HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislative Version Ordinance - 4/14/2026LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE 1
No. ______ of 2026 2
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(An ordinance amending portions of Chapter 2.10 and Section 16.10.010 and enacting Section 4
16.10.230 of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to lost and mislaid property at airports.) 5
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WHEREAS, the lost and found desk at the Salt Lake City International Airport is the 7
state’s busiest lost and found property operation; and 8
WHEREAS, until the 2026 general session of the Utah Legislature, Utah statutes only 9
specifically addressed lost and mislaid property being handled by law enforcement agencies, 10
overlooking common practices of many entities throughout the state; and 11
WHEREAS, until the 2026 general session of the Utah Legislature, state law required 12
any lost or mislaid property that comes into the possession of a law enforcement officer to be 13
managed only by the law enforcement agency with applicable jurisdiction; and 14
WHEREAS, as a result of the Utah Legislature adopting SB172 (2026), certain 15
commercial airports, including the Salt Lake City International Airport, are expressly authorized 16
to manage a lost and found operation, and law enforcement officers on duty at the international 17
airport may now turn lost and mislaid property over to the Department of Airports lost and found 18
operation instead of to the Salt Lake City Police Department; and 19
WHEREAS, SB172 (2026) requires that the legislative body of an applicable commercial 20
airport establish policies for the disposition of lost and mislaid property consistent with Utah 21
Code Section 72-10-216; and 22
WHEREAS, SB232 (2026) requires municipalities to consider the impacts of proposed 23
ordinances on family health, stability, and formation prior to adopting each ordinance; and 24
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds that adopting this ordinance will present no 25
negative impacts on families whatsoever; and 26
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WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter, the Salt Lake City Council has 27
determined that adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests. 28
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah that: 29
SECTION 1. Amending the text of Salt Lake City Code Section 2.10.100. That Section 30
2.10.100 of the Salt Lake City Code (Administration and Personnel: Police Department: 31
Disposition of Lost, Mislaid and Unclaimed Property: Definitions) shall be, and hereby is 32
amended to read as follows: 33
2.10.100: DEFINITIONS: 34
35
LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY: A. “Lost or mislaid property” has the same 36
meaning as that term is defined in Utah Code Section 77-11d-101 or its successor 37
provision. 38
39
B. “Lost or mislaid property” does not include any property regulated and defined in Title 40
16 of this code as “lost or mislaid property”. 41
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PROPERTY HELD AS EVIDENCE: Any property received in evidence by a court 43
submitted by a city agency. 44
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PUBLIC INTEREST USE: Use by a governmental agency as approved by the city council as 46
provided in section 2.10.150 of this chapter; or use by a bona fide charity registered with the 47
state of Utah as approved by the city council. 48
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UNCLAIMED PROPERTY: Tangible and intangible property that comes into possession of 50
Salt Lake City employees through circumstances not involving criminal procedures in which 51
the owner is either unknown or unavailable to take possession of property. 52
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SECTION 2. Amending the text of Salt Lake City Code Section 16.10.010. That Section 54
16.10.010 of the Salt Lake City Code (Airports: Definitions and General Regulations: 55
Definitions) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: 56
16.10.010: DEFINITIONS: 57
The following words and phrases, whenever used in this title, shall be defined as provided in 58
this title unless a different meaning is specifically or more particularly described. 59
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ADVANCED AIRCRAFT MOBILITY SYSTEM: A system that transports individuals and 61
property using piloted and unpiloted aircraft, including electric aircraft and electric vertical 62
takeoff and landing aircraft, in controlled or uncontrolled airspace, and includes each 63
component of such system. 64
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AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITY: Any activity or service that makes possible, facilitates, is 66
related to, assists in, or is required for the operation of aircraft or another aeronautical 67
activity that contributes to or is required for the safety of such operations. The following 68
activities, without limitation, that are commonly conducted on airports are considered 69
aeronautical activities within this definition: aircraft charter, pilot training, aircraft rental, 70
sightseeing aerial photography, aerial spraying and agricultural aviation services, aerial 71
advertising, aerial surveying, air carrier operations (passenger and air cargo), aircraft sales 72
and service, sale of aviation fuel and oil, aircraft maintenance, sale of aircraft parts, and any 73
other activity which, in the sole judgement of the Department of Airports, because of its 74
direct relationship to the operation of aircraft or the Airport System, can be appropriately 75
regarded as an aeronautical activity. 76
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AIRCRAFT: A device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air. See 14 CFR § 78
1.1. 79
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AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS: An aircraft arrival at or departure from the Airport System, 81
with or without FAA airport traffic control service. 82
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AIRCRAFT PARKING AREA: The area or areas of the Airport System set aside and 84
designated for the parking of aircraft. 85
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AIRPORT SYSTEM: All property owned and operated by the City and controlled through its 87
