Salt Lake City considers zoning change to allow more housing types across a third of the city
Rule Changes Salt Lake City, UT localProposal would let homeowners build second homes, duplexes, and small four-unit buildings in six residential zones
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Overview
Updated 54 minutes agoSalt Lake City's median home price has climbed 73% since 2017 to nearly $565,500. A household now needs more than $150,000 in income to secure a mortgage — double the city's median salary.
The city council is weighing a zoning change that would let homeowners on roughly 33,000 large residential lots build second homes, duplexes, triplexes, and small four-unit townhomes. It would apply across a third of the city's land without rezoning anything. City planners say it restores the housing mix Salt Lake City had in the 1920s, before single-family-only zoning took over.
Why it matters
If the zoning change passes, thousands of Salt Lake City households priced out of homeownership could find options in neighborhoods they can't afford.
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People Involved
Organizations Involved
The city's elected legislative body, which initiated the proposed zoning amendment in fall 2025.
The city agency that drafted the 'Expanding Housing Options' zoning amendment.
Nonpartisan research group studying how land-use rules shape housing supply and affordability.
Timeline
January 1920 September 2026
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Second-home construction becomes focus
Today PolicyKSL reports the zoning ordinance would ease second-home construction on larger residential lots.
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Proposal details reach the public
StatementPlanners present 'Expanding Housing Options' affecting 33,000 properties across a third of the city.
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City Council initiates zoning amendment
PolicyCouncil directed planners to draft rules allowing more housing types in six residential zones.
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Home prices begin steep climb
MarketMedian home price starts rising toward its 2022 peak, up 73% by late 2025.
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Original zoning code permits diverse housing
PolicySalt Lake City's early code allowed varied housing types before density limits were added.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
Minneapolis 2040 Plan (2018)
Minneapolis became the first major U.S. city to end single-family zoning, allowing up to three housing units on any residential lot.
The plan passed the city council 12-3 and withstood a court challenge from opponents.
Inspired zoning reforms in Oregon, California, Washington, and cities nationwide.
Shows a single city can unwind single-family zoning and that the approach survives political and legal challenges.
Oregon House Bill 2001 (2019)
Oregon banned single-family-only zoning statewide, allowing duplexes in cities over 10,000 and fourplexes in the largest cities.
Passed with bipartisan support and survived a referendum challenge.
Set a precedent for statewide middle-housing mandates later copied by California and Washington.
Demonstrates the same zoning mechanism Salt Lake City wants, applied at a larger, statewide scale.
Durham, North Carolina middle housing (2010s-2020s)
Durham relaxed rules on smaller homes and middle housing, and its home costs run $250,000 to $300,000 below median prices in cities without such reforms.
Infill development spread through established neighborhoods.
Durham is now cited by Salt Lake City planners as evidence that zoning reform lowers costs.
This is the direct model Salt Lake City planners say they want to replicate.
