A motion to amend North Salt Lake’s ordinances concerning accessory structures and setbacks was unanimously accepted by the city council during the meeting Dec. 2, 2025. The proposed changes would allow for more expansive accessory structures and bring the rules concerning setbacks, or the distance a building or structure needs to be from the property line, into compliance with the International Building Code. 

The issue was brought to the attention of city government when an application to amend North Salt Lake City code Section 10-19-17 (c) was filed by city resident Rueben Wolsey. An artist, Wolsey would like to build a studio on his property for the purpose of working on his sculpting and, also selling his art, and the current North Salt Lake City code would not allow him to construct a building on his lot large enough for his needs. 

North Salt Lake City code 10-19-17 (c) allows for an accessory structure, or a building connected to a residential home such as a shed, garage or playhouse, to have a maximum height of 14 feet with a 20 foot roof peak, be no taller than the primary structure, and its maximum square footing can only be 50% of the square footing of the primary structure. 

The proposed amendment to the code was presented to the city council by Sherrie Pace, Community Development Director for North Salt Lake, and developed by the Planning Commission, an advisory board to the City Council in relation to matters of zoning and city planning. It would make some small, but noticeable adjustments to the ordinance regulating accessory structures. There would be no change to the maximum height allowed for an accessory structure, but in lots of ½ acre or less the building can have a footprint of 50% of the primary structure. In lots greater than ½ acre the footprint can be no larger than that of the main building. If the structure is greater than 800 square feet it needs to be setback from the property line more than 10 feet. The rear may be reduced to five feet if that wall has a one hour firewall. 

The current code related to setbacks for the accessory structures, ordinance 10-10-3, does not comply with International Building Codes and changes need to be made in order to remedy that. The planning commission believed it would be prudent to propose adjustments to the ordinances related to setbacks at the same time as those related to accessory structures. The current code for the city of North Salt Lake states that a structure needs to be three feet away from property line, and can be reduced to one feet away with a one hour fire rating and no doors or windows. The International Building Code states that structures in the side and rear yard need to be five feet away from the property line, and if they have a one hour fire rating, with no windows or doors it can be reduced to three feet. The proposed amendment to the ordinance would line city code up with the International Building Code. 

During the week leading up to Dec. 2, the planning commission held a public hearing during which they presented the proposed amendment to residents. As reported by Pace they did not receive any pushback concerning the possibility of ordinance changes. 

North Salt Lake City Council unanimously voted to approve the amendments to city codes 10-19-17 (c) and 10-10-3. The regulations would apply to all property and structures in North Salt Lake. Existing structures that do not meet the requirements would be grandfathered in and pose no problem, as long as they were legally built with the proper permits.