Department of Airports, including the Salt Lake City International Airport, and any regional 88
or reliever airport owned by the City as applicable, as the property now exists or as may 89
hereafter be expanded or improved, together with all the appurtenant facilities, and includes 90
all areas shown in the FAA-approved airport layout plans. 91
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AIR OPERATIONS AREA (AOA): Any area of the Airport System used or intended to be 93
used for the landing, takeoff, or surface maneuvering of aircraft, including all movement 94
areas, runways, taxiways, and apron areas where aircraft are parked, services, refueled, 95
loaded with cargo, or accessed by passengers, including the areas surrounding hangars, 96
navigation equipment and communication facilities. 97
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BUSINESS: A voluntary association formed and organized to carry on a business in the legal 99
name of the association, including, without limitation, a corporation, limited liability 100
company, partnership, or sole proprietorship. 101
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CITY: Means and has reference to Salt Lake City Corporation, a municipal corporation of 103
the state of Utah. 104
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CITY COUNCIL: The municipal legislative body of Salt Lake City as is more thoroughly 106
described in Chapter 2.06 of this code. 107
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COMMERCIAL: That which promotes or makes possible earnings, income, revenue, 109
compensation, profits, exchanges (including change of services), trading, buying, hiring, or 110
selling of commodities, goods, services, or tangible or intangible property of any kind, 111
whether such objectives are accomplished or not. 112
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DEPARTMENT: The Salt Lake City Department of Airports. 114
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DIRECTOR: The duly appointed and qualified department head of the "Department of 116
Airports," selected and appointed by the Mayor with the recommendation of the Airport 117
Advisory Board and with the advice and consent of the City Council, or designee. 118
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FAA: The Federal Aviation Administration. 120
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FAR: The federal aviation regulations. 122
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GROUND TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS: Any business operating any ground 124
transportation vehicle. 125
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GROUND TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE: Any motor vehicle used for the transportation 127
of persons using Salt Lake City streets for commercial purposes, regardless of whether a fee 128
or fare is collected. 129
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INTEREST HOLDER: For purposes of Section 16.10.230 and the definitions in this section, 131
“interest holder” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Utah Code Section 77-11a-132
101 or its successor provision. 133
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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: The Salt Lake City International Airport, as the property 135
now exists or as may hereafter be expanded or improved, together with all the appurtenant 136
facilities, and includes all areas shown in the FAA-approved airport layout plans. 137
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LANDING AREA: The runways, taxiways, intermediate turnoffs, any area of land utilized 139
for an advanced air mobility system, and adjoining areas of the Airport System. 140
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LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY: 142
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A. For purposes of Section 16.10.230, “lost or mislaid property” means personal property 144
that comes into the possession of the Department at the International Airport by a 145
Department employee or a law enforcement officer on duty at the International Airport: 146
147
1. that is not claimed by the identified owner of the property before the Department 148
receives the property; or 149
2. for which no owner or interest holder claims the property after the Department has 150
given reasonable opportunity for the owner or interest holder to claim the property. 151
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152
B. Lost or mislaid property includes money. 153
C. Lost or mislaid property does not include: 154
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1. property that contains or is a firearm or other dangerous weapon; 156
2. property or contraband seized by law enforcement as part of a criminal investigation 157
or proceeding; 158
3. hazardous waste materials; 159
4. property that is unsanitary or otherwise a threat to the health and safety of Department 160
personnel or others; 161
5. an abandoned vehicle; or 162
6. property lost, left behind, or abandoned on a commercial aircraft. 163
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MAYOR: The duly elected or appointed and qualified chief executive and administrative 166
officer of Salt Lake City, or his/her authorized representative. 167
168
MINIMUM STANDARDS: The standards, directives, policies, and procedures for 169
Commercial Aeronautical Activities applicable to the Airport System as adopted by authority 170
of this title. 171
172
MONEY: For purposes of Section 16.10.230, “money” has the same meaning as defined in 173
Utah Code Section 72-10-216 or its successor provision and does not include any digital 174
assets as that term is defined in Utah Code Section 7-29-101 or its successor provision. 175
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MOTOR VEHICLE: Any vehicle propelled by an internal combustion or electric motor. 177
178
ON-AIRPORT RENTAL CAR OPERATOR: An Operator occupying a rental car concession 179
on the premises of the Airport System. 180
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OPERATOR: Persons engaged in commercial or aeronautical activities within the Airport 182
System. 183
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OWNER: For purposes of Section 16.10.230 and definitions specifically applicable to that 185
section, “owner” has the same meaning as defined in Utah Code Section 72-10-216. 186
