Zoning Reform, Road Upgrades and New Workforce Data Lead SLC Updates

Salt Lake City is juggling several big-picture issues this week — from housing affordability to road safety and shifting work patterns.

Housing Zoning Proposal Advances

City planners are moving forward with a proposal to allow smaller homes and additional multi-unit options in several residential zones. The change is designed to address Salt Lake City’s persistent housing shortage and rising home prices, which remain significantly higher than pre-2020 levels.

If adopted, the update would open the door to more ‘middle housing’ such as duplexes and small multi-unit buildings in areas long dominated by single-family lots. Planning officials say the goal is to encourage gradual infill that fits within existing neighborhoods while expanding ownership and rental opportunities.

Intersection Safety Improvements Continue

Meanwhile, transportation officials are pressing ahead with intersection upgrades across Salt Lake County, including locations within city limits. The project focuses on improving traffic signals, lighting and visibility to reduce crashes and improve overall traffic flow.

Work is scheduled to continue through the spring, with some targeted construction impacts expected in early April. The broader safety initiative is part of ongoing coordination between city and state transportation agencies as Salt Lake City prepares for future growth and major events later this decade.

Remote Work Still a Major Factor

Newly updated local data shows that working from home remains a meaningful part of Salt Lake City’s employment picture in 2026. More than 18% of workers report primarily working at home, a figure that has held relatively steady compared to recent years.

City economists say that sustained remote work continues to influence downtown office demand, transit ridership patterns and neighborhood-level spending. The data is likely to factor into long-term planning decisions around transit, business districts and economic development strategy.

Infill Development Opportunities

On the development front, new small-scale investment projects are also emerging. A west-side property recently listed with approvals for a four-unit build highlights ongoing interest in incremental density rather than large master-planned projects. City leaders have increasingly pointed to these types of projects as key to expanding supply without dramatically reshaping neighborhoods.

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