Salt Lake City Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Guide to creating site plans for building permits in Salt Lake City, including the zoning ordinance and environmental considerations.

Salt Lake City Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Salt Lake City, Utah requires meeting specific requirements set by the Building Services Division within the Community and Neighborhoods Department. SLC's development is governed by Title 21A (Zoning) of the Salt Lake City Code, with unique considerations including the city's distinctive wide street grid (132-foot-wide streets designed by Brigham Young), progressive ADU and parking reform policies, watershed protection for the Wasatch Front mountains, and seismic design requirements along the Wasatch Fault.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does SLC Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. Building Services requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Title 21A and the International Building Code as adopted by Utah. Look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS portal at maps.slcgov.com.

Required Site Plan Elements

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks per Title 21A zone district standards
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use
  • Lot coverage calculation
  • Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for applicable zones
  • Parking spaces per Title 21A (eliminated or reduced in many zones)
  • Landscaping with water-wise plant selections per the Water Efficient Landscaping ordinance
  • Stormwater management features
  • North arrow and scale
  • Salt Lake County parcel number

Salt Lake City Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • R-1/5,000 (Single-Family, 5,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 4 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 45%. Height max 28 feet.
  • R-1/7,000 (Single-Family, 7,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 6 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 40%. Height max 28 feet.
  • R-1/12,000 (Estate): Front 30 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 30%.
  • SR-1 (Special Development Residential): Front 20 feet, side 6 feet, rear 15 feet. Allows duplexes and twin homes.
  • RMF-35 (Multi-Family, 35-foot height): Front 20 feet, side 10 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 60%.
  • RMF-45/RMF-75 (Multi-Family): Increasing height and density.
  • FB-UN1/FB-UN2 (Form-Based Urban Neighborhood): Build-to lines, minimal setbacks, transit-oriented standards with maximum lot coverage of 80-90%.
  • TSA (Transit Station Area): Highest density zones near TRAX light rail and FrontRunner stations.

Parking Reforms

Salt Lake City has been a national leader in parking reform:

  • Parking minimums eliminated in downtown (D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4 zones), transit station areas, and form-based zones
  • Reduced minimums in many residential zones (often 1 space per unit instead of 2)
  • Maximum parking limits in some commercial zones to prevent excessive surface parking
  • Bicycle parking required for multi-family and commercial per Title 21A
  • Shared parking: Allowed between uses with complementary peak hours

ADU Requirements

Salt Lake City permits ADUs in all single-family and multi-family residential zones:

  • Internal and detached ADUs both allowed
  • Size limit: 650 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling, whichever is less
  • Setbacks: 4 feet from side and rear property lines for detached ADUs
  • Height: 17 feet maximum for detached ADUs
  • Parking: 1 additional off-street space required (waived within 1/4 mile of transit)
  • Owner occupancy: Required in either the primary dwelling or the ADU
  • Design standards: Must be compatible with the primary dwelling in materials and style

Water-Wise Landscaping Requirements

Utah's ongoing drought has led to strict water conservation standards:

  • Water Efficient Landscaping: Required for all new development and significant landscape modifications
  • Localscapes approach: Encouraged by Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District — central open area, gathering areas, activity zones, and naturalized planting beds
  • Park strip landscaping: Turf grass in park strips discouraged; drought-tolerant alternatives incentivized
  • Water budget: Landscape water use must comply with Utah Division of Water Resources guidelines

Stormwater Management

  • Stormwater management plan: Required for projects increasing impervious surface or disturbing 1 acre+
  • Jordan River watershed: Enhanced water quality treatment required to protect the Jordan River and Great Salt Lake
  • Green infrastructure: Rain gardens, bioretention, permeable pavement encouraged with stormwater fee credits
  • Stormwater utility fee: Monthly fee based on impervious surface

Historic Preservation

  • Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) reviews projects in local historic districts and for individual landmarks
  • Districts: Including the Avenues, Capitol Hill, Central City, Exchange Place, South Temple, and University
  • Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work visible from public way
  • Utah and federal historic tax credits: Utah offers 20% state credit for certified rehabilitation
  • HLC review adds 30-60 days

