Full text of Utah Utah Code § 17-62-102 — Forms of county government -- County commission form required unless another is adopted -- Restrictions on form of county government., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-62-102. Forms of county government -- County commission form required unless another is adopted -- Restrictions on form of county government.
Effective 11/6/2025
17-62-102.
Forms of county government -- County commission form required unless another is adopted -- Restrictions on form of county government.
| (1) | In accordance with Utah Constitution, Article XI, Section 4, this chapter provides optional forms of county government. |
| (2) | Subject to Subsection (3), each county shall operate under one of the following forms of county government:
| (a) | the county commission form under Section 17-62-201; |
| (b) | the expanded county commission form under Section 17-62-202; |
| (c) | the county executive and council form under Section 17-62-203; or |
| (d) | the council-manager form under Section 17-62-204. |
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| (3) | Unless a county adopts another form of government as provided in this chapter, the county shall operate under the county commission form of government under Section 17-62-201. |
| (4) |
| (a) | In a county that operates under a form of government that is not described in Subsection (3):
| (i) | the county's legislative body shall, before July 1, 2018, initiate the process under Section 17-62-302 of changing the county's form of government; |
| (ii) | the county shall hold a special election on November 6, 2018; |
| (iii) | if the voters approve the appointment of a study committee at the special election described in Subsection (4)(a)(ii):
| (A) | the study committee may not recommend under Section 17-62-402 that the county retain the county's current form of government; and |
| (B) | the county shall hold an election described in Section 17-62-501 before December 31, 2020, on an optional plan that the study committee creates; and |
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| (iv) | the registered voters of the county may not repeal an optional plan under Section 17-62-505 that is adopted at an election described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii)(B). |
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| (b) | If the voters of a county described in Subsection (4)(a) do not approve a change in the county's form of government at an election described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii)(B) before December 31, 2020:
| (i) | the county shall operate under the county commission form of government under Section 17-62-201; and |
| (ii) | the county shall transition to the form of government described in Subsection (4)(b)(i) in the same manner as if the voters of the county had approved the change in the form of government described in Subsection (4)(b)(i) in the applicable election described in Subsection (4)(b). |
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| (5) | In a county of the fifth or sixth class, if the county legislative body under Section 17-62-302 or the registered voters under Section 17-62-303, after March 24, 2020, initiate the process to adopt an optional plan, the proposed optional plan may only propose a form of government authorized under Section 17-62-404. |
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter
13, 2025 Special Session 1
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 17-62-102
What does Utah Code § 17-62-102 cover?
Section 17-62-102 ("Forms of county government -- County commission form required unless another is adopted -- Restrictions on form of county government.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Utah § 17-62-102?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 17-62-102" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Utah law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.
How does Utah § 17-62-102 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
