Utah § 17-78-401 - County powers to acquire, construct, and control roads and other facilities -- Retainage.

Full text of Utah Utah Code § 17-78-401 — County powers to acquire, construct, and control roads and other facilities -- Retainage., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 17-78-401. County powers to acquire, construct, and control roads and other facilities -- Retainage.

Effective 11/6/2025
17-78-401.  County powers to acquire, construct, and control roads and other facilities -- Retainage.
(1)A county may:
(a)contract for, purchase, or otherwise acquire, when necessary, rights of way for county roads over private property, and may institute proceedings for acquiring such rights of way as provided by law;
(b)lay out, construct, maintain, control, and manage county roads, sidewalks, ferries and bridges within the county, outside of cities and towns;
(c)designate the county roads to be maintained by the county within or extending through any city or town, which may not be more than three in the same direction;
(d)abolish or abandon county roads that are unnecessary for the use of the public, in the manner provided by law; and
(e)lay out, construct, maintain, control, and manage landing fields and hangars for the use of airplanes or other vehicles for aerial travel.
(2)If any payment on a contract with a private contractor to construct county roads, sidewalks, ferries, and bridges under this section is retained or withheld, the payment shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in Section 13-8-5.


Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 14, 2025 Special Session 1

Source: official Utah text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 17-78-401

What does Utah Code § 17-78-401 cover?

Section 17-78-401 ("County powers to acquire, construct, and control roads and other facilities -- Retainage.") 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 § 17-78-401?

A common citation format is "Utah Code § 17-78-401" (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 § 17-78-401 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.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Utah.