Home Business Rules in Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

In Salt Lake City, UT, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of Title 5, Chapter 5.02 of this code is required before operating. The local building department or local planning department handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for Salt Lake City.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of Title 5, Chapter 5.02 of this code. Fee: varies. Apply through the local building department. Contact them through their official website for direct contact information. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.

Operating Restrictions

Home Business Restrictions in Salt Lake City: 1. The home occupation must be clearly incidental and secondary to the primary use of the dwelling for residential purposes; 2. Any home occupation requiring client(s) visitation shall not occur at a frequency of greater than two clients per hour, and no more than one client may be served at one time and not more than one place of vehicular parking shall be occupied by a client at any time. 3. Only one nonilluminated nameplate, with a maximum sign face as specified in Chapter 21A.46 of this title, stating the name of the business or occupant and mounted flat against the building, shall be allowed. 4. The home occupation work conducted at the residence shall not involve more than one employee from outside of the home, persons lawfully living in the residence may be employed; 5. Except for those vehicles identified by this chapter (urban farms), and the applicant's personal transportation, there shall be no vehicles or equipment stored outdoors, which would not normally be found at a residence. 6. Tools, items, and equipment which are offensive or noxious by reason of the emission of odor, smoke, gas, dust, vibration, magnetic or electrical interference, noise, or other similar impacts extending beyond the property line of the lot where the occupation is located, are prohibited. 7. Direct retail sales are prohibited. Incidental or secondary sales ensuing from the services provided in conjunction with the home occupation are permitted. Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •The home occupation must be clearly incidental and secondary to the primary use of the dwelling for residential purposes; · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Any home occupation requiring client(s) visitation shall not occur at a frequency of greater than two clients per hour, and no more than one client may be served at one time and not more than one place of vehicular parking shall be occupied by a client at any time. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Only one nonilluminated nameplate, with a maximum sign face as specified in Chapter 21A.46 of this title, stating the name of the business or occupant and mounted flat against the building, shall be allowed. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •The home occupation work conducted at the residence shall not involve more than one employee from outside of the home, persons lawfully living in the residence may be employed; · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Except for those vehicles identified by this chapter (urban farms), and the applicant's personal transportation, there shall be no vehicles or equipment stored outdoors, which would not normally be found at a residence. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Tools, items, and equipment which are offensive or noxious by reason of the emission of odor, smoke, gas, dust, vibration, magnetic or electrical interference, noise, or other similar impacts extending beyond the property line of the lot where the occupation is located, are prohibited. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Direct retail sales are prohibited. Incidental or secondary sales ensuing from the services provided in conjunction with the home occupation are permitted. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Salt Lake City: Auto repairs;; Laboratory, medical, dental, optical;. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the local planning department to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repairs; · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• ✕Beauty salon or barbershop with client visits
• ✕Laboratory, medical, dental, optical; · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• ✕Firearms dealer
• ✕Retail with customer traffic
• ✕Adult entertainment business

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions