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First Substitute S.B. 127

Senator Peter C. Knudson proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
VACATING OR CHANGING A SUBDIVISION

             2     
PLAT

             3     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson

             6     
House Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies county and municipal provisions relating to land use and
             11      development.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    modifies the definition of "subdivision" to exclude recorded agreements between
             15      owners of adjoining subdivided properties adjusting their mutual boundary;
             16          .    modifies the conditions upon which a land use authority is required to approve an
             17      exchange of title;
             18          .    modifies the process for vacating or altering a street or alley described in a
             19      subdivision plat;
             20          .    eliminates a requirement that a public hearing be held under certain circumstances;
             21          .    eliminates a requirement for planning commission review and recommendation of a
             22      request to vacate, alter, or amend a subdivision plat;
             23          .    authorizes a land use authority to consider an owner's land use application to join
             24      two or more contiguous, residential lots;
             25          .    eliminates a requirement for notice before planning commission consideration for a


             26      petition that lacks the consent of all property owners;
             27          .    requires a conveyance of title to be recorded after an exchange of title is approved;
             28          .    eliminates a provision requiring land use authority consideration of a petition to
             29      vacate or change a plat within a certain time;
             30          .    modifies the method for expressing approval of a vacation, alteration, or
             31      amendment of a subdivision plat;
             32          .    requires a land use authority to make a recommendation concerning a request to
             33      vacate or alter a street or alley; and
             34          .    requires the legislative body to hold a public hearing concerning a request to vacate
             35      or alter a street or alley and to determine whether good cause exists for the vacation
             36      or alteration.
             37      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             38          None
             39      Other Special Clauses:
             40          None
             41      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             42      AMENDS:
             43          10-9a-103, as last amended by Chapter 7 and renumbered and amended by Chapter
             44      254, Laws of Utah 2005
             45          10-9a-603, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 2005
             46          10-9a-608, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 2005
             47          10-9a-609, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 2005
             48          17-27a-103, as last amended by Chapter 7 and renumbered and amended by Chapter
             49      254, Laws of Utah 2005
             50          17-27a-603, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 2005
             51          17-27a-608, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 2005
             52          17-27a-609, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 2005
             53      ENACTS:
             54          10-9a-609.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             55          17-27a-609.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             56     


             57      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             58          Section 1. Section 10-9a-103 is amended to read:
             59           10-9a-103. Definitions.
             60          As used in this chapter:
             61          (1) "Affected entity" means a county, municipality, independent special district under
             62      Title 17A, Chapter 2, Independent Special Districts, local district under Title 17B, Chapter 2,
             63      Local Districts, school district, interlocal cooperation entity established under Title 11, Chapter
             64      13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, specified public utility, or the Utah Department of
             65      Transportation, if:
             66          (a) the entity's services or facilities are likely to require expansion or significant
             67      modification because of an intended use of land;
             68          (b) the entity has filed with the municipality a copy of the entity's general or long-range
             69      plan; or
             70          (c) the entity's boundaries or facilities are within one mile of land which is the subject
             71      of a general plan amendment or land use ordinance change.
             72          (2) "Appeal authority" means the person, board, commission, agency, or other body
             73      designated by ordinance to decide an appeal of a decision of a land use application or a
             74      variance.
             75          (3) "Billboard" means a freestanding ground sign located on industrial, commercial, or
             76      residential property if the sign is designed or intended to direct attention to a business, product,
             77      or service that is not sold, offered, or existing on the property where the sign is located.
             78          (4) "Charter school" includes:
             79          (a) an operating charter school;
             80          (b) a charter school applicant that has its application approved by a chartering entity in
             81      accordance with Title 53A, Chapter 1a, Part 5, The Utah Charter Schools Act; and
             82          (c) an entity who is working on behalf of a charter school or approved charter applicant
             83      to develop or construct a charter school building.
             84          (5) "Chief executive officer" means the:
             85          (a) mayor in municipalities operating under all forms of municipal government except
             86      the council-manager form; or
             87          (b) city manager in municipalities operating under the council-manager form of


             88      municipal government.
             89          (6) "Conditional use" means a land use that, because of its unique characteristics or
             90      potential impact on the municipality, surrounding neighbors, or adjacent land uses, may not be
             91      compatible in some areas or may be compatible only if certain conditions are required that
             92      mitigate or eliminate the detrimental impacts.
             93          (7) "Constitutional taking" means a governmental action that results in a taking of
             94      private property so that compensation to the owner of the property is required by the:
             95          (a) Fifth or Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States; or
             96          (b) Utah Constitution Article I, Section 22.
             97          (8) "Culinary water authority" means the department, agency, or public entity with
             98      responsibility to review and approve the feasibility of the culinary water system and sources for
             99      the subject property.
             100          (9) (a) "Disability" means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one
             101      or more of a person's major life activities, including a person having a record of such an
             102      impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment.
             103          (b) "Disability" does not include current illegal use of, or addiction to, any federally
             104      controlled substance, as defined in Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C.
             105      802.
             106          (10) "Elderly person" means a person who is 60 years old or older, who desires or
             107      needs to live with other elderly persons in a group setting, but who is capable of living
             108      independently.
             109          (11) "General plan" means a document that a municipality adopts that sets forth general
             110      guidelines for proposed future development of the land within the municipality.
             111          (12) "Identical plans" means building plans submitted to a municipality that are
             112      substantially identical to building plans that were previously submitted to and reviewed and
             113      approved by the municipality and describe a building that is:
             114          (a) located on land zoned the same as the land on which the building described in the
             115      previously approved plans is located; and
             116          (b) subject to the same geological and meteorological conditions and the same law as
             117      the building described in the previously approved plans.
             118          (13) "Land use application" means an application required by a municipality's land use


