Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 422 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Walter, R. Neil

Final action

Governor Signed 3/26/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines the term "open house";
• provides that the governing body of a municipality may not regulate an open house differently than a residential use;
• provides that any ordinance regulating an open house differently than a residential use is void; and
• makes technical and conforming changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

10
10-3-702
Municipality Regulation of Open House Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: R. Neil Walter
Senate Sponsor: Calvin R. Musselman
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill prohibits a municipality from regulating an open house.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines the term "open house";
provides that the governing body of a municipality may not regulate an open house 
differently than a residential use;
provides that any ordinance regulating an open house differently than a residential use is 
void; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
10-3-702
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 378
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
10-3-702
 is amended to read:
10-3-702. Extent of power exercised by ordinance.
(1)
As used in this section, "open house" means an event held by a homeowner, including 
an event in association with a real estate agent, architect, builder, or developer, to 
showcase a home, including the outdoor landscaping around the home.
(2)
(a)
The 
Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the 
governing body 
of a 
municipality 
may pass any ordinance to regulate, require, prohibit, govern, control or 
supervise any activity, business, conduct or condition authorized by this act or any 
other provision of law. 
(b)
(i)
The governing body of a municipality may not regulate an open house 
differently than a residential use.
(ii)
Any ordinance regulating an open house differently than a residential use is void.
(3)
(a)
An officer of the municipality may not be convicted of a criminal offense where 
he
the officer
 relied on or enforced an ordinance 
he
the officer
 reasonably believed 
to be a valid ordinance. 
(b)
It shall be a defense 
to
in
 any action for punitive damages 
that
over the 
enforcement of an invalid ordinance if
 the official
:
(i)
acted in good faith in enforcing an ordinance
;
 or 
(ii)
that he 
enforced an ordinance on advice of legal counsel.
Section 2. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect:
(1)
except as provided in Subsection (2), 
May 7, 2025
; or
(2)
if approved by two-thirds of all members elected to each house:
(a)
upon approval by the governor;
(b)
without the governor's signature, the day following the constitutional time limit of 
Utah Constitution, Article VII, Section 8; or
(c)
in the case of a veto, the date of veto override.
2-28-25 2:59 PM