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Salt Lake City considers zoning change to allow more housing types across a third of the city

Salt Lake City considers zoning change to allow more housing types across a third of the city

Rule Changes Salt Lake City, UT local

The council held the first of two public hearings Nov. 10, with a second set for Nov. 17 and a possible vote Dec. 1.

Yesterday: Council holds first public hearing on housing amendment

Overview

Updated 8 hours ago

Salt Lake City Council opened public hearings Nov. 10 on a zoning amendment that would let duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and small townhomes into single-family zones. A second hearing is set for Nov. 17, with potential council action scheduled for Dec. 1.

The council agreed Oct. 20 to require an owner to live on any property built under the new small-lot rules, a step meant to keep investors from buying up new units. Council Chair Alejandro Puy said that rule would likely cut new units to a couple of dozen or fewer by 2030; planners had estimated about 130 property owners might build over four years.

Why it matters

If the zoning change passes, thousands of Salt Lake City households priced out of homeownership could find options in neighborhoods they can't afford.

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Key Indicators

$565,000
Median single-family home price
Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute data for the first quarter of 2026, reported by KSL in September 2026, up nearly 8% from a year earlier.
$615,000
Median single-family price in city staff report
The figure Salt Lake City planning staff cited in its report on the Expanding Housing Options amendment, as described in November 2026 coverage of the council hearings.
~130
Projected new small dwellings
City planners' estimate of property owners who might add smaller dwellings over four years. Council Chair Alejandro Puy said the owner-occupancy requirement would likely shrink that to a couple of dozen or fewer by 2030.

Voices

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People Involved

Alicia Seeley
Alicia Seeley
Principal Planner, Salt Lake City Planning Division
Proposal recommended to City Council; awaiting council vote
 Andy Hulka
Andy Hulka
Senior Planner, Salt Lake City Planning Division
Proposal recommended to City Council; awaiting council vote
AH
Alex Horowitz
Director, Housing Policy Initiative, Pew Charitable Trusts
Providing national research context
 Aaron Barlow
Aaron Barlow
Senior Planner, Salt Lake City Planning Division
Presenting the second-home ordinance proposal
 Alejandro Puy
Alejandro Puy
Chair, Salt Lake City Council
Led the Oct. 20 consensus on an owner-occupancy requirement; the council held its first public hearing Nov. 10, with a second set for Nov. 17 and potential action Dec. 1.

Organizations Involved

Salt Lake City Council
Salt Lake City Council
Municipal legislature
Held the first public hearing on the Expanding Housing Options amendment Nov. 10 without a vote; second hearing Nov. 17, potential action Dec. 1

The city's elected legislative body, which initiated the proposed zoning amendment in fall 2025.
Salt Lake City Planning Division
Salt Lake City Planning Division
Municipal planning agency
Recommended the proposal to the City Council on Sept. 23; planners estimated about 130 property owners might add small dwellings over four years

The city agency that drafted the 'Expanding Housing Options' zoning amendment.
PC
Pew Charitable Trusts Housing Policy Initiative
Nonpartisan research organization
Providing research backdrop to the debate

Nonpartisan research group studying how land-use rules shape housing supply and affordability.
Salt Lake City Planning Commission
Salt Lake City Planning Commission
Advisory body
Unanimously recommended the Expanding Housing Options proposal to the City Council on Sept. 23; awaiting council action.

The appointed body that reviews zoning amendments and makes recommendations to the City Council.

Timeline

1920 November 2026

10 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Council holds first public hearing on housing amendment

    Latest Public Hearing

    The council took public comment on the Expanding Housing Options text amendment at its evening meeting and recorded the item as discussed, with no vote. A second hearing is set for Nov. 17 and potential action for Dec. 1.

  2. Council backs owner-occupancy rule and sets hearing dates

    Policy

    The council reached general agreement to require an owner to live on any lot using the new small-lot rules. Members asked for a review of setback standards and rejected raising the allowed lot footprint to 3,000 square feet, and straw-polled 6-1 support for the proposed flag lot changes, with Sarah Young opposed over fire-truck access on narrow streets. Public hearings were set for Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.

