South Jordan, Utah Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES, short-term rentals ARE explicitly allowed in South Jordan, Utah. The city permits homeowners to operate short-term rentals out of condos, townhouses, single-family houses, and guest houses (with an approved Accessory Dwelling Unit permit). However, there are important restrictions: Internal ADUs such as basement apartments are NOT permitted to be used as short-term rentals.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in South Jordan?

South Jordan hosts earn a median $33,727/year with $152 ADR and 69% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $46,867+ per year.

See the full South Jordan market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in South Jordan, UT

Starting an STR business in South Jordan requires a systematic approach involving multiple city departments and regulatory compliance. Follow these steps:

1. Property Suitability Assessment

Verify Property Type: Ensure your property is a condo, townhouse, single-family house, or guest house with an approved ADU permit
Zoning Verification: Use the city's interactive zoning map to confirm your property is in an appropriate zone
ADU Compliance: If operating from a guest house, ensure you have an approved Accessory Dwelling Unit permit

2. Business Licensing Process

Contact Business Licensing Department: Required for all STR operations
Submit Application: Complete business license application through the South Jordan Online Portal
Fee Payment: Pay applicable business licensing fees (amount to be confirmed with business licensing)

3. Planning & Zoning Compliance

Planning Review: Ensure your STR use complies with local zoning requirements
Site Plan Requirements: Prepare necessary site plans and parking arrangements if required
Code Compliance: Verify compliance with all relevant municipal codes

4. Operational Setup

Property Preparation: Ensure property meets safety and habitability standards
Management Structure: Establish clear ownership and management responsibilities
Insurance: Obtain appropriate insurance coverage for STR operations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business Licensing Requirements

Business License Application: Required for all STR operations
Business License Renewal: Regular renewal requirements (frequency to be confirmed)
Compliance Documentation: Must maintain compliance with all city ordinances

Planning & Zoning Documents

Property Ownership Verification: Proof of ownership or lease agreements
Site Plan: May be required depending on property type and location
Parking Plan: Demonstration of adequate off-street parking arrangements
Zoning Compliance Certificate: Verification that STR use is permitted in the specific zone

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Requirements (if applicable)

Approved ADU Permit: Required for guest house STR operations
ADU Compliance Certificate: Must demonstrate compliance with ADU regulations
Building Permit Documentation: If ADU construction or modification was required

Operational Guidelines

Occupancy Standards: Must comply with family/household definitions and building code occupancy limits
Noise and Nuisance Compliance: Adherence to local noise ordinances and nuisance regulations
Parking Requirements: Adequate off-street parking must be available
Safety Standards: Compliance with building safety codes and requirements

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (South Jordan)

Permitted Property Types: Condos, townhouses, single-family houses, and guest houses with approved ADU permits
Prohibited Property Types: Internal ADUs such as basement apartments are explicitly prohibited
Zoning Compliance: STRs must be located in zones that permit such use
Business Licensing: Required for all STR operations

County-Level Regulations (Salt Lake County)

County-level STR regulations may apply to properties in unincorporated areas
Business licensing requirements may vary from city requirements
Contact Salt Lake County for county-specific STR regulations

State-Level Regulations (Utah)

Based on the provided state-level information from the Utah Land Use Regulation guide:

Definition: Short-term rental means a residential unit or any portion of a residential unit that the owner of record or the lessee offers for occupancy for fewer than 30 consecutive days
Platform Protection: Cities may not prohibit individuals from offering a short-term rental on a short-term rental website or punish individuals solely for listing on such platforms
Local Authority: Cities may review STR rental agreements to verify compliance with municipal ordinances
Business Regulation: Cities are authorized to regulate businesses within municipal limits and may impose fees to recover regulatory costs
Zoning Authority: Cities have authority to enact regulations for land use and development within their boundaries

