Article III. - General Regulations

Part of the Code of Ordinances of South Salt Lake, UT.

Local law · Updated May 27, 2026 · 1,732 sections

The text

17.08.310 - General Requirements.#

All Signs shall be subject to the requirements and restrictions found herein for the district or area in which located and shall be subject to design review standards of this Title.

All Signs shall be classified by the Community Development Department, and subject to the specific requirements of that classification, as well as the general provisions and general regulations of this Chapter, as one of the six types found herein:

Attached;

Detached;

Billboards;

Temporary;

Exempt; or

Prohibited.

Signs Adjacent to Residential Districts. Where any property on which a Sign is to be located is adjacent (within one hundred (100) feet of) any residential district, additional requirements may apply as found elsewhere in this Chapter.

Specific District Requirements. The requirement of the City's zoning district shall apply to all Signs, notwithstanding the requirements found in this Chapter, and such requirements shall rule.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.320 - Residential Districts.#

Within any residential district, Signs may be allowed as contained herein. A.

All Signs shall comply with the specifications of the specific type as found in this Article or elsewhere in this Chapter.

One civic Sign is not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet in Sign Area.

Development/construction/Subdivision Signs, as allowed in this Chapter.

One residential Sign is not to exceed two square feet in area for the purpose of identifying the address and occupants of the residence.

Each Multi-Family Residential Use shall be allowed one Sign per Street Frontage for the purpose of identifying the name and address of the Use to which it is appurtenant. Said Sign shall not exceed six feet in height above ground level, shall not exceed ten square feet per Sign face with a maximum total Sign Area of fifteen (15) square feet and shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet.

Signs described above must be located on the property to which they pertain.

Other special Use Signs as specifically allowed in this Chapter. Low profile identification Signs may be allowed in residential districts only as a special Use Sign subject to the provision therein.

Heights. Unless specifically allowed otherwise, no Sign in a residential district may exceed a height of six feet.

Home Occupation Signs. One Sign not exceeding two square feet in area may be allowed for a permitted Home Occupation. Such Sign must be placed on or against the Dwelling.

Illumination. Illuminated Signs in residential districts shall only be allowed as a special exception and are discouraged except for unusual circumstances.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.330 - Commercial and Industrial Districts.#

In commercial and industrial districts, Signs indicating the business, commodities, service, industry or other activity sold, offered or conducted on the premises may be allowed as found herein.

All Signs allowed in residential districts may be allowed.

There may be any number of attached or Detached Signs provided their total does not exceed the maximum square footage of Sign Area allowed for the type of Sign and the location unless a special exception is granted for unusual circumstances. Except as otherwise specified, the Community Development Department may determine special exceptions in this Section.

Detached on-premise Signs may be allowed as follows:

Detached Signs may be located, subject to the standards of this Chapter, anywhere on the Parcel. However, the total square footage allowed is based solely on Lot Frontage.

Size. One and one-half square foot of Sign Area for each lineal foot of Street Frontage. Except for Freeway oriented Signs (see Subsection D below), those Signs subject to "adjacent to residential" requirements of this Chapter, and where granted a special exception for unusual circumstances, no Sign may exceed two hundred (200) square feet of total Sign Area. When more than one Use or business occupies a Lot, the Lot Frontage is to be used to calculate the Sign sizes for a combined total of all Detached Signs, not for each Use. The total may then be divided between the Uses.

Billboard Signs shall not count toward the total Sign Area allowed on a Parcel for Detached Signs.

Freeway-Oriented Detached Sign. Businesses may request on-premise Freeway-oriented Detached Signs as a Conditional Use and subject to the requirements as found herein.

Must be located on property which is within three hundred (300) feet of the Freeway.

Sign Area. The area of the Sign shall be subject to the size limitation based on Lot Frontage whether located in front or another location except such Signs may, if the Planning Commission finds conditions that warrant such sizes, be up to three hundred (300) square feet maximum.

All such Signs shall be subject to "adjacent to residential" regulations found elsewhere in this Chapter.

Such Signs shall not be allowed on any Parcel of property east of those Parcels with Frontage on State Street.

Attached on-premise Signs may be allowed as follows:

Signs may be placed, subject to the standards of this Chapter, on any side of a Building. However, the total Sign Area allowed will be based solely on the Building front.

