02.0500 SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Unofficial copy. It may be out of date. Not legal or zoning advice. Zoning rules change, and only the city or county can say for sure what is allowed on a property. Confirm with the city or county planning department before you buy, sign or build.
The official Elmo code is at https://emery.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ZONING-ORDINANCES.pdf.
Text pulled 2026-10-19 from this source.
This is the town's 1975 typed zoning ordinance, the only one posted online (on Emery County's site). It may be outdated; confirm the current rules with the town.
Tables (like use tables) may not copy cleanly, so check any table against the official code.
Confirm anything here with Elmo planning before you rely on it.
APPLICABLE WITHIN ZONES.
Intent
The intent of this section is to accumulate under one heading, regulations
which apply to two or more zones, rather than to repeat them several
times.
Yard Space For One Building Only
No required yard or other open space around an existing building, or
which is hereafter provided around any buildings, which is needed to
comply with the provisions of this Ordinance, shall be considered as
providing a yard or open space for any other building, nor shall any yard
or other required open space on an adjoining lot be considered as
providing the yard or open space on the lot whereon a building is to be
erected or established.
Every Dwelling To be On A Zoning Lot
Only one building which contains a dwelling shall be located and
maintained on a zoning lot as defined in this Ordinance, except for
dwellings within a mobile home park, or other large-scale development.
02.0504 Sales Or Lease of Required Space Prohibited
No space needed to meet the width, yard, area, coverage, parking, or other
requirements of this Ordinance for a lot or building may be sold or leased
apart from such lot or building unless other space so complying is
provided.
Yards To Be Unobstructed – Exceptions
Every part of a required yard shall be open to the sky and unobstructed
except for permitted accessory buildings and except for ordinary and
customary projection of sills, belt courses, cornices, and other ornamental
porches, and carports, which may project up to three feet into a required
yard. No projection into a required court which is provided in connection
with a court apartment shall be constructed except for customary sills, belt
courses, and cornices which may extend into a court not more than sixteen
inches.
Accessory Buildings Prohibited As Living Quarters
Living and sleeping quarters in any building other than the main
residential building is prohibited.
Storage Of Commercial Vehicles In Residential Zones Prohibited
The storage and/or continuous parking of trucks having a rated capacity of
one and one-half (1 ½) tons or greater, and construction equipment such as
bulldozers, graders, compressors, etc., shall not be permitted in any
residential zones, provided that construction equipment may be stored on a
lot during construction of a building thereon, but not to exceed one year.
Storage Of Junk and Debris in Residential Zones Prohibited
No yard or other open spaces surrounding an existing building in any
agricultural or residential zones, or which is hereafter provided around any
building in any agricultural or residential zone, shall be used for the
storage of junk, debris, or obsolete vehicles; and no land shall be used for
such purposes, except as specifically permitted herein.
02.0509 Additional Height Allowed For Public Buildings
Public buildings and churches may be erected to any height provided the
building is set back from required building setback lines a distance of at
least one (1) foot for each additional foot of building height above the
maximum height otherwise permitted in the zone in which the building is
located.
Minimum Height of Dwellings And Fences
No dwelling shall be erected which has a ceiling height of less than 7’6”
or one story above grade, whichever is greater. No fence or wall shall be
constructed higher than four feet above the ground in any required front or
side yard that fronts on a street.
Location of Barns
No barns, corral, or coop shall be constructed closer than 100 feet from
any existing dwelling.
Drainage
Surface water from roof tops, lots or irrigation ditches shall not be allowed
to drain onto adjacent lots or streets.
Clear View of Intersecting Streets
In all zones which require a front yard, no obstruction which will obscure
the view of automobile drivers shall be placed on any corner lot within a
triangular area formed by the street property lines and a line connecting
them at points of forty-five (45) feet from the intersection of the street
lines.
Effect of Street Plan
Wherever a front or side yard is required for a building, which building
abuts on a proposed street which has not been constructed, but which has
been designated by the planning commission as a future street, the depth
of such front or side yard shall be measured from the planned street lines.
02.0515 Exception to Front and Side Setback Requirements
The setback from the street for any dwelling located between two existing
dwellings in any residential zone may be the same as the average for said
two existing dwellings, provided the existing dwellings are on the same
side of the street and are located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of
each other.
Concessions In Public Parks and Playgrounds
Concessions, including but not limited to, amusement devices, recreational
buildings, and refreshment stands, shall be permitted on a public park or
playground when approved by the city council.
Sewage Disposal
Where domestic sewage disposal facilities are used which are not
connected to a public sewer, approval of such facilities shall be obtained
from the health department before a building permit shall be issued
thereof.
Location of Gasoline Pumps
Gasoline pump islands shall be set back not less than fifteen (15) feet
from any street line to which the pump island in vertical and twelve (12)
feet from any street line to which the pump island is parallel and not less
than twelve (12) feet from any residential zone boundary line. If the pump
island is set in an angle on the property, it shall be so located that
automobiles stopped for service will not extend over the property line. In
no case shall pumps be set closer than twelve (12) feet from any street
line, nor closer than ten (10) feet from any side or rear property line. Lots
from which gasoline is dispensed to customer at retail shall be no less than
75 by 100 feet in size. Canopies over pump islands may extend to within
five feet to the property line.
Off Street Parking and Loading
A. Off street loading and unlading space shall be provided on the same
Lot for every building used for manufacturing, storage,
warehousing, goods display, department stores, grocery, hotel,
hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning, or other use similarly
involving the receipt or distribution by vehicles of materials or
02.0520 merchandise. Such space, unless otherwise adequately provided,
shall include a minimum ten (10) feet by twenty-five (25) feet
loading space with a minimum fourteen (14) feet height clearance
for every twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of floor space in the
building or fraction thereof.
B. Not less than two (2) off street parking spaces shall be provided on
same lot for any one-family dwelling, plus one space for each
additional dwelling unit. All off street parking spaces shall be
graded and graveled.
Motor Vehicle Access
Access to all lots and parcels of land having a frontage on a public street
shall be controlled as follows:
1. Access shall be by not more than two driveways from any one street,
Except as may be permitted by the Board of Adjustment, when it can
be shown that additional driveways will promote traffic safety.
2. Driveways shall be not closer to each other than twenty (20) feet.
3. Each driveway shall be not more than thirty (30) feet in width in
any commercial or industrial zone measured at right angle to the
center line of the driveway. In residential zones, driveways shall be
not more than twenty (20) feet in width except when approval from
large-scale developments.
4. On corner lots, no driveways shall be closer than fifteen (15) feet to
The point of intersection of the front property line with the side
property line which abuts upon a street.
5. Where there is no existing curb and gutter or sidewalk, a curb or
Fence may be required by the city.
Landscaping Required
Front yards and side yards of all dwellings which front on public streets
must be landscaped except that up to 25 percent of the front yard or side
yard which faces on a public street may be devoted to driveways and off
street parking.
02.0522 Signs
Advertising signs shall be regulated as follows:
A. Signs in Residential Zone
No advertising signs of any kind shall be allowed in any residential
zone, except signs pertaining to the sale or lease of residential
property, and except for name plates or signs indicating the
existence of an office or a professional person and a home
occupation.
B. Setbacks
All adverting signs shall be set back from public streets a distance
at least equal to the distance that buildings are required to be set
back within the zone in which said signs are located.
C. Screening Requirements
Except in those zones where non-accessory signs are permitted, all
signs shall display thereon only information pertaining to products
or services sold on the premises.
