Clearfield Zoning Overview

Clearfield is a city in Davis County, Utah, with approximately 31,000 residents. Located north of Salt Lake City along Interstate 15, Clearfield is a key city in the Davis County corridor and is immediately adjacent to Hill Air Force Base (Hill AFB) — one of the Air Force's largest installations and the largest employer in Utah. This proximity to Hill AFB fundamentally shapes Clearfield's development environment through the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) program.

Clearfield follows the Utah State Construction Code, based on the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). The city's Planning Department administers the Clearfield Municipal Code, which divides the municipality into districts regulating permitted uses, building heights, lot sizes, setbacks, and density. Utah state law (HB 82 of 2021, codified in Utah Code § 10-9a-530) requires municipalities to allow internal ADUs as a permitted use in areas zoned primarily for residential use, subject to certain local restrictions; detached ADUs are not mandated statewide and remain a local zoning decision.

Hill AFB AICUZ Overlay

The most significant regulatory overlay affecting Clearfield is the Hill Air Force Base AICUZ (Air Installation Compatible Use Zone) program. The AICUZ establishes Accident Potential Zones (APZ-I and APZ-II) extending beyond Hill AFB runway ends, and noise contour zones (65 dB DNL and higher Day-Night Average Sound Level) around the flight paths.

Within AICUZ overlay zones, certain land uses are restricted or discouraged to protect both public safety and the operational mission of the base. Restrictions may include limits on residential density, prohibitions on schools, hospitals, and other uses concentrating vulnerable populations, and sound attenuation requirements for new construction within noise contours. Property owners and developers should obtain the current Hill AFB AICUZ map from the Clearfield Planning Department before planning any project near the base.

Primary Zoning Districts

Clearfield's residential zoning includes the R-1 (Single-Family Residential) district with 8,000 square foot minimum lots and setbacks of 25 feet (front), 6 feet (side), and 25 feet (rear). The R-2 district allows 6,500 square foot minimum lots for medium-density single-family development. The R-3 (Multifamily Residential) district accommodates higher-density apartment housing.

Commercial uses are concentrated in the C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C-2 (General Commercial) districts. The M-1 (Light Industrial) district supports warehousing, manufacturing, and defense-related industrial uses, which are important given Clearfield's proximity to Hill AFB and the associated defense supply chain industries.

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Rules

Clearfield allows ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). Under Utah state law (HB 82 of 2021, codified in Utah Code § 10-9a-530), internal ADUs are a permitted use in residential zones statewide; detached ADUs are not mandated statewide and remain subject to local zoning. Properties within the Hill AFB AICUZ overlay zones may face additional land use restrictions that could affect ADU development, particularly in areas with high noise levels or within Accident Potential Zones. Contact the Clearfield Planning Department at (801) 525-2700 for current requirements including size limits, setbacks, utility connections, and permitting procedures.

Development Process

Development in Clearfield generally requires obtaining appropriate permits. The process typically involves:

1. Zoning Verification — Confirm that your proposed use is permitted in the applicable zoning district
2. AICUZ Review — Determine whether the property is within a Hill AFB AICUZ overlay zone and verify compatibility with applicable land use guidelines
3. Site Plan Review — Commercial and multi-family projects require site plan review
4. Building Permit — Apply for a building permit with construction documents
5. Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
6. Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure

Key Considerations

Before starting any development project in Clearfield, property owners should:

• Verify the zoning classification of their property
• Determine whether the property is within a Hill AFB AICUZ Accident Potential Zone or noise contour zone
• Review setback, height, and lot coverage requirements for their specific district
• Determine if the property is in a FEMA flood zone using FEMA's flood map service
• Confirm whether HOA covenants or deed restrictions apply
• Contact the Planning Department at (801) 525-2700 for pre-application guidance

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Clearfield and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the City of Clearfield or the municipal code before making development decisions. AICUZ restrictions are administered by the U.S. Air Force and may be updated independently of local zoning.