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House approves substitute allowing one 1‑acre lot per 100 acres for agricultural parcels
Summary
Lawmakers passed a substitute to HB156 permitting minor subdivisions in agricultural zones—one 1‑acre parcel per 100 acres with spacing and minimal permitting—intended to ease housing for families and workers while preserving larger tracts for agriculture; opponents warned it reduces county planning discretion.
On Feb. 24 the Utah House passed First Substitute House Bill 156, a change to subdivision approval rules that allows an owner of 100 acres to create one 1‑acre minor subdivision parcel without a full plat or survey, provided the parcels are spaced at least 1,000 feet apart. Sponsor Representative Webb said the change helps agricultural landowners create housing for family or workers without the cost and delay of full subdivision procedures.
The substitute expands the original bill to apply in some third‑ and fourth‑class counties; opponents said this removes discretion from county planners and could be inappropriate in larger counties. Representative Draxler urged keeping the earlier, narrower scope confined to the most rural counties. Supporters said the measure preserves agricultural use by allowing modest housing that prevents owners from being forced to develop larger portions of their land.
The substitute also includes a limit on denying building permits for minor subdivision parcels so counties can only apply reasonable health, safety and access standards when issuing a permit. After extended debate over local control versus private‑property rights, the House approved the substitute 48‑24. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
