Certain Utah counties and municipalities can leave local service districts

County and municipal leaders can start leaving a garbage district by adopting a notice of intent. A county classified as first class can withdraw its areas outside municipalities. A municipality in such a county can withdraw itself from a district providing garbage collection and disposal. A written agreement setting withdrawal terms within 30 days of the district receiving notice avoids the study requirement. Otherwise, leaders must find the study favorable, accept its conditions, hold a public hearing, and adopt a resolution accepting those conditions. The consultant must finish the study and report within 90 days. The required hearing must occur within 60 days of report delivery. Leaders must adopt the withdrawal resolution within 60 days of the last hearing. They must cancel the process if they reject the study or decide against withdrawal. The law takes effect May 6, 2026. Withdrawal takes effect when the lieutenant governor issues a certificate confirming it.

A garbage district must pause borrowing and certain added financial commitments after receiving a withdrawal notice. This applies when a garbage district receives notice from a first-class county withdrawing its areas outside municipalities or a municipality within such a county. Ordinary daily operations can continue, including employee pay, replacement hires, and routine supply purchases. The restriction also covers commitments that increase the annual budget beyond expected population growth or inflation. The pause starts when the district receives notice. It ends when withdrawal is finalized, the notice is canceled, or one year passes, whichever happens first.

Local leaders can seek withdrawal from a district providing fire and emergency services or policing. A municipality must lie entirely inside the district. A first-class county can withdraw all its land outside municipalities only when that land lies entirely inside one district. Leaders must adopt a starting resolution and secure either a written agreement with the district or approval from a majority voting on withdrawal. An election requires a study finding withdrawal workable and affordable for both sides. Leaders must commit to any conditions needed for that finding. When a study is required, both sides select an independent consultant and share the consultant’s fees and costs equally. Withdrawal takes effect when the lieutenant governor issues a certificate, with any applicable conditions in the withdrawal resolution.

Municipal leaders must complete a study before starting withdrawal from a municipal services district, then put withdrawal to voters. This route covers municipalities entirely inside a municipal services district, a local body providing municipal services. A majority of those voting on withdrawal must approve it. Areas in legally classified converted municipalities cannot leave districts providing the covered non-emergency municipal services. The vote occurs at the next municipal general election more than 180 days after the starting resolution. Withdrawal takes effect when the lieutenant governor issues a certificate, with applicable resolution conditions.