Bill > HB0184

This bill establishes a process for property owners in counties of the first, second, and third class to request that their local government accept "preferred land use regulations" for developing residential properties, aiming to lower housing costs by allowing for smaller and less expensive homes, referred to as "starter homes." A starter home is defined as a single-family unit sold to an initial owner-occupier for a price at or below the area mean purchase price (the average price of homes sold in the county), with a two-year owner-occupancy restriction, at least two parking spots, and flexibility on lot size, square footage, floor area ratio, and setbacks as long as safety codes are met, provided the lot has at least 35 feet of street frontage. The preferred land use regulations include allowing starter homes or setting a minimum lot size of 5,400 square feet. Property owners can submit a request with a description and drawing of their proposed development, and local governments have a limited timeframe to determine if the request meets basic criteria, with strict limitations on the information they can demand from the applicant. While local governments can deny requests if they find the negative effects outweigh the benefits, if a request is not denied within a specific period, the preferred land use becomes a permitted use for that specific property, though it doesn't require the local government to change its general regulations or apply the preferred use to other properties. The bill also outlines procedures for subsequent requests if an initial one is denied and sets an effective date of May 6, 2026.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0184.html