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Committee eases annual reapplication for urban farm assessment
Summary
House Bill 208 would remove a state requirement that urban farms reapply annually for a preferential assessment, leaving reassessment authority to county assessors; the committee favorably recommended the measure unanimously.
A Senate committee unanimously favorably recommended House Bill 208, which removes a state mandate requiring annual reapplication for the urban-farm assessment and leaves reapplication or verification frequency to local county assessors.
Representative Kyle, sponsor of the bill, told senators the change would reduce administrative burden for both local governments and smaller urban farmers on parcels under five acres. "This reduces the burden on the counties and on the people running urban farms as well," he said, noting the law distinguishes urban-farm assessment from the Farmland Assessment Act that applies to five acres or more.
Senators asked about the standards used to qualify for urban-farm assessment and whether assessors would keep authority to request revalidation. Representative Kyle said assessors remain able to request a statement or reapplication if they have cause; he also said assessors and the Utah Association of Counties had been supportive.
Committee members discussed historical thresholds and revenue-proofing measures, noting the trade-off between easing annual paperwork and ensuring properties remain in productive agricultural use. The sponsor said assessors could still request annual verification if necessary.
After public comment with no speakers, the committee voted unanimously to send HB208 out favorably.