             119      ordinance.
             120          (14) "Land use authority" means a person, board, commission, agency, or other body
             121      designated by the local legislative body to act upon a land use application.
             122          (15) "Land use ordinance" means a planning, zoning, development, or subdivision
             123      ordinance of the municipality, but does not include the general plan.
             124          (16) "Legislative body" means the municipal council.
             125          (17) "Lot line adjustment" means the relocation of the property boundary line in a
             126      subdivision between two adjoining lots with the consent of the owners of record.
             127          (18) "Moderate income housing" means housing occupied or reserved for occupancy
             128      by households with a gross household income equal to or less than 80% of the median gross
             129      income for households of the same size in the county in which the city is located.
             130          (19) "Nominal fee" means a fee that reasonably reimburses a municipality only for time
             131      spent and expenses incurred in:
             132          (a) verifying that building plans are identical plans; and
             133          (b) reviewing and approving those minor aspects of identical plans that differ from the
             134      previously reviewed and approved building plans.
             135          (20) "Noncomplying structure" means a structure that:
             136          (a) legally existed before its current land use designation; and
             137          (b) because of one or more subsequent land use ordinance changes, does not conform
             138      to the setback, height restrictions, or other regulations, excluding those regulations, which
             139      govern the use of land.
             140          (21) "Nonconforming use" means a use of land that:
             141          (a) legally existed before its current land use designation;
             142          (b) has been maintained continuously since the time the land use ordinance governing
             143      the land changed; and
             144          (c) because of one or more subsequent land use ordinance changes, does not conform
             145      to the regulations that now govern the use of the land.
             146          (22) "Official map" means a map drawn by municipal authorities and recorded in a
             147      county recorder's office that:
             148          (a) shows actual and proposed rights-of-way, centerline alignments, and setbacks for
             149      highways and other transportation facilities;


             150          (b) provides a basis for restricting development in designated rights-of-way or between
             151      designated setbacks to allow the government authorities time to purchase or otherwise reserve
             152      the land; and
             153          (c) has been adopted as an element of the municipality's general plan.
             154          (23) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, organization, association,
             155      trust, governmental agency, or any other legal entity.
             156          (24) "Plan for moderate income housing" means a written document adopted by a city
             157      legislative body that includes:
             158          (a) an estimate of the existing supply of moderate income housing located within the
             159      city;
             160          (b) an estimate of the need for moderate income housing in the city for the next five
             161      years as revised biennially;
             162          (c) a survey of total residential land use;
             163          (d) an evaluation of how existing land uses and zones affect opportunities for moderate
             164      income housing; and
             165          (e) a description of the city's program to encourage an adequate supply of moderate
             166      income housing.
             167          (25) "Plat" means a map or other graphical representation of lands being laid out and
             168      prepared in accordance with Section 10-9a-603 , 17-23-17 , or 57-8-13 .
             169          (26) "Public hearing" means a hearing at which members of the public are provided a
             170      reasonable opportunity to comment on the subject of the hearing.
             171          (27) "Public meeting" means a meeting that is required to be open to the public under
             172      Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings.
             173          (28) "Record of survey map" means a map of a survey of land prepared in accordance
             174      with Section 17-23-17 .
             175          (29) "Residential facility for elderly persons" means a single-family or multiple-family
             176      dwelling unit that meets the requirements of Part 4, General Plan, but does not include a health
             177      care facility as defined by Section 26-21-2 .
             178          (30) "Residential facility for persons with a disability" means a residence:
             179          (a) in which more than one person with a disability resides; and
             180          (b) (i) is licensed or certified by the Department of Human Services under Title 62A,


             181      Chapter 2, Licensure of Programs and Facilities; or
             182          (ii) is licensed or certified by the Department of Health under Title 26, Chapter 21,
             183      Health Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Act.
             184          (31) "Sanitary sewer authority" means the department, agency, or public entity with
             185      responsibility to review and approve the feasibility of sanitary sewer services or onsite
             186      wastewater systems.
             187          (32) "Special district" means an entity established under the authority of Title 17A,
             188      Special Districts, and any other governmental or quasi-governmental entity that is not a county,
             189      municipality, school district, or unit of the state.
             190          (33) "Specified public utility" means an electrical corporation, gas corporation, or
             191      telephone corporation, as those terms are defined in Section 54-2-1 .
             192          (34) "Street" means a public right-of-way, including a highway, avenue, boulevard,
             193      parkway, road, lane, walk, alley, viaduct, subway, tunnel, bridge, public easement, or other
             194      way.
             195          (35) (a) "Subdivision" means any land that is divided, resubdivided or proposed to be
             196      divided into two or more lots, parcels, sites, units, plots, or other division of land for the
             197      purpose, whether immediate or future, for offer, sale, lease, or development either on the
             198      installment plan or upon any and all other plans, terms, and conditions.
             199          (b) "Subdivision" includes:
             200          (i) the division or development of land whether by deed, metes and bounds description,
             201      devise and testacy, map, plat, or other recorded instrument; and
             202          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (35)(c), divisions of land for residential and
             203      nonresidential uses, including land used or to be used for commercial, agricultural, and
             204      industrial purposes.
             205          (c) "Subdivision" does not include:
             206          (i) a bona fide division or partition of agricultural land for the purpose of joining one of
             207      the resulting separate parcels to a contiguous parcel of unsubdivided agricultural land, if
             208      neither the resulting combined parcel nor the parcel remaining from the division or partition
             209      violates an applicable land use ordinance;
             210          (ii) a recorded agreement between owners of adjoining unsubdivided properties
             211      adjusting their mutual boundary if:


