Castle Valley adopts 2006 Wildland-Urban Interface code, will map local zones

The Castle Valley Town Council on Dec. 17 approved Resolution 2025-10, formally adopting the 2006 Utah Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code as required by state mandate. The action sets the town to the first step of implementing wildfire-related building standards for new construction within any locally adopted WUI zone.

Council members said the town must produce a WUI map to identify where the code would apply; adoption of the code itself does not automatically impose requirements on existing structures. "Tonight, all you're doing is just adopting this code," one council member said during discussion; the council will later decide whether to designate a local WUI zone and will refer detailed mapping and any zone creation to the planning commission for due process.

Council members and volunteers raised concerns about potential costs and enforcement. The state is preparing a separate hazard/vegetation map that could trigger county assessments or fees and require property inspections; council members said they do not control the state's hazard assessment map and that enforcement details will be handled at the county level once the state map is released.

The resolution passed by voice vote. Council members asked staff to coordinate with the county and the planning commission as the town considers whether to adopt a local zone and what amendments (if any) to local ordinances would be necessary to implement building requirements for new construction.

Next steps: the planning commission will review mapping and any proposed local zone; the council said it will await the state's hazard maps and consult the county on potential fee or inspection programs before taking further action.