Utah Environmental Law and Standards

Utah environmental legal requirements are generally found in three places:

Utah Statutes

Statutes are laws passed by the Utah Legislature and, usually, signed by the Governor. Utah statutes usually provide general guidance about control of pollutants and about how DEQ should implement a program. The activities of each division are governed by at least one statute. The work of the Division of Water Quality, for example, is governed by the Utah Water Quality Act, Utah Code Annotated Sec. 19-5-101 through 124. References to sections of Utah statutes will look like one of the following:

  • Utah Code Annotated Sec. 19-2-114
  • Utah Air Conservation Act Sec. 19-2-114
  • Utah Air Conservation Act, Sec. 114

Utah environmental statutes may be found on the Utah State Legislature’s Website.

Utah Rules

Rules are laws created by agencies, using authority given to them by statutes. Rules are usually more specific than statutes. References to sections of Utah rules will look like one of the following:

  • Utah Admin. Code R315-8-6
  • Solid and Hazardous Waste Rules, R315-8-6

Utah environmental rules may be found on the Division of Administrative Rules Website.

To make rules, an agency must have authority under its governing statute and must follow the procedures in the Utah Rulemaking Act, found on the Utah State Legislature’s Website.

Licenses and Permits

Licenses and permits contain requirements that bind licensees and permittees. These documents may sometimes be found online; any license or permit is also available for review at DEQ. If you’d like to review a license or permit, it is very helpful to call the agency before coming in.


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