Toolkits & Data by Topic
Utilize toolkits and data sources from agencies worldwide that combine various resources, organized alphabetically by category, to assist your agency in addressing your local land use documents, processes, and efforts.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Infrastructure Resources
(RCAC)
Rural Community Assistance Corporation's (RCAC) Infrastructure Resources Services Portal provides access to various funding and loan programs suited for rural communities. Programs include water, wastewater, environmental sustainability, regionalization of services, and beyond.
UGS
Data and Databases
(Utah Geological Survey)
Utah Geological Survey's (UGS) Data and Database Sets include aerial imagery, lidar elevation data, Excel spreadsheets and plots, statistical data, archived documents, and photos; with many of the geologic maps supplemented by geographic information system (GIS) databases.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Indigenous Community Resources
(RCAC)
Rural Community Assistance Corporation's (RCAC) Indigenous Communities Resources Portal provides access to various funding, training, and support services tailored for indigenous communities. Programs include both financing and financial training support.
UOT Industry Toolkit:
Agristourism Edition
(Utah Office of Tourism)
Developed in partnership with Utah’s Own, the Agritourism Toolkit provides resources including:
- An Agritourism Industry Guide
- Agritourism Digital Content
- UOT’s Agritourism Image Library
- Utah’s Own Producer List
Local Government
Economic Development Toolbox
(Envision Utah)
Envision Utah's Local Government Economic Development Toolbox was created to assist agencies in systemically addressing approaches to economic development in their communities. In particular, the toolbox helps communities develop and implement strategies to bring new jobs and wealth into the community.
Outdoor Recreation
Rural Economic Development Toolkit
(Outdoor Recreation Roundtable)
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Association's Outdoor Recreation Rural Economic Development Toolkit provides rural towns and regions across the United States with the tools and support to recognize outdoor recreation’s role in economic diversification and resilience that benefits locals and visitors alike.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Economic Development Resources
(RCAC)
Rural Community Assistance Corporation's (RCAC) Economic Development Resources Portal provides services to support rural communities in creating an economic development vision, setting goals, and implementing an economic development action plan for community development projects.
UOT Industry Toolkit:
Dark Skies Edition
(Utah Office of Tourism)
The Dark Skies Edition Toolkit includes a Beginners Guide to Dark Skies Exploration, Astrotourism Industry Guide, 2023 UOT Dark Sky Month Declaration Release, Visit Utah's Social Tips for Dark Skies, Shareable Dark Sky Digital Content from VisitUtah.com, and UOT’s Dark Sky Image Library.
Wildlife Habitat
Analysis Tool (WHAT)
(Utah DWR)
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is constantly collecting data to support wildlife management and conservation efforts statewide. The free Wildlife Habitat Analysis Tool (WHAT) streamlines access to this data, helping agencies and individuals make informed, data-driven decisions.
Gateway Community
Online Toolkit
(GNAR)
The Gateway & Natural Amenity Region (GNAR) Initiative's Gateway Community Online Toolkit is designed to be a resource for planners, public officials, community members, consultants, and others working in communities with access to significant natural amenities and recreation opportunities.
UGS
Interactive Maps
(Utah Geological Survey)
Utah Geological Survey's (UGS) Interactive Maps offer virtual tours of Utah geology, where you can find rockhounding destinations or access databases of field data. These interactive maps range from comprehensive technical data to in-depth photo guides.
Riparian
Ordinance Toolkit
(Jordan River Commission)
The Jordan River Commission's Riparian Ordinance Toolkit provides a comprehensive guide for city planners across Utah in protecting and enhancing riparian corridors in their respective communities. The guide includes contacts, ordinance, and regulation examples, and templates.
Agricultural
Toolbox
(Utah County)
Current growth trends present some challenges, including the loss of agricultural land and water to residential and commercial development. Utah County's Agricultural Toolbox was created to assist Utah County's efforts to preserve resources so that agriculture can survive and thrive.
UOT Industry Toolkit:
Leave No Trace Edition
(Utah Office of Tourism)
The Leave No Trace Toolkit was created with a variety of marketing elements that will help you share the important message of responsible recreation with visitors and residents. It includes printed materials, social media posts, video and photo series and online educational courses.
EPA:
EnviroAtlas
(Environmental Protection Agency)
EPA's EnviroAtlas is an interactive web-based tool that combines maps, analysis tools, and interpretive information on ecosystem services. The tool is designed to help decision-makers be better informed on policy and planning in the places where people live, learn, work, and play.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Lending Resources
(RCAC)
Rural Community Assistance Corporation's (RCAC) Lending Programs and Services Portal provides access to various funding and loan programs suited for rural communities. Programs range from public infrastructure to affordable housing; and from environmental to small business loans.
General Plan Water Use
and Preservation Elements
(DNR-DWR)
Most municipalities and all counties must develop a water use and preservation element that is integrated with their general plan by 12/31/2025. The Division of Water Resources has tools, funding, and technical assistance options to assist communities in this endeavor.
Annual Legislative
Wrap-up
(ULCT)
ULCT provides an annual Legislative Wrap-up going back several years, which details the legislative actions taken during Utah's General Session that have the greatest impact on local agencies throughout the state.
Grants.gov:
Grants 101
(Grants.gov)
Grant.gov's Grants 101 provides a short summary of Federal Grants and detailed information on the full process, from pre-application through awards and reporting.
Dept. of Health & Human Services:
Healthy Places Index
(Utah DHHS)
Utah Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Healthy Places Index is a powerful and easy-to-use data and policy platform created to advance health equity through open and accessible data.