  3. Planning Commission unanimously recommends housing options proposal

    Policy

    The commission voted unanimously to favorably recommend the Expanding Housing Options zoning text amendment to the City Council, despite resident concerns about infrastructure strain.

  4. Planning Commission delays vote over notice error

    Policy

    The commission tabled the Expanding Housing Options vote because of a public-notice error, setting a new hearing for Sept. 23.

  5. City Council briefed on housing proposal

    Policy

    Council members heard details of the proposal, including 2,000-square-foot minimum lots and a 1,200-square-foot cap on floor area, and voted in a straw poll to mail notices to property owners in affected zones.

  6. Second-home construction becomes focus

    Policy

    KSL reports the zoning ordinance would ease second-home construction on larger residential lots.

  7. Proposal details reach the public

    Statement

    Planners present 'Expanding Housing Options' affecting 33,000 properties across a third of the city.

  8. City Council initiates zoning amendment

    Policy

    In October 2025, the council directed planners to draft rules allowing more housing types in six residential zones.

  9. Home prices begin steep climb

    Market

    Median home price starts rising toward its 2022 peak, up 73% by late 2025.

  10. Original zoning code permits diverse housing

    Policy

    Salt Lake City's early code allowed varied housing types before density limits were added.

Scenarios

1

Salt Lake City Council passes expanded housing options amendment

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Salt Lake City planning staff, who drafted and are advocating the proposal

The council holds public hearings, incorporates limited feedback, and votes to adopt the amended zoning code. Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and small second homes become permitted uses across all six residential zones. Construction begins gradually as homeowners and developers respond to the new rules.

2

Neighborhood opposition forces a scaled-back version

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Residents of affected neighborhoods who have raised parking and character concerns

Residents in affected neighborhoods raise concerns about parking, traffic, and neighborhood character during public comment. The council narrows the amendment to fewer zones, reduces allowed building heights, or drops fourplexes from the permitted list. The final version passes but covers less ground than originally proposed.

3

Amendment stalls or is voted down

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Residents who oppose the change and prefer a rejection over a limited version

The council defers the vote indefinitely, sends it back to the planning division for major revisions, or rejects it outright. The proposal's momentum stalls as council attention shifts to other priorities. Salt Lake City retains its current single-family zoning.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

December 2018

Minneapolis 2040 Plan (2018)

Minneapolis became the first major U.S. city to end single-family zoning, allowing up to three housing units on any residential lot.

Then

The plan passed the city council 12-3 and withstood a court challenge from opponents.

Now

Inspired zoning reforms in Oregon, California, Washington, and cities nationwide.

Why this matters now

Shows a single city can unwind single-family zoning and that the approach survives political and legal challenges.

June-July 2019

Oregon House Bill 2001 (2019)

Oregon banned single-family-only zoning statewide, allowing duplexes in cities over 10,000 and fourplexes in the largest cities.

Then

Passed with bipartisan support and survived a referendum challenge.

Now

Set a precedent for statewide middle-housing mandates later copied by California and Washington.

Why this matters now

Demonstrates the same zoning mechanism Salt Lake City wants, applied at a larger, statewide scale.

2010s-2020s

Durham, North Carolina middle housing (2010s-2020s)

Durham relaxed rules on smaller homes and middle housing, and its home costs run $250,000 to $300,000 below median prices in cities without such reforms.

Then

Infill development spread through established neighborhoods.

Now

Durham is now cited by Salt Lake City planners as evidence that zoning reform lowers costs.

Why this matters now

This is the direct model Salt Lake City planners say they want to replicate.

Sources

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KSL.com National League of Cities Salt Lake Tribune Building Salt Lake Salt Lake City Planning Division Salt Lake City Salt Lake City Planning Division Head Topics Utah Public Meeting Notice Hello Contractor News Open Utah KSL.com Building Salt Lake Salt Lake City Planning Division Building Salt Lake Building Salt Lake KSL.com Salt Lake Tribune KSL.com Building Salt Lake Salt Lake City Planning Division Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City Council Office Open Utah Salt Lake City Council Office