D. Permits Required
Regardless of cost, no sign shall be erected or placed within the
city, without first making applications for, and obtaining a building
permit therefore, except temporary window and political posters,
temporary signs pertaining to the sale of adjacent property, and
name plates or identification signs indicating the existence of an
approved home occupation or professional office. In addition to
the requirements of this Ordinance, all signs located within six
hundred and sixty (660) feet of the right-of-way line of a federally
designated highway shall be conformed to the standards and
regulations for such signs established by the State of Utah. Any
approval or permits required by said regulations shall be in
addition to the building permit herein above required and
construction or placement of a sign shall not be commenced until
all approvals and permits have been obtained.
02.0523 Pollution Prevention
Any use which emits or discharges gases, fumes, dust, glare, noise, or
other pollutants into the atmosphere in amounts which exceed the
standards as prescribed by the Utah State Air Conservation Board or the
Board of Health, and any use which emits or discharges liquids or solid
materials onto the soil or water in amounts which results in pollutants
entering ground water in amounts exceeding the standards prescribed by
the Utah State Water Pollution Control Board or the Board of Health, shall
be prohibited.
Recreation Vehicles and Mobile Homes Prohibited - Exceptions
It shall be unlawful to place any recreational vehicle on any lot or parcel
of land in the area covered by the zoning map and to use the same for
human habitation, except when located in a recreational vehicle court.
It shall be unlawful to place a mobile home on any lot or parcel of land in
an area covered by the zoning map and to use the same for human
habitation except in compliance with one or more of the following
conditions:
A. When temporarily located on a lot on which a building is being
constructed and connected to approved water and sewer facilities but
not to exceed one (1) year.
B. When placed on a licensed mobile home park.
C. When placed on a zoning lot that complies with the regulations of the
zone in which the mobile home is located provided:
1. The mobile home and site comply with the use, width, location,
height, size of building, and special provision requirements for
structures within the zone;
2. The mobile home is independently connected to an approved
water supply and sewage disposal facility;
3. The mobile home is constructed in accordance with the
building code for mobile homes in effect within the city; .
Outside dimensions of a mobile home shall not be less than
24 feet by 24 feet. (Amended 6-5-2013)
4. The mobile home is placed upon a permanent masonry type or
concrete foundation or skirted by a permanent masonry type
skirt; (Amended 6-5-2013)
5. That according to the records of the county recorder, the lot
And mobile home are in single ownership;
6. The mobile home will be entered upon the tax roles of Emery
County as real property as evidence by a letter or other proof
from the County Assessor.
7. The mobile home will have both tongue and wheels removed.
8. Mobile Home shall not be older than 10 years from present
date.
9. Mobile Homes can not be attached to any existing dwelling or
mobile home. (amendment - 4-3-2015)
Conditional Uses
The following uses shall be permitted only after approval as set forth
herein:
A. Home Occupations
The Board of Adjustment may grant a permit for a home
occupation subject to the following conditions:
1. Home occupations are permitted in the zone.
2. The home occupation is conducted entirely within a
dwelling and is carried on in the dwelling only by members
of the residing family.
3. The home occupation does not involve the use of any
Accessory buildings or yard space for storage or activities
outside of the dwelling.
4. No commercial vehicles are used except one delivery truck
which does not exceed three-fourths ton rated capacity.
5. The home occupation is clearly incidental and secondary to
the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not
change the character of the building from that of a
dwelling.
6. Signs are limited to one non-flashing sign not larger in area
than two-hundred twenty-six (226) square inches. If
lighted, the light shall be diffused or shielded.
7. Not more than the equivalent of twenty-five percent (25%)
of the ground floor area of the dwelling is devoted to the
home occupation.
8. The home occupation shall be registered with the license
division or department.
9. Entrance to the house occupation from outside shall be the
same entrance normally used by the residing family except
when required otherwise by regulations of the State Health
Department or other public agency.
10. In the opinion of the Board of Adjustment, the physical
appearance, traffic, and other activities in connection with the
home occupation is not contrary to the objectives and
characteristics of the zone in which the home occupation is
located and does not depreciate surrounding residential
values.
B. Small Lots
Where a parcel of land at the time of the adoption of this
Ordinance is at least one and eight-tenths times as wide and one
eight-tenths times as large in area as required for a lot in the zone,
the Board of Adjustment may permit the division of a parcel into
two lots, provided:
1. Such division will not cause undue concentration of
buildings.
2. The Characteristics of the zone in which the lot is located
will be maintained.
3. In the opinion of the Board of Adjustment, values in the
area will be safeguarded.
C. Utility Buildings and Structures Permitted
Water, sewer, and electric buildings and structures may be
constructed in all residential zones subject to the approval of the
Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment may require
conditions which are reasonably necessary to protect surrounding
property values and residential amenities.
D. Dwelling Sites to Have Frontage on a Public Street
Except as otherwise provided for in this Ordinance, at least once
side of each lot used as a dwelling site shall abut upon a street
which has been designed or dedicated to the public for street
purposes and the length of such abutting side measured at the
setback line shall be at least as great as the width required for
dwelling sites in the zone in which such building site is located.
E. Uses Prohibited in Zones Unless Expressly Permitted
Uses of land which are not expressly permitted within a zone are
expressly prohibited therein, except, as may be permitted by action
of the Board of Adjustment pursuant to express authority under the
terms of this Ordinance. The Board of Adjustment shall not permit
a use within a zone which is not expressly permitted by the terms
of this Ordinance unless it can be shown that the use is similar to
other uses permitted in the zone. Where the Board of Adjustment
determines a use to be similar, such use shall thereafter be deemed
to be a permitted use as if it were listed therein on the effective
date of this Ordinance.
F. Moved Building
No permit for moving of a residential, commercial, or industrial
building within the city, which has had prior use shall be issued as
required under Section 02.1000, without first filing an application
with the Zoning Administrator. Said application shall contain the
following information:
(a) Location and address of the old and new site.
(b) Plot plan of the new location, also showing
adjacent lots on all sides of the property and
indicating all structures and improvements on said
lot.
(c) Plans and specifications for the proposed
improvements at the new location, including plans
for landscaping treatment when required by the
Zoning Administrator.
(d) Certification by the Zoning Administrator that the
structure is sound enough to be moved and that
the condition, location, and use of the building
will comply with the Zoning Ordinance and all
other applicable code and ordinances.
Before approving said application and authorizing the issuance of a
permit, the Zoning Administrator must find:
(a) That the building will have no appreciable
detrimental effect on the living environment and
property values in the area into which the structure
is to be moved.
(b) That the building is in conformity with the quality
of building existing in the area into which it is
proposed to be moved.
(c) That said building and the lot on which the building
is to be located will conform to the requirements of
the Zoning Ordinance and other applicable codes,
ordinances and regulations.
(d) That its location on the lot does not in any
substantial way adversely affect buildings or uses in
abutting properties.
(e) That all requirements, dedications, and
improvements for streets and facilities and buildings
shall be provided in conformity with the standards
of the city.
(f) That adequate provisions has been made through
the posting of a bond or other assurance that the
building and grounds shall be brought up to the
standard of a new building before it is occupied and
that the vacated site shall be restored to a safe and
sightly condition.
The requirements of this provision shall also apply to the moving
of mobile homes, demountable homes, manufactured homes, and
similar movable structures except when being moved from outside
the city into a mobile home park.
G. Transitional Uses
Uses which are permitted on either portion of a lot which lot is
divided by a zone boundary line or which is coterminous with a
zone boundary line may be permitted to extend to the entire lot, but
not more than one hundred (100) feet beyond the boundary line of
such zone which such use is permitted. Before a permit for such a
use may be granted, however, the Board of Adjustment must find
that the comprehensive plan of zoning will be maintained and that
a more harmonious mixing of uses will be achieved thereby.
H. Adjust or Reduce Off Street Parking Requirements
The Board of Adjustment may approve substitute parking locations
and may reduce the amount of off street parking required where
sufficient off street parking is readily available within the vicinity,
and/or where acquisition of land for such use if unnecessary in
order to carry out the spirit of this Ordinance.