Local Land Use Modifications

HB 255 allows owners of at least 50 contiguous acres of agricultural land in Utah counties of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class to create new parcels without full subdivision approval. It exempts these parcels (minimum 1 acre, at least 500 feet from other such parcels) from standard plat requirements if the owner records a notice stating the parcel will remain exclusively for agricultural use. The bill requires the new parcel to qualify as agricultural land under existing law and prohibits non-agricultural use without triggering county subdivision rules. If used non-agriculturally, the exemption ends, and the parcel must comply with full subdivision ordinances. This directly affects agricultural landowners seeking to divide parcels while maintaining agricultural zoning.