A park strip is the strip between sidewalk and curb, also called a parking strip, hell strip or planting strip. Cities own the right of way and often set strict standards. City codes change, so confirm with your planning office before you buy anything.
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City does not allow artificial turf in park strips or in the front and corner yards its code requires to be landscaped, and says front, corner and park strip areas still need plant coverage of at least 33% (SLC Planning). Enforcement began after a grace period ending in September 2025. One local report put possible penalties at $50 to $200 per day (City Cast Salt Lake), but that article is undated, so ask the city for the current schedule. A February 2026 city staff report drafts new turf standards (permeability of 30 inches per hour per square yard) while keeping the park strip ban (staff report); we could not confirm whether it was adopted.
Taylorsville and Other Cities
Taylorsville's water-efficient standards bar lawn in park strips and require vegetation cover there, per our Taylorsville page. Many smaller cities have no published rule naming synthetic turf in park strips, which is different from allowing it. See each city on our areas page and call the planning office.
Why Cities Restrict Turf in Park Strips
Cities cite heat, runoff, microplastics and water use; Salt Lake City's stated reasons include that turf makes the area hotter and pollutes water with microplastics and chemicals. Whether you agree or not, the rule is what you will be fined under.
What to Do With a Park Strip Instead
Utah Water Savers pays up to $3 per square foot to replace lawn with at least 50% perennial plant coverage on drip, with park strip plants meeting a mature height requirement (Utah Water Savers). Rock-only designs do not qualify. A planted park strip can both satisfy the city and earn the incentive, so check eligibility before you pull any grass; see how to apply.
Commercial and Multifamily Strips
Commercial frontage runs under the same city landscape code, often with additional buffer and permeability rules. Ask for the landscape ordinance section that applies to your zone.
Related Pages
How Wasatch Turf Experts Works
We are a referral service, not a turf installer. Your request goes to one independent local installer serving the Wasatch Front, at no cost to you. See how we vet our pros for the bar that installer has to clear, read about us and why we publish sources, or check the answers to common turf questions. For anything else, contact us.
Park Strip Questions
Can you put artificial turf in a park strip in Utah?
Not in Salt Lake City or Taylorsville, per our research. Other cities vary, so check your city's code first.
Is fake grass allowed in a parking strip in Salt Lake City?
No. The city bars artificial turf in park strips and required landscape yards.
What can I put in a park strip instead of grass?
Drip-irrigated perennials and groundcovers that meet your city's height and coverage rules. Rock-only designs generally do not meet incentive or code requirements.
Will I be fined for turf in my park strip?
In Salt Lake City, enforcement began after September 2025. Ask the city for current penalties.
Sources
Retrieved 2026-10-22. City codes change.
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