The Salt Lake City Council recently approved changes to residential zoning rules as part of the "Affordable Housing Incentives" program, set to take effect on April 20, 2024. These changes are aimed at addressing the challenges posed by a shortage of affordable housing and escalating prices in both the rental and home-buying markets, these changes signal a significant step toward fostering healthier growth in the community. To do this, single-family zoning is now a thing of the past.
What Does That Mean Exactly?
Quadplexes, defined as single structures with four separate units, are now permitted in all residential zones in the city. Additionally, some areas may see an increase of one to three stories in building height, and in zones already allowing multi-family housing, more units can be added. The alterations also include reduced parking requirements and a more streamlined planning process.
How It Helps Housing Affordability
To gain approval under the new regulations, projects must meet affordability requirements, ensuring a specific number of new units fall below-defined area median income (AMI) thresholds. Other building requirements, such as setbacks, building heights, and lot coverage, remain applicable. These changes were not intended to eliminate single-family zoning but rather to encourage the development of diverse housing types that align with neighborhood characteristics and are more accessible in terms of affordability.
How Will This Impact My Community?
In parallel with these zoning changes,
Sara Hiatt, a Planning Commissioner for Salt Lake County and a real estate agent with Forty One Eleven Real Estate Group, contributes to discussions around healthy growth in the community. As a Planning Commissioner, Sara collaborates with planning agencies throughout the state, particularly in navigating the challenges posed by the landlocked nature of communities along the Wasatch Front, surrounded by mountain ranges. Salt Lake City is at the forefront of these zoning changes, but it is a model many surrounding communities are also considering.
The planning discussions in our community have emphasized the need to support healthy growth even though we are constrained by limited space. As sprawl becomes more costly in terms of maintenance, construction, and provision of services, the focus is shifting toward smaller homes located near public transportation hubs. Market data from these discussions highlights a growing demand for more sustainable and accessible communities.
As these changes unfold, the collective efforts aim to create a more sustainable and inclusive urban landscape in Salt Lake City, and potentially the surrounding communities in the upcoming future.
