Permits are required for some special events and filming activities. The review process for the permits will help to ensure that the canyon watersheds are protected from contamination.
Salt Lake City’s (SLC) protected watershed is 130 square miles of lakes, creeks, streams and forest. The source waters in City Creek, Parleys, Big Cottonwood, and Little Cottonwood Canyons provide nearly 60 percent of our customers’ drinking water. These areas have special regulations granted by SLC Watershed Ordinance §17.04 and UCA §10-8-15. Therefore, each application is reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. We ask special event organizers, canyon residents, professional and student photographers and producers, researchers, and land developers to submit a permit application for their planned activities to understand their impacts and better protect our drinking water source. If you are conducting an organized event or project in any of the canyons listed, please see below for more details.
Any questions please contact SLC Public Utilities Watershed at 801-483-6705.
Special Events
Permits required for:
► Events held on SLC owned land
► Events held within 50 ft of any protected waterbody
► Contact with any waterbody within protected watershed
► Import of any domestic animal into protected watershed canyon
► Use of portable toilets
► Use of any chemical or petroleum products
Permit Review Process: (Click here to apply)
► Applicant submits event specific information via Google Forms (Click Here)
► Permit application review
► We may contact you for additional information or request conditions be met
► Permit application final review
► Application approved or denied
► Payment of fee and deposit (2 checks)
► Signed permit issued
► Permit must be available onsite and at each aid station, digital version acceptable
Permit Fees:
There is both a permit fee and deposit for each event. If approved, please submit two separate checks, one for the fee and one for the deposit, payable to Salt Lake City Corporation. Permit fees and deposits are based on §17.08.030 and listed in the table below.
| Number of Participants | Fee | Deposit |
| 0-20 | $ – | $ – |
| 20-50 | $25 | $50 |
| 50-100 | $50 | $100 |
| 100-200 | $100 | $200 |
| 200-400 | $200 | $500 |
| 400-600 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 600-1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Over 1,000 | Contact Watershed Manager |
What information will I need to provide?
► Protected Canyon(s) event will be held in
► Location of event
► Event start and end date and times
► Event setup date and time
► Estimated number of participants
► Certificate of Additional Insured – General Liability Insurance
► Salt Lake City Corporation must be named specifically on certificate of insurance with the following information:
Salt Lake City corporation, 1530 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
► Minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 general aggregate
► Maps:
♦ Entire route
♦ Start/finish areas
♦ Aid Stations (if any)
♦ Portable toilet locations (if any)
♦ Temporary structures (e.g. tents, stages, etc.)
Film/Photography Shoot
Permits required for:
Your shoot requires review and possible permit if it meets one of the following criteria:
► Shoot held on SLC owned land
► Shoot held within 50 ft of any protected waterbody
► Contact with any waterbody within protected watershed
► Import of any domestic animal into protected watershed canyon
► Use of portable toilets
► Use of any chemical or petroleum products, e.g. artificial snow
Permit Review Process: (Click here to apply)
► Applicant submits shoot specific information via Google Forms (Click Here)
► Permit application review
► We may contact you for additional information or request conditions be met
► Permit application final review
► Application approved or denied
► Payment of fee and deposit (2 checks)
► Signed permit issued
► Permit must be available onsite, digital version acceptable
Permit Fees:
There is both a permit fee and deposit for each shoot. If approved, please submit two separate checks, one for the fee and one for the deposit, payable to Salt Lake City Corporation. Permit fees and deposits are based on §17.08.030 and listed in the table below. Fees for film and photo shoots are applied on a case-by-case basis, but generally range from $200 to $1000 per day.
What information will I need to provide?
► Protected Canyon(s) shoot will be held in
► Location of shoot
► shoot start and end date and times
► shoot setup date and time
► Estimated number of cast and crews
► Certificate of Additional Insured – General Liability Insurance
► Salt Lake City Corporation must be named specifically on certificate of insurance with the following information:
Salt Lake City corporation, 1530 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
► Minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 general aggregate
► Maps:
♦ Trailer locations (s)
♦ Shoot locations(s)
♦ Portable toilet location(s)
♦ Caterer location(s)
♦ Temporary structures (e.g. tents, stages, etc.)
Watershed Residential Dog
Permits required for:
If you own or rent a home in Lambs, Big Cottonwood, or Little Cottonwood Canyons and wish to bring your dog, you must apply for a Watershed residential dog tag. Please note that only one dog may be permitted at any one address. Residents of Alta, UT should apply for a tag with the Town of Alta.
Permit Review Process:
► License dog with Salt Lake County Animal Services
► Submit Watershed Residential Dog permit application to Salt Lake County Animal Services and include the following:
♦ Plans for housing your dog in the watershed (enclosures should be walled or fenced and a minimum of 50 feet from any waterway, but preferably 100 feet away).
♦ Proposed method of daily animal waste disposal.
♦ Written statement agreeing to:
○ Microchip the dog
○ Keep the enclosure clean and sanitary at all times
○ Dispose of waste daily
○ Ensure the dog wears the required watershed tag or identifier at all times
○ Adhere to all Salt Lake County Animal Control Regulations (including vaccination requirements) and the Salt Lake County Watershed Regulation
○ Keep the dog on the property except when entering or leaving via vehicle* and keep the dog leashed when walking to and from your vehicle
► Application reviewed by Salt Lake County Health Department
► Site inspection of property and dog enclosure will take place only when the property is free of snow.
► If approved, pay applicable fees and surety bonds
► Permit issued by Salt Lake County Animal Services
Permit Fees:
► Salt Lake County Animal Services Licensing Fee – $5-50
► Salt Lake County Animal Services Residential Watershed Permit Fee – $50
► Salt Lake City surety bond – $100