Every division of land in Washington Terrace runs through Title 16 of the Washington Terrace Municipal Code (Subdivisions), which was reenacted by Ordinance 24-03 on April 2, 2024. This page is a plain-language civic summary; the ordinance text controls.
In 2023 the Utah Legislature passed S.B. 174, Local Land Use and Development Revisions. Its subdivision rules are now in Utah Code Title 10, Chapter 20, Part 8. For subdivisions of single-family homes, two-family homes and townhomes, Section 10-20-805 requires a city’s subdivision ordinance to name a single administrative land use authority for preliminary applications. That can be city staff or the planning commission, but not the city council or a council member. The authority may hold no more than one public hearing on a preliminary application, and a city’s review of the final plat may not require planning commission or city council approval. Section 10-20-806 limits review of subdivision improvement plans to four review cycles.
Who decides
Section 16.01.030 defines the “Administrative Land Use Authority” in two parts:
- The Planning Commission is the approval authority for the preliminary plat (16.01.030 and 16.03.030).
- The City Engineer is the approval authority for the final plat (16.01.030 and 16.05.040).
Technical review happens through “Development Review,” defined as the process by which the City Engineer receives comment from city and county officials and reviews the documents (16.01.030). The City Council does not vote on individual plats under Title 16. The review-cycle rules in 16.01.030 apply to single-family, townhome and twin-home applications; review times may vary for multifamily, commercial and other non-residential applications.
The steps
- Complete application (16.03.010). The first review cycle does not begin until the Public Works Director or designee finds the application complete. The list includes the city application, an owner-agent affidavit if needed, a current Weber County ownership plat, a recent title report, will-serve letters from affected entities, a digital preliminary plat, preliminary improvement plans (grading and drainage, storm drain calculations, low impact design analysis and a utility plan) and payment of fees.
- Preliminary plat (16.03.020 and 16.03.030). The engineered preliminary plat is reviewed in 15-business-day review cycles (16.01.030). After the review cycle, the Planning Commission “shall meet and act on the complete application and preliminary plat,” and the city sends a notice of action with the decision.
- Final plat (16.05.010 through 16.05.040). The applicant files the final plat, construction drawings and supporting documents. Development Review completes each review within 20 business days, with no more than four review cycles (16.01.030). If the plat conforms, “the City Engineer may approve the final plat by signing the same” (16.05.010).
- Security and recording (16.05.040 and 16.05.050). The City Engineer sets a cost estimate for improvements, and the applicant deposits security plus a contingency of at least 10 percent. No lots may be sold and no buildings started until the final plat is approved and recorded at the county.
Where to find the agenda and how to comment
The Planning Commission holds its 2026 regular meetings on the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 5249 South 400 East, according to the city’s 2026 annual meeting schedule; the November and December dates are listed separately in that notice. Agendas, minutes and packets are posted on the city’s City Council, Planning Commission and Public Notices page and on the Utah Public Notice Website page for the Washington Terrace Planning Commission.
Title 16 does not require a public hearing on a plat. If a preliminary plat is on a Planning Commission agenda, residents can attend the meeting, and written questions can go to City Hall at 801-393-8681 before the meeting. An agenda item is not a final approval.
What preliminary approval does and does not mean
Under Section 16.03.030, notice of action on the preliminary plan is authorization for the applicant to prepare the final plat and improvement specifications. Preliminary approval is valid for six months; if the final plat is not submitted within that time, the plat must be updated and returned to the Planning Commission for reapproval. No excavation, fill or grading may take place until after preliminary approval. A subdivision is complete only when the City Engineer has approved the final plat and it is recorded at the county (16.05.040). Section 16.09.010 states that no city permit or license may issue until the approved subdivision is recorded.
Timelines and fees
Timelines in Title 16: 15-business-day review cycles for the preliminary plat, 20-business-day review cycles for the final plat with a four-cycle limit, and six-month validity for preliminary approval. If an applicant takes more than 20 business days to submit a revised plat, the city has an additional 20 business days to respond (16.01.030). Applicants also reimburse the city for review, approval and inspection costs (16.05.040).
The city’s Consolidated Fee Schedule for FY 2026-27 (Resolution 26-08) lists these planning fees, plus additional review costs in excess of the minimum where applicable:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Subdivision and engineer review | $495 + $60 per lot |
| Planning Commission review | $495 |
| Development review fee | $200 |
| Subdivision off-site improvement inspection | Actual cost |
Confirm current amounts with City Hall before filing.
Frequently asked questions
Who approves a final plat in Washington Terrace?
The City Engineer. Section 16.01.030 of the Washington Terrace Municipal Code makes the Planning Commission the approval authority for the preliminary plat and the City Engineer the approval authority for the final plat.
How long is a preliminary plat approval valid in Washington Terrace?
Six months. Under Section 16.03.030, if the final plat is not submitted within six months of Planning Commission approval, the plat must be updated and resubmitted for reapproval.
What does Washington Terrace charge to review a subdivision?
The city’s FY 2026-27 Consolidated Fee Schedule lists subdivision and engineer review at $495 plus $60 per lot, plus additional review costs in excess of the minimum where applicable.
Sources
- Washington Terrace Municipal Code, Title 16 (Subdivisions)
- Washington Terrace Consolidated Fee Schedule FY 2026-27
- Washington Terrace 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule
- Washington Terrace City Council, Planning Commission and Public Notices
- Utah Public Notice Website: Washington Terrace Planning Commission
- Utah Legislature: S.B. 174 (2023), Local Land Use and Development Revisions
- Utah Code Section 10-20-805, Process for subdivision review and approval
- Utah Code Section 10-20-806, Review of subdivision applications and subdivision improvement plans
Last reviewed October 2026.