Bolthole Index

Salt Lake County, Utah

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

South Salt Lake, Utah sets its own zoning under Title 171 and requires a city building permit for most construction, including new buildings, additions and remodels2. Septic permits are a different office: the Salt Lake County Health Department reviews and permits new onsite wastewater systems countywide, city or not3. Rules for unincorporated Salt Lake County do not apply inside city limits.

At a glance

Zoning
Set by the city (Title 17 Land Use Ordinance)1
Building permit
Required for most construction; some minor work is exempt2
Inspections
Every building permit requires an inspection4
Septic permits
Salt Lake County Health Department3
Accessory dwellings
Allowed in the R1 and RM districts only5
Owner-builder
Exempt from contractor licensing, but permits and inspections still apply6

Who to call

Building permits

South Salt Lake Community Development, Building Permits

Building permit applications, plan review, inspections and certificates of occupancy inside South Salt Lake city limits

801-483-6063

220 E Morris Avenue, South Salt Lake, UT 84115

Zoning

South Salt Lake Planning & Zoning

Zoning, plats and subdivisions, and land-use applications inside South Salt Lake city limits

[email protected]

220 E Morris Avenue Suite 200 South Salt Lake, UT 84115

Septic permits

Salt Lake County Health Department, Water Quality Bureau

Review and permitting of new onsite wastewater (septic) systems countywide

385-468-3862

788 East Woodoak Lane (5380 South), Murray, UT 84107

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does South Salt Lake, UT have zoning?

Yes. South Salt Lake adopts zoning regulations by city ordinance, and the city's Planning & Zoning division administers them under Title 17, the Land Use Ordinance17. The city publishes an interactive zoning map and a zoning map PDF, and every parcel carries its own district8.

That matters because lot size, setbacks and allowed uses vary by district, and we could not confirm the lot-size and setback standards for the R1 single-family district or any other8. Look up the parcel on the city's zoning map first, then ask Planning & Zoning about lot size, setbacks and height for that district.

Salt Lake County's Title 19 zoning covers only unincorporated land; property inside one of the county's municipalities follows municipal zoning codes9. Do not use county setback or lot-size figures for a South Salt Lake lot.

Do you need a building permit in South Salt Lake, and who issues it?

Yes, for most work. South Salt Lake requires a building permit for new construction, additions, remodels, repairs, demolitions, changes in use or occupancy, and most electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work210. Some minor work may be exempt, and the city asks you to call its building line to confirm before you assume a project is exempt2.

The city's own Community Development office issues the permit, not Salt Lake County or the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District, which serve unincorporated areas1011. Construction follows codes adopted by the city and the state of Utah12. Work started without a permit can draw a citation and a double application fee2.

Do you need an inspection or certificate of occupancy in South Salt Lake?

Every South Salt Lake building permit requires an inspection, and work finished without one must be removed or replaced so it can be inspected4. When the work is complete and meets code, the city issues a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of completion1310.

The city says it reviews a building permit application and gives feedback within 15 business days, and an application is valid for 180 days14. Fees are listed in the city's consolidated fee schedule, which we did not review for dollar amounts15.

How do septic permits work inside South Salt Lake?

Septic is a county matter, not a city one. The Salt Lake County Health Department reviews and permits new onsite wastewater systems in Salt Lake County, and no one may install, alter or replace a system without its permit31617.

Sewer usually comes first. County health rules require a building to connect to public sewer when any part of the sewer line is within 300 feet of the property line18. We could not confirm South Salt Lake's own sewer-connection rule for new homes, so ask the city's Community Development office whether sewer reaches your lot before you plan a septic system. USDA rates only about 3.8% of Salt Lake County soils as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation or an engineered system wherever septic is allowed19.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in South Salt Lake?

We could not confirm whether South Salt Lake allows RV living or tiny-home occupancy on private land, because the city's district use tables were not available to us. Do not assume either is allowed. Ask Planning & Zoning at [email protected] about the specific parcel and district7.

One related answer is confirmed: the city has allowed internal and external accessory dwelling units since 2024, but only in the R1 and RM land use districts5. An ADU predevelopment application must be processed by the planning department before a building permit can be issued5.

Building a home in South Salt Lake: the steps, in order

  1. Find the parcel's zoning district on the city's interactive zoning map8.
  2. Ask Planning & Zoning what the district allows, and whether a predevelopment or other land-use application is needed7. Plats and subdivisions also run through that division20.
  3. Confirm sewer and water service with the city, and call the Salt Lake County Health Department only if septic is a possibility17.
  4. Apply for the building permit with Community Development10. An owner building their own home is exempt from contractor licensing, but permits and inspections still apply6.
  5. Book an inspection for every permit, then get the certificate of occupancy or completion413.
  6. Any new driveway approach, sidewalk or curb work in the public right-of-way needs an engineering permit from the city21.

What stays with Salt Lake County, and what to check before you buy in South Salt Lake

Septic permits and the countywide sewer-connection rule sit with Salt Lake County Health3. Water wells are regulated by the State Engineer through the Utah Division of Water Rights, and a well needs a valid water right first22. Land outside city limits uses the county's rules instead; see the Salt Lake County page.

Salt Lake County's effective property tax rate is about 0.6%23. Before you buy, confirm the parcel's district, sewer availability and any floodplain status with the city, since we could not confirm the city's floodplain rules.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm South Salt Lake's lot-size, setback, height or dwelling-size rules; they vary by district, so ask Planning & Zoning before you buy7.
  • RV living, tiny homes, manufactured homes and short-term rentals are unconfirmed inside South Salt Lake; get an answer in writing from the city planning division for your parcel7.
  • Do not rely on unincorporated Salt Lake County or Municipal Services District pages for a South Salt Lake address; the city issues its own building permits10.

