Payday loans in Utah
Payday loans are legal in Utah, and state law does not cap the fees a lender may charge, so prices vary widely from one lender to the next. Every figure on this page was checked against Utah law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal
Utah payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- No maximum amount.
- Loan term
- No more than 10 weeks
- Maximum fee
- No limit.
- Loans at one time
- No limit.
- Rollovers
- Yes, as long as they don't exceed 10 weeks.
- Cooling-off period
- 1 day.
- Repayment plan
- Allowed one as a matter of course per 12 months.
- Governing law
- Utah Code Ann. 7-23-101 et seq.
Checked against Utah law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Payday loans are legal in Utah and lenders must hold a state license.
- Price rule: No limit.
- Utah Department of Financial Institutions handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Utah?
Payday loans are legal in Utah, and state law does not cap the fees a lender may charge, so prices vary widely from one lender to the next.
The governing law is Utah Code Ann. 7-23-101 et seq… Utah Department of Financial Institutions licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
Loan limits in Utah
- Loan size: No maximum amount.
- Loan term: No more than 10 weeks
- Loans at one time: No limit.
- Rollovers: Yes, as long as they don’t exceed 10 weeks.
- Cooling-off period: 1 day.
- Repayment plan: Allowed one as a matter of course per 12 months.
What a payday loan costs in Utah
State law sets the price rule: No limit.
Federal law requires the lender to state the finance charge in dollars and the APR in your agreement. Read both before you sign, and set them beside the example further down this page.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. A single-payment payday loan under Utah law does not meet that standard, whatever its fee, because it falls due in one payment within weeks.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in Utah
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. The state rule: Allowed one as a matter of course per 12 months. On criminal threats: Not allowed. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Utah Department of Financial Institutions and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Utah
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
Free help in Utah
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Utah?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Utah under Utah Code Ann. 7-23-101 et seq., and lenders need a state license.
What does a payday loan cost in Utah?
State law sets the price rule: No limit. The lender must give you the finance charge in dollars and the APR in writing before you sign.
Can I roll over a payday loan in Utah?
State rule on rollovers: Yes, as long as they don’t exceed 10 weeks. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Utah?
No. Not allowed. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Utah?
Contact Utah Department of Financial Institutions. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Utah?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- VermontPayday loans are not legal in Vermont. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- TexasPayday loans are legal in Texas. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- VirginiaPayday loans are legal in Virginia. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- TennesseePayday loans are legal in Tennessee. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- WashingtonPayday loans are legal in Washington. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- South DakotaSouth Dakota caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.