Planning official outlines dozens of recent state land-use changes, warns cities to update codes

KAYSVILLE, Utah — A planning official who represents local planners briefed the Kaysville City Planning Commission on March 13 about an extensive set of land-use changes passed this legislative session and urged local staff and elected officials to review and update city codes and plans.

The presenter, who said he has served as legislative chair of the American Planning Association’s Utah chapter for many years, described the state Land Use, Development, and Management Act (LUDMA) as having grown substantially and said the recent session added several hundred lines and many detailed requirements that local governments must interpret and implement.

Why it matters: the changes affect multiple routine planning processes — general plans, subdivision administration, appeals, parking standards and more — and in several cases require cities to add new provisions or perform new analyses. The presenter emphasized that staff time and legal review will be necessary to bring local ordinances into compliance.

Key points reported to the commission: - Connectivity requirement: by July 1, 2027 each community’s transportation element must include a consideration of…