Davis County is rewriting its General Plan for the first time in 21 years, and residents get their next look at the draft Wednesday, Aug. 12, when the Planning Commission holds a work session at 6 p.m. in Room 303 of the county administration building, 61 S. Main St., Farmington.

The plan governs what can be built on roughly 2,500 acres of unincorporated land scattered across the county, including mountainside parcels above Farmington and wetlands along the Great Salt Lake's eastern shore. It does not replace the general plans of incorporated cities such as Bountiful, North Salt Lake or Woods Cross, but annexation conversations between the county and those cities are a central piece of the update.

Anyone who wants to weigh in before the session must email the Davis County Community and Economic Development department by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. The posted agenda does not list the email address; residents can call (801) 451-3278 to confirm it.

What the update addresses

Planning Manager Jeff Oyler introduced the project at a Jan. 27 County Commission work session, calling it CED's major initiative for 2026.

"While the unincorporated land in the County hasn't changed much, it is important to strengthen and enhance the plan, and establish rules regarding the 2,500 developable acres," Oyler said at that January session.

The update has four stated goals: strengthen protections for the Farmington mountainside so no building occurs there, address wetlands on the county's west side, hold formal annexation discussions with neighboring cities and reinforce that unincorporated Davis County is not in the development business. Residential, commercial and industrial growth would be directed toward cities.

The county hired Planning Outpost LLC, led by consultant Valerie Claussen, to guide the rewrite. At the same January work session, Claussen's presentation framed the approach as defining clear roles and limits rather than managing growth in unincorporated areas.

Alongside the General Plan, the county is simultaneously rewriting its building code (Title 14) and land-use and zoning code (Title 15) so the regulations align with the new plan. A new state mandate also requires the updated plan to include a countywide water management element.

Timeline and what's next

The county kicked off the project in January 2026 with a target of finishing within 12 months. A public open house on land-use priorities was held March 11. The Aug. 12 work session falls within what the county calls Phase 3 (public engagement) and Phase 4 (draft plan) of a five-phase process.

No vote is scheduled Aug. 12.

After Planning Commission work sessions wrap up, joint public hearings with the County Commission are required before the plan can be adopted. No adoption date has been announced.

Residents needing ADA accommodations for the Aug. 12 meeting should call (801) 451-3279 at least 24 hours in advance.