Planning Commission Recommends Sweeping "Box Elder Together" Countywide Zoning Plan

Following months of public town halls across Brigham City and Tremonton, the Box Elder County Planning Commission voted on October 29, 2026, to recommend approval of the landmark "Box Elder Together" countywide zoning map amendments (Z26-026). The recommendation moves the transformative proposal to the Board of Box Elder County Commissioners for final review and anticipated adoption on November 17, 2026.

Historically, Box Elder County has stood as the only county in Utah with vast expanses of private, unincorporated land lacking any formal zoning designation—encompassing millions of acres across the county's rangelands, valleys, and west desert. The "Box Elder Together" initiative establishes predictable baseline rules designed to protect multi-generational farming traditions while managing rapid regional growth.

Under the recommended framework, the overwhelming majority of previously unzoned private acreage will receive the newly established Agricultural Heritage Zone (AHZ) classification. The AHZ designation is crafted specifically to preserve open spaces, agricultural uses, ranching operations, and critical water resources from unplanned sprawl. Meanwhile, strategic parcels along existing transportation corridors and utility infrastructure are designated for General Industrial (M-G) use to ensure future economic development is orderly and well-buffered from rural residential areas.

"This is a planning process, and our job is to make sure property owners and residents have good information about what is being proposed and why," noted Scott Lyons, Box Elder County Community Development Director. "We want people to look at the maps, ask questions and provide feedback. Public participation is an important part of implementing a plan that works for Box Elder County."

The proposal delivers on the community vision first outlined in the county's 2021 General Plan, where 92% of surveyed residents expressed strong support for preserving agriculture and 81% favored directing growth toward existing municipalities. Residents and property owners can view interactive parcel maps and submit comments online at [boxeldercountyut.gov/boxeldertogether](https://www.boxeldercountyut.gov/boxeldertogether) ahead of the November 17 Commission public meeting.