Sandy, UT Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Review body
- Architectural review committee
- Established by
- Joint City Council/Mayor resolution
- Reviews
- Design, colors, materials
- Order of review
- Before Planning Commission submission
- Governing section
- Sandy City Code § 21-23-21
Summary
Every building proposed in Sandy's Central Business District must clear a dedicated architectural review committee, which checks design, colors, and materials against the Sandy City Architectural Design Standards before the Planning Commission ever sees the application, under Sandy City Code Section 21-23-21.
Architectural Review. An architectural review committee, as established by joint resolution of the City Council and Mayor, shall review all buildings to be erected in the Central Business District and its subdistricts prior to its submission to the Planning Commission. The committee, in accordance with the Sandy City's Architectural Design Standards, shall review each proposed building's architectural design, colors, and materials. After reviewing the application, the Committee will forward their comments to the Planning Commission. They may also recommend amendments and/or changes to the Development Code for the District to the Planning Commission and City Council and any other design criteria, standards, and guidelines relating to the development of lots within the CBD District area.
Full Breakdown
Section 21-23-21 sets additional nonresidential development standards unique to each zoning district, and the Central Business District (CBD) carries the most involved process: mandatory architectural review. An architectural review committee, established by joint resolution of the City Council and Mayor, must review every building proposed for the CBD and its subdistricts before the application goes to the Planning Commission. The committee evaluates architectural design, colors, and materials against the Sandy City Architectural Design Standards, then forwards its comments to the Planning Commission; it may also recommend amendments to the Development Code for the district and propose additional design criteria, standards, and guidelines for CBD lots.
The CBD Zone itself is meant to stimulate large-scale regional commercial and office development next to Interstate 15 and permits a mixed-use, residential concept aimed at self-contained, walkable communities. Three subdistricts sit inside the CBD Zone with their own character: the Centennial Parkway District (CBD-P) for Main Street-style development along the Parkway corridor, the Office Park District (CBD-O) for large-scale office and government uses, and the Arts and Culture District (CBD-A&C) for pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development. Beyond architectural review, the Planning Commission reviews all CBD, CBD-O, CBD-P, and CBD-A&C development proposals, and a master site plan covering all project phases must be submitted and reviewed before any development proceeds.
Violations & Fines
A building cannot advance to Planning Commission review, and therefore cannot obtain site plan or building permit approval, without first clearing the architectural review committee under Section 21-23-21. Constructing without the required approvals exposes a developer to a stop-work order and to Sandy's default code penalty in Sections 1-2-2 and 1-2-3: a Class B misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 for an individual or $5,000 for a corporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who reviews building design in Sandy's Central Business District?
Does the architectural committee have final say over a CBD project?
What subdistricts exist inside Sandy's CBD Zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sandy
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