Firearms In Parking Lots
In Utah, individuals who can legally possess firearms may transport or store firearms inside their vehicles in parking lots, including business and employee parking lots. Firearms left in an unoccupied vehicle must be secured and hidden from view.
Firearms In Parked Vehicles
What You Can Do
You may transport or store a firearm inside your vehicle in a parking lot when you can legally possess and transport the firearm.
When leaving your vehicle unoccupied:
- Lock the firearm securely inside the vehicle or in a locked container attached to the vehicle.
- Make sure the firearm cannot be seen from outside the vehicle.
When Firearms Can Be Prohibited
A property owner may prohibit firearms in a parking lot if:
- Free alternative parking is available reasonably close to the restricted lot, where parking is legal and safe.
- A secured and monitored firearm storage location is available reasonably close to the restricted lot.
- The property is excluded from Utah's parking law, as explained below.
Properties Excluded From Parking Lot Protection
Schools
You may have a firearm in a vehicle lawfully under your control on public or private elementary and secondary school property, including when dropping off or picking up students.
The vehicle cannot be owned by the school or used by the school to transport students.
School Firearm LawsChurches
Churches and other religious organizations can prohibit firearms in parking lots they own or control. They do not have to provide alternative parking or firearm storage.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Wasatch Presbyterian Church are listed by Utah BCI as prohibiting firearms inside their houses of worship. That list does not establish which parking lots prohibit firearms.
Church Firearm Laws BCI Prohibited ChurchesFederal & Restricted Facilities
Firearms may be prohibited in parking areas in the following locations:
- Correctional Facilities: Jails, prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and their restricted grounds.
- Mental Health Facilities: Facilities that prohibit firearm possession.
- Military Installations: Firearm possession and transportation are controlled by installation regulations and authorization requirements.
- Post Offices: Federal postal property, including parking areas, is subject to federal firearm restrictions.
Federal restrictions can also apply to other facilities without providing alternative parking.
Federal Prohibited AreasWorkplace & Residential Parking Lots
Workplace Parking Lots
Your employer cannot prohibit you from keeping a legally possessed firearm inside your vehicle in the parking lot when the vehicle is locked and the firearm cannot be seen from outside.
Your employer can prohibit firearms in its parking lot if free, safe, legal parking is available nearby or secured and monitored firearm storage is available nearby.
Shared Residential Parking
Apartments, Condominiums & Shared Residential Parking: Property owners and landlords cannot prohibit firearms stored in residents' vehicles in shared parking lots when the vehicle is locked, the firearm is secured, and the firearm cannot be seen from outside.
Detached Single-Family Homes
A property owner or person lawfully controlling the property can prohibit firearms in the driveway, garage, or other parking areas of an owner-occupied or rented detached single-family home. They are not required to provide alternative parking or firearm storage.