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PERSON: Means and includes a natural person, organization, corporation, partnership, 188
company, entity, firm, association or corporation, including any representative thereof. 189
190
RAMP: A paved area of the airport normally used for the parking and taxiing of aircraft. 191
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RULES AND REGULATIONS: The standards, directives, policies and procedures 193
applicable to the Airport System as adopted by authority of this title. 194
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VEHICLE: A device in, upon or by which any Person or property is or may be propelled, 196
moved, transported, hauled, or drawn upon any roadway within the Airport System. 197
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SECTION 3. Adopting Salt Lake City Code Section 16.10.230. That Section 16.10.230 200
of the Salt Lake City Code (Airports: Definitions and General Regulations: Lost or Mislaid 201
Property at Salt Lake City International Airport) shall be, and hereby is adopted and shall read as 202
follows: 203
16.10.230: LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY AT THE SALT LAKE CITY 204
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 205
A. Authority: The Department may receive and dispose of lost or mislaid property in 206
accordance with Utah Code Section 72-10-216. 207
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B. Receipt and Inventory: The Department may accept lost or mislaid property presented to 209
it by any person and shall maintain an inventory of all lost or mislaid property received. 210
The Department shall likewise keep records of lost or mislaid property returned to its 211
owner pursuant to Subsection C and of all lost or mislaid property disposed of pursuant to 212
Subsection D. 213
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C. Attempt to Locate Owner and Costs: 215
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1. The Department shall make reasonable efforts to locate the owner of all lost or 217
mislaid property it receives. Such efforts may include posting information about lost 218
or mislaid property received on International Airport’s website. 219
2. The Department may charge the property’s owner a reasonable amount for the storage 220
of lost or mislaid property and for any shipping costs incurred to return the property 221
to its owner. The Department may require such storage and shipping costs to be paid 222
by the owner prior to releasing or shipping the property. 223
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D. Disposition of Lost or Mislaid Property: If the Department’s reasonable efforts to locate 225
and notify an owner of lost or mislaid property are unsuccessful or the owner has been 226
located and notified but fails to claim the property in the time specified below, the 227
Department may dispose of the lost or mislaid property in accordance with the provisions 228
of this section. 229
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1. If the owner of any lost or mislaid property cannot be determined or directly notified 231
within thirty days of the Department’s receipt of the property, or if the owner of the 232
property is determined and notified but fails to appear and claim the property after 233
thirty days of the owner being notified of the Department’s receipt of the property, 234
the Department shall: 235
a. publish notice of the intent to dispose of the unclaimed property on Utah’s Public 236
Legal Notice Website; and 237
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b. post a similar notice on the International Airport’s website. 238
2. The notice described in Subsection D.1 shall: 239
a. give a general description of the item or items; and 240
b. the date of intended disposition. 241
3. The Department may not dispose of the lost or mislaid property until at least eight 242
days after the date of publication and posting. 243
4. If no claim is made for the lost or mislaid property within nine days of publication 244
and posting, the Department may: 245
a. sell the property at public auction or cause the property to be sold through a third-246
party seller and apply the proceeds to the Department’s enterprise fund; 247
b. donate property with minimal value in accordance with adopted city policies; 248
c. destroy the property if it is unfit for sale or donation; or 249
d. in the case of money, apply the amount to the Department’s enterprise fund. 250
5. Money. 251
a. If the lost or mislaid property is money, a person claiming to be its owner may 252
only recover the money if they can identify the general location where the money 253
was likely lost or mislaid, the circumstances under which they believe the money 254
was separated from their possession, and the amount of money lost or mislaid or 255
can otherwise prove ownership. 256
b. If lost or mislaid property to be disposed of contains any money, the money may 257
be separated from other items, including a wallet, purse, money clip, backpack, 258
luggage, package, or other enclosure for purposes of disposition. 259
6. No government employee may claim or receive lost or mislaid property found in the 260
course and scope of their employment at the airport where they find the lost or 261
mislaid property unless the employee is the owner who lost or mislaid the property. 262
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SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its 266
first publication. 267
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Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________, 2026. 269
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______________________________ 270
CHAIRPERSON 271
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN: 272
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______________________________ 274
CITY RECORDER 275
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Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________. 277
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Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed. 280
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______________________________ 282
MAYOR 283
______________________________ 284
CITY RECORDER 285
(SEAL) 286
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Bill No. ________ of 2026. 288
Published: ______________. 289
2026.3.31.Airport.LostAndFound.Legis 290