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First Substitute S.B. 63

Senator Ralph Okerlund proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
MODIFICATIONS TO RECORDING

             2     
REQUIREMENTS

             3     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Ralph Okerlund

             6     
House Sponsor: Kay L. McIff

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies county and municipal provisions relating to the recording of
             11      subdivision plats.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    authorizes the county recorder to assign a different name to a subdivision on a plat
             15      if the name duplicates one already assigned to a subdivision on a recorded plat;
             16          .    requires landowners to sign and dedicate a plat;
             17          .    requires a surveyor making a plat to certify that the surveyor has provided a
             18      reference to the filing number of a record of survey map, rather than that the
             19      surveyor has completed a survey;
             20          .    requires the filing of a surveyor's affidavit by a surveyor who sets monuments
             21      during construction if that surveyor is not the same surveyor who made the plat;
             22          .    prohibits a person from submitting a subdivision plat for recording unless the plat
             23      has been dedicated by each owner;
             24          .    provides that the absence of a certificate of written approval does not prohibit the
             25      county recorder from recording the document;


             26          .    clarifies a provision relating to common or community areas on a plat;
             27          .    modifies the process applicable to the dedication of public places under a plat;
             28          .    modifies provisions relating to vacating or changing a subdivision plat;
             29          .    modifies provisions relating to a legislative body's vacating a subdivision, street,
             30      alley, or easement and clarifies that the legislative body may vacate by recording an
             31      ordinance describing what is being vacated;
             32          .    adds provisions relating to amended plats, correcting plats, and the signing of a plat
             33      by a management committee;
             34          .    modifies provisions relating to the recording or filing of documents;
             35          .    modifies a provision prohibiting the liability of a county recorder under certain
             36      circumstances;
             37          .    modifies a provision relating to the abstracting of instruments; and
             38          .    makes technical changes.
             39      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             40          None
             41      Other Special Clauses:
             42          None
             43      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             44      AMENDS:
             45          10-9a-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 326
             46          10-9a-604, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 240
             47          10-9a-605, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 240
             48          10-9a-606, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 268
             49          10-9a-607, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 254
             50          10-9a-608, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 163
             51          10-9a-609, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 243
             52          10-9a-609.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 243
             53          17-21-6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 241
             54          17-21-20, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 147
             55          17-27a-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 250 and 326
             56          17-27a-604, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 240


             57          17-27a-605, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 240
             58          17-27a-606, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 268
             59          17-27a-607, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 254
             60          17-27a-608, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 163
             61          17-27a-609, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 243
             62          17-27a-609.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 243
             63          38-9-1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 223
             64          38-9-3, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 125
             65          38-9-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 223
             66     
             67      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             68          Section 1. Section 10-9a-603 is amended to read:
             69           10-9a-603. Plat required when land is subdivided -- Approval of plat -- Owner
             70      acknowledgment, surveyor certification, and underground utility facilities owner
             71      approval of plat -- Recording plat.
             72          (1) (a) Unless exempt under Section 10-9a-605 or excluded from the definition of
             73      subdivision under Subsection 10-9a-103 (44), whenever any land is laid out and platted, the
             74      owner of the land shall provide an accurate plat that describes or specifies:
             75          [(a)] (i) a subdivision name [or designation of the subdivision] that is distinct from any
             76      subdivision name on a plat [already] recorded in the county recorder's office;
             77          [(b)] (ii) the boundaries, course, and dimensions of all of the parcels of ground divided,
             78      by their boundaries, course, and extent, whether the owner proposes that any parcel of ground
             79      is intended to be used as a street or for any other public use, and whether any such area is
             80      reserved or proposed for dedication for a public purpose;
             81          [(c)] (iii) the lot or unit reference, block or building reference, street or site address,
             82      street name or coordinate address, acreage or square footage for all parcels, units, or lots, and
             83      length and width of the blocks and lots intended for sale; and
             84          [(d)] (iv) every existing right-of-way and easement grant of record for underground
             85      facilities, as defined in Section 54-8a-2 , and for other utility facilities.
             86          (b) The county recorder may assign a different name to a subdivision on a plat
             87      submitted for recording if necessary to make the plat comply with the requirement of


             88      Subsection (1)(a)(i).
             89          (2) (a) Subject to Subsections (3), (4), and (5), if the plat conforms to the municipality's
             90      ordinances and this part and has been approved by the culinary water authority and the sanitary
             91      sewer authority, the municipality shall approve the plat.
             92          (b) Municipalities are encouraged to receive a recommendation from the fire authority
             93      before approving a plat.
             94          (3) The municipality may withhold an otherwise valid plat approval until the owner of
             95      the land provides the legislative body with a tax clearance indicating that all taxes, interest, and
             96      penalties owing on the land have been paid.
             97          (4) (a) [The] Each owner of the land [shall] described on the plat shall sign, dedicate,
             98      and acknowledge the plat [before an officer authorized by law to take the acknowledgment of
             99      conveyances of real estate and shall obtain the signature of each individual designated by the
             100      municipality].
             101          (b) The surveyor making the plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             102          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             103      Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             104          (ii) has [completed a] provided a reference to the filing number of a record of survey
             105      map of the existing property boundary described on the plat and filed in accordance with
             106      Section 17-23-17 [and has verified all measurements; and];
             107          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat[.]; and
             108          (iv) has indicated monuments to be set during construction.
             109          (c) If a monument is set during construction by a surveyor other than the surveyor who
             110      made the plat, the surveyor setting the monument shall record a surveyor's affidavit in the
             111      office of the county in which the property is located indicating:
             112          (i) that the surveyor setting the monument holds a license in accordance with Title 58,
             113      Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             114          (ii) that each monument is set in the location specified on the plat;
             115          (iii) that the surveyor setting the monument has verified all measurements;
             116          (iv) the location of each street and lot monument that varies from the monuments
             117      specified on the plat; and
             118          (v) the physical description of each monument set.


             119          [(c)] (d) (i) As applicable, the owner or operator of the underground and utility
             120      facilities shall approve the:
             121          (A) boundary, course, dimensions, and intended use of the right-of-way and easement
             122      grants of record;
             123          (B) location of existing underground and utility facilities; and
             124          (C) conditions or restrictions governing the location of the facilities within the
             125      right-of-way, and easement grants of records, and utility facilities within the subdivision.
             126          (ii) The approval of an owner or operator under Subsection (4)[(c)](d)(i):
             127          (A) indicates only that the plat approximates the location of the existing underground
             128      and utility facilities but does not warrant or verify their precise location; and
             129          (B) does not affect a right that the owner or operator has under:
             130          (I) Title 54, Chapter 8a, Damage to Underground Utility Facilities;
             131          (II) a recorded easement or right-of-way;
             132          (III) the law applicable to prescriptive rights; or
             133          (IV) any other provision of law.
             134          (5) (a) After the plat has been acknowledged, certified, and approved, the owner of the
             135      land shall, within the time period designated by ordinance, record the plat in the county
             136      recorder's office in the county in which the lands platted and laid out are situated.
             137          (b) An owner's failure to record a plat within the time period designated by ordinance
             138      renders the plat voidable.
             139          Section 2. Section 10-9a-604 is amended to read:
             140           10-9a-604. Subdivision plat approval procedure -- Effect of not complying.
             141          (1) (a) A person may not submit a subdivision plat to the county recorder's office for
             142      recording unless:
             143          (i) the plat has been dedicated by each owner of record;
             144          [(i)] (ii) except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a recommendation has been received
             145      from the planning commission;
             146          [(ii)] (iii) the plat has been approved by:
             147          (A) the land use authority of the municipality in which the land described in the plat is
             148      located; and
             149          (B) other officers that the municipality designates in its ordinance; and


             150          [(iii)] (iv) all approvals are entered in writing on the plat by the designated officers.
             151          (b) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if the planning commission is the land use
             152      authority.
             153          (2) A subdivision plat recorded without the signatures required under this section is
             154      void.
             155          (3) A transfer of land pursuant to a void plat is voidable.
             156          Section 3. Section 10-9a-605 is amended to read:
             157           10-9a-605. Exemptions from plat requirement.
             158          (1) Notwithstanding Sections 10-9a-603 and 10-9a-604 , the land use authority may
             159      approve a subdivision of ten lots or less without a plat, by certifying in writing that:
             160          (a) the municipality has provided notice as required by ordinance; and
             161          (b) the proposed subdivision:
             162          (i) is not traversed by the mapped lines of a proposed street as shown in the general
             163      plan and does not require the dedication of any land for street or other public purposes;
             164          (ii) has been approved by the culinary water authority and the sanitary sewer authority;
             165          (iii) is located in a zoned area; and
             166          (iv) conforms to all applicable land use ordinances or has properly received a variance
             167      from the requirements of an otherwise conflicting and applicable land use ordinance.
             168          (2) (a) Subject to Subsection (1), a lot or parcel resulting from a division of agricultural
             169      land is exempt from the plat requirements of Section 10-9a-603 if the lot or parcel:
             170          (i) qualifies as land in agricultural use under Section 59-2-502 ;
             171          (ii) meets the minimum size requirement of applicable land use ordinances; and
             172          (iii) is not used and will not be used for any nonagricultural purpose.
             173          (b) The boundaries of each lot or parcel exempted under Subsection (1) shall be
             174      graphically illustrated on a record of survey map that, after receiving the same approvals as are
             175      required for a plat under Section 10-9a-604 , shall be recorded with the county recorder.
             176          (c) If a lot or parcel exempted under Subsection (2)(a) is used for a nonagricultural
             177      purpose, the municipality may require the lot or parcel to comply with the requirements of
             178      Section 10-9a-603 .
             179          (3) (a) Documents recorded in the county recorder's office that divide property by a
             180      metes and bounds description do not create an approved subdivision allowed by this part unless


             181      the land use authority's certificate of written approval required by Subsection (1) is attached to
             182      the document.
             183          (b) The absence of the certificate or written approval required by Subsection (1) does
             184      not:
             185          (i) prohibit the county recorder from recording a document; or
             186          (ii) affect the validity of a recorded document.
             187          (c) A document which does not meet the requirements of Subsection (1) may be
             188      corrected by the recording of an affidavit to which the required certificate or written approval is
             189      attached in accordance with Section 57-3-106 .
             190          Section 4. Section 10-9a-606 is amended to read:
             191           10-9a-606. Common or community area parcels on a plat -- No separate
             192      ownership -- Ownership interest equally divided among other parcels on plat and
             193      included in description of other parcels.
             194          (1) A parcel designated as common or community area on a plat recorded in
             195      compliance with this part may not be separately owned or conveyed independent of the other
             196      lots, units, or parcels created by the plat.
             197          (2) The ownership interest in a parcel described in Subsection (1) shall:
             198          (a) for purposes of assessment, be divided equally among all lots, units, and parcels
             199      created by the plat, unless a different division of interest for assessment purposes is indicated
             200      on the plat or an accompanying recorded document; and
             201          (b) be considered to be included in the description of each instrument describing a
             202      parcel on the plat by its identifying plat number, even if the common or community area
             203      interest is not explicitly stated in the instrument.
             204          Section 5. Section 10-9a-607 is amended to read:
             205           10-9a-607. Dedication of streets and other public places.
             206          (1) [Plats, when made, acknowledged, and recorded] A plat that is signed, dedicated,
             207      and acknowledged by each owner of record, and approved according to the procedures
             208      specified in this part, [operate] operates, when recorded, as a dedication of all streets and other
             209      public places, and [vest] vests the fee of those parcels of land in the municipality for the public
             210      for the uses named or intended in [those plats] the plat.
             211          (2) The dedication established by this section does not impose liability upon the


             212      municipality for streets and other public places that are dedicated in this manner but are
             213      unimproved.
             214          Section 6. Section 10-9a-608 is amended to read:
             215           10-9a-608. Vacating or changing a subdivision plat.
             216          (1) (a) Subject to Section 10-9a-609.5 , and provided that notice has been given
             217      pursuant to local ordinance and Section 10-9a-208 , the land use authority may, with or without
             218      a petition, consider and resolve any proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment of a
             219      subdivision plat, any portion of a subdivision plat, or any lot, street, or easement contained in a
             220      subdivision plat.
             221          (b) If a petition is filed, the land use authority shall hold a public hearing within 45
             222      days after the petition is filed or, if applicable, within 45 days after receipt of the planning
             223      commission's recommendation under Subsection (2), if:
             224          (i) any owner within the plat notifies the municipality of [their] the owner's objection
             225      in writing within ten days of mailed notification; or
             226          (ii) [a public hearing is required because] all of the owners in the subdivision or the
             227      portion of the subdivision described in the partition have not signed the revised plat.
             228          (2) (a) (i) The planning commission shall consider and provide a recommendation for a
             229      proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment under Subsection (1)(a) before the land use
             230      authority takes final action.
             231          (ii) The planning commission shall give its recommendation within 30 days after the
             232      proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment is referred to it, or as that time period is
             233      extended by agreement with the applicant.
             234          (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply if the planning commission has been designated as
             235      the land use authority.
             236          (3) The public hearing requirement of Subsection (1)(b) does not apply and a land use
             237      authority may consider at a public meeting an owner's petition to alter a subdivision plat if:
             238          (a) the petition seeks to join two or more of the owner's contiguous, residential lots;
             239      and
             240          (b) notice has been given pursuant to local ordinance.
             241          (4) Each request to vacate or [alter] amend a street or alley, contained in a petition to
             242      vacate[, alter,] or amend a subdivision plat, is also subject to Section 10-9a-609.5 .


             243          (5) Any fee owner, as shown on the last county assessment rolls, of land within the
             244      subdivision that has been laid out and platted as provided in this part may, in writing, petition
             245      to have the plat, any portion of it, or any street or lot contained in it, vacated, altered, or
             246      amended as provided in this section and Section 10-9a-609.5 .
             247          (6) Each petition to vacate[, alter,] or amend an entire plat, a portion of a plat, or a
             248      street or lot contained in a plat shall include:
             249          (a) the name and address of all owners of record of the land contained in the entire plat
             250      or on that portion of the plat described in the petition;
             251          (b) the name and address of all owners of record of land adjacent to any street that is
             252      proposed to be vacated[, altered,] or amended; and
             253          (c) the signature of each of these owners who consents to the petition.
             254          (7) (a) The owners of record of adjacent parcels that are described by either a metes
             255      and bounds description or a recorded plat may exchange title to portions of those parcels if the
             256      exchange of title is approved by the land use authority in accordance with Subsection (7)(b).
             257          (b) The land use authority shall approve an exchange of title under Subsection (7)(a) if
             258      the exchange of title will not result in a violation of any land use ordinance.
             259          (c) If an exchange of title is approved under Subsection (7)(b):
             260          (i) a notice of approval shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder which:
             261          (A) is executed by each owner included in the exchange and by the land use authority;
             262          (B) contains an acknowledgment for each party executing the notice in accordance with
             263      the provisions of Title 57, Chapter 2a, Recognition of Acknowledgments Act; and
             264          (C) recites the descriptions of both the original parcels and the parcels created by the
             265      exchange of title; and
             266          (ii) a conveyance of title reflecting the approved change shall be recorded in the office
             267      of the county recorder.
             268          (d) A notice of approval recorded under this Subsection (7):
             269          (i) does not act as a conveyance of title to real property; and
             270          (ii) is not required [for the recording of] in order to record a document [purporting to
             271      convey] conveying title to real property.
             272          (8) (a) The name of a recorded subdivision may be changed by recording an amended
             273      plat making that change, as provided in this section and subject to Subsection (8)(c).


             274          (b) The surveyor preparing the amended plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             275          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             276      Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             277          (ii) has completed a survey of the property described on the plat in accordance with
             278      Section 17-23-17 and has verified all measurements; and
             279          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat.
             280          (c) An owner of land may not submit for recording an amended plat that gives the
             281      subdivision described in the amended plat the same name as a subdivision in a plat already
             282      recorded in the county recorder's office.
             283          (d) Except as provided in Subsection (8)(a), the recording of a declaration or other
             284      document that purports to change the name of a recorded plat is voidable.
             285          Section 7. Section 10-9a-609 is amended to read:
             286           10-9a-609. Land use authority consideration of petition to vacate or change a plat
             287      -- Criteria for vacating or changing a plat -- Recording the vacation or change.
             288          (1) If the land use authority is satisfied that neither the public interest nor any person
             289      will be materially injured by the proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment, and that there
             290      is good cause for the vacation[, alteration,] or amendment, the land use authority may vacate,
             291      alter, or amend the plat or any portion of the plat, subject to Section 10-9a-609.5 .
             292          (2) The land use authority may approve the vacation[, alteration,] or amendment by
             293      signing an amended plat showing the vacation[, alteration,] or amendment.
             294          (3) The land use authority shall ensure that the amended plat showing the vacation[,
             295      alteration,] or amendment is recorded in the office of the county recorder in which the land is
             296      located.
             297          [(4) If an entire subdivision is vacated, the legislative body shall ensure that a
             298      legislative body resolution containing a legal description of the entire vacated subdivision is
             299      recorded in the county recorder's office.]
             300          (4) A legislative body may vacate a subdivision or a portion of a subdivision by
             301      recording in the county recorder's office an ordinance describing the subdivision or the portion
             302      being vacated.
             303          (5) An amended plat may not be submitted to the county recorder for recording unless
             304      it is signed, acknowledged, and dedicated by each owner of record of the portion of the plat


             305      that is amended.
             306          (6) A management committee may sign and dedicate an amended plat as provided in
             307      Title 57, Chapter 8, Condominium Ownership Act.
             308          (7) A plat may be corrected as provided in Section 57-3-106 .
             309          Section 8. Section 10-9a-609.5 is amended to read:
             310           10-9a-609.5. Vacating or amending a street, alley, or easement.
             311          (1) (a) If a petition is submitted containing a request to vacate or [alter] amend any
             312      portion of a street [or], alley [within a subdivision], or easement:
             313          (i) the planning commission shall, after providing notice pursuant to local ordinance
             314      and Section 10-9a-208 , make a recommendation to the land use authority concerning the
             315      request to vacate or [alter] amend; and
             316          (ii) the land use authority shall hold a public hearing in accordance with Section
             317      10-9a-208 and determine whether good cause exists for the vacation or [alteration] amendment.
             318          (b) Subsection (1)(a)(i) does not apply if the planning commission has been designated
             319      as a land use authority.
             320          (2) If the land use authority vacates or [alters] amends any portion of a street [or], alley,
             321      or easement, the land use authority shall ensure that the plat is recorded in the office of the
             322      recorder of the county in which the land is located.
             323          (3) A legislative body may vacate some or all of a street, alley, or easement by
             324      recording in the county recorder's office an ordinance containing a legal description of the
             325      vacated street, alley, or easement or the vacated portion of the street, alley, or easement, as the
             326      case may be.
             327          [(3)] (4) The action of the land use authority vacating or [narrowing] amending a street
             328      [or], alley, or easement that has been dedicated to public use shall operate to the extent to
             329      which it is vacated or [narrowed] amended, upon the effective date of the vacating plat, as a
             330      revocation of the acceptance thereof, and the relinquishment of the city's fee therein, but the
             331      right-of-way and easements therein, if any, of any lot owner and the franchise rights of any
             332      public utility may not be impaired thereby.
             333          Section 9. Section 17-21-6 is amended to read:
             334           17-21-6. General duties of recorder -- Records and indexes.
             335          (1) Each recorder shall:


             336          (a) keep an entry record, in which the recorder shall, upon acceptance and recording of
             337      any instrument, enter the instrument in the order of its [reception] recording, the names of the
             338      parties to the instrument, its date, the hour, the day of the month and the year of recording, and
             339      a brief description, and endorse upon each instrument a number corresponding with the number
             340      of the entry;
             341          (b) keep a grantors' index, in which the recorder shall index deeds and final judgments
             342      or decrees partitioning or affecting the title to or possession of real property, which shall show
             343      the entry number of the instrument, the name of each grantor in alphabetical order, the name of
             344      the grantee, the date of the instrument, the time of recording, the kind of instrument, the book
             345      and page, and a brief description;
             346          (c) keep a grantees' index, in which the recorder shall index deeds and final judgments
             347      or decrees partitioning or affecting the title to or possession of real property, which shall show
             348      the entry number of the instrument, the name of each grantee in alphabetical order, the name of
             349      the grantor, the date of the instrument, the time of recording, the kind of instrument, the book
             350      and page, and a brief description;
             351          (d) keep a mortgagors' index, in which the recorder shall enter all mortgages, deeds of
             352      trust, liens, and other instruments in the nature of an encumbrance upon real estate, which shall
             353      show the entry number of the instrument, the name of each mortgagor, debtor, or person
             354      charged with the encumbrance in alphabetical order, the name of the mortgagee, lien holder,
             355      creditor, or claimant, the date of the instrument, the time of recording, the instrument,
             356      consideration, the book and page, and a brief description;
             357          (e) keep a mortgagees' index, in which the recorder shall enter all mortgages, deeds of
             358      trust, liens, and other instruments in the nature of an encumbrance upon real estate, which shall
             359      show the entry number of the instrument, the name of each mortgagee, lien holder, creditor, or
             360      claimant, in alphabetical order, the name of the mortgagor or person charged with the
             361      encumbrance, the date of the instrument, the time of recording, the kind of instrument, the
             362      consideration, the book and page, and a brief description;
             363          (f) keep a tract index, which shall show by description every instrument recorded, the
             364      date and the kind of instrument, the time of recording, and the book and page and entry
             365      number;
             366          (g) keep an index of recorded maps, plats, and subdivisions;


             367          (h) keep an index of powers of attorney showing the date and time of recording, the
             368      book, the page, and the entry number;
             369          (i) keep a miscellaneous index, in which the recorder shall enter all instruments of a
             370      miscellaneous character not otherwise provided for in this section, showing the date of
             371      recording, the book, the page, the entry number, the kind of instrument, from, to, and the
             372      parties;
             373          (j) keep an index of judgments showing the judgment debtors, the judgment creditors,
             374      the amount of judgment, the date and time of recording, the satisfaction, and the book, the
             375      page, and the entry number; and
             376          (k) keep a general recording index in which the recorder shall index all executions and
             377      writs of attachment, and any other instruments not required by law to be spread upon the
             378      records, and in separate columns the recorder shall enter the names of the plaintiffs in the
             379      execution and the names of the defendants in the execution.
             380          (2) The recorder shall alphabetically arrange the indexes required by this section and
             381      keep a reverse index.
             382          (3) The tract index required by Subsection (1)(f) shall be kept so that it shows a true
             383      chain of title to each tract or parcel, together with their encumbrances, according to the records
             384      of the office.
             385          (4) Nothing in this section prevents the recorder from using a single name index if that
             386      index includes all of the indexes required by this section.
             387          Section 10. Section 17-21-20 is amended to read:
             388           17-21-20. Recording required -- Recorder may impose requirements on
             389      documents to be recorded -- Prerequisites -- Additional fee for noncomplying documents
             390      -- Recorder may require tax serial number -- Exceptions.
             391          (1) Subject to Subsections (2), (3), and (4), each paper, notice, and instrument required
             392      by law to be [filed] recorded in the office of the county recorder shall be recorded unless
             393      otherwise provided.
             394          (2) Each document executed on or after July 1, 2007 that is submitted for recording to
             395      a county recorder's office shall:
             396          (a) unless otherwise provided by law, be an original or certified copy of the document;
             397          (b) be in English or be accompanied by an accurate English translation of the


             398      document;
             399          (c) contain a brief title, heading, or caption on the first page stating the nature of the
             400      document;
             401          (d) contain the legal description of the property that is the subject of the document;
             402          (e) comply with the requirements of Section 17-21-25 and Subsections 57-3-105 (1)
             403      and (2);
             404          (f) be notarized with the notary stamp with the seal legible; and
             405          (g) have original signatures.
             406          (3) (a) Beginning September 1, 2007, a county recorder may require that each paper,
             407      notice, and instrument submitted for recording in the county recorder's office:
             408          (i) be on white paper that is 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches in size;
             409          (ii) have a margin of one inch on the left and right sides and at the bottom of each
             410      page;
             411          (iii) have a space of 2-1/2 inches down and 4-1/2 inches across the upper right corner
             412      of the first page and a margin of one inch at the top of each succeeding page;
             413          (iv) not be on sheets of paper that are continuously bound together at the side, top, or
             414      bottom;
             415          (v) not contain printed material on more than one side of each page;
             416          (vi) be printed in black ink and not have text smaller than seven lines of text per
             417      vertical inch; and
             418          (vii) be sufficiently legible to make certified copies.
             419          (b) A county recorder who intends to establish requirements under Subsection (3)(a)
             420      shall first:
             421          (i) provide formal notice of the requirements; and
             422          (ii) establish and publish an effective date for the requirements that is at least three
             423      months after the formal notice under Subsection (3)(b)(i).
             424          (c) If a county recorder establishes requirements under this Subsection (3), the county
             425      recorder may charge and collect from persons who submit a document for recording that does
             426      not comply with the requirements, in addition to any other fee that the county recorder is
             427      authorized to charge and collect, a fee that:
             428          (i) is calculated to recover the additional cost of handling and recording noncomplying


             429      documents; and
             430          (ii) may not exceed $2 per page.
             431          (4) (a) To facilitate the abstracting of an instrument, a county recorder may require that
             432      the applicable tax serial number of each parcel [affected by] described in the instrument
             433      [appear on each] be noted on the instrument before it may be accepted for recording.
             434          (b) If a county recorder requires the applicable tax serial number to be on an instrument
             435      before it may be recorded:
             436          (i) the county recorder shall post a notice of that requirement in a conspicuous place at
             437      the recorder's office;
             438          (ii) the tax serial number may not be considered to be part of the legal description and
             439      may be indicated on the margin of the instrument; and
             440          (iii) an error in the tax serial number does not affect the validity of the instrument or
             441      effectiveness of the recording.
             442          (5) Subsections (2), (3), and (4) do not apply to:
             443          (a) a map;
             444          (b) a certificate or affidavit of death;
             445          (c) a military discharge;
             446          (d) a document regarding taxes that is issued by the Internal Revenue Service of the
             447      United States Department of the Treasury;
             448          (e) a document submitted for recording that has been filed with a court and conforms to
             449      the formatting requirements established by the court; or
             450          (f) a document submitted for recording that is in a form required by law.
             451          Section 11. Section 17-27a-603 is amended to read:
             452           17-27a-603. Plat required when land is subdivided -- Approval of plat --
             453      Recording plat.
             454          (1) (a) Unless exempt under Section 17-27a-605 or excluded from the definition of
             455      subdivision under Subsection 17-27a-103 (48), whenever any land is laid out and platted, the
             456      owner of the land shall provide an accurate plat that describes or specifies:
             457          [(a)] (i) a subdivision name [or designation of the subdivision] that is distinct from any
             458      subdivision name on a plat [already] recorded in the county recorder's office;
             459          [(b)] (ii) the boundaries, course, and dimensions of all of the parcels of ground divided,


             460      by their boundaries, course, and extent, whether the owner proposes that any parcel of ground
             461      is intended to be used as a street or for any other public use, and whether any such area is
             462      reserved or proposed for dedication for a public purpose;
             463          [(c)] (iii) the lot or unit reference, block or building reference, street or site address,
             464      street name or coordinate address, acreage or square footage for all parcels, units, or lots, and
             465      length and width of the blocks and lots intended for sale; and
             466          [(d)] (iv) every existing right-of-way and easement grant of record for underground
             467      facilities, as defined in Section 54-8a-2 , and for other utility facilities.
             468          (b) The county recorder may assign a different name to a subdivision on a plat
             469      submitted for recording if necessary to make the plat comply with the requirement of
             470      Subsection (1)(a)(i).
             471          (2) (a) Subject to Subsections (3), (4), and (5), if the plat conforms to the county's
             472      ordinances and this part and has been approved by the culinary water authority and the sanitary
             473      sewer authority, the county shall approve the plat.
             474          (b) Counties are encouraged to receive a recommendation from the fire authority before
             475      approving a plat.
             476          (3) The county may withhold an otherwise valid plat approval until the owner of the
             477      land provides the legislative body with a tax clearance indicating that all taxes, interest, and
             478      penalties owing on the land have been paid.
             479          (4) (a) [The] Each owner of the land [shall] described on the plat shall sign, dedicate,
             480      and acknowledge the plat [before an officer authorized by law to take the acknowledgment of
             481      conveyances of real estate and shall obtain the signature of each individual designated by the
             482      county].
             483          (b) The surveyor making the plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             484          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             485      Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             486          (ii) has [completed a] provided a reference to the filing number of a record of survey
             487      map of the existing property boundary described on the plat and filed in accordance with
             488      Section 17-23-17 [and has verified all measurements; and];
             489          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat[.]; and
             490          (iv) has indicated monuments to be set during construction.


