Kaden Figgins
Director, Planning & Economic Development
Garfield County
Kaden Figgins is the Director of Planning and Economic Development for Garfield County, Utah, where he leads the county’s efforts to promote sustainable growth and economic prosperity. In 2022, Kaden was honored with the “Outstanding Economic Development Director of the Year” award at the Utah Association of Counties (UAC) Annual Conference, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and innovative strategies that have contributed to the economic advancement of Garfield County. Kaden is a seasoned professional with a distinguished career in rural planning. As the founder and principal consultant of High Mountain Consulting, Kaden has been instrumental in modernizing ordinances and revitalizing rural municipalities and counties across the State of Utah. His innovative approaches and strategic insights have earned him a reputation as a leading authority in driving sustainable growth and development in rural communities.
Session(s):
STR Monitoring Software »
APA Utah 2026 Spring Conference: Bryce Canyon, April 10, 2026 9:00 amA panel of experts from the Utah Office of Tourism, Granicus (software company), and a planner who uses Host Compliance can discuss the software and how useful it can be to planners.
Code Enforcement Across Community Types: Lessons from Rural, Urban, and County Perspectives »
APA Utah 2026 Spring Conference: Bryce Canyon, April 9, 2026 11:30 amHow do communities of different sizes approach code enforcement, and what strategies actually work in practice? This session brings together perspectives from rural gateway communities, larger cities, and county governments to explore real-world challenges and practical solutions related to zoning and land-use enforcement. Speakers will discuss staffing limitations, short-term rental impacts, community trust, alignment with state legislation, and the difficult decisions around what gets enforced — and what sometimes does not — despite being written into code. Through comparative examples and lessons learned, attendees will gain practical insights and adaptable strategies to support fair, effective, and community-centered code enforcement.
The Rental Revolution: Adapting Land Use Planning for the Age of Short-Term Rentals »
2024 Spring Conference, May 8, 2024 2:45 pmAs short-term rentals continue to reshape housing markets and community landscapes across the State, planners and local government officials face the complex challenge of regulating these accommodations in a manner that balances economic benefits with neighborhood integrity and housing availability. This panel discussion at the 2024 APA Spring Conference aims to equip participants with the latest legislative insights, tools, and strategies for effectively managing short-term rentals within their jurisdictions.
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