FAQs • Draper City, UT • CivicEngage

No one else uses it, so why not?: City property exists in various states and for various reasons. Some open space has been designated as conservation area because of its delicate ecosystem, unique terrain, or any other value it provides to plants, animals, etc. Some spaces that may appear to not be in use are actually used for irrigation, for providing city services, or other reasons that aren’t easily visible. And even further space may have been designated for future use that requires maintenance until the time it becomes further developed. For many reasons, we are required to care for public city property in a way that benefits us all, not a single private property owner.

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Encroachment

1. What is encroachment?: Encroachment is using city-owned property in a manner that’s your own – as in landscaping, installing fencing or other structures, or making other improvements to the property. Or, it can include using city property for discarding the stuff you don’t want on your own property – like yard waste, garbage, or other debris.

2. What is city-owned property?: City property includes trails and open space, conservation easements of various kinds, parks, and miscellaneous properties. You can see maps of various kinds, including interactive, at Draper City’s website here.

3. What is Draper’s city code regarding encroachment?: Find the full City Code describing encroachment here: Section 15-1-080.

4. How do I check my property boundaries? Where does my property stop and city property start?: For a quick glance to determine if your property abuts Draper City property, you can find your property and surrounding properties on the Salt Lake County parcel map. The most foolproof way to know where your property ends and city property begins is to have your property professionally surveyed. Please confirm that any of your structures, fences, landscaping, sprinkler lines, or accesses to your property are not on and don’t run through Draper City property.

5. How do I know if the big open space next to my property is city property?: You can see maps of various kinds, including interactive, at Draper City’s website here. City property includes trails and open space, conservation easements of various kinds, parks, and miscellaneous properties.

6. Can I landscape the city property bordering mine?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

7. Can I install fencing on the city property bordering mine, to keep the deer out of my garden?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

8. Can I dump my grass clippings onto the open space on the other side of my fence?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

9. Can I dump my pulled weeds over my fence bordering city property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

10. Can I deposit the spoils from my construction project on the empty city property next to mine?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

11. Can I put the extra dirt I dug up from installing my koi pond on the city easement by my property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

12. Can I dump my garbage on city property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

13. Can I put a driveway across the open space by my house to access my property more easily?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

14. Can I install an unpaved access to my property that crosses city property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

15. Can I just drive across the dirt field the city owns to access my own property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

16. Can I run sprinkler lines across the unused city property next to my own property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

17. Can I use city trails to access my own property?: No, this is an example of encroachment.

18. No one else uses it, so why not?: City property exists in various states and for various reasons. Some open space has been designated as conservation area because of its delicate ecosystem, unique terrain, or any other value it provides to plants, animals, etc. Some spaces that may appear to not be in use are actually used for irrigation, for providing city services, or other reasons that aren’t easily visible. And even further space may have been designated for future use that requires maintenance until the time it becomes further developed. For many reasons, we are required to care for public city property in a way that benefits us all, not a single private property owner.

19. What’s the penalty for encroachment?: All reports of encroachment will be investigated thoroughly. If the investigation determines the criteria for encroachment laid out in the City Code (which can be found here) have been met, violations shall be punished as a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense and as a Class B misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.

20. How do I report my neighbor’s encroachment?: You may report any code violation to our community development department. Reports can be made anonymously or non-anonymously. A Code Enforcement team member will investigate all complaints and will determine whether further action may be necessary. Use Draper City’s “Report a Problem” feature on our website here.

21. How do I anonymously report encroachment I see happening?: Please use the Code Violation Anonymous Complaint form here.

Draper City is in the process of inventorying all City-owned property and identifying encroachments. Stay informed by:

Following Draper City social media
Visiting DraperUtah.gov
Listening to City Council meetings
Signing up for our newsletter (just send an email to info@draperutah.gov with “Subscribe” as the subject and your full name as the message)