Dept. of Health & Human Services:
Environmental Public Health Tracking
(Utah DHHS)
Utah Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Environmental Public Health Tracking is a CDC-funded Tracking network that monitors the health of communities over time.
Knowledgebase Collection:
Accessory Dwelling Units
(APA)
APA's Knowledgebase Collection: Accessory Dwelling Units provides an introduction to ADUs, as well as links to additional resources and related information to help you address accessory dwelling unit development within your community.
Accessory Dwelling
Unit Resource Site
(accessorydwellings.org)
Accessorydwellings.org serves as a one-stop source about accessory dwelling units, focusing on all housing types that pair with main units to serve an accessory function and provide additional housing stock.
Utah Middle Housing
Analysis Page
(Utah Foundation)
The Utah Foundation's Middle Housing analysis for Utah considers the potential to increase the supply of housing in our state, but at a scale that is less objectionable to most neighbors and with strong design quality that can improve upon neighborhoods.
Build the
Middle
(Zillow)
Zillow's Build the Middle Playbook, draws from efforts found in communities across the country to establish an actionable framework to place and support Missing Middle Housing, with detailed case studies from locations in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand.
Housing Supply
Accelerator
(APA & NLC)
The Housing Supply Accelerator, led by APA and NLC, brings together government and housing industry leaders to develop, align and advance solutions for housing supply challenges at the local level.
Moderate Income
Housing Resources
(ULCT)
Through its Land Use Legislation Implementation Page, ULCT provides background, content, and information for local agencies to address their moderate-income housing reporting requirements in accordance with state law.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Housing Resources
(RCAC)
Rural Community Assistance Corporation's (RCAC) Housing Resources Services Portal provides access to various non-profit funding and loan programs suited for housing options in rural communities. Programs include both financing and financial counseling.
Affordable Housing
Toolkit for Counties
(National Association of Counties)
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Affordable Housing Toolkit for Counties outlines the role of counties in addressing housing affordability, focusing on the four key areas critical for success.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Missing Middle Housing
Toolkit for Utah
(LUAU Partners)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Utah's first Missing Middle Housing Toolkit will include local examples, strategies, and resources to support your efforts to address missing middle housing products in your community.
Gateway Community
Online Toolkit
(GNAR)
The Gateway & Natural Amenity Region (GNAR) Initiative's Gateway Community Online Toolkit is designed to be a resource for planners, public officials, community members, consultants, and others working in communities with access to significant natural amenities and recreation opportunities.
Guiding Our
Growth
(GOPB)
Guiding our Growth is a statewide conversation about how we can keep Utah a great place for our families and communities as we grow. The effort has been led by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB), working with agency partners and the general public throughout the state.
Subdivision
Resources
(ULCT)
Through its Subdivision Resources Page, ULCT provides background, content, and information for local agencies to address needed changes and updates to their local subdivision ordinances following the Legislature's adoption of SB 174 and HB 406, respectively.
Wasatch Choice
Vision & Resources
(WFRC)
The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) Wasatch Choice Resources toolkit is a collection of resources to help Utah's communities better vision and plan for their future growth. The toolkit is part of the Wasatch Choice Regional Vision and focuses primarily on the Wasatch Front.
Effective Meetings
Toolkit
(University of Cambridge)
While focused primarily on preparation for educational-related meetings, Cambridge University's Effective Meetings Toolkit provides valuable tips and guidance for effectively planning and running efficient and impactful meetings.
State Plan
Repository
Portal
(by GOPB)
This State Plan Repository Portal provides a brief overview of available statewide and regional long-range plans throughout the entirety of Utah. Filters can be used to narrow search by topic, plan type, etc. New plans are added regularly, as available.
UOT Industry Toolkit:
Leave No Trace Edition
(Utah Office of Tourism)
The Leave No Trace Toolkit was created with a variety of marketing elements that will help you share the important message of responsible recreation with visitors and residents. It includes printed materials, social media posts, video and photo series and online educational courses.
UOT Industry Toolkit:
Forever Mighty Social Media
(Utah Office of Tourism)
Included in the Forever Mighty Social Media Toolkit, you’ll find information on the new hashtag #ForeverMighty, the geotagging strategy, the Let’s Talk Utah series, the influencer ambassador program, and other ways to engage with Forever Mighty® online.
UTA
Open Data Portal
(Utah Transit Authority)
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Open Data Portal provides service data, ridership information, web mapping, and other public data available for download and use.
Combined Water
Resources Collection
(The H2O Collective)
Utah's H2O Collective's Combined Water Resources Portal provides meaningful tools, strategies, and trainings to conserve water on a local level for the benefit of the entire state. From conservation ideas to funding programs, and everything in between - this site has it all.
Utah Open Water
Data Portal
(Division of Water Resources)
The Utah Division of Water Resources' (DWR) Open Water Data Portal includes data on municipal and industrial water use, water-related land use, water budget, water maps, and links to outside resources; with many of the geologic maps supplemented by geographic information system (GIS) databases.
Colorado River Basin
Open Data Portal
The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy hosts the Colorado River Basin GIS Open Data Platform for sharing and downloading open-source GIS data for "The Hardest-Working River in the West;" the Colorado River. This Open Data Portal hosts GIS data, maps, and reports referenced and shared in the Story Map.
The Hardest-Working
River in the West
(The Colorado River)
Access this ArcGIS Story Map detailing the places, people, and policies that have shaped water and land management and planning in the past and will continue to shape decisions about how we use, share, and conserve the finite resources in the Colorado River, known as "the Hardest-Working River in the West."
Model Land Use
Ordinance Library
(Envision Utah)