Advocacy in Action: Real Savings from Sewer Rate Reform

Over the past year, many of our members felt the impact of Salt Lake City’s sewer rate structure—especially during the summer of 2025, when costs spiked dramatically under a usage-based system.

In one example, a 4-plex went from about $20 per unit in the winter to nearly $194 per unit in the summer. That kind of swing created real challenges for owners and made it difficult for projects to pencil.

After months of engagement with the city, a solution is now moving forward.

Salt Lake City is proposing a flat sewer rate of $48.94 per unit for multifamily properties (4 units and above), expected to take effect July 1.

Here’s what that means in real terms:

• A property paying ~$194 per unit in the summer would drop to ~$49 per unit
• That’s about $145 per unit in monthly savings
• For a 4-plex, that’s roughly $580 per month
• Or $1,700–$2,300 in savings over the summer

Just as important, it eliminates the unpredictability that made these costs so difficult to manage.

This is a strong example of why investing in the Salt Lake HBA PAC matters.

Your support helps ensure our industry has a seat at the table—so when policies start impacting housing costs, we can work directly with decision-makers to find solutions. These efforts take time, but they lead to real results that affect your projects and your bottom line.

Please consider investing in yourself and your industry, by investing in the Salt Lake HBA PAC today!!

To donate, go to Builders’ Advocacy Fund or use the QR code below.