Residential Compatible Infill

Zoning Regulations Evaluation Project

As is the case with many developed communities across the country, Salt Lake City has a very limited amount of vacant ground for large residential subdivision tracts. Much of the new residential development within the City is considered “infill” development, which takes place in established neighborhoods. Infill development is a desirable activity because it is re-investment in the community; however, infill development that is not sensitive to existing development patterns can have a negative impact on the character of a neighborhood.

In 2005 and 2006 the Salt Lake City Council amended sections of the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance which regulates residential development in single and two-family zoning districts.The amendments were adopted in an effort to curb residential construction that is not compatible with existing development patterns. The package of amendments is often referred to as the Compatible Residential Infill Ordinance.

Prior to the amendments to the single and two-family residential zoning regulations, the standards for residential development were based on building setbacks, heights, and lot coverages that were fixed dimensions. These dimensions oftentimes did not reflect the existing development patterns in the neighborhood. For example, the allowable building height in the single-family residential districts was 30 feet or 2 ½ stories. In many neighborhoods, the existing single-family structures are only one-story in height and constructing a two-story structure along a street of single-story homes may be considered out of character.

The goal of the new single and two-family zoning standards to ensure that existing development patterns are taken into consideration when constructing a new home or adding on to an existing home. For example, front yard setbacks for new development are calculated by taking the average of the front yard setbacks of the adjacent homes; additional building height may be allowed if it is consistent with the height of the surrounding structures; and accessory structures must be compatible with the size and location of other accessory structures in the neighborhood.

The following tables provide a summary of the current single and two-family residential zoning regulations:

Summary of Single-Family Residential Zoning District Standards - Principal Structure and Lot Regulations

Summary of Single-Family Residential Zoning District Regulations- Accessory Structure Regulations

Residential Zoning District Regulations Definitions

The Salt Lake City Planning Division is currently evaluating the single and two-family residential zoning standards to determine if they are meeting the goal of ensuring that residential infill development is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The evaluation process includes the following steps:

· Identification of stakeholders

· Development and distribution of a stakeholder questionnaire

· Identification of permitting staff issues

· Analysis by Staff of all identified issues

· Development of proposed amendments

· Public open house meetings

· Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation to the City Council

· City Council public hearing and adoption

We have just completed the stakeholder questionnaires and want to thank all those who participated. The results of the questionnaires will help determine if amendments to the existing regulations are needed. Once the results are tallied, they will be posted on this website.

f you have questions or comments, please contact Wayne Mills, Senior Planner, by e-mail at wayne.mills@slcgov.com or by mail at:

Salt Lake City Planning Division
Attn: Wayne Mills
451 South State Street, Rm. 406
P.O. Box 145480
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5480

Please visit this website in the future for project updates.