Salt Lake City Planning Commission Advances Housing Options Plan
The Salt Lake City Planning Commission has advanced a proposed zoning update that would give property owners in lower-density neighborhoods more flexibility to build smaller homes and other forms of housing.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously on September 23, 2026, to move the city’s Expanding Housing Options (EHO) proposal forward with a positive recommendation to the Salt Lake City City Council. The proposal is a citywide zoning text amendment focused on the R-1, R-2, SR-1 and SR-1A residential districts.
Planning Commission Gives Green Light
The Expanding Housing Options proposal would establish zoning standards for a new Small Lot Dwellings housing category. The city’s draft ordinance sets a minimum lot area of 2,000 square feet per dwelling unit and would allow several smaller-scale housing configurations under specified zoning standards.
Salt Lake City Planning describes the initiative as a way to create “gentle infill” opportunities in lower-density neighborhoods. The proposal is intended to provide additional housing choices while maintaining neighborhood characteristics rather than requiring property owners to redevelop their lots.
The proposal has been under consideration for much of 2026, including work sessions and public hearings before the Planning Commission. City records identify the measure as Petition PLNPCM2025-01184.
What the Changes Could Mean for Property Owners
If ultimately adopted by the City Council, the zoning changes could give eligible property owners more options for using their lots, including opportunities for smaller-scale residential development that may not currently be permitted under existing zoning rules.
The city says the initiative is designed to provide more housing choices in established neighborhoods. It does not require property owners to build new housing; instead, it would expand the types of residential development that may be allowed under the zoning code.
For homeowners, that could create additional possibilities when considering future redevelopment, lot configuration or the addition of housing units. However, any project would still need to comply with the applicable zoning, building and development standards.
Housing Supply and Affordability
The proposal is part of Salt Lake City’s broader effort to expand housing choices as the city addresses housing availability and affordability.
The city has also been pursuing other housing initiatives, including funding for affordable housing development and homeownership. In August, the Community Reinvestment Agency announced $7 million in additional funding for affordable housing development and homeownership programs.
The EHO proposal takes a different approach by changing the underlying zoning rules so that more types of smaller-scale housing can potentially be developed in lower-density areas.
Salt Lake City Planning says the goal is to make it easier for property owners to create housing options such as smaller homes and townhomes while retaining the character of existing neighborhoods.
Community Concerns and Next Steps
The proposal has generated public discussion about how additional housing could affect neighborhood character, development patterns and infrastructure. City records show that the Planning Commission has received public comments throughout the process, including during its September hearings.
The September 23 meeting was a continuation of the public hearing process. Following the commission’s unanimous vote, the proposal moves to the Salt Lake City Council, which will conduct its own review before deciding whether to adopt the zoning amendments.
Because the City Council has not yet adopted the proposal, the changes should not be treated as current zoning rules.
Practical Takeaway
For Salt Lake City homeowners, developers and prospective buyers, the Expanding Housing Options proposal is worth watching because it could broaden the types of housing that may be developed on qualifying residential properties.
The most important next step is the City Council’s review and final decision. Until the council adopts the ordinance, property owners should continue to rely on the city’s existing zoning requirements when evaluating what can currently be built on a property.
Key Point
Salt Lake City’s Planning Commission has recommended moving forward with the Expanding Housing Options zoning update, but the proposal is not yet final law. The City Council will determine whether the proposed changes become part of the city’s zoning code.