Full text of Utah Utah Code § 17-81-302 — Limitations on local regulations., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-81-302. Limitations on local regulations.
Effective 11/6/2025
17-81-302.
Limitations on local regulations.
| (1) |
| (a) | Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a political subdivision within which an agriculture protection area, industrial protection area, or critical infrastructure materials protection area is created or with a mining protection area within the political subdivision's boundary shall encourage the continuity, development, and viability of agriculture use, industrial use, critical infrastructure materials operations, or mining use, within the relevant protection area by not enacting a local law, ordinance, or regulation that would unreasonably restrict:
| (i) | in the case of an agriculture protection area, a farm structure or farm practice; |
| (ii) | in the case of an industrial protection area, an industrial use of the land within the area; |
| (iii) | in the case of a critical infrastructure materials protection area, critical infrastructure materials operations; or |
| (iv) | in the case of a mining protection area, a mining use within the protection area. |
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| (b) | Subsection (1)(a) does not restrict the ability of a political subdivision to enact a local law, ordinance, or regulation that bears a direct relationship to public health or safety. |
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| (2) | A political subdivision may not change the zoning designation of or a zoning regulation affecting land within an agriculture protection area unless the political subdivision receives written approval for the change from all the landowners within the agriculture protection area affected by the change. |
| (3) | Except as provided by Section 19-4-113, a political subdivision may not change the zoning designation of or a zoning regulation affecting land within an industrial protection area unless the political subdivision receives written approval for the change from all the landowners within the industrial protection area affected by the change. |
| (4) | A political subdivision may not change the zoning designation of or a zoning regulation affecting land within a critical infrastructure materials protection area unless the political subdivision receives written approval for the change from each critical infrastructure materials operator within the relevant area. |
| (5) | A political subdivision may not change the zoning designation of or a zoning regulation affecting land within a mining protection area unless the political subdivision receives written approval for the change from each mine operator within the area. |
| (6) | A county, city, or town may not:
| (a) | adopt, enact, or amend an existing land use regulation, ordinance, or regulation that would prohibit, restrict, regulate, or otherwise limit critical infrastructure materials operations with a vested critical infrastructure materials use as defined in Section 10-20-701 or 17-81-101; or |
| (b) | initiate proceedings to amend the county's, city's, or town's land use ordinances as described in Subsection 10-20-902(1)(a)(ii) or 17-79-803(1)(a)(ii) as the land use ordinance regards the rights of a critical infrastructure materials operator with a vested critical infrastructure materials use. |
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Renumbered and Amended by Chapter
14, 2025 Special Session 1
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 17-81-302
What does Utah Code § 17-81-302 cover?
Section 17-81-302 ("Limitations on local regulations.") 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 § 17-81-302?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 17-81-302" (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 § 17-81-302 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.