             212          (A) no new lot is created; and
             213          (B) the adjustment does not violate applicable land use ordinances; [or]
             214          (iii) a recorded document, executed by the owner of record:
             215          (A) revising the legal description of more than one contiguous unsubdivided parcel of
             216      property into one legal description encompassing all such parcels of property; or
             217          (B) joining a subdivided parcel of property to another parcel of property that has not
             218      been subdivided, if the joinder does not violate applicable land use ordinances[.]; or
             219          (iv) a recorded agreement between owners of adjoining subdivided properties adjusting
             220      their mutual boundary if:
             221          (A) no new dwelling lot or housing unit will result from the adjustment; and
             222          (B) the adjustment will not violate any applicable land use ordinance.
             223          (d) The joining of a subdivided parcel of property to another parcel of property that has
             224      not been subdivided does not constitute a subdivision under this Subsection (35) as to the
             225      unsubdivided parcel of property or subject the unsubdivided parcel to the municipality's
             226      subdivision ordinance.
             227          (36) "Unincorporated" means the area outside of the incorporated area of a city or
             228      town.
             229          (37) "Zoning map" means a map, adopted as part of a land use ordinance, that depicts
             230      land use zones, overlays, or districts.
             231          Section 2. Section 10-9a-603 is amended to read:
             232           10-9a-603. Plat required when land is subdivided -- Approval of plat -- Recording
             233      plat.
             234          (1) Unless exempt under Section 10-9a-605 or excluded from the definition of
             235      subdivision under Subsection 10-9a-103 [(34)](35), whenever any land is laid out and platted,
             236      the owner of the land shall provide an accurate plat that describes or specifies:
             237          (a) a name or designation of the subdivision that is distinct from any plat already
             238      recorded in the county recorder's office;
             239          (b) the boundaries, course, and dimensions of all of the parcels of ground divided, by
             240      their boundaries, course, and extent, whether the owner proposes that any parcel of ground is
             241      intended to be used as a street or for any other public use, and whether any such area is
             242      reserved or proposed for dedication for a public purpose;


             243          (c) the lot or unit reference, block or building reference, street or site address, street
             244      name or coordinate address, acreage or square footage for all parcels, units, or lots, and length
             245      and width of the blocks and lots intended for sale; and
             246          (d) every existing right-of-way and easement grant of record for underground facilities,
             247      as defined in Section 54-8a-2 , and for other utility facilities.
             248          (2) Subject to Subsections (3), (4), and (5), if the plat conforms to the municipality's
             249      ordinances and this part and has been approved by the culinary water authority and the sanitary
             250      sewer authority, the municipality shall approve the plat.
             251          (3) The municipality may withhold an otherwise valid plat approval until the owner of
             252      the land provides the legislative body with a tax clearance indicating that all taxes, interest, and
             253      penalties owing on the land have been paid.
             254          (4) (a) The owner of the land shall acknowledge the plat before an officer authorized
             255      by law to take the acknowledgement of conveyances of real estate and shall obtain the
             256      signature of each individual designated by the municipality.
             257          (b) The surveyor making the plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             258          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             259      Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             260          (ii) has completed a survey of the property described on the plat in accordance with
             261      Section 17-23-17 and has verified all measurements; and
             262          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat.
             263          (c) As applicable, the owner or operator of the underground and utility facilities shall
             264      approve the:
             265          (i) boundary, course, dimensions, and intended use of the right-of-way and easement
             266      grants of record;
             267          (ii) location of existing underground and utility facilities; and
             268          (iii) conditions or restrictions governing the location of the facilities within the
             269      right-of-way, and easement grants of records, and utility facilities within the subdivision.
             270          (5) (a) After the plat has been acknowledged, certified, and approved, the owner of the
             271      land shall, within the time period designated by ordinance, record the plat in the county
             272      recorder's office in the county in which the lands platted and laid out are situated.
             273          (b) An owner's failure to record a plat within the time period designated by ordinance


             274      renders the plat voidable.
             275          Section 3. Section 10-9a-608 is amended to read:
             276           10-9a-608. Vacating or changing a subdivision plat.
             277          (1) (a) Subject to Section [ 10-9a-610 ] 10-9a-609.5 , and provided that notice has been
             278      given pursuant to local ordinance and Section 10-9a-208 , the land use authority may, with or
             279      without a petition, consider and resolve any proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment of a
             280      subdivision plat, any portion of a subdivision plat, or any [street,] lot[, or alley] contained in a
             281      subdivision plat.
             282          [(b) If a petition is filed, the land use authority shall hold a public hearing within 45
             283      days after receipt of the planning commission's recommendation under Subsection (2) if:]
             284          [(i) the plat change includes the vacation of a public street or alley;]
             285          [(ii) any owner within the plat notifies the municipality of their objection in writing
             286      within ten days of mailed notification; or]
             287          [(iii) a public hearing is required because all of the owners in the subdivision have not
             288      signed the revised plat.]
             289          [(2) (a) The planning commission shall consider and provide a recommendation for a
             290      proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment under Subsection (1)(a) or (6) before the land use
             291      authority takes final action.]
             292          [(b) The planning commission shall give its recommendation within 30 days after the
             293      proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment is referred to it, or as that time period is extended
             294      by agreement with the applicant.]
             295          (b) The land use authority may consider at a public meeting an owner's petition to join
             296      two or more of the owner's contiguous, residential lots, if notice has been given pursuant to
             297      local ordinance.
             298          (c) Each request to vacate or alter a street or alley, contained in a petition to vacate,
             299      alter, or amend a subdivision plat, is also subject to Section 10-9a-609.5 .
             300          [(3)] (2) Any fee owner, as shown on the last county assessment rolls, of land within
             301      the subdivision that has been laid out and platted as provided in this part may, in writing,
             302      petition to have the plat, any portion of it, or any street or lot contained in it, vacated, altered, or
             303      amended as provided in this section and Section 10-9a-609.5 .
             304          [(4)] (3) Each petition to vacate, alter, or amend an entire plat, a portion of a plat, or a


