Charleston adopts Wildland-Urban Interface ordinance aligning town with 2024 code

Charleston, UT — The Charleston Town Council voted unanimously on April 2 to adopt Ordinance 2026-01, updating local rules to the 2024 Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code and creating mapped risk zones that could trigger fire-hazard inspections and vegetation mitigation requirements.

Planner Brian Preece told the council he consulted templates, the state’s wildland resources, Wasatch County Fire (WCF) and local fire chiefs before recommending the change. He said the town will be able to identify properties in low, moderate, high or very-high WUI risk areas and that some properties designated in last month’s review lie south of Highway 189.

"If we don’t adopt this ordinance, and a qualifying wildfire occurs, the town can be held responsible," Preece said, explaining that designation may require inspections of structures and surrounding fuel sources such as overgrown trees or grasses. He added that WCF officials are pursuing certification to perform inspections without charging homeowners.

Mayor Doug Clements and council members endorsed the ordinance as a preventive step. Council member Michael Bauer moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-01 and Don Sant seconded; the motion carried with all present voting in favor.

The ordinance brings town requirements in line with recently enacted state-level changes to the WUI framework; Preece noted a state website residents can use to check their property's designation and learn applicable mitigation measures.

The council did not specify fees or a timeline for mandatory inspections during the meeting. Preece said the department and WCF are working on inspection procedures and certification, and further details on implementation are expected to follow.

The town clerk will post the adopted ordinance and guidance for residents on the town website once the site recovery is complete.