Salt Lake County Landlord-Tenant Law

Utah landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules

Salt Lake County Rental Market Overview

Salt Lake County is Utah’s most populous county and the economic engine of the state, home to approximately 1.2 million residents in a rapidly urbanizing corridor along the western face of the Wasatch Mountains. The county encompasses Salt Lake City — the state capital and largest city — along with South Salt Lake, Murray, Midvale, Sandy, West Jordan, West Valley City, Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and dozens of other communities stretching from the Oquirrh Mountains in the west to the canyons of Big and Little Cottonwood to the east. Salt Lake County’s economy is one of the most diversified in the Mountain West, anchored by technology, healthcare, finance, education, government, and a robust outdoor recreation industry.

The Salt Lake County rental market is Utah’s largest and most competitive. Rents have risen substantially over the past decade driven by strong population growth, in-migration from higher-cost states, and limited housing supply in a geography constrained by mountains, the Great Salt Lake, and existing development. Median rents for a two-bedroom apartment range from approximately $1,300 in more affordable west-side communities like West Valley City and Kearns to $1,800–$2,200 in the east-side neighborhoods of Salt Lake City proper, Sugar House, and the Cottonwood Heights area. Single-family rental homes run considerably higher. Salt Lake City has enacted some tenant protection measures including a just-cause eviction ordinance for certain tenants that exceeds state baseline protections — landlords operating within Salt Lake City limits should verify current city-level rules in addition to state law.

Salt Lake County & Salt Lake City Ordinances

Last verified: April 2026 · Source: Utah Third District Court

Utah State Law Framework

⚡ Quick Overview

3 business days

Days Notice (Nonpayment)

3 calendar days (all violations)

Days Notice (Violation)

14-30

Avg Total Days

$$90-375 (varies by claim amount and court)

Filing Fee (Approx)

💰 Nonpayment of Rent

Notice Type 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (3 business days)

Notice Period 3 business days days

Tenant Can Cure? Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 3 business days to stop eviction

Days to Hearing 3-10 (tenant has 3 days to answer; occupancy hearing within 10 days of answer) days

Days to Writ 3 days after Order of Eviction served (Order of Restitution) days

Total Estimated Timeline 14-30 days

Total Estimated Cost $200-600

⚠️ Watch Out

3 BUSINESS days (not calendar) for nonpayment notice. No statutory grace period. TREBLE DAMAGES: If tenant found in unlawful detainer, court may award landlord up to 3x damages (§ 78B-6-811) including trebled daily rent for each day of holdover. POSSESSION BOND option: landlord can file possession bond to get expedited return of premises; tenant then has 3 days to pay all rent to dismiss OR post counter-bond OR demand 3-day hearing (§ 78B-6-808). If tenant does nothing after possession bond = Order of Restitution issued immediately. NEW 2025: HB 182 requires 60-day notice for rent increases over 10%. HB 480 allows electronic security deposit returns; tenant can retrieve essential items (IDs, medicine) within 5 business days after eviction. Acceptance of partial rent does NOT waive landlord's right to pursue eviction (§ 799.40).

📜 Eviction Laws Main 📊 Compare This State

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📝 Utah Eviction Process (Overview)

1. Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
2. Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
3. File an eviction case with the District Court or Justice Court - Unlawful Detainer (Utah Code § 78B-6-801 to 816). Pay the filing fee (~$$90-375 (varies by claim amount and court)).
4. Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
5. Attend the court hearing and present your case.
6. If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
7. Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Utah eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice. Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections. For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Utah attorney or local legal aid organization.

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🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease: Utah landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding tenant screening in Utah — including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Utah's eviction process, proper tenant screening can help you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.

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Salt Lake County Utah Landlord-Tenant Law: A Complete Guide for Utah’s Largest Rental Market

Salt Lake County is Utah’s urban core — a county of approximately 1.2 million people compressed into a narrow north-south corridor between the Wasatch Range to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the northwest. It is home to Salt Lake City, the state capital and largest city; West Valley City, Utah’s second-largest city; and a constellation of suburban and urban communities including Sandy, West Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, Midvale, South Salt Lake, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and Millcreek. The county’s economy is the most diversified in Utah — technology companies have established major operations throughout the county, healthcare is anchored by the University of Utah Health system and Intermountain Health, finance and insurance have a substantial presence, and the University of Utah’s enrollment of over 35,000 students generates significant rental demand near campus.

The Salt Lake County rental market has been among the fastest-appreciating in the nation over the past decade. Population growth driven by in-migration from California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Mountain States has consistently outpaced housing construction despite substantial new development. Vacancy rates in the county remain low across most submarkets. The east side of the county — Salt Lake City’s avenues, Sugar House, 9th and 9th, and the Cottonwood Heights corridor — commands premium rents and attracts professional and higher-income tenants. The west side — West Valley City, Kearns, Taylorsville, and parts of South Salt Lake — offers more affordable options and serves a larger workforce tenant population.

State Law and Salt Lake City Ordinances

The foundational landlord-tenant framework for all of Salt Lake County is Utah’s statewide statutes. The Fit Premises Act (Utah Code §§ 57-22-1 through 57-22-7) sets the habitability baseline, and the unlawful detainer statute (Utah Code § 78B-6-801 et seq.) governs the eviction process with a 3-day notice period for nonpayment. Security deposits carry no statutory cap, with a 30-day return deadline under Utah Code § 57-17-3.

However, landlords operating within Salt Lake City limits face an additional layer of local regulation that distinguishes them from landlords in other parts of the county. Salt Lake City has enacted a just-cause eviction ordinance that provides enhanced protections for certain tenants, and a source-of-income protection ordinance that requires landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). These ordinances apply only within Salt Lake City’s municipal boundaries — they do not apply in West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, Taylorsville, or unincorporated Salt Lake County. Landlords with properties inside SLC should contact Salt Lake City’s Department of Community and Neighborhoods or consult an attorney to verify the current scope and requirements of these ordinances, as they have been subject to amendment and court interpretation.

Evictions in Salt Lake County are filed in the Third District Court at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, reachable at (801) 238-7300. The Third District also operates a West Jordan courthouse serving the county’s southern communities. Given the volume of eviction filings in Utah’s largest county, landlords should expect hearing wait times that may be somewhat longer than in rural district courts, and should be meticulous about serving notices correctly to avoid procedural dismissals.

Salt Lake City also requires landlords within city limits to obtain a business license for rental properties. Failure to maintain a valid license can create complications in eviction proceedings and may expose landlords to city code enforcement action. Verify current business license requirements with Salt Lake City’s Business Licensing division before renting any property within city limits.

This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant law is subject to change, and Salt Lake City’s local ordinances are particularly subject to evolution. Consult a licensed Utah attorney or contact the Third District Court at (801) 238-7300 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.