             305      street or lot contained in a plat shall include:
             306          (a) the name and address of all owners of record of the land contained in the entire plat;
             307          (b) the name and address of all owners of record of land adjacent to any street that is
             308      proposed to be vacated, altered, or amended; and
             309          (c) the signature of each of these owners who consents to the petition.
             310          [(5) (a) A petition that lacks the consent of all owners referred to in Subsection (4) may
             311      not be scheduled for consideration at a public hearing before the planning commission until the
             312      notice required by Section 10-9a-207 or 10-9a-208 , as applicable is given.]
             313          [(b) The petitioner shall pay the cost of the notice.]
             314          [(6) Subject to Subsection (2), if the applicant proposes to vacate, alter, or amend a
             315      subdivision plat, or any street or lot contained in a subdivision plat, the planning commission
             316      shall consider the issue at a public hearing after giving the notice required by Section
             317      10-9a-207 or 10-9a-208 , as applicable.]
             318          [(7)] (4) (a) The owners of record of adjacent parcels that are described by either a
             319      metes and bounds description or a recorded plat may exchange title to portions of those parcels
             320      if the exchange of title is approved by the land use authority in accordance with Subsection
             321      [(7)] (4)(b).
             322          (b) The land use authority shall approve an exchange of title under Subsection [(7)]
             323      (4)(a) if[: (i) no new dwelling lot or housing unit will result from the exchange of title; and
             324      (ii)] the exchange of title will not result in a violation of any land use ordinance.
             325          (c) If an exchange of title is approved under Subsection [(7)] (4)(b)[,]:
             326          (i) a notice of approval shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder which:
             327          [(i)] (A) is executed by each owner included in the exchange and by the land use
             328      authority;
             329          [(ii)] (B) contains an acknowledgment for each party executing the notice in
             330      accordance with the provisions of Title 57, Chapter 2a, Recognition of Acknowledgments Act;
             331      and
             332          [(iii)] (C) recites the descriptions of both the original parcels and the parcels created by
             333      the exchange of title[.]; and
             334          (ii) a conveyance of title reflecting the approved change shall be recorded in the office
             335      of the county recorder.


             336          (d) A notice of approval recorded under this Subsection [(7)] (4) does not act as a
             337      conveyance of title to real property and is not required for the recording of a document
             338      purporting to convey title to real property.
             339          [(8)] (5) (a) The name of a recorded subdivision may be changed by recording an
             340      amended plat making that change, as provided in this section and subject to Subsection [(8)]
             341      (5)(c).
             342          (b) The surveyor preparing the amended plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             343          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             344      Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             345          (ii) has completed a survey of the property described on the plat in accordance with
             346      Section 17-23-17 and has verified all measurements; and
             347          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat.
             348          (c) An owner of land may not submit for recording an amended plat that gives the
             349      subdivision described in the amended plat the same name as a subdivision in a plat already
             350      recorded in the county recorder's office.
             351          (d) Except as provided in Subsection [(8)] (5)(a), the recording of a declaration or other
             352      document that purports to change the name of a recorded plat is voidable.
             353          Section 4. Section 10-9a-609 is amended to read:
             354           10-9a-609. Land use authority consideration of petition to vacate or change a plat
             355      -- Criteria for vacating or changing a plat -- Recording the vacation or change.
             356          [(1) Within 30 days after the public hearing required by this part, or as that time period
             357      may be extended by agreement of the parties, the land use authority shall consider the petition
             358      to vacate or change a plat.]
             359          [(2)] (1) If the land use authority is satisfied that [neither] the public interest [nor any
             360      person] will not be materially injured by the proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment, and
             361      that there is good cause for the vacation, alteration, or amendment, the land use authority may
             362      vacate, alter, or amend the plat[,] or any portion of the plat, [or any street or lot] subject to
             363      Section 10-9a-609.5 .
             364          [(3)] (2) The land use authority may approve the vacation, alteration, or amendment by
             365      [resolution, amended plat, administrative order, or deed containing a stamp or mark indicating
             366      approval by the land use authority] signing an amended plat showing the vacation, alteration, or


             367      amendment.
             368          [(4)] (3) The land use authority shall ensure that the amended plat showing the
             369      vacation, alteration, or amendment is recorded in the office of the county recorder in which the
             370      land is located.
             371          [(5) The action of the land use authority vacating or narrowing a street or alley that has
             372      been dedicated to public use shall operate to the extent to which it is vacated or narrowed, upon
             373      the effective date of the vacating ordinance, as a revocation of the acceptance thereof, and the
             374      relinquishment of the city's fee therein, but the right-of-way and easements therein, if any, of
             375      any lot owner and the franchise rights of any public utility may not be impaired thereby.]
             376          (4) If an entire subdivision is vacated, the legislative body shall ensure that a legislative
             377      body resolution containing a legal description of the entire vacated subdivision is recorded in
             378      the county recorder's office.
             379          Section 5. Section 10-9a-609.5 is enacted to read:
             380          10-9a-609.5. Vacating or altering a road or alley.
             381          (1) If a petition is submitted containing a request to vacate or alter any portion of a
             382      street or alley within a subdivision:
             383          (a) the land use authority shall, after providing notice pursuant to local ordinance and
             384      Section 10-9a-208 , make a recommendation to the legislative body concerning the request to
             385      vacate or alter; and
             386          (b) the legislative body shall hold a public hearing in accordance with Section
             387      10-9a-208 and determine whether good cause exists for the vacation or alteration.
             388          (2) If the legislative body vacates or alters any portion of a street or alley, the
             389      legislative body shall ensure that the plat is recorded in the office of the recorder of the county
             390      in which the land is located.
             391          (3) The action of the legislative body vacating or narrowing a street or alley that has
             392      been dedicated to public use shall operate to the extent to which it is vacated or narrowed, upon
             393      the effective date of the vacating plat, as a revocation of the acceptance thereof, and the
             394      relinquishment of the city's fee therein, but the right-of-way and easements therein, if any, of
             395      any lot owner and the franchise rights of any public utility may not be impaired thereby.
             396          Section 6. Section 17-27a-103 is amended to read:
             397           17-27a-103. Definitions.


