The Council is considering a proposal to limit daily water use for all new non-residential land uses. The proposal would cap daily water use at 200,000 gallons for new non-residential properties. Essential community uses, like hospitals and schools, would be exempt from this limit.
This limit is already in effect temporarily and would become permanent if the Council approves the proposal before it expires on Sept. 20, 2026.
Next Steps
The Council will consider voting on this proposal at its Tuesday, Sept. 15 formal meeting. If you want to get latest updates, please sign up for the land use newsletter.
You can still share your thoughts at any time by emailing [email protected], calling 801-535-7654, or submitting your comments online.
What’s being proposed?
On March 24, 2026, the Council adopted a temporary land use regulation (TLUR)* in response to worsening drought and record-low snowfall. This rule:
- Set a daily water use limit of 200,000 gallons for new non-residential properties, such as offices, retail stores, and other commercial uses.
- Reduced the list of who is exempt from this limit.
The City is proposing to make these changes permanent. The change would set a maximum daily water use of 200,000 gallons for new non-residential properties.
The limit would not apply to the following:
- Hospitals,
- Schools,
- Places of worship,
- Farms and agricultural properties,
- Government facilities that mainly provide social services**
*A TLUR is a temporary rule that can last up to 180 days without going through the City’s usual public hearing process. It is usually used when there’s an emergency or a compelling reason requiring immediate action.
**Social services mean a land use that provides help for people who are in need of assistance with basic needs (such as food, housing, or job training) or with medical needs (such as addiction and mental illness).
Meeting Recaps
Aug. 18 Public Hearing
The Council accepted public comments on the proposal. During the hearing, one resident suggested setting the limit at 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per day.
July 21 Briefing
City staff gave an overview of the proposal to the Council. Council members discussed how the 200,000-gallon daily limit was determined, inquired about the exceptions, and requested that the definition of “social services” in the ordinance be updated.
Planning Commission Recommendation
On May 27, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approving the proposal.
For more information, view the meeting materials or watch the meeting.