A Win for Small Business: SB 179 Streamlines Zoning for Utah’s Entrepreneurs

Navigating local zoning regulations is one of the biggest hurdles for residents with innovative business ideas. Whether it’s food trucks, microschools, agritourism, or cold plunge spas, new business ideas frequently run into zoning laws that delay or outright prohibit them from opening. This red tape stifles creativity and economic growth, leaving entrepreneurs struggling to turn their visions into reality.

However, with the passage of SB 179 — a bill we partnered with Senator Calvin Musselman and Representative Karen Peterson to pass this legislative session — Utah’s entrepreneurs and economy scored a significant victory.

SB 179 ensures that local governments establish a clear, predictable process for approving business types not covered by current zoning laws, reducing barriers for new and innovative business models.

The bill includes three key provisions:

• Shot Clock Mechanism – Cities and counties must review proposals for new business uses within a specific time frame, ensuring timely decisions on approval and determining appropriate zones for operation.
• Process Transparency – Local governments must codify a clear process for entrepreneurs to request a business classification or petition for a new business use.
• Ordinance Clarity – Zoning tables must reference the ordinance governing the addition of new business uses, making regulations more accessible and understandable for residents and business owners alike.

These reforms promote transparency, predictability, and economic opportunity, particularly benefiting those unfamiliar with land-use and zoning regulations. By streamlining the approval process for innovative businesses, SB 179 paves the way for a more dynamic and adaptable economy in our communities.

We commend the members of the Senate Business and Labor Committee and the House Political Subdivisions Committee for their careful consideration and unanimous support of the bill. We also applaud the House of Representatives and Senate for passing the bill without a single opposing vote. Lastly, we’d like to thank the Utah League of Cities and Towns for helping us ensure the particulars of the bill did not lead to an undue burden for local governments.