Updated March 31, 2023
Whereas the focus of zoning pertains to the use of land, subdivisions concern the division of land.
A subdivision is defined in Utah State Code as “any land that is divided, resubdivided, or proposed to be divided into two or more lots or other division of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, for offer, sale, lease, or development either on the installment plan or upon any and all other plans, terms, and conditions. It includes the division or development of land, whether by deed, metes and bounds description, devise and testacy, map, plat, or other recorded instrument, regardless of whether the division includes all or a portion of a parcel or lot; and divisions of land for residential and nonresidential uses, including land to be used for commercial, agricultural, and industrial purposes” (§10-9a-103(65)(a)).
§10-9a-6 of Utah State Code gives the legislative bodies of municipalities the power to enact local ordinances and requirements for subdivision plats. It also contains some specific guidelines and regulations which apply statewide on noticing, improvement-completion assurances, and recordation.
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.
