As housing affordability remains a top priority for Utah voters, the 45-day 2025 Legislative Session has seen various bills introduced to address zoning and land utilization issues related to this pressing concern.
Many of the proposed measures have revolved around zoning reform aimed at encouraging increased housing construction while restricting local governments from imposing certain development limitations.
Significantly, legislation targeting residential density—such as HB 90, which proposed decreasing lot sizes, and HB 88, which sought to permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in residential zones—did not pass this session.
According to Alessandro Rigolon, Associate Professor at the University of Utah specializing in City and Metropolitan Planning, ADUs could provide numerous benefits such as affordability and accessibility.
“You’re splitting the land cost into eight properties instead, so there is a saving on the land,” Rigolon elaborated.
He emphasized that building properties with an ADU could generate rental income for homeowners, potentially helping them afford home ownership.
ADUs contribute to expanding rental options, optimizing space, and increasing access for lower-income individuals.
In a similar vein, reducing lot sizes addresses affordability through increased housing density within specific areas.
Turner Bitton, Executive Director of Salt Lake County Neighbors for More Neighbors, pointed out the advantages of smaller lots.
“My organization last year did a study of Salt Lake City’s single-family residential zones, and looked at a 1400 square foot lot size,” Bitton stated.
He highlighted that advocating for this size could both lower housing costs and increase supply in established neighborhoods with high demand, where new construction is currently challenging.
Despite the setback of the residential density development bills, lawmakers did pass SB 181, which prohibits municipalities from imposing parking and garage requirements.
This legislation is expected to reduce housing costs as parking mandates can increase unit expenses by approximately 12.5%.
Moreover, it enables cities like Salt Lake to better integrate transportation and walkability into their urban landscapes.
Additional measures approved include an affordable housing plan—HB 37—which mandates the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget to devise a housing strategy for the state by December 31, with an annual report to follow.
The bill also encourages municipalities to develop owner-occupied affordable housing where local zoning permits.
Furthermore, SB 250 facilitates the use of tax revenues to bolster organizations and the Utah Inland Port Authority in supporting affordable homeownership programs.
Both Rigolon and Bitton pointed out that the unique needs of Salt Lake City—such as subsidized housing and enhanced housing availability—are frequently overlooked by the Utah Legislature.
Salt Lake City boasts a well-developed transportation system, ranking highly across the country, thus changing the necessities for zoning reforms compared to other Utah cities.
Bitton remarked that other towns often struggle to address growing populations and rapid development, further complicating the zoning needs in Salt Lake City compared to a place like Eagle Mountain.
The conversation surrounding zoning reform has increasingly become tied to political divisions, as Salt Lake City is viewed as a blue city within a predominantly red state.
“There’s always going to be this push and pull between what the local government wants and what the state needs,” Bitton reflected on the dynamics shaping the legislative landscape.
He observed that Salt Lake City is often at odds with the state’s political leanings, advocating for policies perceived as more progressive, like subsidized housing and easing zoning restrictions.
Rigolon noted, however, that state-funded programs addressing housing issues are inadequate.
“The legislature at least doesn’t believe in housing subsidies much; it just believes that if we build more housing, the law of supply and demand will bring costs down,” Rigolon stated, expressing skepticism over the sufficiency of this approach in the long term.
He elaborated on the disparity between local interests in Salt Lake City and state legislative priorities.
“Politically, many cities have little intention to allow for the construction of more affordable housing,” Rigolon said, attributing this reluctance to ‘not in my backyard’ attitudes prevalent among homeowners resistant to neighborhood changes.
To tackle the housing affordability crisis, Bitton and Rigolon contend that comprehensive and sustainable strategies are essential, emphasizing the centrality of increased housing supply.
Bitton articulated the three pillars of housing affordability:
“The first pillar is supply. This entails the continuous addition of new housing,” he said.
He underscored that fostering constructive relationships between tenants and responsible landlords is vital for addressing affordability challenges.
In addition to increasing supply, companies and community organizations could offer subsidies to engage both tenants and landlords positively.
Both advocates acknowledged the need for a broad vision regarding zoning reforms, suggesting it should encompass various housing forms beyond just duplexes and ADUs.
Rigolon highlighted the potential for middle housing as a solution, providing opportunities for low-income families to secure affordable housing.
“It’s difficult to think that alone, just investing in public housing or publicly funded housing will address this crisis,” Rigolon noted.
He stressed the importance of liberalizing zoning laws to enable the construction of affordable housing where currently restricted.
“If it’s only single-family zoning, it’s only for single families. Zoning reform can also enable the construction of affordable housing,” Rigolon concluded.
The conversations initiated in this legislative session reflect an ongoing commitment to addressing housing affordability, although the challenges posed by political dynamics and local interests continue to complicate the path forward.
image source from：dailyutahchronicle
