Libertas Institute just released our first Libertas Insights/Overton Insights poll, gauging how Utahns feel about their state and various policy issues. You can explore the full results here.
Generally speaking, housing and property rights are an issue where you could put 50 people in a room and get 50 different recommendations. A recent Libertas Institute/Overton Insights poll, however, showed where Utahns stand when asked specific questions about what property owners should have the freedom to build. For example,
- 82% believe building a backyard cottage or converting a garage into a living space should be legal in Utah.
- 72% believe that a family should be able to divide their property into two and build a new home.
- 85% believe that a family should be allowed to operate a small, licensed daycare (up to 16 kids) out of their home if noise and health requirements were met.
These numbers show that Utahns, of all political persuasions, favor giving individual property owners more flexibility. Only 13% say the decision about ADUs and lot splits should be made by the city or localgovernment. By comparison, 33% say it should be made by the homeowner while 49% prefer a shared approach. In other words, most Utahns’ definition of “local control” is property-owner control, constrained by basic rules like parking and safety, rather than discretionary approval by government.
This suggests Utahns’ instincts largely align with our view that families should be free to make reasonable use of their property to meet housing needs and serve their neighborhoods.