             491          (c) If a monument is set during construction by a surveyor other than the surveyor who
             492      made the plat, the surveyor setting the monument shall record a surveyor's affidavit in the
             493      office of the county in which the property is located indicating:
             494          (i) that the surveyor setting the monument holds a license in accordance with Title 58,
             495      Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             496          (ii) that each monument is set in the location specified on the plat;
             497          (iii) that the surveyor setting the monument has verified all measurements;
             498          (iv) the location of each street and lot monument that varies from the monuments
             499      specified on the plat; and
             500          (v) the physical description of each monument set.
             501          [(c)] (d) (i) As applicable, the owner or operator of the underground and utility
             502      facilities shall approve the:
             503          (A) boundary, course, dimensions, and intended use of the right-of-way and easement
             504      grants of record;
             505          (B) location of existing underground and utility facilities; and
             506          (C) conditions or restrictions governing the location of the facilities within the
             507      right-of-way, and easement grants of records, and utility facilities within the subdivision.
             508          (ii) The approval of an owner or operator under Subsection (4)[(c)](d)(i):
             509          (A) indicates only that the plat approximates the location of the existing underground
             510      and utility facilities but does not warrant or verify their precise location; and
             511          (B) does not affect a right that the owner or operator has under:
             512          (I) Title 54, Chapter 8a, Damage to Underground Utility Facilities;
             513          (II) a recorded easement or right-of-way;
             514          (III) the law applicable to prescriptive rights; or
             515          (IV) any other provision of law.
             516          (5) (a) After the plat has been acknowledged, certified, and approved, the owner of the
             517      land shall, within the time period designated by ordinance, record the plat in the county
             518      recorder's office in the county in which the lands platted and laid out are situated.
             519          (b) An owner's failure to record a plat within the time period designated by ordinance
             520      renders the plat voidable.
             521          Section 12. Section 17-27a-604 is amended to read:


             522           17-27a-604. Subdivision plat approval procedure -- Effect of not complying.
             523          (1) (a) A person may not submit a subdivision plat to the county recorder's office for
             524      recording unless:
             525          (i) the plat has been dedicated by each owner of record;
             526          [(i)] (ii) except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a recommendation has been received
             527      from the planning commission;
             528          [(ii)] (iii) the plat has been approved by:
             529          (A) the land use authority of the county in whose unincorporated area the land
             530      described in the plat is located; and
             531          (B) other officers that the county designates in its ordinance; and
             532          [(iii)] (iv) all approvals are entered in writing on the plat by designated officers.
             533          (b) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if the planning commission is the land use
             534      authority.
             535          (2) A plat recorded without the signatures required under this section is void.
             536          (3) A transfer of land pursuant to a void plat is voidable.
             537          Section 13. Section 17-27a-605 is amended to read:
             538           17-27a-605. Exemptions from plat requirement.
             539          (1) Notwithstanding Sections 17-27a-603 and 17-27a-604 , the land use authority may
             540      approve the subdivision of unincorporated land into ten lots or less without a plat, by certifying
             541      in writing that:
             542          (a) the county has provided notice as required by ordinance; and
             543          (b) the proposed subdivision:
             544          (i) is not traversed by the mapped lines of a proposed street as shown in the general
             545      plan and does not require the dedication of any land for street or other public purposes;
             546          (ii) has been approved by the culinary water authority and the sanitary sewer authority;
             547          (iii) is located in a zoned area; and
             548          (iv) conforms to all applicable land use ordinances or has properly received a variance
             549      from the requirements of an otherwise conflicting and applicable land use ordinance.
             550          (2) (a) Subject to Subsection (1), a lot or parcel resulting from a division of agricultural
             551      land is exempt from the plat requirements of Section 17-27a-603 if the lot or parcel:
             552          (i) qualifies as land in agricultural use under Section 59-2-502 ;


             553          (ii) meets the minimum size requirement of applicable land use ordinances; and
             554          (iii) is not used and will not be used for any nonagricultural purpose.
             555          (b) The boundaries of each lot or parcel exempted under Subsection (1) shall be
             556      graphically illustrated on a record of survey map that, after receiving the same approvals as are
             557      required for a plat under Section 17-27a-604 , shall be recorded with the county recorder.
             558          (c) If a lot or parcel exempted under Subsection (2)(a) is used for a nonagricultural
             559      purpose, the county may require the lot or parcel to comply with the requirements of Section
             560      17-27a-603 .
             561          (3) (a) Documents recorded in the county recorder's office that divide property by a
             562      metes and bounds description do not create an approved subdivision allowed by this part unless
             563      the land use authority's certificate of written approval required by Subsection (1)(a)(ii) is
             564      attached to the document.
             565          (b) The absence of the certificate or written approval required by Subsection (1) does
             566      not:
             567          (i) prohibit the county recorder from recording a document; or
             568          (ii) affect the validity of a recorded document.
             569          (c) A document which does not meet the requirements of Subsection (1) may be
             570      corrected by the recording of an affidavit to which the required certificate or written approval is
             571      attached in accordance with Section 57-3-106 .
             572          Section 14. Section 17-27a-606 is amended to read:
             573           17-27a-606. Common or community area parcels on a plat -- No separate
             574      ownership -- Ownership interest equally divided among other parcels on plat and
             575      included in description of other parcels.
             576          (1) A parcel designated as common or community area on a plat recorded in
             577      compliance with this part may not be separately owned or conveyed independent of the other
             578      lots, units, or parcels created by the plat.
             579          (2) The ownership interest in a parcel described in Subsection (1) shall:
             580          (a) for purposes of assessment, be divided equally among all lots, units, and parcels
             581      created by the plat, unless a different division of interest for assessment purposes is indicated
             582      on the plat or an accompanying recorded document; and
             583          (b) be considered to be included in the description of each instrument describing a


