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Centerville council adopts ordinance to ban split zoning, clarifying remedies for mixed-designation lots
Summary
Centerville adopted Ordinance 2026-12 clarifying that split zoning — a single parcel assigned more than one zoning designation — is prohibited and setting a staff-cited process (lot-line adjustment or rezoning) for resolution. Planning staff said only five parcels are affected citywide.
Centerville’s City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on April 21 that codifies the city’s longstanding practice of prohibiting “split zoning” — parcels that carry two different zoning designations — and gives staff a clear code citation to use when such situations arise.
Lisa, a city planning staff member, told the council the change is a staff-initiated clarification. She said split zoning has created regulatory uncertainty (for example, whether agricultural or residential rules apply), but that only a handful of parcels are currently affected. “We have five parcels on the zoning map that are actually split zoning,” Lisa said, and two of those are already being resolved through pending boundary-line adjustments or minor subdivisions.
The ordinance explains the pathways the city expects property owners to use to resolve split zoning when it becomes an issue: move the lot line or apply to rezone the parcel. Staff also cited case law and an opinion that limit the zoning administrator’s ability to unilaterally “fix” true split zoning, so the code clarifies when the matter requires legislative action by the council.
During the public comment period, resident Richard Barnes asked whether a downgrading of allowed uses would raise compensation or “takings” issues. Lisa responded that the ordinance is a text change only and does not rezone any parcel; she said Utah law generally allows a city to determine zoning and that such changes are not automatically compensable. She also noted that legally nonconforming uses typically remain allowed until a separate triggering event occurs.
Council members said they saw the ordinance as a practical clarification to reduce confusion when applicants come forward. A council motion to approve Ordinance 2026-12 passed unanimously.
The ordinance is intended to give both staff and property owners clearer notice about how to resolve split zoning when development or boundary changes make the issue apparent; it does not require immediate rezoning of affected parcels outside of the normal application process.
Council members asked staff to continue outreach and to notify property owners as code applications arise so residents understand when and how the code will be applied.
