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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Provided Information - 2/3/2026CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY 451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 304 P.O. BOX 145476, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5476 SLCCOUNCIL.COM TEL 801-535-7600 FAX 801-535-7651 COUNCIL STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY TO:City Council Members FROM:Brian Fullmer Policy Analyst DATE:February 3, 2026 RE: Zoning Administration Text Amendment PLNPCM2025-00164 BRIEFING UPDATE During a January 20, 2026 briefing the Council did not express any concerns with the proposed text amendment. The following information was provided for the January 20, 2026 briefing. It is included again for background purposes. The Council will be briefed about a text amendment requested by the Planning Division and initiated by Mayor Mendenhall to amend sections of the zoning code. The proposed amendments would align City code with current practices and processes, and changes to State code. Proposed changes are in the following three main categories: Updating the zoning review process to align with current practice. Clarifying provisions related to code interpretation. General code cleanup and updates. The changes are intended to strengthen legal standing, support City staff in their code implementation, and provide additional transparency. They would not change how Planning administers the zoning code. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal at its May 28, 2025 meeting and held a public hearing at which no one spoke. The Commission forwarded a unanimous positive recommendation to the Council on the proposed amendments. Item Schedule: Page | 2 After the Planning Commission’s recommendation, Planning staff identified an error on the table of permitted and conditional uses for manufacturing districts. “Adaptive reuse of a landmark site” was intentionally deleted from the table as part of the building preservation incentives ordinance. The use was unintentionally added back to the table shortly after when the “distribution center” use was added. The change corrects the table. Goal of the briefing: Review the proposed text amendment and determine if the Council supports moving forward with the proposal. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION As noted above, the proposed amendments are primarily found in three main categories which are summarized below. Additional information can be found on pages 2-3 of the Planning Commission staff report. Update Zoning Review Process to Align with Current Practice Currently City code calls for procedures that are outdated and don’t reflect current processes. The proposed changes will align with how the City departments operate and they will meet State statutes. These include: Eliminating the zoning certificate process. Current simultaneous review processes and digital records render zoning certificates obsolete. Replace outdated site plan review process with current practice of zoning review during building permit, business license, or planning applications. Submittal requirements are updated to comply with state code. Remove Development Review Team as a decision-making body. The DRT serves an advisory role though it is referenced incorrectly in sections of City code. Proposed changes match current practices of an appropriate staff member or division as the decision maker. Clarification of zoning authority. The changes would update code language to match the existing practice of the Planning Director’s role in administrating the code. This includes delegating review and decision-making authority to the zoning administrator and Planning staff. Review of appeals chapter. This change would clarify what decisions are under the purview of the appeals hearing officer and the appeal periods. Clarify Provisions Related to Code Interpretation Proposed changes provide clarity for more consistent application of the code. Clarifying the administrative interpretation process to clarify who can apply, as well as the effects and limitations of a decision. Adding provisions for unlisted uses. State law requires adding references to the process of petitioning to approve unlisted uses. Clarifying the determination of nonconformity process. This is intended to determine whether uses, structures or lots that do not comply with current standards are legal. Clarifies application requirements and standards. Reorganizing standards related to abandonment of nonconformity. Clarifies that standards are allowed to apply to both use and structures so it is consistent with State code. Adjusting definitions and standards. Minor corrections to standards for noncomplying lots, uses and structures for consistency and alignment with intent. General Code Cleanup and Update Proposed changes include minor updates, corrections, and removes obsolete provisions. Page | 3 Replace outdated “lot and bulk” term with current “development standards” that includes all development standards for site or building development. List design standards as a type of zoning regulation. Will be included in the introductory portion of City code. Also clarifies that the Historic Landmark Commission has authority to modify design standards for properties in the historic preservation overlay. Update home occupation standards. A business license exemption for home occupations that do not create an impact was added to State law in 2017. The proposed change brings City code into compliance and has been the practice since State law was changed.  Adjust recently adopted language to clarify intent. Minor adjustments to provisions that allow rooftop amenities to exceed building height and to the definition of “attached garage.” Delete obsolete districts, land uses and provisions. o Deletes AG-20 zoning district because it is not a mapped or active zoning district. o Deletes Character Conservation District-none have been proposed or created since this was added in 2013. o Removes references to special exception process which no longer exists. o Lists seasonal farm stands as a temporary allowed use in non-residential zones. KEY CONSIDERATIONS Planning staff identified two key considerations related to the proposal, found on pages 3-4 of the Planning Commission staff report, and briefly summarized below. For the complete analysis, please see the Planning staff report. Consideration 1 – Compliance with State Law The Planning Commission has authority to make recommendations to the City Council on proposed changes to City code, and the Council has the authority to adopt, amend, or reject these recommendations. However, some of the proposed changes are mandated by State law as discussed above and are beyond the City’s authority to modify. Proposed updates are intended to help clarify processes for applicants and City staff and ensure compliance with State law. Consideration 2 – Changes to the Zoning Approval Process Proposed changes to the zoning review and approval process mirror what the City has done for several years. Planning noted that modifications to the proposed process would require coordination with various City departments and review to ensure that the changes comply with State law. City software limitations may also be constrained by City software systems. ANALYSIS OF STANDARDS Attachment B (page 53) of the Planning Commission staff report outlines zoning text amendment standards that should be considered as the Council reviews this proposal. The standards and findings are summarized below. Please see the Planning Commission staff report for additional information. Factor Finding Whether a proposed text amendment is consistent with the purposes, goals, objectives, and policies of the city as stated through its various adopted planning documents. Complies Whether a proposed text amendment furthers the specific purpose statements of the zoning ordinance. Complies Page | 4 Whether a proposed text amendment is consistent with the purposes and provisions of any applicable overlay zoning districts which may impose additional standards. Complies The extent to which a proposed text amendment implements best current, professional practices of urban planning and design. Complies PROJECT CHRONOLOGY • February 19, 2025 – Mayor Mendenhall initiated petition. • February 19, 2025 – Petition assigned to Mayara Lima, Zoning Administrator. • March 10, 2025 – Notice emailed to recognized organizations citywide. • March 11, 2025 – Proposed code changes posted to the Planning Division’s webpage as an online open house. • May 16, 2025 – Planning Commission public hearing notices posted on City and State websites and at the City library. • May 28, 2025 – Planning Commission meeting and public hearing. A unanimous positive recommendation was forwarded to the City Council. • June 12, 2025 – Ordinance requested from the Attorney’s Office. • December 10, 2025 – Ordinance received from the Attorney’s Office. • December 22, 2025 – Transmittal received in City Council Office.