Key Restrictions and Limitations

Owner vs. Renter: Regulations may differ for owner-occupied vs. investor-owned properties
Occupancy Limits: Subject to building code and municipal ordinance limitations
Geographic Restrictions: STRs may be limited to specific zones or geographic areas
Safety Requirements: Must comply with all applicable safety and building codes

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Primary Contact: Business Licensing Department

Phone: 801-446-HELP (4357)
Website: South Jordan Business Licenses
Online Portal: South Jordan Online Portal
Location: 1600 W Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, UT 84095

Planning & Zoning Department

Email: gschindler@sjc.utah.gov
Phone: 801-446-HELP (4357)
Website: South Jordan Planning & Zoning
Online Portal: Apply for Planning Applications

Building Department

Email: SJCbuildingdepartment@sjc.utah.gov
Phone: 801-446-HELP (4357)

City of South Jordan - General Contact

Address: 1600 W Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, UT 84095
Phone: 801-446-HELP (4357)
Website: www.sjc.utah.gov

Important Resources and Links

City Resources

Municipal Code and Regulations

FAQ Resources

State-Level Resources

Key Takeaways for STR Investors

Explicit Permission: South Jordan allows STRs in specific property types
Clear Restrictions: Internal ADUs (basement apartments) are prohibited
Multiple Approvals Required: Business licensing, planning compliance, and potential ADU permits
Platform Protection: State law provides some protection for online listings
Active Regulatory Environment: Both city and state levels have evolving regulations
Contact-Based Process: Direct engagement with city departments is essential for compliance

Critical Next Steps: Contact the Business Licensing Department first to understand current requirements, then work with Planning & Zoning to ensure property compliance before proceeding with any STR operation.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about South Jordan

South Jordan is a suburban city in Salt Lake County, Utah, home to roughly 78,000 residents and forming part of the rapidly growing Salt Lake City metropolitan area in the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley. The city has a family-friendly, master-planned feel, with wide residential neighborhoods, well-maintained parks, and a growing commercial core that has attracted several large employers in the tech and financial sectors. Framed by the Wasatch Range to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west, South Jordan serves as a convenient gateway to both Salt Lake City's urban amenities and Utah's famous outdoor recreation, sitting about 15 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City.

Just north of the city in neighboring Draper, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium draws families and school groups with its walk-through ocean tunnel, shark encounters, and rotating exhibits of marine and freshwater species from around the world. The attraction is roughly a 10-minute drive from central South Jordan, making it a popular half-day outing for visitors staying in the area who want something engaging for children or a rainy-day alternative to the nearby ski slopes and hiking trails.

A little farther afield, the Wasatch Mountains rise just a short drive east of South Jordan, with both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons reached in roughly 30 to 40 minutes. These canyons are home to world-renowned ski resorts including Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude, along with extensive summer trail networks for hiking and mountain biking. In the warmer months, the same drive leads to trailheads in the high Uintas and along the Alpine Loop, while in winter the area transforms into one of North America's most accessible ski regions.

To the west, Antelope Island State Park sits in the Great Salt Lake about a 45-minute drive from South Jordan and offers a surprisingly wild escape from the suburban landscape. Visitors come to see free-roaming bison, mule deer, and pronghorn, walk along sandy beaches, and watch sunsets over the lake's famously salty water. Closer to home, Gardner Village is a historic shopping and dining district set among restored 19th-century buildings, providing a relaxed spot for browsing boutiques, antiques shops, and seasonal events within the city itself.

South Jordan's appeal as a short-term-rental base comes from its quiet, well-kept neighborhoods paired with quick access to nearly every kind of Utah experience. Guests can ski fresh powder in the morning, stroll a canyon trail by afternoon, and still be back in time for dinner in their rental, all while enjoying the space, parking, and residential calm that downtown Salt Lake City hotels often lack. This balance of suburban comfort and regional accessibility makes it an especially practical home base for families, road-trippers, and convention-goers exploring the Wasatch Front.