Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

Utah Code § 10-3-703

Criminal penalties for violation of ordinance -- Civil penalties prohibited -- Exceptions

Amended by Chapter 401, 2026 General Session

(1)

(a) The governing body of a municipality may impose a criminal penalty for the violation of any municipal ordinance by a fine not to exceed the maximum class B misdemeanor fine under Section 76-3-301, by a term of imprisonment up to six months, or by both the fine and term of imprisonment.

(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a), a municipality may not impose a criminal penalty greater than an infraction for a violation pertaining to an individual's pet, as defined in Section 4-12-102, or an individual's use of the individual's residence unless:

(i) the violation:

(A) is a private nuisance as that term is defined in Section 78B-6a-101; and

(B) threatens the health, safety, or welfare of the individual or an identifiable third party; or

(ii) the municipality has imposed a fine on the individual for a violation that involves the same residence or pet on three previous occasions within the past 12 months.

(c) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply to municipal enforcement of a building code or fire code ordinance in accordance with Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.

(2)

(a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the governing body may prescribe a civil penalty for the violation of any municipal ordinance by a fine not to exceed the maximum class B misdemeanor fine under Section 76-3-301.

(b) A municipality may not impose a civil penalty and adjudication for the violation of a municipal moving traffic ordinance.

(3)

(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) or Section 77-7-18, a municipal officer or official who is not a law enforcement officer described in Section 53-13-103 or a special function officer described in Section 53-13-105 may not issue a criminal citation for a violation that is punished as a misdemeanor.

(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1) or (3)(a), the following may issue a criminal citation for a violation that is punished as a misdemeanor if the violation threatens the health and safety of an animal or the public:

(i) a fire officer described in Section 53-7-102; or

(ii) an animal control officer described in Section 11-46-102.

(4) A municipality may not issue more than one infraction within a 14-day time period for a violation described in Subsection (1)(b) that is ongoing.

Official source: Utah State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Utah statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.