Welcome to the Department of Community Development Salt Lake City is a thriving, dynamic urban environment that builds upon its historic role as a regional center of culture, community and commerce. The City welcomes residents, visitors and workers into a community that supports diversity, is accessible, has a broad mix of uses and ultimately sustains a healthy, vital lifestyle.
Our goal is to provide leadership, policies and programs that will promote strong, vibrant neighborhoods and communities and to proactively encourage the positive and orderly growth and development of the City. Community Development advocates incorporation of the diverse interests of our community to reduce barriers and enhance leadership capacity to continue to improve the quality of life for all residents.
The Salt Lake Arts Council serves thousands of Salt Lake City residents of all ages and backgrounds, providing high quality art experiences in a range of settings and venues. They sponsor many of the City's most popular events including the Living Traditions Festival, Twilight Concert Series and Brown Bag Concert Series. Through the City Arts Grants Program, they support the work of dozens of local arts organizations that also produce and present arts to the community.
Most building, demolition and home improvement projects require a building permit. It is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to ensure that permits are received before beginning the work. The cost of the permit varies based on the type of work being completed. The Building Services division serves the community by providing a wide range of services including building and site plan reviews, zoning information, zoning maps, access to the City's Zoning Ordinance as well as building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits.
The Business License division grants and renews business licenses for large and small businesses located in the incorporated Salt Lake City area. New business licenses must be applied for in person, but business license renewals are now available online.
Housing and Neighborhood Development offers housing programs including low interest housing rehabilitation loans, first time homebuyer programs, housing development gap financing for affordable and special needs projects, free property inspections, federal grants programs, neighborhood matching grants, a small business revolving loan fund and the City's Weed and Seed strategy.
The Planning and Zoning Enforcement division evaluates zoning and zoning map amendment requests; prepares the City's master plans and small area plans and updates; enforces the zoning ordinances; recommends action on requests for conditional use permits; participates in the review of site plans; and administers the subdivision and zoning ordinances. It is also charged with preserving and enhancing the City's natural, historic and architectural resources.
The Salt Lake City Transportation division plans, operates and maintains the City's electronic transportation communications system and works to provide safe and convenient transportation corridors for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians within the City. They oversee the planning and design of the city streets, the Transportation Master Plan, city permit parking, street lighting and public parking lots.