Utah Governor Considers State Preemption to Address 50,000-Home Shortfall

Salt Lake City, Utah – Governor Spencer Cox of Utah is contemplating the use of state preemption to override local zoning ordinances, a move aimed at accelerating the construction of higher-density housing to combat the state's severe housing affordability crisis. This potential policy shift, which would allow for smaller, more affordable units regardless of city-specific rules, underscores a growing tension between state-level housing goals and local control across the nation. The governor's consideration comes as Utah faces a projected shortfall of 50,000 homes within the next decade, with median home prices nearing $600,000.

The state's housing market is currently deemed "extremely unaffordable," with only 9% of non-homeowners able to afford a median-priced house. Governor Cox has emphasized a "supply, supply, supply" strategy, aiming to catalyze the construction of 35,000 starter homes. While he prefers voluntary reform from municipalities, he stated, "Is preemption still on the table? The answer is, yes, it has to be. I don’t want to go the preemption route, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t on the table."

This aggressive approach has met with significant pushback from local leaders and residents who champion local control and express "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) sentiments. Local GOP chairs, such as Cristy Henshaw of Utah County and Mike Carey of Salt Lake County, have framed the debate as state overreach, arguing that housing prices are influenced by broader market forces beyond zoning laws. They warn that densification could erode the unique character of Utah's communities.

The situation in Utah reflects a broader national trend where local opposition, often termed NIMBYism, increasingly impacts various infrastructure and development projects. Commenting on this, Thomas Hochman stated on social media, > "I suspect that Gov. Cox’s threat to use state preemption to override local zoning is a harbinger of the coming fight in almost every state over almost every major infrastructure type in the coming decade. County-level NIMBY stuff is getting wilder than I think most even realize."

This struggle highlights the complex challenge of balancing community character and local autonomy with the urgent need for affordable housing and essential infrastructure. The outcome in Utah could set a precedent for how states navigate these conflicts in the coming years, as similar debates unfold across the country regarding housing, renewable energy, and other critical developments.