When it comes into effect on January 1, 2026, Bill 48 will require Utah homeowners living in areas considered “high-risk WUIs” to pay monthly fees ranging from $20 to $100. Why? For being close to wildland-urban interface areas, known as WUIs. The purpose of this monthly fee is to help manage wildfire risks, forestry, fire, and state lands.
ccording to Park Record, homes will also have to comply with certain requirements such as having metal roofs or fire-resistant fences. Current law states that between 2026 and 2027, the monthly fee will depend on the size of the property, but starting in 2028, the fee will be adjusted based on the size of the house, vegetation studies, and building materials. According to the Chief of the North Summit Fire District, Ben Nielson, it is a good measure, but one about which they still have very little information, as they haven’t even received the WUI maps or the administrative rules.
New rates for Utah residents
Next January 1, 2026, new legislation will come into effect for homeowners in Utah who live near wildland-urban interface areas, commonly called WUIs. This is the result of Bill 48, through which homeowners of these properties will be charged between $20 and $100 per month, as long as they are included on the state’s “high-risk WUIs” map from the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. According to Park Record, this map has not yet been delivered to authorities, and “The department has until January 1 to provide the map, which will help officials know who is technically living on WUI land”.
Once available, it will serve as a guide for assessors to evaluate properties that fall within these parameters, and to which this new fee will apply. The funds raised from this new measure will be allocated to forestry, fire management, and state lands. In addition, homeowners will also have to comply with the code by implementing measures to prevent wildfires at their properties, such as installing metal roofs or replacing wooden fences with fire-resistant material.
Bill 48
The current law stipulates that homeowners’ fees between 2026 and 2027 will be based on the size of the property. However, starting in 2028, this will change and will be based on the size of the house, vegetation studies, and the construction materials used. Another one of the homeowners’ “obligations” will be to allow an employee from the Department of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to annually assess their property in order to inform them about the necessary measures to reduce the risk of wildfires.
This assessment will provide a benefit to homeowners by offering a reduced rate. The assessment is not mandatory, and if requested, the property will be considered as “at highest risk”. It is also worth noting that this new law prevents insurance companies from labeling homes as high-risk without referring to the WUI map: only homes located within the map’s boundaries can receive this designation.
What do the authorities say?
Ben Nielson, Chief of the North Summit Fire District, has supported this project, but he has also stated that they have barely received any information on how it should be implemented in the county. “Frankly, we don’t know 100% what’s going on with this bill because it’s December, and we still haven’t even seen the administrative rules,” Nielsen said. “They haven’t come out yet. They’re not finalized. We don’t have a WUI map. … There are many things we’re still discussing, trying to figure out from the state, and they don’t have answers”.
Frequently asked questions
What is Law 48 and how much will it cost?
It is a new law in Utah that will charge between $20 and $100 per month to those living in high fire risk areas (WUI) starting in 2026.
What requirements must homes meet?
Homeowners will need to upgrade their homes with fire-resistant materials, such as metal roofs or non-flammable fences, to reduce the risk of fires.
How can you get a discount on the fee?
By allowing an annual assessment of the property’s condition by state experts. If the inspection is not requested, the “maximum risk” fee will be automatically applied.