Utah Code § 57-20 § 57-20-1
Rent and fee control prohibition.
Operative Text
Rent and fee control prohibition. (1) A county, city, or town may not enact an ordinance or resolution that would control rents or fees on private residential property unless it has the express approval of the Legislature. (2) This section does not impair the right of a state agency, county, city, or town to enforce its zoning, building, and planning authority.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-20-1 establishes a statewide prohibition on local rent and fee control measures. Under this provision, no county, city, or town in Utah may pass an ordinance or resolution capping rents or fees on private residential property unless the state Legislature has expressly authorized it to do so. The provision carves out an exception, making clear that local governments retain their standard zoning, building, and planning enforcement powers.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-20-1 means that, as a practical matter, no Utah municipality can impose rent caps or fee limits on private residential properties without explicit legislative approval from the state. Compliant operators in Utah generally do not need to track local rent-control ordinances, since such ordinances are prohibited under this provision. Landlords operating across multiple jurisdictions should still monitor any future changes to state legislative authorization, as that remains the only pathway through which local rent control could become valid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-20-1 means that tenants in Utah currently have no local rent-control or fee-control protections, because municipalities are barred from enacting such measures without express state legislative approval. If a local government were to attempt to enforce a rent or fee control ordinance, this provision would be a relevant legal basis for challenging its validity. Tenants seeking to understand their rights under this framework may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Utah housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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