Full text of Utah Utah Code § 17-78-501 — Counties may provide municipal services -- First-class counties to provide certain services -- Counties allowed to provide certain services in recreational areas., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-78-501. Counties may provide municipal services -- First-class counties to provide certain services -- Counties allowed to provide certain services in recreational areas.
Effective 11/6/2025
17-78-501.
Counties may provide municipal services -- First-class counties to provide certain services -- Counties allowed to provide certain services in recreational areas.
| (1) | For purposes of thispart, "municipal-type services" means:
| (a) | fire protection service; |
| (b) | waste and garbage collection and disposal; |
| (j) | building permits and inspections; |
| (k) | in a county of the first class:
| (i) | advanced life support and paramedic services; and |
| (ii) | detective investigative services; and |
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| (l) | all other services and functions that are required by law to be budgeted, appropriated, and accounted for from a municipal services fund or a municipal capital projects fund as defined under Chapter 63, Fiscal Authority and Processes. |
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| (2) | A county may:
| (a) | provide municipal-type services to areas of the county outside the limits of cities and towns without providing the same services to cities or towns; and |
| (b) | fund municipal-type services by:
| (i) | levying a tax on taxable property in the county outside the limits of cities and towns; |
| (ii) | charging a service charge or fee to persons benefitting from the municipal-type services; or |
| (iii) | providing funds to a municipal services district in accordance with Section 17B-2a-1109. |
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| (3) | Each county of the first class shall provide to the area of the county outside the limits of cities and towns:
| (a) | advanced life support and paramedic services; and |
| (b) | detective investigative services. |
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| (4) |
| (a) | A county may provide fire, paramedic, and police protection services in any area of the county outside the limits of cities and towns that is designated as a recreational area in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (4). |
| (b) | A county legislative body may designate any area of the county outside the limits of cities and towns as a recreational area if:
| (i) | the area has fewer than 1,500 residents and is primarily used for recreational purposes, including canyons, ski resorts, wilderness areas, lakes and reservoirs, campgrounds, or picnic areas; and |
| (ii) | the county legislative body makes a finding that the recreational area is used by residents of the county who live both inside and outside the limits of cities and towns. |
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| (c) | Fire, paramedic, and police protection services needed to primarily serve those involved in the recreation activities in areas designated as recreational areas by the county legislative body in accordance with Subsection (4)(b) may be funded from the county general fund. |
| (d) | A county legislative body may determine that fire, paramedic, and police protection services within a municipality that is located in an area designated as a recreational area, in accordance with this Subsection (4), may be funded with county general funds if the county legislative body makes a finding that a disproportionate share of public safety service needs within the municipality are generated by residents of the county who live both inside and outside the limits of cities and towns. |
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| (5) | A county may be limited in the municipal-type services the county provides, in accordance with Section 17-60-504. |
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter
14, 2025 Special Session 1
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 17-78-501
What does Utah Code § 17-78-501 cover?
Section 17-78-501 ("Counties may provide municipal services -- First-class counties to provide certain services -- Counties allowed to provide certain services in recreational areas.") 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 § 17-78-501?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 17-78-501" (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 § 17-78-501 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.
