Utah Code

Utah Code § 15-1-1 (2026)

Interest rates -- Contracted rate -- Legal rate

✓ laws through the 2026 General Session (checked Sept. 2026)
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The parties to a lawful written, verbal, or implied contract may agree upon any rate of interest for the contract, including a contract for services, a loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or services, or a claim for breach of contract.
Unless the parties to a lawful written, verbal, or implied contract expressly specify a different rate of interest, the legal rate of interest for the contract, including a contract for services, a loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or services, or a claim for breach of contract is 10% per annum.
Nothing in this section may be construed in any way to affect any penalty or interest charge that by law applies to delinquent or other taxes or to any contract or obligations made before May 14, 1981.

Amended by Chapter 437, 2019 General Session

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 90 cases (30 in the last 5 years), 1981–2026 · leading case: Brady v. Park, 2019 UT 16, 445 P.3d 395.
Brady v. Park, 2019 UT 16, 445 P.3d 395. · cites it 71× “3d 629 (second, third, and fourth alterations in the original) (quoting Utah Code § 15-1-1 ). Id. ¶ 107 (discussing previous cases where we suggested that section 15-1-1 applied to any contract).”
Consolidation Coal Co. v. Utah Div. of State Lands & Forestry, 886 P.2d 514 (Utah 1994). · cites it 146× “" Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (1992). Trail Mountain and the Division did not agree on a specified rate of prejudgment interest, nor to the imposition of penalties for the late payment of royalties.”
USA Power, LLC v. PacifiCorp, 2016 UT 20, 372 P.3d 629. · cites it 30× “Finally, USA Power argues that 'the ten percent interest rate in Utah Code section 15-1-1 is the appropriate interest rate for any prejudgment interest as well as post-judgment interest.”
Diversified Striping v. Kraus, 2022 UT App 91, 516 P.3d 306. · cites it 34× “” Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (2) (LexisNexis 2013).”
Wilcox v. Anchor-Wate Co., 2007 UT 39, 164 P.3d 353. · cites it 25× “Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (2) (2005). 50 . Id.”
Francis v. Nat'l DME, 2015 UT App 119, 350 P.3d 615. · cites it 34× “" Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (2) (LexisNexis 2018).”
Fuller v. Bohne, 2017 UT App 28, 392 P.3d 898. · cites it 36× “’ ”) (quoting Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (2)). ¶19 The Fullers argue, nonetheless, that if a party has a chose in action that it does not collect on immediately, forbearance has occurred, triggering the statutory ten percent rate.”
Taft v. Taft, 2016 UT App 135, 379 P.3d 890. · cites it 9× “Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (Lex-isNexis 2013) ("Unless parties to a lawful contract specify a different rate of interest, the legal rate of interest for the loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or chose in action shall be 10% per annum.”
Beckman v. Cybertary Franchising LLC, 2018 UT App 47, 424 P.3d 1016. · cites it 10× “" Section 15-1-1 states, "Unless parties to a lawful contract specify a different rate of interest, the legal rate of interest for the loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or chose in action shall be 10% per annum.”
Vali Convalescent & Care Institutions v. Div. of Health Care Fin., 797 P.2d 438 (Utah Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 16× “Section 15-6-3 The Utah Prompt Payment Act provides in pertinent part: Interest shall accrue and be charged on payments overdue under § 15-6-2 [requiring the state to promptly pay for services or property] at the rate of 15.”
Breuer-Harrison, Inc. v. Combe, 799 P.2d 716 (Utah Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 12× “Finally, we agree with the Combes' assertion that the trial court miscalculated the rate of prejudgment interest at ten per cent, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (1986). [7] The contract was executed prior to 1981 and therefore, prejudgment interest should accrue at six…”
Nielsen v. O'REILLY, 848 P.2d 664 (Utah 1992). · cites it 10× “First, Nielsen claims that he has a contractual relationship with Metropolitan and, therefore, pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (1) (redesignated as § 15-1-1(2)) and Beck v.”
Utah Code § 15-1-1(1): 9 cases
Brady v. Park, 2019 UT 16, 445 P.3d 395. “3d 629 (second, third, and fourth alterations in the original) (quoting Utah Code § 15-1-1 ). Id. ¶ 107 (discussing previous cases where we suggested that section 15-1-1 applied to any contract).”
Taft v. Taft, 2016 UT App 135, 379 P.3d 890. “Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (Lex-isNexis 2013) ("Unless parties to a lawful contract specify a different rate of interest, the legal rate of interest for the loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or chose in action shall be 10% per annum.”
Nielsen v. O'REILLY, 848 P.2d 664 (Utah 1992). “First, Nielsen claims that he has a contractual relationship with Metropolitan and, therefore, pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (1) (redesignated as § 15-1-1(2)) and Beck v.”
USA Power, LLC v. PacifiCorp, 2016 UT 20, 372 P.3d 629. “Finally, USA Power argues that 'the ten percent interest rate in Utah Code section 15-1-1 is the appropriate interest rate for any prejudgment interest as well as post-judgment interest.”
Utah Code § 15-1-1(2): 24 cases
Brady v. Park, 2019 UT 16, 445 P.3d 395. “3d 629 (second, third, and fourth alterations in the original) (quoting Utah Code § 15-1-1 ). Id. ¶ 107 (discussing previous cases where we suggested that section 15-1-1 applied to any contract).”
Wilcox v. Anchor-Wate Co., 2007 UT 39, 164 P.3d 353. “Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (2) (2005). 50 . Id.”
USA Power, LLC v. PacifiCorp, 2016 UT 20, 372 P.3d 629. “Finally, USA Power argues that 'the ten percent interest rate in Utah Code section 15-1-1 is the appropriate interest rate for any prejudgment interest as well as post-judgment interest.”
Taft v. Taft, 2016 UT App 135, 379 P.3d 890. “Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (Lex-isNexis 2013) ("Unless parties to a lawful contract specify a different rate of interest, the legal rate of interest for the loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or chose in action shall be 10% per annum.”
Diversified Striping v. Kraus, 2022 UT App 91, 516 P.3d 306. “” Utah Code Ann. § 15-1-1 (2) (LexisNexis 2013).”
Utah Code § 15-1-1(3): 2 cases
Diamond G Rodeos v. Gifford, No. 4:22-cv-00089 (D. Utah July 31, 2025).
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