Zoning, building permits and septic rules in North Salt Lake, Utah

North Salt Lake’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, improvement, removal, conversion, or demolition of buildings or structures inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • A separate permit is required for each building or structure.
  • Minor maintenance is excluded.
  • The permit must be obtained from the building official under the applicable specific-code conditions.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building or structure, or cause or allow the same to be done, without first obtaining a separate building permit for each such building or structure from the building official in the manner and according to the applicable conditions prescribed in the specific code, excluding minor maintenance.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction regulated inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • The adopted construction codes are those adopted by Utah under the State Construction Code Administration Act, including later codes adopted by the state.

  “The City of North Salt Lake hereby adopts those certain Construction Codes, as adopted by the State of Utah pursuant to the State Construction Code Administration Act, including all Construction Codes, which may be adopted by the State from year to year pursuant to the Act.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Buildings and structures requiring a building permit inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • The building official must inspect and find compliance with Title 10 and the city building code before occupancy or use.

  “Buildings and structures requiring a building permit pursuant to the provisions of this title shall not be occupied nor put into use until the building official has inspected such building or structure, finds compliance with this title and the building code of the city, and gives a written certificate of occupancy and use to the owner or his agent to occupy or use the building or structure in the manner approved by the issuance of a valid building permit.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings and structures requiring a building permit inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • Before occupancy or use, the building official must inspect, find compliance with Title 10 and the city building code, and issue a written certificate of occupancy and use.
  • Use must be in the manner approved by the valid building permit.

  “Buildings and structures requiring a building permit pursuant to the provisions of this title shall not be occupied nor put into use until the building official has inspected such building or structure, finds compliance with this title and the building code of the city, and gives a written certificate of occupancy and use to the owner or his agent to occupy or use the building or structure in the manner approved by the issuance of a valid building permit.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • Land use is governed by the city's Title 10 Land Use Ordinance.

  “The entire City Code, including the Land Use and Subdivision Ordinance, is available here: North Salt Lake City Code.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  Lots within subdivisions and developed vacant property inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • Where an approved public water supply is available, the subdivider must install water mains and service lines or laterals to each lot before listed road and sidewalk improvements.
  • All sewer lines must connect to South Davis Sewer Improvement District.
  • For vacant property adjacent to secondary-water infrastructure, connection is required at development before a certificate of occupancy; temporary occupancy may be approved with a suitable guarantee and applicable fees and costs.

  “Where an approved public water supply is available, the subdivider shall install water mains and service lines or laterals from such mains to each lot within the subdivision, prior to the installation of road base, surfacing, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. B. Sewer: All sewer lines shall be connected to South Davis Sewer Improvement District.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • The city code publishes Title 13, Subdivision Ordinance.

  “On January 16, 2024 the City Council adopted ORD2024-01 amending provisions in Title 10 Land Use Regulations and adopting Title 13 Subdivisions. The affective date of the ordinance is January 30, 2024.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building and use permit applications inside North Salt Lake city limits.

  • The application must be made to the building official.
  • It must include a site plan and other information required by city ordinance.
  • The latest International Building Code as adopted is referenced.

  “An application for a building or use permit shall be made to the building official and shall include a site plan and such other information as may be required by ordinance in the city. (See latest edition of the international building code, as adopted.) (Ord. 93-5, 7-6-1993, eff. 7-15-1993; amd. 2012 Code)”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask North Salt Lake or Davis County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside North Salt Lake city limits.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside North Salt Lake city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts inside North Salt Lake city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential districts inside North Salt Lake city limits.
• Setbacks — Residential districts inside North Salt Lake city limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in North Salt Lake means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.