Salt Lake City, Utah Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Salt Lake City Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Salt Lake City does not currently have regulations or allowances for land use known as "short-term rental." The city categorizes short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or Vrbo, as hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast uses since the rental period is less than 30 days. Any use is not a residential dwelling if it rents living space for less than 30 days. Hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast uses are permitted in multiple zoning districts around the city. Hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts are generally not permitted in residential zoning districts.Use the Salt Lake City Zoning Lookup Tool to determine the zoning district for your property and if a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast use is allowed.
View the standard questions and answers on short-term rentals here.
Business License Requirements
A business license is required to operate a short-term rental in Salt Lake City. An Administrative Interpretation is recommended for a building where a short-term rental will be located.Building and Housing Standards
Salt Lake City has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Contact Salt Lake City Building Services for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit Salt Lake City for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.8
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Competition
3.1 -
Real Estate Cost
5.0 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
8.6 -
Rental Rates
3.2
Salt Lake City, Utah Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 199,723
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Salt Lake
- Airports
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Skypark Airport (BTF)
Want to learn more about Salt Lake City?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Salt Lake City rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Salt Lake City rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Salt Lake City.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Salt Lake City guests.
Interested in other Utah cities?
Check out the Utah Airbnb rules directory
What makes Salt Lake City a great place to invest?
- Temple Square: Explore the heart of Salt Lake City with a visit to Temple Square, a 35-acre complex that houses the iconic Salt Lake Temple, the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and beautiful gardens. Discover the rich history of the area with guided tours and interactive exhibits.
- Outdoor Adventures: Experience the unparalleled beauty of the Wasatch Mountains with endless outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the summer, or skiing and snowboarding at world-class resorts like Snowbird, Alta, and Park City during the winter months.
- Natural Wonders: Don't miss the chance to visit Utah's breathtaking national parks, including the famed "Mighty 5" - Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Marvel at the dramatic landscapes, sandstone arches, and towering cliffs that make these parks a must-see destination.
- Urban Attractions: Indulge in Salt Lake City's thriving arts and culture scene, with museums like the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum of Utah, or catch a performance at the Eccles Theater or Abravanel Hall. Foodies will love the city's diverse culinary offerings, from farm-to-table bistros to creative food trucks.
- Sports & Recreation: Cheer on the Utah Jazz basketball team, the Real Salt Lake soccer team, or the Salt Lake Bees minor league baseball team, and experience the city's passion for sports. For recreational fun, join locals for a bike ride or run along the scenic Jordan River Parkway Trail.
- Great Salt Lake: No trip to Salt Lake City would be complete without a visit to the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Marvel at the stunning sunsets over the lake, spot migratory birds at the nearby Antelope Island State Park, and float effortlessly in the buoyant, mineral-rich waters.
Salt Lake City Nearby Cities
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4 miles away
- Rating: 5.0
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13 miles away
- Rating: 6.0
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Salt Lake City?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Salt Lake City has decreased -6% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $323, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$573,809
-6% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$323
-6% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,794
2% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Salt Lake City
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Salt Lake City, Utah
Common terms for Salt Lake City short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Salt Lake City has a description approximately 1,403 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 4,251 listings in Salt Lake City, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Salt Lake, Lake City, Ski resort, Downtown, City, Basement, Place, Utah, Hot tub, and Comfortable.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Salt Lake City?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Salt Lake City involve Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snow Skiing, the City Centre, and Mountain Climbing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Mountain Biking
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Snow Skiing
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City Centre
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Mountain Climbing
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Snowboarding
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Adventure Activities
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Museums
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Cycling
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Zoo
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Rock Climbing
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Sledding
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Salt Lake City, including University of Utah, Temple Square, Salt Palace, Vivint Smart Home Arena, and Conference Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Temple Square
Included on 59% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Salt Palace
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Vivint Smart Home Arena
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Conference Center
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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City Creek Center
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Salt Lake Temple
Included on 59% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University of Utah
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Hogle Zoo
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Gateway Mall
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Utah State Capitol
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Utah State Fairpark
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Big Cottonwood Canyon
Included on 54% of listings
What’s the weather like in Salt Lake City, Utah?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 64°, while the average low is about 44°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 14 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 11 inches per year. The humidity levels in Salt Lake City are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
25° Low 40° High
Spring
March through May
43° Low 63° High
Summer
June through August
63° Low 89° High
Fall
September through November
44° Low 65° High
Cities Near Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah, is located in Salt Lake County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