             584      parcel on the plat by its identifying plat number, even if the common or community area
             585      interest is not explicitly stated in the instrument.
             586          Section 15. Section 17-27a-607 is amended to read:
             587           17-27a-607. Dedication of streets and other public places.
             588          (1) [Plats, when made, acknowledged, and recorded] A plat that is signed, dedicated,
             589      and acknowledged by each owner of record, and approved according to the procedures
             590      specified in this part, [operate] operates, when recorded, as a dedication of all streets and other
             591      public places, and [vest] vests the fee of those parcels of land in the county for the public for
             592      the uses named or intended in [those plats] the plat.
             593          (2) The dedication established by this section does not impose liability upon the county
             594      for streets and other public places that are dedicated in this manner but are unimproved.
             595          Section 16. Section 17-27a-608 is amended to read:
             596           17-27a-608. Vacating or changing a subdivision plat.
             597          (1) (a) Subject to Section 17-27a-609.5 , and provided that notice has been given
             598      pursuant to local ordinance and Section 17-27a-208 , the land use authority may, with or
             599      without a petition, consider and resolve any proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment of a
             600      subdivision plat, any portion of a subdivision plat, or any lot, street, or easement contained in a
             601      subdivision plat.
             602          (b) If a petition is filed, the land use authority shall hold a public hearing within 45
             603      days after the petition is filed or, if applicable, within 45 days after receipt of the planning
             604      commission's recommendation under Subsection (2), if:
             605          (i) any owner within the plat notifies the county of [their] the owner's objection in
             606      writing within ten days of mailed notification; or
             607          (ii) [a public hearing is required because] all of the owners in the subdivision or the
             608      portion of the subdivision described in the partition have not signed the revised plat.
             609          (2) (a) (i) The planning commission shall consider and provide a recommendation for a
             610      proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment under Subsection (1)(a) before the land use
             611      authority takes final action.
             612          (ii) The planning commission shall give its recommendation within 30 days after the
             613      proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment is referred to it, or as that time period is
             614      extended by agreement with the applicant.


             615          (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply if the planning commission has been designated as
             616      the land use authority.
             617          (3) The public hearing requirement of Subsection (1)(b) does not apply and a land use
             618      authority may consider at a public meeting an owner's petition to alter a subdivision plat if:
             619          (a) the petition seeks to join two or more of the owner's contiguous, residential lots;
             620      and
             621          (b) notice has been given pursuant to local ordinance.
             622          (4) Each request to vacate or [alter] amend a street or alley, contained in a petition to
             623      vacate[, alter,] or amend a subdivision plat, is also subject to Section 17-27a-609.5 .
             624          (5) Any fee owner, as shown on the last county assessment rolls, of land within the
             625      subdivision that has been laid out and platted as provided in this part may, in writing, petition
             626      to have the plat, any portion of it, or any street or lot contained in it, vacated, altered, or
             627      amended as provided in this section and Section 17-27a-609.5 .
             628          (6) Each petition to vacate[, alter,] or amend an entire plat, a portion of a plat, or a
             629      street or lot contained in a plat shall include:
             630          (a) the name and address of all owners of record of the land contained in the entire plat
             631      or on that portion of the plat described in the petition;
             632          (b) the name and address of all owners of record of land adjacent to any street that is
             633      proposed to be vacated[, altered,] or amended; and
             634          (c) the signature of each of these owners who consents to the petition.
             635          (7) (a) The owners of record of adjacent parcels that are described by either a metes
             636      and bounds description or a recorded plat may exchange title to portions of those parcels if the
             637      exchange of title is approved by the land use authority in accordance with Subsection (7)(b).
             638          (b) The land use authority shall approve an exchange of title under Subsection (7)(a) if
             639      the exchange of title will not result in a violation of any land use ordinance.
             640          (c) If an exchange of title is approved under Subsection (7)(b):
             641          (i) a notice of approval shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder which:
             642          (A) is executed by each owner included in the exchange and by the land use authority;
             643          (B) contains an acknowledgment for each party executing the notice in accordance with
             644      the provisions of Title 57, Chapter 2a, Recognition of Acknowledgments Act; and
             645          (C) recites the descriptions of both the original parcels and the parcels created by the


             646      exchange of title; and
             647          (ii) a conveyance of title reflecting the approved change shall be recorded in the office
             648      of the county recorder.
             649          (d) A notice of approval recorded under this Subsection (7):
             650          (i) does not act as a conveyance of title to real property; and
             651          (ii) is not required [for the recording of] in order to record a document [purporting to
             652      convey] conveying title to real property.
             653          (8) (a) The name of a recorded subdivision may be changed by recording an amended
             654      plat making that change, as provided in this section and subject to Subsection (8)(c).
             655          (b) The surveyor preparing the amended plat shall certify that the surveyor:
             656          (i) holds a license in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and
             657      Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
             658          (ii) has completed a survey of the property described on the plat in accordance with
             659      Section 17-23-17 and has verified all measurements; and
             660          (iii) has placed monuments as represented on the plat.
             661          (c) An owner of land may not submit for recording an amended plat that gives the
             662      subdivision described in the amended plat the same name as a subdivision in a plat already
             663      recorded in the county recorder's office.
             664          (d) Except as provided in Subsection (8)(a), the recording of a declaration or other
             665      document that purports to change the name of a recorded plat is voidable.
             666          Section 17. Section 17-27a-609 is amended to read:
             667           17-27a-609. Land use authority consideration of petition to vacate or change a
             668      plat -- Criteria for vacating or changing a plat -- Recording the vacation or change.
             669          (1) If the land use authority is satisfied that neither the public interest nor any person
             670      will be materially injured by the proposed vacation[, alteration,] or amendment, and that there
             671      is good cause for the vacation[, alteration,] or amendment, the land use authority may vacate[,
             672      alter,] or amend the plat or any portion of the plat, subject to Section 17-27a-609.5 .
             673          (2) The land use authority may approve the vacation[, alteration,] or amendment by
             674      signing an amended plat showing the vacation[, alteration,] or amendment.
             675          (3) The land use authority shall ensure that the amended plat showing the vacation[,
             676      alteration,] or amendment is recorded in the office of the county recorder in which the land is


