Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Salt Lake City requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Salt Lake City Code 8.04.370(B)(5). The set ticket for a first offense is $50, and $100 for a repeat. You are also required to carry a means of removal whenever you walk your dog.
What the Salt Lake City ordinance says
| Ordinance | Salt Lake City Code 8.04.370(B)(5) (Animal nuisances designated); Ord. 13-16 (2016) |
|---|---|
| Fine | $50 |
| Repeat offense | $100 |
| Must carry a bag | Yes |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
Minimum civil notice-of-violation penalties for animal nuisances (8.15.027(B)): $50 first, $100 second, $200 third, then criminal, counting violations within 24 months. A civil notice may be issued in lieu of a misdemeanor citation (8.15.020(B)(1)(h)), and first-offense penalties may be reduced or waived for completing an approved responsible pet ownership class (8.15.020(B)(3)(a)) (https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-50118).
The carry rule
Yes. The owner or person in control must remove the waste to a proper trash receptacle and 'shall carry the appropriate instrument(s) for the removal and disposal of such waste.' Covers public sidewalks, parks, buildings, and private property without the owner's consent. Service dogs: no exemption in 8.04.370.
How Salt Lake City compares
Salt Lake City is the only one of the largest cities in Utah we checked with a set ticket amount. The others leave the figure to a judge. Salt Lake City is also stricter than West Valley City and West Jordan on carrying: here the empty pocket is itself the offense.
In practice
Because Salt Lake City requires you to carry a way to clean up, the simplest way to stay on the right side of it is to keep bags on the leash itself, so they leave the house every time the dog does. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Utah
Utah dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: West Valley City dog poop law · West Jordan dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Salt Lake City municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
