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New WOOI code rules, defensible‑space rights slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2027
Summary
Representative Peterson said the Legislature adopted the 2024 Wildland‑Urban Interface code (WOOI) with implementation delayed until Jan. 1, 2027; HB41 constrains municipal WOOI mapping to higher risk zones and HB25 protects property owners who clear defensible space within a city's WOOI map.
A state law update to the Wildland‑Urban Interface code will require cities to align mapping and enforcement with the 2024 WOOI standard beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Representative Peterson said during the League webinar.
Peterson described HB41 as updating Utah’s WOOI regime to the 2024 code and limiting city mapping choices so that local WOOI maps cannot include areas classified as lower risk by the state’s structure exposure score (categories 0–4). Cities may elect to map more restrictive ranges (for example, limiting WOOI designations to scores of 6 or 7 and above), but must publish a WOOI map and coordinate with counties and Forestry, Fire and State Lands. Counties may request modifications to the statewide map and must complete those inputs by Aug. 1, ahead of the 2027 enforcement date.
Peterson said HB25 complements HB41 by protecting property owners’ ability to remove vegetation to meet 2024 WOOI defensible‑space requirements within a city’s WOOI map; the bill limits municipal prohibitions where vegetation removal is necessary to comply with defensible‑space standards. He urged cities to review existing slope, flood and other land‑use ordinances because those rules could affect implementation and assessments tied to the WOOI designation. New assessments and owner notices tied to very high‑risk categories (scores of 7 and 8) will also be rolled out on the same timeline.
Peterson recommended that municipal officials contact county fire officials now to identify areas they want considered for county appeals to modify the state map; he said a city appeal process by rule had been discussed but it was unclear whether that procedure will materialize.
Next steps: cities should inventory overlapping ordinances, coordinate with county fire officials on appeal requests and prepare for a map‑driven implementation window ending Jan. 1, 2027.
