UtahUtah sets wildfire code and map rules for local governments
Utah's law sets a minimum risk level for designated wildfire areas, allows local code adoption, and starts annual county fees in 2027.
What it does
Local agencies may adopt the 2024 wildfire building code, with changes approved by the state forestry division, as a local construction standard.
Designated wildfire interface areas must meet at least risk category 5 on Utah's wildfire risk map unless the state forestry division approves a lower score.
Starting in 2027, county officers assess an annual fee on owners of high-risk wildfire-interface property and send the remaining money to the state wildfire fund after covering county costs.
The state forestry division gives counties wildfire risk maps and explanations, then gives affected counties a chance to suggest changes before it expands a high-risk boundary.
Argument forCounty review of expanding high-risk map boundaries may help the state consider local concerns before adopting a change.
Argument againstOwners of high-risk property may face an annual fee, adding a cost even though counties keep only enough to cover their own costs.
More detail
The law adopts the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code as a standard local agencies may adopt. The code provides construction standards for areas where homes and wildland meet. Local agencies may adopt the code by ordinance or similar action, with alternatives or changes approved by the state forestry division. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
Designated wildland-urban interface areas must meet at least risk category 5 on Utah's wildfire risk map. The minimum applies to designated areas under the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. The state forestry division may approve a lower risk category. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
County officers assess an annual fee on owners of high-risk wildfire-interface property and send the fee to the state wildfire fund after keeping enough to cover county costs. The fee applies to high-risk wildfire-interface property in incorporated and unincorporated parts of a county. The state forestry division sets the fee amount. Counties may keep only the portion needed to pay their costs. The annual fee requirement begins January 1, 2027.
The state forestry division provides counties with wildfire risk maps and explanations, accepts county suggestions, and responds to those suggestions. The duties concern counties affected by the state's online wildfire risk map. For a later map change that expands a high-risk boundary, the division must notify each affected county at least 60 days before adopting it. A county may send written suggestions within 30 days after receiving the map and explanation. The division must adopt suggestions or explain in writing any changes or rejections. For the map in use before May 6, 2026, the division must provide each county a copy and explanation by August 6, 2026. Later boundary expansions require at least 60 days' advance notice.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 6House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 6Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 5Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 5Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 4House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 4House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 4Senate/ to House
- Mar 4Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 4Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 3House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 2House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 2Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 2Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Mar 2Senate/ substituted
- Mar 2Senate/ uncircled
- Feb 28LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0041S03
- Feb 28LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0041S03
- Feb 27LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0041S03
- Feb 27LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0041S03
- Feb 27Senate/ circled
- Feb 27Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 26Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 25Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Minor
- Feb 24Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Minor
- Feb 20Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Minor
- Feb 18Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 18Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 18House/ to Senate
- Feb 18House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 10LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0041S02
- Feb 10LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0041S02
- Feb 10House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]
- Feb 10House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]Minor
- Feb 10House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]Major
- Feb 9LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0041S02
- Feb 9LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0041S02
- Jan 23LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0041S01
- Jan 23LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0041S01
- Jan 22House Comm - Not Considered [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]
- Jan 22LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0041S01
- Jan 22LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0041S01
- Jan 21House/ lifted from calendar sent to standing comm [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]
- Jan 21House/ circled
- Jan 21House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 20House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 20House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 14House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0041
- Jan 5LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0041
- 2025
- Dec 19LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0041
- Dec 19LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0041
- Dec 19Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 19Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
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