Mowing Ordinance Amendments
SB 202 limits local governments' ability to restrict mowing on private golf courses by prohibiting ordinances that ban maintenance between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. It directly affects private golf courses within city or county boundaries, ensuring they can mow during those hours. The bill allows municipalities or counties to restrict mowing on their *own* publicly owned golf courses at any time. This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and amends Utah Code sections 10-8-85.11 and 17-60-509.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 27, 2026
Signed Mar 18, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 18, 2026
MODERATE
This bill establishes statewide rules limiting local governments from restricting golf course maintenance hours. It prevents municipalities and counties from banning mowing between 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., with an exception allowing local ownership to set their own hours. The changes clarify the definitions of 'golf course' and 'maintenance operations' for both municipal and county jurisdictions.
Scope change
The bill's scope covers both municipal and county jurisdictions, explicitly defining rules for privately owned courses within city limits and courses located in unincorporated county areas.
TIMELINE
The bill includes a specific effective date of May 6, 2026, which was not present in the earlier version.
DEFINITION
Clear definitions were added for 'golf course' and 'maintenance operations' to ensure consistent application across different jurisdictions.
REQUIREMENT
New restrictions were added prohibiting local governments from enforcing ordinances that ban maintenance during the hours of 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY
An exception was created allowing municipalities and counties to restrict maintenance at any time if the golf course is owned by the local government itself.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 18, 2026 · House Feb 26, 2026
How they voted
24–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 29
Feb 18, 2026
D
Democratic6
100% Yea
N
Forward1
0% Nay
R
Republican22
81% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
41
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 18, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Political Subdivisions Committee]
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Political Subdivisions Committee]
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Political Subdivisions Committee]
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 202
Scope: UT
Hi! I can help you understand SB 202. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline