The Salt Lake City Planning Division is currently developing several city-initiated zoning proposals that could affect multiple properties and interest local residents and property owners. These pending amendments cover a range of topics including housing options, water use, and community benefits.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall has initiated several petitions to update the city's zoning ordinance. One proposal seeks to amend Section 21A.55 to update procedures for Planned Development petitions. This amendment aims to clarify how the process interacts with other petitions, such as Zoning Incentives, and to embed community benefit and tenant displacement policies into the process. If approved, the update would create two tiers of review: Minor Planned Developments for staff-level approvals and Major Planned Developments for Planning Commission approvals. It would also require community benefits for major developments and create a transfer of building height process.
Another proposal under public input concerns daily water use limits for new commercial, industrial, and institutional developments. The proposal seeks to clarify daily water use limits for various land uses. Currently, the City Code limits daily water use for commercial and industrial land uses to 200,000 gallons per day. The amendment would expand this to include all non-residential land uses, with specific exceptions for schools, government-operated social service facilities, places of worship, and hospitals.
Additionally, the City Council is considering an update to the definition of family in the zoning code. The current definition, which determines housing occupancy and types, is described as difficult to enforce and limiting to housing options. The proposed amendment would simplify the definition by removing occupant limits and relationship distinctions to allow for more flexibility in living arrangements.
Other pending amendments include:
A text amendment to clarify definitions for outdoor storage to support community and economic objectives.
An amendment to include the fine for violating the Affordable Housing Incentives program directly in the Zoning Code.
A zoning map amendment for 715 S Gudgell Ct to change the district from RMF-30 to RMF-35 to allow housing types on smaller lots.
A correction for gas station provisions to reflect standards adopted in January 2025.
Modifications to landscaping and buffer regulations to align with State Code and allow artificial turf in some areas.
Standards for electronic message centers, including brightness and display hour limits.
Updates to mobile business standards to align with Utah State code regarding retail businesses operated from trucks and trailers.
The Planning Division encourages residents to review the list of amendments and contact the associated staff members to learn more about the timing and potential impact of these changes to properties or projects.
