Proposed Ordinance - 3/19/20241
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. _____ of 2024
(An ordinance amending various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code
pertaining to attached and detached accessory structures.)
An ordinance amending various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code pursuant
to Petition No. PLNPCM2023-00952 pertaining to regulation regarding attached garage design
standards.
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2024, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission (“Planning
Commission”) held a public hearing to consider a petition by Mayor Erin Mendenhall to amend
various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to standards regulating
accessory structures pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2023-00952; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2024 the Planning Commission held a public hearing on said
petition; and
WHEREAS, at its January 10, 2024, meeting the Planning Commission voted in favor of
transmitting a positive recommendation to the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) on said
petition; 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. Repealing the text of Subsection 21A.24.010.H. That Subsection
21A.24.010.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: General Provisions:
Side Entry Buildings) shall be, and hereby is repealed as follows:
H. Repealed.
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SECTION 2. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.010.P.3. That Subsection
21A.24.010.P.3 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: General Provisions:
Special Foothills Regulations: Design Regulations) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as
follows:
3. Mechanical Equipment: Mechanical equipment including, without limitation, swamp coolers, air
conditioning equipment, heat pumps, vents, blowers and fans shall be screened from view or painted to
match the building color adjacent to the equipment. Roof mounted mechanical equipment, excluding
solar panels which are subject to Section 21A.40.190 of this title, shall not extend above the highest roof
ridgeline.
SECTION 3. Repealing the text of Subsection 21A.24.010.P.13. That Subsection
21A.24.010.P.13 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: General Provisions:
Special Foothills Regulations: Applicability to Existing Buildings and Structures) shall be, and
hereby is repealed as follows:
13. Applicability To Existing Buildings And Structures: Colors and building materials on existing
structures may be maintained and/or repaired with materials and colors similar to those existing before
the enactment of this title. Such colors and materials may only be modified to bring them into closer
compliance with subsection P3 of this section. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to additions
to existing buildings and structures within the FR-1/43,560, FR-2/21,780, FR-3/12,000 and FP Districts.
Additions after April 12, 1995, to buildings and structures existing prior to April 12, 1995, shall conform
to all provisions of this subsection, except that building colors and materials may match the original
building or structure
SECTION 4. Repealing the text of Subsection 21A.24.010.U. That Subsection
21A.24.010.U of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: General Provisions:
Special Foothills Regulations: Residential Building Foundation Standard) shall be, and hereby is
repealed as follows:
U. Repealed.
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SECTION 5. Repealing the text of Subsection 21A.24.010.V. That Subsection
21A.24.010.V of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: General Provisions:
Special Foothills Regulations: Entrance Landing) shall be, and hereby is repealed as follows:
V. Repealed.
SECTION 6. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.020.K. That Subsection
21A.24.020.K of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: FR-1/43,560 Foothills
Estate Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to
read as follows:
K. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors.
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section 21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 7. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.030.K. That Subsection
21A.24.030.K of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: FR-2/21,780 Foothills
Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as
follows:
K. Standards for Attached Garages:
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1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 8. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.040.K. That Subsection
21A.24.040.K of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: FR-3/12,000 Foothills
Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as
follows:
K. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least (50%) of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the
"front line of the building".
SECTION 9. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.050.H. That Subsection
21A.24.050.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: R-1/12,000 Single-
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Family Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to
read as follows:
H. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 10. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.060.H. That Subsection
21A.24.060.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: R-1/7,000 Single-
Family Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to
read as follows:
H. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
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b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 11. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.070.H. That Subsection
21A.24.070.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: R-1/5,000 Single-
Family Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to
read as follows:
H. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 12. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.080.H. That Subsection
21A.24.080.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: SR-1 and SR-1A
Special Development Pattern: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended
to read as follows:
H. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
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2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section 21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 13. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.100.H. That Subsection
21A.24.100.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: SR-3 Special
Development Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is
amended to read as follows:
H. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 14. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.24.110.H. That Subsection
21A.24.110.H of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Residential Districts: R-2 Single- and Two-
8
Family Residential District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to
read as follows:
H. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors
2. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless:
a. A new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage that is forward of the "front
line of the building". In this case, the new garage shall be constructed in a similar
location as the garage being replaced with dimensions that do not increase the degree of
noncompliance; or
b. At least 50% of the existing garages on the block face are located forward of the "front
line of the building".
SECTION 15. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.34.120.F. That Subsection
21A.34.120.F of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: YCI Yalecrest Compatible
Infill Overlay District: Standards for Attached Garages) shall be, and hereby is amended to read
as follows:
F. Standards for Attached Garages:
1. Located Behind or In Line with the Front Line of the Building: No attached garage shall be
constructed forward of the "front line of the building" (as defined in section21A.62.040 of this
title), unless a new garage is constructed to replace an existing garage. In this case, the new
garage shall be constructed in a similar location as the garage being replaced with dimensions
that do not increase the degree of noncompliance.
2. Width of an Attached Garage: The width of an attached garage facing the street may not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the width of the front facade of the house. The width of the garage
is equal to the width of the garage door, or in the case of multiple garage doors, the sum of the
widths of each garage door plus the width of any intervening wall elements between garage
doors up to a maximum of three feet (3').
