Moab adopts state WUI code but declines to identify local high-risk parcels for now

The Moab City Council adopted the 2006 edition of the Utah Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code on a 4-0 vote after staff recommended applying the statewide code without immediately identifying local parcels as "high risk." The code adoption was presented as a state requirement tied to House Bill 48; staff emphasized that the council still controls where the code will be enforced locally. "But at this time, it felt like that this code would it would be premature to apply it to properties here, and it might be excessively burdensome to do it on this timeline," staff member Alexi said during the presentation.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended adoption of the 2006 code while leaving the city-level map blank (no properties identified) because the state's high-risk map uses a structural-exposure score that staff said does not match local historic fire behavior, which tends to run along sloughs and creeks rather than the rockier lands the state map flagged. Council member Jason moved to enact the ordinance (listed in the meeting as City Ordinance 2026-03, enacting section 15.08.0.011 under title 15, chapter 15.08), and Tawny seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

The immediate effect of the action is that the city will adopt the WUI code as written but will not, for now, apply the state's property-level map to local parcels; staff said the city can update its own map on a periodic basis and revisit parcel-level designations. Staff told council that the code requires—among other measures—fire-rated materials for new construction in designated areas, water-supply and access standards, defensible-space rules, and certain upgrade triggers for existing buildings (for example, significant roof replacement).