Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Legislature takes small steps at easing housing restrictions, but no big action on affordability during 2025 session.
Urban Living
Posted By Babs De Lay on March 19, 2025, 4:00 AM
Now that our Legislature has met to do their dirty work for another year, there weren't too many bills to assist potential home buyers with much relief. A few bills passed and await the governor's signature, such as SB181, which prohibits cities from requiring that owner-occupied affordable housing be built with a garage, and SB23, which requires that 50% of homes built in the "First Home Investment Zone" to be owner-occupied.
Many other bills didn't gain enough support—like proposals that would allow homes to be built on lots smaller than 6,000 square feet, and another one allowing accessory dwelling units in urban residential areas.
I'm not seeing much evidence that what happened during the 45-day legislative session will make housing more affordable in our state. And there was no big funding boost to first-time buyer programs, like the failed HB286 that would have allocated revenue from state liquor sales to the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund.
In our state (like most others) we're experiencing a housing shortage. Builders have come forward in the past few years to address the shortage, in some cases by building smaller homes and working with lenders to offer reduced rates on mortgages.
Seniors who are downsizing want no-hassle living and look to options in the limited condo inventory here along the Wasatch Front. St. George has options for condos, but it's more common to see huge developments in Washington County of single-family homes with small "casitas" in the back yard for caretakers, renters or relatives to live in, separately from the seniors.
But builders in our larger cities typically don't have the option of adding two homes on one lot, as land is extremely limited and expensive here and zoning largely prohibits accessory dwelling units. It makes more sense under the current laws to develop higher-density projects, such as side-by-side townhomes, and it's easier to get funding for apartment projects than condo projects.
Speaking of condos, did you know that the very first units ever built in the state (and mainland America) were in Sugar House? The Graystone Arms condos were built in the early 1960s here after a local attorney lobbied our Legislature to allow for his "ancient new idea" to allow for this unique kind of housing.
Keith Romney had visited Rome and learned of joint ownership dwellings and, soon after, the Legislature passed the condo bill and the rest is history. Within two weeks of offering the units (advertised with the promise of "No More Yardwork!"), 70% of them were under contract.
Romney became known as the condo king in Utah and he helped other developers who created Three Fountains in Murray (a Prowswood Development) and Treasure Mountain Inn on Main in Park City (Utah's first condominium hotel, also developed by Romney and his partners).
About The Author
Babs De Lay
A full-time broker/owner of Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Babs De Lay serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. A writer and golfer, you'll find them working as a staff guardian at the Temple at Burning Man each year.
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