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SECTION 16. Amending the text of Table 21A.36.020.B. That Table 21A.36.020.B of
the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: General Provisions: Conformance with Lot and Bulk Controls:
Obstructions in Required Yards) shall be, and hereby is amended to change the second row and
Note 3 only, with no other changes to the table, as follows:
TABLE 21A.36.020B
OBSTRUCTIONS IN REQUIRED YARDS1
Type Of Structure Or Use Obstruction Front And
Corner Side
Yards
Side Yard Rear
Yard
Accessory buildings subject to the provisions of Chapter 21A.40, and
located at least 1 foot from all property lines except for the FP and FR
Districts where no accessory building is permitted in any required yard.
Accessory buildings shall be at least 10 feet from a principal residential
building on an adjacent lot
X3 X
Notes:
1. "X" denotes where obstructions are allowed.
2. Reserved.
3. The accessory structure shall be located in accordance with Section 21A.40.050.A.3.
SECTION 17. Repealing the text of Subsection 21A.36.190.C. That Subsection
21A.36.190.C of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: General Provisions: Residential Building
Standards For Legal Conforming Single-Family Detached Dwellings, Two-Family Dwellings
And Twin Homes In Nonresidential Zoning Districts: Residential Building Foundation Standard)
shall be, and hereby is repealed as follows:
C. Repealed.
SECTION 18. Repealing the text of Subsection 21A.36.190.D. That Subsection
21A.36.190.D of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: General Provisions: Residential Building
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Standards For Legal Conforming Single-Family Detached Dwellings, Two-Family Dwellings
And Twin Homes In Nonresidential Zoning Districts: Entrance Landing) shall be, and hereby is
repealed as follows:
D. Repealed.
SECTION 19. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.40.050.A. That Subsection
21A.40.050.A of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures:
General Yard, Bulk and Height Limitations: Location of Accessory Buildings in Required
Yards) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows:
A. Location of Accessory Buildings:
1. Front Yards: Accessory buildings are prohibited in any required front yard and shall be set
back at least as far as the principal building when the principal building exceeds the required
front yard setback. Notwithstanding the foregoing, hoop houses and cold frame structures up to
twenty four inches (24") in height may be placed in a front yard.
2. Corner Lots: No accessory building on a corner lot shall be closer to the street than the
distance required for corner side yards. At no time, however, shall an accessory building be
closer than twenty feet (20') to a public sidewalk or public pedestrian way and the accessory
building shall be set back at least as far as the principal building. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
hoop houses and cold frame structures up to twenty four inches (24") in height may be placed
in a corner side yard.
3. Side Yards: Hoop houses, greenhouses, and cold frame structures associated solely with
growing food and/or plants are allowed in any interior side yard. Other accessory buildings are
permitted in a required interior side yard when located a minimum of 4 feet from any portion of
the principal building and behind the rear wall of the principal building as shown in the
illustration below:
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4. Rear Yards: Accessory buildings shall be built a minimum of 4 feet from any portion of the
principal building; however, pedestrian connections, such as breezeways, that do not exceed 5’
in width may be allowed. The minimum distance requirement does not apply to cold frames
associated solely with growing food and/or plants.
5. Distance from lot lines: In residential districts, accessory buildings shall be built at least one
foot from sides and rear lot lines except when sharing a common wall with an accessory building
on an adjacent lot.
6. Distance from residential buildings: Accessory buildings shall be a minimum of 10' from any
portion of a principal residential building on an adjacent lot when that adjacent lot is in a
residential zoning district; excluding hoop houses, greenhouses, and cold frames associated
solely with growing food and/or plants. This provision shall not be construed to limit the
construction or expansion of a principal building.
7. Double Frontage Lots: On properties where two opposite ends of the lot have frontage on a
street, accessory structures and buildings may be located in a front yard provided the accessory
building or structure:
a. Is located in a provided yard that is directly opposite to the front yard where the
primary entrance to the principal building is located;
b. Is in a location that is consistent with other accessory building locations on the block;
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c. Complies with any sight distance triangle requirements of this title; and
d. Complies with all other accessory building and structure requirements of this title.
SECTION 20. Amending the text of Section 21A.62.040. That only the definitions of
“ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE”, “BUILDING CONNECTION”, “BUILDING,
FRONT LINE OF” and “GARAGE, ATTACHED” in Section 21A.62.040 of the Salt Lake City
Code (Zoning: Definitions: Definitions of Terms) shall be, and hereby are amended as follows:
a. ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE: A subordinate building or structure,
located on the same lot as the principal building, occupied by or devoted to an accessory
use. When an accessory building or structure is attached to the principal building by a
common wall or is connected to the principal building by a roof that has a width of 5 feet
or more, such accessory building shall be considered part of the principal building.
b. BUILDING CONNECTION: Two (2) or more buildings which are connected in a
substantial manner or by common interior space including internal pedestrian circulation.
Where two (2) buildings are attached in this manner, they shall be considered a single
building and shall be subject to all yard requirements of a single building. Determination
of building connection shall be through the site plan review process.
c. BUILDING, FRONT LINE OF: "Front line of building" means the line of that face of the
building nearest the front or corner side lot line of the lot. This face includes sun parlors, bay
windows, and covered porches, whether enclosed or unenclosed, but does not include
uncovered steps less than four feet (4') above grade.
d. GARAGE, ATTACHED: A garage that is attached to the principal building by a
common wall or is connected to the principal building by a roof that has a width of 5 feet
or more. An attached garage shall be considered part of the principal building.
SECTION 21. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its
first publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________,
2024.
______________________________
CHAIRPERSON
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ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
MAYOR
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. ________ of 2024.
Published: ______________.
Ordinance Changing Standards for Attached Garagesv1
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:___________________________
By: ____________________________
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City Attorney
February 16, 2024