This bill deals with regulation of certain land uses in residential zones located in counties of the first, second, and third class.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Property owners in Utah's larger counties (first, second, and third class) and their cities gain a new pathway under this bill to build "starter homes" — modestly priced, owner-occupied single-family homes — or to subdivide lots as small as 5,400 square feet, even when local zoning rules would otherwise prohibit it. A property owner submits a written request with a basic description and drawing of the planned home, asking the city or county to accept one of these "preferred land use regulations" for a specific parcel; staff must respond within 10 business days, and if the planning commission or governing body doesn't hold a public vote to deny the request within 45 days, the use becomes automatically permitted for that property, without requiring the local government to change its broader zoning rules. Local bodies can still deny a request, but only by majority vote at a public meeting with a written finding that community harm outweighs the benefit; a denied property owner can try again within five years, though that renewed attempt requires the planning commission or governing body to affirmatively approve it within 45 days rather than simply avoid denying it. Once a request is approved or goes unchallenged, the property owner has two years to file a complete building permit or plat application before the approval expires, and all other standard permitting, inspection, and safety requirements continue to apply.
Current version: HB0184S03 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
Mar 5
House Committee
Feb 18
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionJan 20
House RulesMar 5
House CommitteeFeb 18
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill deals with regulation of certain land uses in residential zones located in counties of the first, second, and third class.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Property owners in Utah's larger counties (first, second, and third class) and their cities gain a new pathway under this bill to build "starter homes" — modestly priced, owner-occupied single-family homes — or to subdivide lots as small as 5,400 square feet, even when local zoning rules would otherwise prohibit it. A property owner submits a written request with a basic description and drawing of the planned home, asking the city or county to accept one of these "preferred land use regulations" for a specific parcel; staff must respond within 10 business days, and if the planning commission or governing body doesn't hold a public vote to deny the request within 45 days, the use becomes automatically permitted for that property, without requiring the local government to change its broader zoning rules. Local bodies can still deny a request, but only by majority vote at a public meeting with a written finding that community harm outweighs the benefit; a denied property owner can try again within five years, though that renewed attempt requires the planning commission or governing body to affirmatively approve it within 45 days rather than simply avoid denying it. Once a request is approved or goes unchallenged, the property owner has two years to file a complete building permit or plat application before the approval expires, and all other standard permitting, inspection, and safety requirements continue to apply.
Motion: Held in Committee
Motion: Motion for Favorable Recommendation
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules/ substituted
House Rules Committee
House Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules
House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
House Comm - Motion to Recommend Failed
House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM