Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Highland public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in zoning
Ridgeview privacy fence setbacks
Ridgeview's tiny corner lots (some 0.117 acres) were losing a third to half their side yards to the citywide 14-foot fence setback. The council carved out an exception for the smaller pods so families can fence their yards, while keeping the rule on estate lots.
Building height measurement on sloped lots
Highland currently measures height from finished grade at the foundation, letting builders pile up dirt and build taller homes. The proposed fix measures from top back of curb or existing grade, closing a loophole neighbors have noticed.
Detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) rules
Highland is writing the rules for backyard cottages — who can build them, how big, how close to your fence, and whether they can be rented. The trade-off is between helping longtime residents downsize in place and protecting neighbors' privacy from two-story units close to the property line.
Detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs)
State law forces Highland to allow detached ADUs — granny flats, garage apartments — on lots of a quarter acre or larger by October. The commission is shaping the local rules: about 1,250 square feet max, tied to lot coverage, accessory-structure setbacks, and no new impact fees.
Dog training business in R-140 zone
A dog training business got citywide zoning approval with fencing, hour limits, a cap on dogs and a new on-site parking/20-trip amendment to protect R-140 neighborhoods from future drive-in operations.
Decks and covered patios in setbacks
Current rules force backyard decks and covered patios in open-space neighborhoods to meet full house setbacks, so many residents skip permits or build illegally. The proposed fix lets ground-level, two-thirds-open covered patios sit closer to the fence — but existing decks built out of code won't be grandfathered.
State-law conforming code amendments for planning process
Utah's 2026 land use bills changed the rules: new zone uses are now council-only legislative decisions, and planning commissioners face new requirements for removal causes, recusal, and training. The commission recommended the council adopt both changes — mostly housekeeping, but it affects how land use decisions get appealed and who decides them.
Density rounding rule for R-140 lots
A resident applicant asked the city to round lot counts up instead of down, which would give his cul-de-sac parcel six lots instead of five. Commissioners worried about eroding a rule they deliberately set in 2022 and about one-off code tweaks. It goes to the City Council anyway on April 20.
Daycares and home occupations in residential neighborhoods
Highland's rules for daycares, music lessons, swim lessons, and other home businesses were confusing and inconsistent between zones. The fix sets clear traffic and parking standards and allows these uses on lots of at least a sixth of an acre — a win for young families in newer neighborhoods like Ridgeview.