Seismic Design Requirements

Salt Lake City is in Seismic Design Category D due to the Wasatch Fault:

  • Seismic design: All new structures must meet IBC seismic requirements for Category D
  • Liquefaction zones: Geotechnical investigation required for properties in mapped liquefaction areas
  • Fault setbacks: Development may be restricted near mapped active fault traces

How to Submit

Citizen Access Portal

Submit through SLC's Citizen Access Portal at slcgov.com/permits for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 349 S. 200 East, Suite 100.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per fee schedule; includes impact fees for parks, fire, police, and transportation
  • Timeline: Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. HLC review adds 30-60 days. Express residential available for simple projects.

Creating Your Salt Lake City Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Salt Lake City property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Building Services submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Salt Lake City?
In R-1/5,000 zones, front setbacks are 20 feet, side 4 feet, rear 15 feet with 45% lot coverage and 28-foot height max. R-1/7,000 zones require 6-foot side setbacks. R-1/12,000 estate zones need 30-foot front and 10-foot side setbacks. Form-based zones (FB-UN1/FB-UN2) use build-to lines with up to 80-90% lot coverage. Transit station areas have the highest density.
Does Salt Lake City require parking for new construction?
SLC has eliminated parking minimums in downtown zones (D-1 through D-4), transit station areas, and form-based zones. Many residential zones have reduced minimums (often 1 space per unit). Maximum parking limits exist in some commercial zones. Bicycle parking is required for multi-family and commercial. Shared parking is allowed between compatible uses.
Can I build an ADU in Salt Lake City?
Yes, ADUs are allowed in all residential zones. Internal and detached types permitted. Size limited to 650 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling. Detached ADUs need 4-foot side/rear setbacks and 17-foot height max. 1 additional parking space required (waived within 1/4 mile of transit). Owner occupancy required in either the primary or ADU.
What water-wise landscaping is required?
Water Efficient Landscaping is required for all new development. The Localscapes approach is encouraged. Park strip turf grass is discouraged with drought-tolerant alternatives incentivized. Landscape water budgets must comply with Utah Division of Water Resources guidelines.
What historic preservation rules apply?
The Historic Landmark Commission reviews projects in districts including Avenues, Capitol Hill, Central City, Exchange Place, South Temple, and University. Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work. Utah offers 20% state historic tax credits plus 20% federal credits. HLC review adds 30-60 days.
What seismic requirements affect construction?
SLC is in Seismic Design Category D due to the Wasatch Fault. All structures must meet IBC seismic requirements. Geotechnical investigation required in mapped liquefaction areas. Development may be restricted near mapped active fault traces.
How do I submit plans to Building Services?
Submit through Citizen Access Portal at slcgov.com/permits. Walk-in at 349 S. 200 East, Suite 100. Residential permits take 10-15 business days. Express residential available for simple projects.
How long does plan review take?
Residential 10-15 business days with express option. Commercial 20-30 business days. HLC review for historic properties adds 30-60 days. Stormwater review is concurrent.

How to Create a Site Plan in Salt Lake City

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use SLC's GIS at maps.slcgov.com to find zoning, form-based zone status, transit station area status, historic district, liquefaction zone, and lot dimensions. Note your Salt Lake County parcel number.
  2. Determine Requirements: Check form-based or traditional zone requirements. Determine parking rules (may be eliminated near transit). Check historic district, seismic, water-wise landscaping, and stormwater requirements.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your SLC address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback or build-to lines per your Title 21A zone district.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks/build-to lines, lot coverage, FAR, parking (if required), water-wise landscaping, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: For historic districts, prepare HLC application with photographs. Prepare stormwater management plans. For liquefaction zones, prepare geotechnical investigation. Prepare ADU documentation if applicable.
  6. Submit Through Citizen Access Portal: Upload plans through slcgov.com/permits. Pay fees including impact fees for parks, fire, police, and transportation.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to Building Services comments. Attend HLC meetings if required. Once approved, pay remaining fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.