             398          As used in this chapter:
             399          (1) "Affected entity" means a county, municipality, independent special district under
             400      Title 17A, Chapter 2, Independent Special Districts, local district under Title 17B, Chapter 2,
             401      Local Districts, school district, interlocal cooperation entity established under Title 11, Chapter
             402      13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, specified public utility, or the Utah Department of
             403      Transportation, if:
             404          (a) the entity's services or facilities are likely to require expansion or significant
             405      modification because of an intended use of land;
             406          (b) the entity has filed with the county a copy of the entity's general or long-range plan;
             407      or
             408          (c) the entity's boundaries or facilities are within one mile of land that is the subject of
             409      a general plan amendment or land use ordinance change.
             410          (2) "Appeal authority" means the person, board, commission, agency, or other body
             411      designated by ordinance to decide an appeal of a decision of a land use application or a
             412      variance.
             413          (3) "Billboard" means a freestanding ground sign located on industrial, commercial, or
             414      residential property if the sign is designed or intended to direct attention to a business, product,
             415      or service that is not sold, offered, or existing on the property where the sign is located.
             416          (4) "Charter school" includes:
             417          (a) an operating charter school;
             418          (b) a charter school applicant that has its application approved by a chartering entity in
             419      accordance with Title 53A, Chapter 1a, Part 5, The Utah Charter Schools Act; and
             420          (c) an entity who is working on behalf of a charter school or approved charter applicant
             421      to develop or construct a charter school building.
             422          (5) "Chief executive officer" means the person or body that exercises the executive
             423      powers of the county.
             424          (6) "Conditional use" means a land use that, because of its unique characteristics or
             425      potential impact on the county, surrounding neighbors, or adjacent land uses, may not be
             426      compatible in some areas or may be compatible only if certain conditions are required that
             427      mitigate or eliminate the detrimental impacts.
             428          (7) "Constitutional taking" means a governmental action that results in a taking of


             429      private property so that compensation to the owner of the property is required by the:
             430          (a) Fifth or Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States; or
             431          (b) Utah Constitution Article I, Section 22.
             432          (8) "Culinary water authority" means the department, agency, or public entity with
             433      responsibility to review and approve the feasibility of the culinary water system and sources for
             434      the subject property.
             435          (9) (a) "Disability" means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one
             436      or more of a person's major life activities, including a person having a record of such an
             437      impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment.
             438          (b) "Disability" does not include current illegal use of, or addiction to, any federally
             439      controlled substance, as defined in Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C.
             440      802.
             441          (10) "Elderly person" means a person who is 60 years old or older, who desires or
             442      needs to live with other elderly persons in a group setting, but who is capable of living
             443      independently.
             444          (11) "Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 54-2-1 .
             445          (12) "General plan" means a document that a county adopts that sets forth general
             446      guidelines for proposed future development of the unincorporated land within the county.
             447          (13) "Identical plans" means building plans submitted to a county that are substantially
             448      identical building plans that were previously submitted to and reviewed and approved by the
             449      county and describe a building that is:
             450          (a) located on land zoned the same as the land on which the building described in the
             451      previously approved plans is located; and
             452          (b) subject to the same geological and meteorological conditions and the same law as
             453      the building described in the previously approved plans.
             454          (14) "Interstate pipeline company" means a person or entity engaged in natural gas
             455      transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under
             456      the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 717 et seq.
             457          (15) "Intrastate pipeline company" means a person or entity engaged in natural gas
             458      transportation that is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory
             459      Commission under the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 717 et seq.


             460          (16) "Land use application" means an application required by a county's land use
             461      ordinance.
             462          (17) "Land use authority" means a person, board, commission, agency, or other body
             463      designated by the local legislative body to act upon a land use application.
             464          (18) "Land use ordinance" means a planning, zoning, development, or subdivision
             465      ordinance of the county, but does not include the general plan.
             466          (19) "Legislative body" means the county legislative body, or for a county that has
             467      adopted an alternative form of government, the body exercising legislative powers.
             468          (20) "Lot line adjustment" means the relocation of the property boundary line in a
             469      subdivision between two adjoining lots with the consent of the owners of record.
             470          (21) "Moderate income housing" means housing occupied or reserved for occupancy
             471      by households with a gross household income equal to or less than 80% of the median gross
             472      income for households of the same size in the county in which the housing is located.
             473          (22) "Nominal fee" means a fee that reasonably reimburses a county only for time spent
             474      and expenses incurred in:
             475          (a) verifying that building plans are identical plans; and
             476          (b) reviewing and approving those minor aspects of identical plans that differ from the
             477      previously reviewed and approved building plans.
             478          (23) "Noncomplying structure" means a structure that:
             479          (a) legally existed before its current land use designation; and
             480          (b) because of one or more subsequent land use ordinance changes, does not conform
             481      to the setback, height restrictions, or other regulations, excluding those regulations that govern
             482      the use of land.
             483          (24) "Nonconforming use" means a use of land that:
             484          (a) legally existed before its current land use designation;
             485          (b) has been maintained continuously since the time the land use ordinance regulation
             486      governing the land changed; and
             487          (c) because of one or more subsequent land use ordinance changes, does not conform
             488      to the regulations that now govern the use of the land.
             489          (25) "Official map" means a map drawn by county authorities and recorded in the
             490      county recorder's office that:


             491          (a) shows actual and proposed rights-of-way, centerline alignments, and setbacks for
             492      highways and other transportation facilities;
             493          (b) provides a basis for restricting development in designated rights-of-way or between
             494      designated setbacks to allow the government authorities time to purchase or otherwise reserve
             495      the land; and
             496          (c) has been adopted as an element of the county's general plan.
             497          (26) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, organization, association,
             498      trust, governmental agency, or any other legal entity.
             499          (27) "Plan for moderate income housing" means a written document adopted by a
             500      county legislative body that includes:
             501          (a) an estimate of the existing supply of moderate income housing located within the
             502      county;
             503          (b) an estimate of the need for moderate income housing in the county for the next five
             504      years as revised biennially;
             505          (c) a survey of total residential land use;
             506          (d) an evaluation of how existing land uses and zones affect opportunities for moderate
             507      income housing; and
             508          (e) a description of the county's program to encourage an adequate supply of moderate
             509      income housing.
             510          (28) "Plat" means a map or other graphical representation of lands being laid out and
             511      prepared in accordance with Section 17-27a-603 , 17-23-17 , or 57-8-13 .
             512          (29) "Public hearing" means a hearing at which members of the public are provided a
             513      reasonable opportunity to comment on the subject of the hearing.
             514          (30) "Public meeting" means a meeting that is required to be open to the public under
             515      Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings.
             516          (31) "Record of survey map" means a map of a survey of land prepared in accordance
             517      with Section 17-23-17 .
             518          (32) "Residential facility for elderly persons" means a single-family or multiple-family
             519      dwelling unit that meets the requirements of Part 4, General Plan, but does not include a health
             520      care facility as defined by Section 26-21-2 .
             521          (33) "Residential facility for persons with a disability" means a residence:


             522          (a) in which more than one person with a disability resides; and
             523          (b) (i) is licensed or certified by the Department of Human Services under Title 62A,
             524      Chapter 2, Licensure of Programs and Facilities; or
             525          (ii) is licensed or certified by the Department of Health under Title 26, Chapter 21,
             526      Health Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Act.
             527          (34) "Sanitary sewer authority" means the department, agency, or public entity with
             528      responsibility to review and approve the feasibility of sanitary sewer services or onsite
             529      wastewater systems.
             530          (35) "Special district" means any entity established under the authority of Title 17A,
             531      Special Districts, and any other governmental or quasi-governmental entity that is not a county,
             532      municipality, school district, or unit of the state.
             533          (36) "Specified public utility" means an electrical corporation, gas corporation, or
             534      telephone corporation, as those terms are defined in Section 54-2-1 .
             535          (37) "Street" means a public right-of-way, including a highway, avenue, boulevard,
             536      parkway, road, lane, walk, alley, viaduct, subway, tunnel, bridge, public easement, or other
             537      way.
             538          (38) (a) "Subdivision" means any land that is divided, resubdivided or proposed to be
             539      divided into two or more lots, parcels, sites, units, plots, or other division of land for the
             540      purpose, whether immediate or future, for offer, sale, lease, or development either on the
             541      installment plan or upon any and all other plans, terms, and conditions.
             542          (b) "Subdivision" includes:
             543          (i) the division or development of land whether by deed, metes and bounds description,
             544      devise and testacy, map, plat, or other recorded instrument; and
             545          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (38)(c), divisions of land for residential and
             546      nonresidential uses, including land used or to be used for commercial, agricultural, and
             547      industrial purposes.
             548          (c) "Subdivision" does not include:
             549          (i) a bona fide division or partition of agricultural land for agricultural purposes;
             550          (ii) a recorded agreement between owners of adjoining properties adjusting their
             551      mutual boundary if:
             552          (A) no new lot is created; and


             553          (B) the adjustment does not violate applicable land use ordinances;
             554          (iii) a recorded document, executed by the owner of record:
             555          (A) revising the legal description of more than one contiguous unsubdivided parcel of
             556      property into one legal description encompassing all such parcels of property; or
             557          (B) joining a subdivided parcel of property to another parcel of property that has not
             558      been subdivided, if the joinder does not violate applicable land use ordinances; [or]
             559          (iv) a bona fide division or partition of land in a county other than a first class county
             560      for the purpose of siting, on one or more of the resulting separate parcels:
             561          (A) an unmanned facility appurtenant to a pipeline owned or operated by a gas
             562      corporation, interstate pipeline company, or intrastate pipeline company; or
             563          (B) an unmanned telecommunications, microwave, fiber optic, electrical, or other
             564      utility service regeneration, transformation, retransmission, or amplification facility[.]; or
             565          (v) a recorded agreement between owners of adjoining subdivided properties adjusting
             566      their mutual boundary if:
             567          (A) no new dwelling lot or housing unit will result from the adjustment; and
             568          (B) the adjustment will not violate any applicable land use ordinance.
             569          (d) The joining of a subdivided parcel of property to another parcel of property that has
             570      not been subdivided does not constitute a subdivision under this Subsection (38) as to the
             571      unsubdivided parcel of property or subject the unsubdivided parcel to the county's subdivision
             572      ordinance.
             573          (39) "Township" means a contiguous, geographically defined portion of the
             574      unincorporated area of a county, established under this part or reconstituted or reinstated under
             575      Section 17-27a-307 , with planning and zoning functions as exercised through the township
             576      planning commission, as provided in this chapter, but with no legal or political identity
             577      separate from the county and no taxing authority, except that "township" means a former
             578      township under Chapter 308, Laws of Utah 1996 where the context so indicates.
             579          (40) "Unincorporated" means the area outside of the incorporated area of a
             580      municipality.
             581          (41) "Zoning map" means a map, adopted as part of a land use ordinance, that depicts
             582      land use zones, overlays, or districts.
             583          Section 7. Section 17-27a-603 is amended to read:


             584           17-27a-603. Plat required when land is subdivided -- Approval of plat --
             585      Recording plat.
             586          (1) Unless exempt under Section 17-27a-605 or excluded from the definition of
             587      subdivision under Subsection 17-27a-103 [(37)](38), whenever any land is laid out and platted,
             588      the owner of the land shall provide an accurate plat that describes or specifies:
             589          (a) a name or designation of the subdivision that is distinct from any plat already
             590      recorded in the county recorder's office;
             591          (b) the boundaries, course, and dimensions of all of the parcels of ground divided, by
             592      their boundaries, course, and extent, whether the owner proposes that any parcel of ground is
             593      intended to be used as a street or for any other public use, and whether any such area is
             594      reserved or proposed for dedication for a public purpose;
             595          (c) the lot or unit reference, block or building reference, street or site address, street
             596      name or coordinate address, acreage or square footage for all parcels, units, or lots, and length
             597      and width of the blocks and lots intended for sale; and
             598          (d) every existing right-of-way and easement grant of record for underground facilities,
             599      as defined in Section 54-8a-2 , and for other utility facilities.
             600          (2) Subject to Subsections (3), (4), and (5), if the plat conforms to the county's
             601      ordinances and this part and has been approved by the culinary water authority and the sanitary
             602      sewer authority, the county shall approve the plat.
             603          (3) The county may withhold an otherwise valid plat approval until the owner of the
             604      land provides the legislative body with a tax clearance indicating that all taxes, interest, and
             605      penalties owing on the land have been paid.
             606          (4) (a) The owner of the land shall acknowledge the plat before an officer authorized
             607      by law to take the acknowledgment of conveyances of real estate and shall obtain the signature
             608      of each individual designated by the county.
             609          (b) The surveyor making the plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             610          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             611      Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             612          (ii) has completed a survey of the property described on the plat in accordance with
             613      Section 17-23-17 and has verified all measurements; and
             614          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat.


             615          (c) As applicable, the owner or operator of the underground and utility facilities shall
             616      approve the:
             617          (i) boundary, course, dimensions, and intended use of the right-of-way and easement
             618      grants of record;
             619          (ii) location of existing underground and utility facilities; and
             620          (iii) conditions or restrictions governing the location of the facilities within the
             621      right-of-way, and easement grants of records, and utility facilities within the subdivision.
             622          (5) (a) After the plat has been acknowledged, certified, and approved, the owner of the
             623      land shall, within the time period designated by ordinance, record the plat in the county
             624      recorder's office in the county in which the lands platted and laid out are situated.
             625          (b) An owner's failure to record a plat within the time period designated by ordinance
             626      renders the plat voidable.
             627          Section 8. Section 17-27a-608 is amended to read:
             628           17-27a-608. Vacating or changing a subdivision plat.
             629          (1) (a) Subject to Section [ 17-27a-610 ] 17-27a-609.5 , and provided that notice has
             630      been given pursuant to local ordinance and Section 17-27a-208 , the land use authority may,
             631      with or without a petition, consider and resolve any proposed vacation, alteration, or
             632      amendment of a subdivision plat, any portion of a subdivision plat, or any [street,] lot[, or
             633      alley] contained in a subdivision plat.
             634          [(b) If a petition is filed, the land use authority shall hold a public hearing within 45
             635      days after receipt of the planning commission's recommendation under Subsection (2) if:]
             636          [(i) the plat change includes the vacation of a public street or alley;]
             637          [(ii) any owner within the plat notifies the county of their objection in writing within
             638      ten days of mailed notification; or]
             639          [(iii) a public hearing is required because all of the owners in the subdivision have not
             640      signed the revised plat.]
             641          [(2) (a) The planning commission shall consider and provide a recommendation for a
             642      proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment under Subsection (1)(a) or (6) before the land use
             643      authority takes final action.]
             644          [(b) The planning commission shall give its recommendation within 30 days after the
             645      proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment is referred to it, or as that time period is extended


             646      by agreement with the applicant.]
             647          (b) The land use authority may consider at a public meeting an owner's petition to join
             648      two or more of the owner's contiguous, residential lots, if notice has been given pursuant to
             649      local ordinance.
             650          (c) Each request to vacate or alter a street or alley, contained in a petition to vacate,
             651      alter, or amend a subdivision plat, is also subject to Section 17-27a-609.5 .
             652          [(3)] (2) Any fee owner, as shown on the last county assessment rolls, of land within
             653      the subdivision that has been laid out and platted as provided in this part may, in writing,
             654      petition to have the plat, any portion of it, or any street or lot contained in it, vacated, altered, or
             655      amended as provided in this section and Section 17-27a-609.5 .
             656          [(4)] (3) Each petition to vacate, alter, or amend an entire plat, a portion of a plat, or a
             657      street or lot contained in a plat shall include:
             658          (a) the name and address of all owners of record of the land contained in the entire plat;
             659          (b) the name and address of all owners of record of land adjacent to any street that is
             660      proposed to be vacated, altered, or amended; and
             661          (c) the signature of each of these owners who consents to the petition.
             662          [(5) (a) A petition that lacks the consent of all owners referred to in Subsection (4) may
             663      not be scheduled for consideration at a public hearing before the planning commission until the
             664      notice required by Section 17-27a-207 or 17-27a-208 , as applicable, is given.]
             665          [(b) The petitioner shall pay the cost of the notice.]
             666          [(6) Subject to Subsection (2), if the applicant proposes to vacate, alter, or amend a
             667      subdivision plat, or any street or lot contained in a subdivision plat, the planning commission
             668      shall consider the issue at a public hearing after giving the notice required by Section
             669      17-27a-207 or 17-27a-208 , as applicable.]
             670          [(7)] (4) (a) The owners of record of adjacent parcels that are described by either a
             671      metes and bounds description or a recorded plat may exchange title to portions of those parcels
             672      if the exchange of title is approved by the land use authority in accordance with Subsection
             673      [(7)] (4)(b).
             674          (b) The land use authority shall approve an exchange of title under Subsection [(7)]
             675      (4)(a) if[: (i) no new dwelling lot or housing unit will result from the exchange of title; and
             676      (ii)] the exchange of title will not result in a violation of any land use ordinance.