Size. On-premise Attached Signs may not exceed a total of three square feet of Sign Area for each lineal foot of Building Frontage, unless, for unusual circumstances, a special exception is granted. The area of any one Sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet, unless, for unusual circumstances, a special exception is granted.

When more than one Use or business occupies a Building, the lineal footage of the Building is to be used to calculate the Sign sizes for a combined total of all Attached Signs, not for each Use. The total may then be divided between the Uses.

Businesses in free standing Buildings containing more than one non-Residential Use and businesses located on Lots containing more than one nonresidential Building and more than one non-Residential Use, may request a special exception for additional Signs or Sign Area.

Off-Premise Directional Signs may be allowed as found elsewhere in this Chapter. Other than Off- Premise Directional Signs, off-premise Signs may be allowed only as found in this Chapter.

Billboards may be allowed only as found elsewhere in this Chapter and are prohibited or restricted in certain locations.

Low-profile Signs as defined in this Chapter may be allowed in conformity with the following provisions:

Low-profile Signs must not violate the clear view ordinance of this Title;

Low-profile Signs must not cross the Property Line;

Low-profile Signs must be incorporated into a Landscaped Area, which area is subject to design review standards;

Low-profile Signs shall be limited to a maximum of six feet in height from Grade; and

Low-profile Signs shall contain no animation unless granted a Conditional Use by the Planning Commission.

Unless specifically authorized by a Development Agreement executed as a condition precedent to a rezone, Roof Signs shall not be allowed except as a special exception under the provisions of this Chapter and, if allowed as a special exception, must conform to the following standards:

The height of the Sign face of Roof Signs shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of the height of the Building or ten feet, whichever is less;

Roof Signs shall not be animated;

No visible guy wires, braces or secondary supports shall be used;

Roof Signs shall be designed to appear as extensions of the exterior Building wall;

Roof Signs shall not exceed the maximum permitted height for the zoning district in which located;

Detached Signs may not overhang any portion of the roof of a Building. Attached Signs may not overhang any portion of the same or any other Building; and

Height Regulations for Signs on Parapet Walls, Sloping and Shed Roofs. The following regulations apply to the location and height of Signs on parapet walls and various roof structures:

Parapet Wall. A Sign attached to a parapet wall may project above the top of the parapet wall no more than one fourth of the Sign height, except that the maximum projection allowed is four feet.

Sloping Roof. A Sign attached to the fascia or located on the sloping roof of a structure, may not extend more than four feet above the lower edge or the fascia of the sloping roof.

Shed Roof. A Sign attached to the fascia of a shed roof may not be located so as to extend more than four feet above the lower edge of the fascia.

Menu boards for drive-in Restaurants may be allowed as detached or Attached Signs provided there are no more than two free-standing or wall-mounted menu boards per business and such are located not less than twenty (20) feet from the Street Property Line.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020; Ord. No. 2025-32, § 2(Exh. A), 7-9-2025)

17.08.340 - Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District Special Requirements.#

The standards herein shall apply to all areas of the TOD district. A.

All Signs within the TOD district are conditional and must be approved by the Planning Commission.

Where the Building orientation is with the front of the business toward the light rail corridor, business standards may be applied.

Where the Building orientation is with the back or side toward the light rail corridor, any Signs along the corridor shall be limited to Attached Signs and low-profile Signs.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.350 - Heights.#

Heights of Signs shall be regulated as found herein. A.

For the purpose of determining height on Detached Signs (including Billboards), measurement of the vertical distance shall be from the elevation of the nearest public sidewalk within twenty-five (25) feet or, if there is no sidewalk within twenty-five (25) feet, from the lowest point of the Grade on the Lot upon which the Sign is located and within twenty-five (25) feet of the Sign, to the uppermost point on the Sign or Sign structure.

Pole and Ground Signs. Pole and ground Signs shall be limited to a maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet, except for Freeway oriented Signs, unless granted a special exception by the Community Development Department for unusual circumstances.

Freeway-Oriented Detached Signs. Such Signs are a Conditional Use requiring Planning Commission approval. Upon a finding by the Planning Commission of conditions that warrant such heights, such Signs may be allowed greater heights up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) feet above the Grade of the adjacent Freeway or barrier wall.

Low-Profile Signs. Low profile Signs shall be limited to a maximum height of six feet.

