Enforcement on work without a Certificate of Appropriateness
Fees, redevelopment limits and a reconstruction process for unlawful alteration or demolition of historic buildings, with a requirement to post demolition notices on site. Adopted as Ordinance 22 of 2024 on April 16, 2024.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Code change
- Location
- H Historic Preservation Overlay citywide
- Applicant
- Salt Lake City Planning Division
Every hearing and vote
April 2, 2024 · City Council
Administration statement on the unlawful demolition of the Fifth Ward House
Discussed
At Council Member Lopez Chavez's request, Chief of Staff Rachel Otto said the Fifth Ward House at 740 South 300 West, a local landmark since 1979, was being demolished without permits when the city got notice March 31, 2024. Staff issued a stop work order that day, and on April 1 civil enforcement issued notices for work without a certificate of appropriateness and without permits, each carrying a $100-a-day fine, with restoration of the demolished portion as the cure. The proposed text amendment would raise fees, remove economic hardship applications when demolition starts without a permit and bar redevelopment for 25 years unless the building is restored.
- Fines: $100 a day for each of two violations
April 2, 2024 · City Council
Consent agenda: hearing dates and Housing Authority appointment
Approved · 6-0
The Council approved the consent agenda except item G3, 6-0. It set April 16 hearings on historic district window requirements, the Connect SLC citywide transportation plan (replacing the 1996 plan, with five goals, eight key moves and over 60 actions) and enforcement on work without a certificate of appropriateness; set May 7 hearings on the Northpoint annexation initiation and MU-8 sign rules; and appointed Fraser Nelson to the Housing Authority of Salt Lake board. Item G3, setting a May 7 hearing on the Ballpark Station Area rezone and MU-8 zone, passed 5-0 with Council Member Mano abstaining.
- Item G3 (Ballpark Station Area hearing date): moved by Council Member Petro, seconded by Council Member Puy; 5-0, Council Member Darin Mano abstained
April 2, 2024 · City Council work session
Enforcement on work without a Certificate of Appropriateness (historic districts)
Discussed
City-initiated amendments would add enforcement tools for unlawful construction or demolition in the H Historic Preservation Overlay. They would limit redevelopment of a site for 25 years unless the building is reconstructed, set a reconstruction process and clarify economic hardship eligibility. New fees would include $250 a day for work without a certificate of appropriateness on demolition of a contributing structure or landmark, a boarded building fee raised from $1,560 to $14,000, a $14,850 enhanced fee for boarded contributing structures, a $250-a-day stop work fee and general fines of $50 to $200 a day. The Planning Commission recommended approval; the Historic Landmark Commission did too, with conditions to lengthen the 25-year limit to 50 years and explore a fee for vacant property. Council Member Mano suggested stricter standards for landmarks than for buildings in historic districts. Council Member Puy asked about preventing demolition by neglect; staff said a separate ordinance is in progress.
April 16, 2024 · City Council
Enforcement on work without a Certificate of Appropriateness
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 22 of 2024, adding enforcement tools for unlawful construction or demolition in the H Historic Preservation Overlay, and amended it to require the demolition notice be posted at the location. Council Member Wharton said the posting was to make sure the notice is actually received. Speakers urged compliance review, extending the boarded-building fee to empty lots around historic buildings, proactive preservation instead of demolition and funding choices.
- Ordinance 22 of 2024
May 7, 2024 · City Council
Legislative action: protection period for reconstructed historic buildings
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to start work on an ordinance changing the time a reconstructed historic building must be protected from 25 to 50 years.