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Oakley council adopts state WUI building code; local map to be set later

Oakley City Council · January 28, 2026
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Summary

The Oakley City Council on Jan. 28 adopted Ordinance 2026‑01 to incorporate Utah's Wildland‑Urban Interface building code, leaving the map and boundaries to be determined at a later meeting. Residents raised concerns about an unreadable state map and possible insurance and fee impacts.

The Oakley City Council voted Jan. 28 to adopt Ordinance 2026‑01, enacting the city's Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) building code and leaving the final map and boundaries to be determined at a later date.

The ordinance is intended to bring Oakley into compliance with state law that requires local jurisdictions to adopt WUI development and building standards. City staff told the council the adopted language mirrors state legislation and covers vegetation mitigation, roofing and construction materials, and certain glazing and exterior finishing standards.

Kevin Barker, a resident of 612 East Weber Canyon Road, urged caution during public comment. “I've actually read this ordinance, in detail multiple times,” Barker said, and told the council the state's FFSL map is “impossible to read” and does not align with the city's own risk mapping. He warned the state assessment could be used by insurers to change coverage and said the fee — described in state materials as an assessment tied to square footage — could rise after an initial two‑year period.

City attorney Lisa told the council that the state map is “very, very vague” and explained Oakley has options. “You can adopt the state map, use the fire marshal's designation, or develop a city‑specific map,” she said, adding the city map will control local building‑code enforcement while the state's map will inform county assessments and the state collection of fees.

The council heard questions about whether the WUI requirements apply only to new construction or to existing homes. City staff said the building‑code requirements apply to new builds, while the state assessment will appear as a line item on property tax notices for properties in designated areas; the city does not set or administer that fee.

After closing the public hearing, Councilmember Tom moved to adopt Ordinance 2026‑01 (section 8.12.010) adopting the 2006 Utah Wildland Urban Interface code, with the map and boundaries to be determined later. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote; the meeting record shows the council voted in favor with no recorded opposition.

Next steps: staff said Scott Thorell, chief of the South Summit Fire District, and other local fire officials will present proposed city mapping in a coming meeting, after which the council will consider and adopt a city map as an exhibit to the ordinance.