Billboards. See requirements elsewhere in this Chapter.

Special Use Signs. See requirements elsewhere in this Chapter.

Height of Attached Signs. The height of Attached Signs shall conform to the following provisions:

When a Building has more than one level, the wall on which the Sign is installed will govern.

Awning Signs. Awning Signs shall not be located above the second floor level of the Building.

Flat Signs. Flat Signs may extend a maximum of two feet above the roofline or parapet wall of the Building on which they are located.

Marquee and Canopy Signs. Marquee and canopy Signs shall not be located above the main entry level of the premises.

Nameplates. Nameplates shall not be located above the first floor level of the Building.

Projecting Signs. A projecting Sign shall not extend above the top of the vertical Building wall on which it is located.

Roof Signs. See requirements found elsewhere in this Chapter.

Window Signs. Window Signs shall not be located above the second floor.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.360 - Setbacks.#

Signs shall conform to the Setback requirements as specified herein and as found elsewhere in this Chapter. A.

For the purposes of determining Setback distances, measurements shall be taken from the edge or surface of the Sign or Sign Structure which is closest to the Property Line from which the Sign is to be set back.

Front or Corner Side. Signs on Corner Lots or at the intersection of any driveway, Parking Lot, entrance or exit with any Street, shall meet clear view requirements of this Title.

Pole and Ground Signs (Including Billboards). All such Signs shall have a minimum Setback of five feet from any Property Line. Frontage Setbacks shall be a minimum of five feet and one additional foot of Setback for each foot of height over twenty-five (25) feet, up to the maximum allowed.

Low-Profile Signs. Low-profile Signs shall have a minimum Setback of one foot.

Signs appurtenant to any Multi-Family Residential Use shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from any Property Line adjacent to a Street.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.370 - Projection and Clearance Requirements.#

Clearance Standards.

No Sign or Sign Structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe.

No Sign shall obstruct any openings to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by the City.

Clearance Between Sign and Ground.

Generally, pole and ground Signs must not be located in or hang over areas of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

If no other location is reasonably available, pole Signs must have a minimum clearance of ten feet between the bottom of any pole or overhanging Sign and the ground or Sign base. Pole Signs which have a maximum clearance of four feet may be excepted.

All ground Signs shall have a maximum clearance of four feet.

Signs projecting over a sidewalk or public Right-of-Way may not be less than eight feet above the sidewalk or Right-of-Way.

Projection of Signs. Signs may be allowed to project from Buildings or Structures in conformance with the following general provisions:

Across Property Lines. Detached Signs shall not be allowed to project over any Property Lines and must meet minimum Setback requirements. Attached Signs may be allowed to cross into public Rights-of-Way (but not Alleys) subject to the requirements as found elsewhere in this Chapter.

Over Alleys. No Sign or Sign Structure shall project into any public Alley.

Projecting Signs may be allowed to extend even with the roof line or parapet wall of a Building.

When a Building has more than one level, the wall on which the Sign is installed will govern.

Marquee Signs. Signs attached to an approved marquee, as specified in this Chapter, may extend over public property, with no copy on the sides, a maximum of twelve (12) inches from the face of the marquee. Signs placed within or below the ceiling of a marquee shall not extend beyond the marquee face and shall be placed within the vertical plane of the marquee.

Flat Signs. Signs placed flat against a Building must be erected parallel thereto and the outside face of the Sign may not extend more than one foot from the wall of the Buildings. Flat Signs may project over a public Right-of-Way but may not be less than eight feet above the sidewalk. Flat Signs may have no copy visible from the sides.

Canopies or Awnings. Canopies or awnings may extend from Buildings subject to the provisions found herein.

Canopies or awnings over sidewalks or public property shall maintain a minimum eight-foot clearance above the sidewalk or public property. Approval of the public agency is required as is insurance as found elsewhere in this Chapter.

Canopies or awnings may extend a maximum of twelve (12) feet from the Building but not more than six feet into a public Right-of-Way.

Canopies or awnings shall not create any traffic or pedestrian hazards as found in this Chapter.

Attached Signs, other than flat Signs, marquees, canopies or awnings (which have specific requirements), may project no more than six feet from the Building and may not cross Property Lines. Such Signs must maintain a minimum clearance of ten feet over pedestrian ways and fourteen (14) feet over vehicular ways.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)