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Council adds 'light manufacturing' to commercial zones to help lease difficult retail space
Summary
The council amended the North Ogden Land Use Code to add a definition and permitted use for light manufacturing in certain commercial zones, a change designed to increase the pool of potential tenants for underused shopping-center spaces.
The North Ogden City Council on Aug. 5 approved Ordinance 2025-19 to add a definition for “light manufacturing” and permit that use in specified commercial zones.
Scott Hess, community and economic development director, told the council the change was prompted by a business license application for a space in the city’s Commercial South/Town Center area. City staff and the planning commission concluded the code lacked a clear, limited definition of manufacturing that could be applied to small-scale, low-impact production activities.
The definition adopted by ordinance limits light manufacturing to “assembly or production of goods conducted entirely within enclosed buildings utilizing hand tools, small power tools, or 3D printing equipment.” It requires operations to avoid significant noise, vibration, emissions or other adverse impacts on surrounding properties; allows limited on-site storage when fully enclosed; and requires direct-to-consumer retail sales to be offered on-site or online.
Council members asked for and staff agreed to an explicit cross-reference to the city—noise ordinance so that enforcement of “significant noise” would rely on the same measurable standard already in city code. Council member Dalpaz and others noted similar activities already take place as home occupations and that allowing the use in commercial areas could help fill difficult-to-lease retail space without opening the door to heavy industry.
Council member Sebring moved to approve Ordinance 2025-19; Council member Pulver seconded. The council voted by roll call and the motion passed unanimously.
