1. (1) To accomplish the purposes of this chapter, a county shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive, long-range general plan:

   1. (a) for present and future needs of the county;

   2. (b)

      1. (i) for growth and development of all or any part of the land within the unincorporated portions of the county; or
      2. (ii) if a county has designated a mountainous planning district, for growth and development of all or any part of the land within the mountainous planning district; and
   3. (c) as a basis for communicating and coordinating with the federal government on land and resource management issues.

2. (2) To promote health, safety, and welfare, the general plan may provide for:

   1. (a) health, general welfare, safety, energy conservation, transportation, prosperity, civic activities, aesthetics, and recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities;
   2. (b) the reduction of the waste of physical, financial, or human resources that result from either excessive congestion or excessive scattering of population;

   3. (c) the efficient and economical use, conservation, and production of the supply of:

      1. (i) food and water; and
      2. (ii) drainage, sanitary, and other facilities and resources;
   4. (d) the use of energy conservation and solar and clean energy resources;
   5. (e) the protection of urban development;
   6. (f) the protection and promotion of air quality;
   7. (g) historic preservation;
   8. (h) identifying future uses of land that are likely to require an expansion or significant modification of services or facilities provided by an affected entity; and
   9. (i) an official map.
3. (3) The general plan may define the county's local customs, local culture, and the components necessary for the county's economic stability.
4. (4) Subject to Section 17-79-403, the county may determine the comprehensiveness, extent, and format of the general plan.
5. (5) Nothing in this part may be construed to limit the authority of the state to manage and protect wildlife under Title 23A, Wildlife Resources Act.
6. (6) On or before December 31, 2025, a county that has a general plan that does not include a water use and preservation element that complies with Section 17-79-403 shall amend the county's general plan to comply with Section 17-79-403.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 14, 2025 Special Session 1