How St. George Handles Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: A Practical Guide
St. George maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with zoning overlays & bonuses. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where St. George falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Density Bonus Law
St. George grants bonus density units in the Hillside Development Overlay Zone when developers transfer density off steep slopes onto flatter, safer portions of a site.
Key details: Base transfer ratio: 1:1 on slopes ≤20%. 21-30% slope bonus: +1 unit per unit transferred. 31-40% slope bonus: +2 units per unit transferred. Slopes over 40%: cannot be disturbed. Approval body: Planning Commission, City Council.
Building on undisturbed slope categories beyond the disturbance caps, or claiming bonus density without an approved HDOZ permit from the planning commission and city council, blocks or voids project approval.
Downtown Design Guide
Buildings in the St. George Arts District Overlay Zone downtown must follow city design guidelines covering signage, materials, colors and windows, with all exterior work requiring Historic Preservation Commission review and Community Development Department approval before any building permit issues.
Key details: Zone: St. George Arts District Overlay (downtown). Color limit: 3 exterior colors maximum. Roof color: Neutral or muted brown/gray only. Approval needed: HPC review + Community Development sign-off. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, per day.
No building permit may issue in the overlay zone without Historic Preservation Commission review and Community Development Department approval; violating this chapter is a class C misdemeanor, and each day of violation counts as a separate offense (§ 10-13E-3(J)).
This is one of the stricter rules in St. George's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
St. George's zoning overlays & bonuses rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming St. George is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that St. George can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.