Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
Not all laws are bad. In fact, every civilized society needs laws and rules to keep things running smoothly. Without them, life could quickly turn into chaos. But sometimes, local governments can get a bit too carried away with creating laws. At least, that's what Utah Gov. Spencer Cox seems to think.
In recent remarks to reporters, Cox shared his concerns about the growing number of bills being passed. During the most recent legislative session, a record 959 bills and resolutions were approved — the highest number ever.
Speaking to the Deseret News, Cox said, "There is a cost associated with each new piece of legislation, and I'm increasingly concerned that we're not giving government administration adequate time to implement policy changes — both at the state and local levels."
Cox believes it's time to rethink how the state approaches passing laws. And speaking of re-thinking things, these are a few laws that some Utahns might like to see abolished.
Zoning laws that limit smaller, single-family homes
Utah's population has been growing fast, and with it, the demand for housing — especially affordable options. Yet, in many cities, zoning laws make it difficult to build smaller single-family homes, even though they could help address both the housing shortage and affordability issue.
The goal behind these laws is often to protect property values and preserve the look of neighborhoods, but they do little to help more Utahns find a place to live.
Luckily, some lawmakers, like Rep. Ray Ward from Bountiful, are working on solutions to make housing more affordable. He's pushing for changes to zoning laws to make it easier to build smaller homes.
By relaxing rules on lot sizes and home designs, Ward's proposal could help create more starter homes in cities, giving more people the chance to own a home without the sky-high prices.
Annual personal property taxes on vehicles and watercraft
Every year, Utahns pay taxes on their cars, trucks and RVs and boats based on their current market value. With the already high costs of owning a vehicle — annual registration fees, insurance, maintenance and fuel — this extra tax can feel like an added financial burden.
Perhaps Utah should consider joining the majority of states that don't levy personal property tax on vehicles. There are currently 27 states that opt not to burden their citizens with an additional tax and the hassles that come with this annual event, according to Realwealth.com.
For boat owners, it can seem especially unfair since they typically only use their boats seasonally. To save money, many have turned to registering their boats or OHVs out of state, as reported by the KSL investigators last November. But here's the catch — that's actually illegal.
Sunday alcohol laws
Some might consider this rule a bit outdated, but at restaurants in Utah, anyone ordering alcohol on a Sunday must also order food.
And establishments that sell only beer such as taverns, bowling alleys, ski resorts, golf courses, arenas, etc. are not required to also sell food. However, minors are not allowed on the premises of a tavern, according to the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.
No spitting in public places
Spitting may not be the most pleasant habit, but making it illegal seems a bit extreme. Yet, according to American Legal Publishing, it's actually against the law in Salt Lake City to spit or throw cigarette butts, cigar stumps, or chewed tobacco on public sidewalks, crosswalks, or even inside public buildings or transportation.
While it's certainly disgusting and unsanitary, many would argue this law is a bit outdated. It might be interesting to know how many times anyone has been cited for this infraction in recent years.
You have to bury your dead pet in two days
Losing a pet is tough enough without worrying about legalities, but Utah law requires you to bury your pet within 48 hours of its passing. Grieving pet owners may find this rule a bit harsh, especially when they're just trying to cope with the loss.
You can marry your cousin when you're 55
Here's a quirky one: in Utah, marrying your first cousin is generally illegal — unless you're both over 65, or at least 55 and can prove to a court that you're unable to have children. Whether this state law is a relief or a surprise depends on your perspective.
State law also forbids you from marrying an ancestor, by the way.
Incredibly talented Utah musicians you might not know about
For a state with a relatively small population, Utah has a historically outsized presence in the national music industry. In addition to the musicians who became household names, Utah has produced a bevy of other musical stars you might now know about. Here are some you should check out.No throwing snowballs in Provo
One of Provo's more amusing laws is the ban on throwing snowballs. According to the Provo Code, if you throw a snowball with the intent to "frighten or annoy a traveler," you could be charged with a misdemeanor. Again, it would be intersting to know the last time this law was enforced.
Change can be a good thing
While some of these laws are more comical than harmful, Utah's legal landscape could definitely benefit from simplification. It's not just about getting rid of odd rules — it's about finding ways to make the system work better for everyone. Maybe it's time to rethink some of these outdated laws and let the state move forward with more modern, practical regulations.
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