Sources

  1. South Salt Lake city - Planning & Zoning (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  2. South Salt Lake city - Building Permits (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic & Onsite Wastewater Systems - Waste | Salt Lake County, quoted and re-checked
  4. South Salt Lake city - Building Permits (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  5. South Salt Lake city - ADUs (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  6. Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. South Salt Lake Planning & Zoning (sslc.gov)
  8. South Salt Lake city - Planning & Zoning (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  9. Land Use & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  10. South Salt Lake Community Development, Building Permits (sslc.gov)
  11. Building Services | Greater Salt Lake MSD, quoted and re-checked
  12. South Salt Lake city - Building Permits (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  13. South Salt Lake city - Building Permits (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  14. South Salt Lake city - FAQs (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  15. South Salt Lake city - FAQs (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  16. Salt Lake County Health Regulation #13: Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. Salt Lake County Health Department, Water Quality Bureau (saltlakecounty.gov)
  18. Salt Lake County Health Regulation #13: Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. South Salt Lake city - Planning & Zoning (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  21. South Salt Lake city - FAQs (South Salt Lake), quoted and re-checked
  22. Water Well Drilling Information, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for South Salt Lake

South Salt Lake’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Most construction projects inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Some minor work may be exempt; the city advises calling 801-483-6063 and selecting 2 then 2 to confirm whether a permit is required.
    • Work started without a permit may be subject to citation and a double application fee, per the FAQ.
    • Permit-required examples listed by the city include additions, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fences (masonry any height or over 6 feet), new buildings, renovations, reroofing, signs, and structural modifications.
    “most construction projects require a building permit, including new construction, additions, remodels, repairs, demolitions, changes in use or occupancy, and most electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • The city page states that its building code standards are adopted by the city and by the state of Utah; the specific code editions and local amendments were not identified in the opened pages.
    “the purpose of building permits and inspections is to ensure public and private structures are built to meet code and standards as adopted by the city of south salt lake and the state of utah.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Projects that obtain a building permit inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Inspections are scheduled by calling 801-483-6032 per the FAQ.
    • Work completed without an inspection requires removal and/or replacement of uninspected work, per the FAQ.
    “do i need an inspection with my building permit? yes. all building permits require an inspection.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Permitted construction inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Issued by the city when work is complete and in compliance with code requirements; a certificate of completion is issued in place of a certificate of occupancy where the page so states.
    “when the work is completed and in compliance with all code requirements, we issue a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of completion.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    All land inside South Salt Lake city limits, under the city's own zoning ordinance (Title 17 - Land Use Ordinance) administered by the city Planning & Zoning division

    • The city's Planning & Zoning page lists 'title 17 - land use ordinance' among the sections of the city code that apply to planning and zoning.
    • Each parcel carries a city zoning designation; verify the parcel's district on the city's interactive zoning map before relying on any use or dimensional rule.
    “through the master planning and visioning process, the city establishes zoning regulations that are adopted into ordinance by the city council.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts for land inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • The published items are an interactive zoning map and a zoning map PDF; the district list and district standards inside Title 17 were not opened.
    • The city's ADU page refers to 'the r1 and rm land use districts' as land use districts.
    “maps future land use map (2021) (pdf) interactive zoning map ssl street map (pdf) zoning map (pdf)”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Internal and external accessory dwelling units on parcels in the R1 and RM land use districts inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Allowed in the R1 and RM land use districts only, per the city's ADU page.
    • An ADU predevelopment application must be received and processed by the planning department before a building permit may be issued.
    • Verify the parcel's land use district with the city's interactive zoning map; planning staff: 801-483-6063 ext. 5 or [email protected].
    “as of february 7, 2024, south salt lake allows internal and external accessory dwelling units (adu) in the r1 and rm land use districts.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    New plats, plat amendments, consolidations and subdivisions of land inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Handled by the city Planning & Zoning division as a land-use application; the plat standards themselves in Title 17 were not opened.
    “plats (new plats, plat amendments, consolidations, subdivision)”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Drive approach construction or replacement inside the public right-of-way in South Salt Lake city limits (not private driveway layout on private land)

    • Normal construction activity in the public right-of-way requires an engineering permit from the city engineering department.
    • A right-of-way permit with a traffic control plan is required for closures of city streets or sidewalks.
    “work in the public right-of-way includes replacement or new construction of streets, sidewalks, curb and gutter, drive approaches, and utility excavations.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Application and permit fees for land-use and building applications inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Fees are set in the city's consolidated fee schedule, which was referenced but not opened; no dollar amounts are stated in this claim.
    • Applications for any project started without a permit may carry a double application fee, per the FAQ.
    “what are the fees for my application? all application fees are outlined in the south salt lake municipal code consolidated fee schedule.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit and land-use application process inside South Salt Lake city limits

    • Permit applications are processed at 220 E Morris Avenue (Community Development); the city states it reviews and provides feedback within 15 business days.
    • Applications are only valid for 180 days, per the FAQ.
    • Plans are reviewed before permits are issued and inspections occur during construction.

    plan review feedback time: 15 business days · application validity: 180 days

    “how long does it take to process a building permit application? we will review and provide feedback within 15 business days.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for homeowners building on their own property inside South Salt Lake city limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Main single-family residential district (R1) inside South Salt Lake city limits
  • Minimum lot size — Main single-family residential district (R1) inside South Salt Lake city limits
  • Setbacks — Main single-family residential district (R1) inside South Salt Lake city limits
  • Lot coverage — Main single-family residential district (R1) inside South Salt Lake city limits
14 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that South Salt Lake publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Salt Lake County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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