself has a population of roughly 200,000, while the broader Wasatch Front metropolitan area is home to more than 1.2 million residents. It functions as the cultural, political, and economic hub of the region, blending a deep pioneer-era heritage tied to the Latter-day Saint settlement of the valley with a youthful, outdoors-oriented energy fueled by a sizable university population and a growing tech sector. Salt Lake City is perhaps best known as a gateway to some of the most celebrated ski terrain and red-rock national park country in the American West. The nearest comparable major city is Denver, about 525 miles to the east, while Las Vegas lies roughly 420 miles to the southwest.

Just a few blocks from the city center, Temple Square anchors downtown Salt Lake City as the historic and spiritual headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitors can tour immaculate gardens, the granite Salt Lake Temple, and the domed Tabernacle, and many come specifically to hear the world-famous Tabernacle Choir. It is a free attraction within easy walking distance of hotels, restaurants, and the convention district.

A short drive west of the city, the Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most unusual bodies of water in the country. Its mineral-rich waters make swimming feel almost weightless, and Antelope Island State Park, reached by a causeway, offers bison and bird-watching, hiking trails, and sandy beaches. Depending on the destination, the lake's various access points sit roughly 15 to 30 miles from downtown, or about a 30- to 45-minute drive.

About 30 miles east of the city, Park City is a former silver-mining town that has become one of the West's premier mountain resorts. In winter, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley draw skiers from around the world, while in summer the town hosts festivals, mountain biking, and a lively Main Street lined with galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. The drive from Salt Lake City typically takes 35 to 45 minutes, and along the way the Wasatch Range offers additional resorts and trailheads that are just as accessible.

Salt Lake City also serves as a popular base for exploring Utah's signature national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and Bryce Canyon, all of which can be reached in roughly three to five hours by car. Closer in, the Bonneville Salt Flats lie about 120 miles to the west, and the surrounding Wasatch foothills provide hiking and mountain biking within minutes of downtown. That combination of walkable urban core, four-season outdoor recreation, a one-of-a-kind lake, and a dense ring of famous parks and resorts gives short-term rental guests an unusually broad range of experiences to build a trip around, and gives owners a base that appeals to visitors in every season.

Slc, Utah

Unfriendly To Investors

STR Regulations for Slc, Utah