HomeMy WebLinkAbout010 of 2026 - Text Amendment - Fence and Hedge HeightsSALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. 10 of 2026
(Amending Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to
Fence and Hedge Height Standards)
An ordinance amending the text of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to
fence and hedge height standards, pursuant to Petition Nos. PLNPCM2025-00045 and
PLNPCM2025-00138.
WHEREAS, on August 13, 2025, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission (“Planning
Commission”) held a public hearing on petitions initiated by the Planning Commission and the
Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) to amend Salt Lake City’s land use regulations
pertaining to fence and hedge height standards, pursuant to Petition Nos. PLNPCM2025-00138
and PLNPCM2025-00045; and
WHEREAS, at its August 13, 2025 meeting, the Planning Commission voted in favor of
forwarding a positive recommendation to the City Council on said petitions; and
WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter the City Council has determined that
adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Amending the title of Section 21A.40.120. That the title of Section
21A.40.120 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences, Walls and Hedges) is hereby amended as follows, with no other changes
to the text of the section:
21A.40.120: REGULATION OF FENCES AND WALLS:
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SECTION 2. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.A. That Subsection
21A.40.120.A of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls: Purpose) is hereby amended as follows:
A. Purpose: Fences and walls serve properties by providing privacy and security, defining
private space and enhancing the design of individual sites. Fences also affect the public by
impacting the visual image of the streetscape and the overall character of neighborhoods. The
purpose of these regulations is to achieve a balance between the private concerns for privacy and
site design and the public concerns for enhancement of the community appearance, and to ensure
the provision of adequate light, air and public safety.
SECTION 3. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.B. That Subsection
21A.40.120.B of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls: Location) is hereby amended as follows:
B. Location: All fences and walls shall be erected entirely within the property lines of the
property they are intended to serve.
SECTION 4. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.E.1. That Subsection
21A.40.120.E.1 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls : Height Restrictions and Gates) is hereby amended as follows:
1. Fences and walls shall comply with the following regulations:
a. Except as permitted in subsection 21A.24.010.P and 21A.40.120.E.4 of this code
a fence or wall located between the front lot line and front building line of the facade of
the principal structure that contains the primary entrance shall not exceed four (4) feet in
height.
b. A fence or wall located at or behind the primary facade of the principal structure
shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height.
c. On developed properties where there is no existing principal structure, the height
of a fence or wall shall not exceed four (4) feet in a front yard area or seven (7) feet in the
rear or side yard areas. If there is no minimum front yard setback in the underlying
zoning district, a fence or wall taller than four feet may not be placed closer than ten (10)
feet from the front lot line.
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d. All refuse disposal and recycling dumpsters shall be screened on all sides by a
solid wood fence, masonry wall, or an equivalent opaque material to a height of not less
than 6 feet but not more than 8 feet.
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e. Notwithstanding Subsection 21A.40.120.E.1.b.(1), in the M-1, M-1A, M-2, and EI
zoning districts, fences or walls may be up to six (6) feet in height if located between the
front lot line and the front building line of the facade of the principal structure that contains
the primary entrance, unless the subject property is abutting or across a public street from a
zoning district that allows residential use, then the maximum height for a front yard fence is
four (4) feet.
f. Outdoor storage, when permitted in the zoning district, shall be located behind the
primary facade of the principal structure and shall be screened with a solid wall or fence and
shall comply with the requirements in Section 5.60.120. Outdoor storage in th e M-1, M-1A,
and M-2 districts are also subject to the provisions of 21A.28.010.B.3.
g. All refuse disposal and recycling dumpsters, except those located in the M-2, LO and EI
districts shall be screened on all sides by a solid wood fence, masonry wall or an equivalent
opaque material to a height of not less than 6 feet but not more than 8 feet.
SECTION 5. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.E.2. That Subsection
21A.40.120.E.2 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls : Height Restrictions and Gates: Double Frontage Lot) is hereby
amended as follows:
2. Double Frontage Lot: On properties with more than one front lot line, a fence or wall
may be a maximum of seven (7) feet when located:
a. behind the primary facade of the principal structure; or
b. in the front yard that is directly opposite the front yard where the primary entrance
to the principal building is located.
[note to codifier: there are no changes to the “Fence in a Double Frontage Lot” illustration ]
SECTION 6. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.E.4.a. That Subsection
21A.40.120.E.4.a of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls: Height Restrictions and Gates: Additional Fence Height
Allowed: When Abutting Nonresidential Zoning Districts) is hereby amended as follows:
a. When Abutting Nonresidential Zoning Districts. Fences or walls in the FR, SR, and R -l
zoning districts shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height in the side or rear yard except where
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they abut a Commercial, Downtown, Manufacturing, or Special Purpose Zoning District. The
maximum height shall be eight (8) feet. This exception does not apply to fences or walls in
the corner side yard or front yard and only applies where the lot abuts the nonresidential
district.
