Off-grid site report

Salt Lake County, UT

40.6216, -111.8369 · 4,544 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Salt Lake County, UT, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.

The local rulesSalt Lake County, UT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyUnincorporated Salt Lake County uses Title 19 zoning; incorporated cities like Salt Lake City run separate zoning codes and generally don't allow ad hoc raw-land occupancy. No countywide rule confirms tent/yurt occupancy is broadly allowed. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedWhere documented, cities in the county treat wheeled tiny homes as RVs barred from permanent living use and require a permanent foundation for a home; county-level rule for unincorporated areas not confirmed, check Title 19 with County Planning. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedUtah's statewide code applies, administered in unincorporated areas by the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District. Small detached accessory structures and low decks under a certain size are exempt, but most construction needs a permit. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSalt Lake County Health Department permits and reviews all onsite wastewater systems countywide; no one may build, occupy, or install a septic system without its written approval. Larger or nondomestic flows go to the state instead. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; it likely runs through the same Health Department Environmental Health Division that handles septic under state rule, but this is not confirmed, so ask before building a system. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedGoverned by Utah state law and the Division of Water Rights registration system; no county-specific restriction was found.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWells are controlled entirely by the state Division of Water Rights and State Engineer process; no Salt Lake County addition was found beyond normal zoning setbacks.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo official Salt Lake County page confirms whether full off-grid utility disconnection is allowed for a certificate of occupancy; likely case-by-case depending on zoning district. Not confirmed, ask Planning or Health directly.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,473 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 27 in/yr
Snowfall: 95 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,670 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 28 to Oct 22

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Salt Lake Specialty Hospital: 5.0 mi
Fire station Samuel B. Davies Headquarters: 7.0 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 1.1 mi
Grocery Whole Foods Market: 0.2 mi

From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.

Plan this spot

These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 84093).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.