Herriman requires city permits and 250-foot setbacks for blasting near homes

The vote

Herriman will require a city permit for blasting and bar blasts within 250 feet of occupied buildings under an ordinance the City Council passed 4-0 on Nov. 10, with one member absent. ^[1][2][3]

Blasting has become more frequent in southeast Herriman as development moves into rocky, hilly ground and new subdivisions reach existing homes, city staff said. They told the council that one recent blast was less than 200 feet from the property lines of nearby homes and that residents had complained to staff and council members. ^[1][2]

Why the city acted

Until now, blasters needed only the operational blasting permit that state law requires from the Unified Fire Authority. City Manager Nathan Cherpeski said neighbor notice had worked on an honor system and that the city needed rules it could enforce. Staff said the ordinance is modeled largely on Eagle Mountain's. ^[1][2]

What the rules require

Under the new Chapter 4-8 of city code, blasting is limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. It is barred on weekends, on federal and state holidays and when lightning is detected within five miles. Operators must notify owners and residents within a quarter mile by mail at least 10 days ahead or by hand at least seven days ahead. They must also offer a pre-blast survey to owners and occupants of buildings within 600 feet, which gives a record of a home's condition in case of later damage claims. ^[1][2]

The rules set ground-vibration limits that are strictest closest to the blast and cap airblast at 133 decibels at the nearest occupied building. Seismograph records are due to the city within five business days of each blast. Blasts within 500 feet of a public road require a 300-foot exclusion zone, flaggers and 48 hours' notice to police and emergency services. Violations are a class B misdemeanor, with each blast counted as a separate offense. ^[2]

Next steps

Cherpeski said the city had already met with the main blasting operators and would mail the rules to developers and the city's one gravel pit operator. Staff said the city would likely need to create a permit application form and would generally treat a home as occupied once it has a certificate of occupancy. ^[1]