When S.B. 250, Food Truck Licensing and Regulations, was passed by the Utah State Legislature during the 2017 General Session, local governments were sent into a tailspin. To many it felt like a food fight, with mashed potatoes coming at you from one direction and a spoonful of peas from another. Not because the topic of the bill was food related, but because in addition to impacting business licensing requirements it also impacted land use regulations.
For many it was a reminder that business license regulations and land use regulations are closely intertwined, as they both play significant roles in shaping the economic and physical landscapes of the community. Afterall, business licenses tell consumers that the local government recognizes the establishment as a legal entity, which can be construed to also include location of the business and land use.
Special Note: The Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman has provided funding for this training program from the 1% surcharge on all building permits in the State of Utah.