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Council discusses aligning family definition in code with Utah law, including foster-care language
Summary
Mayor Thompson said Clarkston's code section 10-1-6 conflicts with Utah state law on the 'family' definition; council proposed updating the town ordinance to allow up to four unrelated people (or three in college towns) and explicitly include foster children as family members, then refer the change to planning and zoning and a public hearing.
Mayor Thompson told the council that Clarkston's municipal code (10-1-6) currently defines family in a way that conflicts with Utah state law, and he recommended updating the town ordinance to align with state guidance and to explicitly include foster children in the family definition.
"It should be deleted... it has to be at least 4," the mayor said when describing state minimums for unrelated individuals in a household outside college towns. Council members and residents discussed potential consequences for renters, accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals. The council agreed to place the item on a future planning-and-zoning agenda with a public hearing, and asked staff to draft possible ordinance language that makes foster-care placement explicit in the family definition.