SECTION 7. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.E.4.i. That Subsection
21A.40.120.E.4.i of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls: Height Restrictions and Gates: Additional Fence Height
Allowed: Conditional Uses) is hereby amended as follows:
i. Conditional Uses. A fence or wall may exceed the allowable height requirements of this
Chapter where additional fence height is imposed as a reasonable condition to mitigate the
anticipated detrimental effects of a conditional use. Where such additional height is imposed
as a reasonable condition, such height shall not exceed the minimum height necessary to
mitigate the anticipated detrimental effects of the conditional use.
SECTION 8. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.E.5. That Subsection
21A.40.120.E.5 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls: Height Restrictions and Gates: Vision Clearance and Safety) is
hereby amended as follows:
5. Vision Clearance and Safety. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, a fence
or wall shall comply with the sight distance triangle requirements of this section.
a. Corner Lots; Sight Distance Triangle: No solid fence or wall shall be erected to a
height in excess of three (3) feet if the fence or wall is located within the sight distance
triangle extending thirty (30) feet either side of the intersection of the respective street
curb lines, or edge lines of roadway where curbing is not provided as noted in
Section 21A.62.050, illustration I of this title.
b. Intersection of Street and Driveway; Intersection of Alley or Driveway and
Sidewalk; Sight Distance Triangle: Solid fences or walls shall not exceed thirty (30)
inches in height within the sight distance triangle as defined in Section 21A.62.050,
illustration I of this title.
c. Sight Distance Triangle and See Through Fences: Within the area defined as a
sight distance triangle, see through fences that are at least fifty percent (50%) open shall
be allowed to a height of four (4) feet.
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d. Alternative Design Solutions. To provide adequate line of sight for driveways and
alleys, the zoning administrator, in consulting with the development review team, may
require alternative design solutions, including, but not restricted to, requiring increased
fence setback and/or lower fence height, to mitigate safety concerns created by the
location of buildings, grade change or other preexisting conditions.
SECTION 9. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.120.E.6. That Subsection
21A.40.120.E.6 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Regulation of Fences and Walls: Height Restrictions and Gates: Height Measurement) is hereby
amended as follows:
6. Height Measurement. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured from the finished
grade of the site as defined in section 21A.62.040 of this title. In instances of an abrupt grade
change at the property line, the height for fences that are located on top of a retaining wall
shall be measured from the top of the retaining wall.
[note to codifier: there are no changes to the “Fence on Top of Retaining Wall” illustration]
SECTION 10. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.160.C.1.b. That Subsection
21A.40.160.C.1.b of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
Ground Mounted Utility Boxes: Location: Private Property or Parcel: Front and Corner Side
Yards) is hereby amended as follows:
b. Front and Corner Side Yards: The ground mounted utility box shall be located within five
feet (5') of the building façade when located in required or provided front or corner side yard
and at least one foot from a front or corner side yard property line. Utility boxes in a front or
corner side yard shall be screened by a wall, fence, or landscaping of at least equal height not
to exceed the maximum height for a wall or fence allowed in the applicable yard.
SECTION 11. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.160.C.1.c. That Subsection
21A.40.160.C.1.c of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
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Ground Mounted Utility Boxes: Location: Private Property or Parcel) is hereby amended as
follows:
c. Ground mounted utility box(es) may be placed in a required landscaped yard if screened
by a wall, fence or landscaping of at least equal height not to exceed the maximum height for
a wall or fence allowed in the applicable yard.
SECTION 12. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after it has
been published in accordance with Utah Code § 10-3-711 and recorded in accordance with Utah
Code § 10-3-713.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this 24 day of March, 2026.
______________________________
Alejandro Puy, Council Chair
ATTEST:
______________________________
Keith Reynolds, City Recorder
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
Erin Mendenhall, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Keith Reynolds, City Recorder
(SEAL)
Bill No. 10 of 2026.
Published: ______________.
Amending Fence and Hedge Height Standards
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date: ________________________________
By: __________________________________
Katherine Pasker, Senior City Attorney
04/14/2026
Alejandro Puy (Apr 17, 2026 11:51:58 MDT)
Erin Mendenhall (Apr 24, 2026 14:15:01 MDT)
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4/24/2026
Ordinance 10 of 2026 -Text Amendment -
Fence and Hedge Heights
Final Audit Report 2026-04-24
Created:2026-04-13
By:Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA3kVFirXXICOSJDjD0ZBEpUDRM3_fQiFk
"Ordinance 10 of 2026 -Text Amendment - Fence and Hedge He
ights" History
Document created by Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov)
2026-04-13 - 7:56:17 PM GMT
Document emailed to katherine.pasker@slc.gov for signature
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Email viewed by katherine.pasker@slc.gov
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Signer katherine.pasker@slc.gov entered name at signing as Katherine Pasker
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Document e-signed by Katherine Pasker (katherine.pasker@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-04-14 - 5:18:15 PM GMT - Time Source: server
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Signer alejandro.puy@slc.gov entered name at signing as Alejandro Puy
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Document e-signed by Alejandro Puy (alejandro.puy@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-04-17 - 5:51:58 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Erin Mendenhall (erin.mendenhall@slc.gov) for signature
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Document e-signed by Erin Mendenhall (erin.mendenhall@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-04-24 - 8:15:01 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature
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Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-04-24 - 9:15:45 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2026-04-24 - 9:15:45 PM GMT