040 of 2020 - Vegetation Reduction Permits for Wildfire MitigationSALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. 40 of 2020
(FUEL REDUCTION PERMITS)
An ordinance enacting Chapter 17.21 of the Salt Lake City Code to address wildfire
mitigation within the Salt Lake City boundaries through the issuance of fuel reduction permits.
WHEREAS, Utah Code Section 65a-8-201 declares uncontrolled fire to be a public
nuisance; and
WHEREAS, Part 2 of Utah Code Chapter 65a-8 encourages governmental entities to
engage in deliberate and cooperative efforts to mitigate the circumstances that increase the
likelihood of uncontrolled fire; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City Corporation manages significant open space areas, including
Wildland Urban Interface Areas, and many of those open space areas are near residential homes
and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council desires to facilitate cooperative efforts with Salt
Lake City residents to reduce the risk of wildfire in Salt Lake City and in the pertinent Wildland
Urban Interface Areas; and
WHEREAS, wildfire mitigation activities must be conducted in a manner that maintains
public safety, promotes appropriate wildfire fuel reduction techniques, and protects natural
habitats and watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds that the provisions of this ordinance further
public health, safety, and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 17.21 of the Salt Lake City Code shall be, and hereby is,
enacted to read as follows:
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Chapter 17.21
WILDFIRE MITIGATION
17.21.010: DEFINITIONS
17.21.020: FUEL REDUCTION PERMIT REQUIRED
17.21.030 FUEL REDUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION
17.21.040: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
17.21.010: DEFINITIONS:
As used in this chapter:
APPLICANT: Any person who applies for a fuel reduction permit.
CITY: Salt Lake City Corporation.
DIVISION: The Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands Division.
FUEL REDUCTION PERMIT: A permit issued under this chapter that allows a property owner
to perform permitted wildfire mitigation activities on public property.
PERMITTED FUEL REDUCTION ACTIVITY: Fuel reduction activities either (i) expressly
permitted under the city policies and procedures established pursuant to this chapter; or (ii)
expressly permitted in the specific fuel reduction permit issued to the permittee.
PERMITTEE: Any person who has been issued a fuel reduction permit.
PERSON: Means and includes any natural person, partnership, firm, association, corporation,
company, organization, or entity of any kind.
PROPERTY OWNER: Person having legal title to real property and/or an equitable interest in
the property, or the ranking official or agent of a company having legal title to real property
and/or an equitable interest in the property.
PUBLIC PROPERTY: Real property in which the City has a legal interest and that is managed
ublic Lands Division.
17.21.020: FUEL REDUCTION PERMIT REQUIRED:
A person residing at, or having an interest in, a parcel of real property adjacent to public property
must obtain a fuel reduction permit from the division before performing fuel reduction activities
on that public property.
17.21.030: FUEL REDUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION:
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A. An applicant shall file an application for a fuel reduction permit with the division on a form
or forms to be furnished by the division, that contain, as applicable:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant. If an applicant is not the
owner of the parcel of real property adjacent to the public property on which the fuel
reduction work will be performed, then the applicant also shall include in the application
the name, address, and telephone number of the property owner;
2. The address of the parcel of real property adjacent to the public property on which the
permitted fuel reduction activities will be conducted;
3. A description of the proposed fuel reduction activities;
4. The dates on which the permitted fuel reduction activities will be conducted;
5. Evidence that the property owner (if not the applicant) has given permission to the
applicant to perform the work on behalf of the property owner; and
6. Any other information or certifications required by the division.
B. The division may approve or deny a fuel reduction permit
determining that:
1. The applicant resides at or has an interest in a parcel of real property adjacent to
public property; and
2. The proposed fuel reduction activities are appropriate for the current conditions on
the public property at issue.
17.21.040: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES :
A.
requirements of this chapter.
B. A permittee must comply with:
1. the requirements of this chapter; and
2. any policies and procedures adopted to implement the provisions of this chapter.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon the date of its first
publication.
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Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this 15th day of September, 2020.
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on ______________________.
_____________________________
MAYOR
_____________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. 40 of 2020.
Published: _____________________.
Salt Lake
Approved As To Form
By: _______________________
Jaysen Oldroyd
October 7, 2020