Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Salt Lake City?

**Yes**, Salt Lake City requires a Short-Term Rental Business License. You need to obtain this annual license, which currently costs $372. Additionally, you must pass a mandatory fire safety inspection to ensure compliance before operating. Note that new rentals are banned in most single-family zones.

What is the TOT tax rate in Salt Lake City?

**0.1382% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Salt Lake City. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Ensure you are registered with the city to properly handle tax payments and maintain compliance with local regulations.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Salt Lake City?

**Yes**, but with significant restrictions. Salt Lake City allows short-term rentals primarily in multi-family and commercial zones. However, new short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in most single-family residential areas (R-1, R-2). Always verify zoning regulations before operating a rental to avoid penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Salt Lake City?

**The STR permit costs $372**. This is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Business License required to legally operate a short-term rental in Salt Lake City. You must renew this license annually and pass a fire safety inspection to maintain compliance with local regulations.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Salt Lake City?

**Operating illegally results in penalties**. If you operate a short-term rental without the required Short-Term Rental Business License in Salt Lake City, you may face fines and other enforcement actions. Ensure you obtain the necessary permit and comply with all local regulations to avoid these penalties.

Salt Lake City

Moderate

UtahUpdated Feb 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Salt Lake City allows short-term rentals primarily in multi-family and commercial zones, but strictly prohibits new rentals in most single-family residential areas (R-1, R-2). Hosts must obtain an annual Business License and pass a mandatory fire safety inspection.

Restriction level

Severity 13

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $372
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Salt Lake City, the first thing you must do is check your zoning. If you are in a standard single-family neighborhood (like R-1 or R-2), hosting a short-term rental is likely illegal unless you have a historic 'non-conforming use' permit. If your zone allows it, you'll need to pay around $500 for your initial license and inspection, and you must display your license number on your listing.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$372

Processing time4-6 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1STRs are generally PROHIBITED in single-family zones (R-1, R-2, FR-1) unless they were legally established before the current ban.
2Zoning enforcement is separate from the business license; having a license does not guarantee your location is legal.
3Illegal rentals in residential zones are subject to daily fines and city-led enforcement actions.
4Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have very strict limitations and often cannot be used as STRs if they were built under certain recent ordinances.
5A mandatory fire inspection must be completed before the license is issued.
6The 13.82% tax is a combination of state, county, and municipal lodging taxes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Salt Lake City does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Salt Lake City allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family (if legal non-conforming), Multi-family (zoning permitting).
Salt Lake City: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements13 rules

Salt Lake City STR warning: Zoning enforcement is separate from the business license; having a license does not guarantee your location is legal.
Salt Lake City, UT: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Salt Lake City STR warning: A mandatory fire inspection must be completed before the license is issued.

Application process11 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Salt Lake City: Step 1: Verify Zoning - Check if your property is in a zone that allows 'Short-Term Rentals' per Title 21A. Most single-family residential zones (R-1, R-2) prohibit new STRs. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://maps.slc.gov/zoning/ Step 2: Register with Utah State Tax Commission - Obtain a Sales Tax Number for the collection of Transient Room Tax. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://tap.utah.gov/ Step 3: Apply for SLC Business License - Submit the Short-Term Rental Business License application to the Division of Business Licensing. Documents needed: Sales tax ID, Lease agreement (if renter), Owner authorization. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 372. More info: https://www.slc.gov/business-licensing/ Step 4: Pass Fire and Life Safety Inspection - Schedule an inspection to verify smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 124.

Fees & costs1 rule

Salt Lake City charges a registration fee of $372 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $124 (Inspection fee usually charged alongside base license fee).

Taxes3 rules

Salt Lake City: The 13.82% tax is a combination of state, county, and municipal lodging taxes.
Salt Lake City charges a Transient Room Tax of 0.1382%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state and local taxes in Utah.
Utah has a state sales tax of 0.0485% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Salt Lake City limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Salt Lake City enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Salt Lake City occupancy calculation: Limited by building/fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Salt Lake City, UT occupancy calculation: Limited by building/fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements2 rules

Salt Lake City requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Exterior signage requirements per Ch 5.61.030, Business license must be posted inside unit.
Salt Lake City: A mandatory fire inspection must be completed before the license is issued.

Penalties4 rules

Salt Lake City: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Salt Lake City: Illegal rentals in residential zones are subject to daily fines and city-led enforcement actions.

Exemptions3 rules

Salt Lake City, UT: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Salt Lake City exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Salt Lake City

Moderate

UtahUpdated Feb 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 13

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $372
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$372

Processing time4-6 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1STRs are generally PROHIBITED in single-family zones (R-1, R-2, FR-1) unless they were legally established before the current ban.
2Zoning enforcement is separate from the business license; having a license does not guarantee your location is legal.
3Illegal rentals in residential zones are subject to daily fines and city-led enforcement actions.
4Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have very strict limitations and often cannot be used as STRs if they were built under certain recent ordinances.
5A mandatory fire inspection must be completed before the license is issued.
6The 13.82% tax is a combination of state, county, and municipal lodging taxes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Salt Lake City does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Salt Lake City allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family (if legal non-conforming), Multi-family (zoning permitting).
Salt Lake City: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements13 rules

Salt Lake City STR warning: Zoning enforcement is separate from the business license; having a license does not guarantee your location is legal.
Salt Lake City, UT: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Salt Lake City STR warning: A mandatory fire inspection must be completed before the license is issued.

Application process11 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Salt Lake City: Step 1: Verify Zoning - Check if your property is in a zone that allows 'Short-Term Rentals' per Title 21A. Most single-family residential zones (R-1, R-2) prohibit new STRs. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://maps.slc.gov/zoning/ Step 2: Register with Utah State Tax Commission - Obtain a Sales Tax Number for the collection of Transient Room Tax. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://tap.utah.gov/ Step 3: Apply for SLC Business License - Submit the Short-Term Rental Business License application to the Division of Business Licensing. Documents needed: Sales tax ID, Lease agreement (if renter), Owner authorization. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 372. More info: https://www.slc.gov/business-licensing/ Step 4: Pass Fire and Life Safety Inspection - Schedule an inspection to verify smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 124.

Fees & costs1 rule

Salt Lake City charges a registration fee of $372 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $124 (Inspection fee usually charged alongside base license fee).

Taxes3 rules

Salt Lake City: The 13.82% tax is a combination of state, county, and municipal lodging taxes.
Salt Lake City charges a Transient Room Tax of 0.1382%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state and local taxes in Utah.
Utah has a state sales tax of 0.0485% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Salt Lake City limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Salt Lake City enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Salt Lake City occupancy calculation: Limited by building/fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Salt Lake City, UT occupancy calculation: Limited by building/fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements2 rules

Salt Lake City requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Exterior signage requirements per Ch 5.61.030, Business license must be posted inside unit.
Salt Lake City: A mandatory fire inspection must be completed before the license is issued.

Penalties4 rules

Salt Lake City: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Salt Lake City: Illegal rentals in residential zones are subject to daily fines and city-led enforcement actions.

Exemptions3 rules

Salt Lake City, UT: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Salt Lake City exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Salt Lake City?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Salt Lake City?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Salt Lake City?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Salt Lake City?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Salt Lake City?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Salt Lake City?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Salt Lake City?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Salt Lake City?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Salt Lake City?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Salt Lake City?

Disclaimer