HomeMy WebLinkAbout009 of 2026 - Temporary Land Use Regulations (TLUR) Pertaining to Daily Water UseSALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. of 2026
(An ordinance enacting a temporary land use regulation pertaining to daily water use limits on
new commercial, industrial and institutional development)
WHEREAS, Section 10-20-504 of the Utah Code permits a municipality, without prior
consideration and recommendation from the municipality's planning commission, to
enact a temporary land use regulation for any part or all of a municipality if the governing body
makes a finding of a compelling countervailing public interest; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City's most recent winter was the warmest on record; and
WHEREAS, the city is entering spring and summer seasons that are likely to break
temperature records; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture statewide snowpack
conditions are the lowest on record; and
WHEREAS, current snowpack conditions are 60% of normal; and
WHEREAS, the city's water resources and ability to provide water for existing users
are directly tied to these heat and snowpack conditions; and
WHEREAS, during the period that this temporary land use regulation is in effect the
City intends to initiate formal petitions to amend the Salt Lake City Code to adopt the same or
substantially similar regulations through the processes required by Utah Code and Salt Lake
City Code; and
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council intends for this temporary ordinance to be
effective only until 180 days after the effective date of this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds that conserving city water resources by
enacting this daily water use cap on new development constitutes a compelling, countervailing
public interest which justifies a temporary land use regulation.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Finding of Comvellinf4 Countervailing Public Interest. Pursuant to Section
10-20-504 of the Utah Code, the Salt Lake City Council finds that limiting new development to
such uses that will use less than 200,000 gallons of water per day constitutes a compelling,
countervailing public interest sufficient to justify this temporary land use regulation.
SECTION 2. Amending the text of Subsection 21 A.33.010.D.1. That Subsection
21A.33.010.D.1 (Zoning: Land Use Tables: General Provisions: Prohibited Uses) is hereby
amended as follows:
1. Non -Residential Land Uses That Exceed two hundred thousand (200,000) Gallons of
Water per Day.
a. New Land Uses: Any new non-residential land use that consumes or uses more than an
annual average of two hundred thousand (200,000) gallons of potable water per day is prohibited
in all zoning districts. The use and consumption limit is based on the total use from all water
meters that serve the land use.
b. Expansions of Existing Uses: No non-residential land use shall expand to an extent that
increases its daily potable water consumption or use to exceed an annual average of two hundred
thousand (200,000) gallons of potable water per day. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Subsection 21A.38.040.H, an existing land use that exceeds the water use threshold may not
expand if the expansion will result in a net increase in water consumption or use. The use and
consumption limit is based on the total use from all water meters that serve the land use.
c. Water Use Report Required: A land use applicant shall certify the anticipated daily
water use of the proposed land use in a manner satisfactory to the Department of Public Utilities.
The Department of Public Utilities may require an anticipated daily water use report of any land
use applicant proposing a new use or expansion of an existing use.
d. Exemption: Agricultural, schools, government owned or operated facilities that
primarily provide social services, places of worship, and hospitals.
SECTION 3. Duration. This temporary zoning ordinance shall remain in effect for 180
days after its effective date unless earlier amended, modified, or repealed.
2
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after it has
been published in accordance with Utah Code § 10-3-711 and recorded in accordance with Utah
Code § 10-3-713.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this s` r `day o
2026.
�)txjaAndro Puy, Council Chai
ATTEST:,,/
ity Recorder
Transmitted to Mayor on
Mayor's Action: � Approved.
eith��sCityRecorder
(SEAL)
Bill No. of 2026.
Published: 3Z�;Z.
Prohibited Water Use TL
a r; 2OA-c .
Vetoed.
rin M enhall, Ma or
3
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney's Office
Date: larch 23. 2026
By:
Katherine Pasker, �,,,,,,,rC,,v.4ttorncY