The Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman protects and preserves the property rights of the citizens of Utah. The Office helps citizens and government agencies understand and comply with land use and property rights laws, resolves property rights disputes, and advocates for fairness and balance when private property rights conflict with public needs.
Welcome to the Ombudsman’s Website
An “Ombudsman” (ahm-buds-mun) is an independent government representative who assists and advises citizens, and resolves disputes between citizens and government entities.
The Utah Legislature created The Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman to help citzens protect their rights to property ownership and use, and to help resolve disputes involving eminent domain or property takings. The Office is a neutral, non-partisan division of the Utah Department of Commerce. Please refer to the “About the Ombudsman” section for more information.
This Website is one of the Office’s resources committed to helping citizens understand the law and resolve disputes. Follow the links above and on the left to learn more about the Ombudsman, and how it can help you. The following briefly explains what to expect from this Website:
Your Guide To Just Compensation: What You Need to Know When the Government Needs Your Land.
About the Ombudsman: Follow this link to learn more about the Office.
About Advisory Opinions: An Advisory Opinion is a legal analysis of a specific land use topic. For more information follow the “About Advisory Opinions” link. Past Advisory Opinions are available by following one of the links on the left. All Advisory Opinions may be accessed under the “View Advisory Opinions ” link, or the search engine may be used to research the opinions. Follow the ”Request an Advisory Opinion“ link to a request form.
About Mediation and Arbitration: If a dispute arises between a property owner and an agency which is attempting to acquire the property, the Ombudsman may facilitate resolution through Mediation or Arbitration. Learn more about the process in the “About Mediation and Arbitation” section. A property owner may ask that the Office help in a dispute by following the “Request Mediation or Arbitration“ link.
Find The Law: This section includes links to statutes, cases, and brief summaries of legal topics relevant to eminent domain and land use law.
Land Use and Development: This link briefly introduces some fundamental elements of Land Use Regulation.
Takings and Eminent Domain: This section is an introduction to property takings and eminent domain, and property owner’s rights when faced with Eminent Domain.
Training: Follow this Link to learn about the Ombudsman’s presentations and training on eminent domain and land use topics for interested citizens and government agencies.
