Special Assessment Areas

What is a Special Assessment Area (SAA)?

A Special Assessment Area (SAA) is a defined geographic zone where property owners pool money to pay for improvements, services, or activities that go beyond what Salt Lake City provides on its own. SAAs are authorized under Utah state law, which gives local governments the authority to create and manage assessment areas at the request of property owners. (Utah Code Title 11, Chapter 42: Assessment Area Act)

The City manages the administrative process, but the property owners start the process. To create an SAA, owners representing at least 60% of the total property value in the proposed area must agree to pay a shared fee called a ‘Self-Assessment.’

Property types eligible for assessment: 

• Commercial
• Industrial 
• Multifamily housing with more than 4 units

SAAs can last up to five years. Most property owners choose a three-year term so they can revisit the plan as the area changes and property values shift.

How Is the Assessment Calculated?

Property owners who propose the assessment create an estimated budget for the improvements or services. The City then offers different ways to calculate the assessment—such as by property value, lot size, frontage, or a mix of these. No more than 30% of the budget can go toward administrative costs.

What can SAA funds be used for?

Special assessment funds can be used for one of three categories:

• Economic Promotion
  • Sponsoring festivals and markets
  • Promoting business investment or activities
  • Helping to coordinate public and private actions
  • Developing and issuing publications designed to improve economic well-being
• Improvements
  • Enhancing public infrastructure, facilities, or systems
  • Environmental remediation activities
• Operations and Maintenance
  • Any costs the city has for operating and maintaining improvements in an area
  • Includes service charges, administrative costs, and ongoing maintenance charges

How is an SAA Created?

Step 1 — Letter of Interest

Property owners or community groups submit a Letter of Interest to Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. The letter must include a proposed boundary, budget, and description of services.

Step 2 — Intent to Designate

The City mails a notice to all property owners in the proposed area. Commercial property owners have 60 days to formally protest. The City Council then holds a public hearing and votes on whether to move forward.

Step 3 — Board of Equalization

The City mails estimated assessment amounts to property owners and schedules three hearings. At these hearings, owners can request changes to their individual assessment if they feel the amount doesn’t match the benefits they’d receive.

Step 4 — Area Approval

The City Council adopts the Assessment Ordinance, making the SAA official. Property owners then receive their final assessment notices and invoices.

Central Business Improvement Area (CBIA)

Salt Lake City’s oldest SAA is called the Central Business Improvement Area (CBIA), established in 1991. It covers the downtown core and focuses on economic promotion.

Services include, but are not limited to, advertising and marketing, special events, festivals, transportation, banners, holiday lighting, homeless services, security, housing, town meetings, government policy, cultural promotion, and trash pickup.

CBIA 2025 Financial Reports