             677      located.
             678          [(4) If an entire subdivision is vacated, the legislative body shall ensure that a
             679      legislative body resolution containing a legal description of the entire vacated subdivision is
             680      recorded in the county recorder's office.]
             681          (4) A legislative body may vacate a subdivision or a portion of a subdivision by
             682      recording in the county recorder's office an ordinance describing the subdivision or the portion
             683      being vacated.
             684          (5) An amended plat may not be submitted to the county recorder for recording unless
             685      it is signed, acknowledged, and dedicated by each owner of record of the portion of the plat
             686      that is amended.
             687          (6) A management committee may sign and dedicate an amended plat as provided in
             688      Title 57, Chapter 8, Condominium Ownership Act.
             689          (7) A plat may be corrected as provided in Section 57-3-106 .
             690          Section 18. Section 17-27a-609.5 is amended to read:
             691           17-27a-609.5. Vacating or amending a street, alley, or easement.
             692          (1) (a) If a petition is submitted containing a request to vacate or [alter] amend any
             693      portion of a street [or], alley [within a subdivision], or easement:
             694          (i) the planning commission shall, after providing notice pursuant to local ordinance
             695      and Section 17-27a-208 , make a recommendation to the land use authority concerning the
             696      request to vacate or [alter] amend; and
             697          (ii) the land use authority shall hold a public hearing in accordance with Section
             698      17-27a-208 and determine whether good cause exists for the vacation or [alteration]
             699      amendment.
             700          (b) Subsection (1)(a)(i) does not apply if the planning commission has been designated
             701      as a land use authority.
             702          (2) If the land use authority vacates or [alters] amends any portion of a street [or], alley,
             703      or easement, the land use authority shall ensure that the plat is recorded in the office of the
             704      recorder of the county in which the land is located.
             705          (3) A legislative body may vacate some or all of a street, alley, or easement by
             706      recording in the county recorder's office an ordinance containing a legal description of the
             707      vacated street, alley, or easement or the vacated portion of the street, alley, or easement, as the


             708      case may be.
             709          [(3)] (4) The action of the land use authority vacating or [narrowing] amending a street
             710      [or], alley, or easement that has been dedicated to public use shall operate to the extent to
             711      which it is vacated or [narrowed] amended, upon the effective date of the vacating plat, as a
             712      revocation of the acceptance thereof, and the relinquishment of the county's fee therein, but the
             713      right-of-way and easements therein, if any, of any lot owner and the franchise rights of any
             714      public utility may not be impaired thereby.
             715          Section 19. Section 38-9-1 is amended to read:
             716           38-9-1. Definitions.
             717          As used in this chapter:
             718          (1) "Interest holder" means a person who holds or possesses a present, lawful property
             719      interest in certain real property, including an owner, title holder, mortgagee, trustee, or
             720      beneficial owner.
             721          (2) "Lien claimant" means a person claiming an interest in real property who offers a
             722      document for recording [or filing] with any county recorder in the state asserting a lien, or
             723      notice of interest, or other claim of interest in certain real property.
             724          (3) "Owner" means a person who has a vested ownership interest in certain real
             725      property.
             726          (4) "Record interest holder" means a person who holds or possesses a present, lawful
             727      property interest in certain real property, including an owner, titleholder, mortgagee, trustee, or
             728      beneficial owner, and whose name and interest in that real property appears in the county
             729      recorder's records for the county in which the property is located.
             730          (5) "Record owner" means an owner whose name and ownership interest in certain real
             731      property is recorded [or filed] in the county recorder's records for the county in which the
             732      property is located.
             733          (6) "Wrongful lien" means any document that purports to create a lien, notice of
             734      interest, or encumbrance on an owner's interest in certain real property and at the time it is
             735      recorded [or filed] is not:
             736          (a) expressly authorized by this chapter or another state or federal statute;
             737          (b) authorized by or contained in an order or judgment of a court of competent
             738      jurisdiction in the state; or


             739          (c) signed by or authorized pursuant to a document signed by the owner of the real
             740      property.
             741          Section 20. Section 38-9-3 is amended to read:
             742           38-9-3. County recorder may reject wrongful lien within scope of employment --
             743      Good faith requirement.
             744          (1) A county recorder may reject recording of a lien if the county recorder determines
             745      the lien is a wrongful lien as defined in Section 38-9-1 . If the county recorder rejects the
             746      document, the county recorder shall immediately return the original document together with a
             747      notice that the document was rejected pursuant to this section to the person attempting to
             748      record [or file] the document or to the address provided on the document.
             749          (2) A county recorder who, within the scope of the county recorder's employment,
             750      rejects or accepts a document for recording [or filing] in good faith under this section may not
             751      be liable for damages [except as otherwise provided by law].
             752          (3) If a rejected document is later found to be recordable pursuant to a court order, it
             753      shall have no retroactive recording priority.
             754          (4) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person from pursuing any remedy
             755      pursuant to Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 65A, Injunctions.
             756          Section 21. Section 38-9-4 is amended to read:
             757           38-9-4. Civil liability for filing wrongful lien -- Damages.
             758          (1) A lien claimant who records [or files] or causes a wrongful lien as defined in
             759      Section 38-9-1 to be recorded [or filed] in the office of the county recorder against real
             760      property is liable to a record interest holder for any actual damages proximately caused by the
             761      wrongful lien.
             762          (2) If the person in violation of Subsection (1) refuses to release or correct the wrongful
             763      lien within ten days from the date of written request from a record interest holder of the real
             764      property delivered personally or mailed to the last-known address of the lien claimant, the
             765      person is liable to that record interest holder for $3,000 or for treble actual damages, whichever
             766      is greater, and for reasonable attorney fees and costs.
             767          (3) A person is liable to the record owner of real property for $10,000 or for treble
             768      actual damages, whichever is greater, and for reasonable attorney fees and costs, who records
             769      [or files] or causes to be recorded [or filed] a wrongful lien as defined in Section 38-9-1 in the


             770      office of the county recorder against the real property, knowing or having reason to know that
             771      the document:
             772          (a) is a wrongful lien;
             773          (b) is groundless; or
             774          (c) contains a material misstatement or false claim.


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