             677          (c) If an exchange of title is approved under Subsection [(7)] (4)(b)[,]:
             678          (i) a notice of approval shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder which:
             679          [(i)] (A) is executed by each owner included in the exchange and by the land use
             680      authority;
             681          [(ii)] (B) contains an acknowledgment for each party executing the notice in
             682      accordance with the provisions of Title 57, Chapter 2a, Recognition of Acknowledgments Act;
             683      and
             684          [(iii)] (C) recites the descriptions of both the original parcels and the parcels created by
             685      the exchange of title[.]; and
             686          (ii) a conveyance of title reflecting the approved change shall be recorded in the office
             687      of the county recorder.
             688          (d) A notice of approval recorded under this Subsection [(7)] (4) does not act as a
             689      conveyance of title to real property and is not required for the recording of a document
             690      purporting to convey title to real property.
             691          [(8)] (5) (a) The name of a recorded subdivision may be changed by recording an
             692      amended plat making that change, as provided in this section and subject to Subsection [(8)]
             693      (5)(c).
             694          (b) The surveyor preparing the amended plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             695          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             696      Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             697          (ii) has completed a survey of the property described on the plat in accordance with
             698      Section 17-23-17 and has verified all measurements; and
             699          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat.
             700          (c) An owner of land may not submit for recording an amended plat that gives the
             701      subdivision described in the amended plat the same name as a subdivision in a plat already
             702      recorded in the county recorder's office.
             703          (d) Except as provided in Subsection [(8)] (5)(a), the recording of a declaration or other
             704      document that purports to change the name of a recorded plat is voidable.
             705          Section 9. Section 17-27a-609 is amended to read:
             706           17-27a-609. Land use authority consideration of petition to vacate or change a
             707      plat -- Criteria for vacating or changing a plat -- Recording the vacation or change.


             708          [(1) Within 30 days after the public hearing required by this part, or as that time period
             709      may be extended by agreement of the parties, the land use authority shall consider the petition
             710      to vacate or change a plat.]
             711          [(2)] (1) If the land use authority is satisfied that the public interest will not be
             712      materially injured by the proposed vacation, alteration, or amendment, and that there is good
             713      cause for the vacation, alteration, or amendment, the land use authority may vacate, alter, or
             714      amend the plat[,] or any portion of the plat, [or any street or lot] subject to Section
             715      17-27a-609.5 .
             716          [(3)] (2) The land use authority may approve the vacation, alteration, or amendment by
             717      [resolution, amended plat, administrative order, or deed containing a stamp or mark indicating
             718      approval by the land use authority] signing an amended plat showing the vacation, alteration, or
             719      amendment.
             720          [(4)] (3) The land use authority shall ensure that the amended plat showing the
             721      vacation, alteration, or amendment is recorded in the office of the county recorder in which the
             722      land is located.
             723          [(5) The action of the land use authority vacating or narrowing a street or alley that has
             724      been dedicated to public use shall operate to the extent to which it is vacated or narrowed, upon
             725      the effective date of the vacating ordinance, as a revocation of the acceptance thereof, and the
             726      relinquishment of the county's fee therein, but the right-of-way and easements therein, if any, of
             727      any lot owner and the franchise rights of any public utility may not be impaired thereby.]
             728          (4) If an entire subdivision is vacated, the legislative body shall ensure that a legislative
             729      body resolution containing a legal description of the entire vacated subdivision is recorded in
             730      the county recorder's office.
             731          Section 10. Section 17-27a-609.5 is enacted to read:
             732          17-27a-609.5. Vacating or altering a road or alley.
             733          (1) If a petition is submitted containing a request to vacate or alter any portion of a
             734      street or alley within a subdivision:
             735          (a) the land use authority shall, after providing notice pursuant to local ordinance and
             736      Section 17-27a-208 , make a recommendation to the legislative body concerning the request to
             737      vacate or alter; and
             738          (b) the legislative body shall hold a public hearing in accordance with Section


             739      17-27a-208 and determine whether good cause exists for the vacation or alteration.
             740          (2) If the legislative body vacates or alters any portion of a street or alley, the
             741      legislative body shall ensure that the plat is recorded in the office of the recorder of the county
             742      in which the land is located.
             743          (3) The action of the legislative body vacating or narrowing a street or alley that has
             744      been dedicated to public use shall operate to the extent to which it is vacated or narrowed, upon
             745      the effective date of the vacating plat, as a revocation of the acceptance thereof, and the
             746      relinquishment of the county's fee therein, but the right-of-way and easements therein, if any, of
             747      any lot owner and the franchise rights of any public utility may not be impaired thereby.


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