Tiny home rules in Orem, UT — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Utah Code §10-9a-530 and §17-27a-526 authorize internal ADUs statewide. Tiny homes on foundations are dwellings; tiny homes on wheels (THOW) are typically classified as RVs and cannot be permanent residences in Provo or Orem.
Utah's 2021 ADU law (UT §10-9a-530 for cities, §17-27a-526 for counties) requires jurisdictions to allow internal accessory dwelling units in owner-occupied single-family homes. Detached ADUs and tiny homes on foundations remain subject to local zoning — Provo Code §14.34 permits detached ADUs up to 1,000 sq ft with 4-foot rear setbacks; Orem's 2023 ADU ordinance allows similar units. IRC Appendix Q (adopted by Utah) governs tiny houses under 400 sq ft on foundations, requiring minimum ceiling heights and emergency egress. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) with RVIA certification are classified as RVs under Utah Code §41-1a-102, and Utah County, Provo, and Orem prohibit using them as permanent dwellings in residential zones — they may only be parked (not occupied) on a residential lot for limited periods. A few Utah County areas have experimented with RV/tiny-home parks (licensed under UT §26B-7-401 manufactured home community rules). Utility hookups (water, sewer, electric) must meet Utah State Construction Code. The Utah County Health Department enforces septic requirements in unincorporated areas.
Occupying a THOW as a residence in Provo/Orem: zoning violation, $100-$1,000 per day. Unpermitted foundation tiny home: stop-work, required removal or retroactive permit. ADU occupancy without CO: prohibited under Utah Code §15A-1-204.
Orem, UT
Orem considers excessive and continuous barking a noise nuisance. Dogs must be contained on the owner's property or on a leash. Orem Animal Control responds ...
Orem, UT
Orem enforces quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7 AM under its criminal offenses code. Loud noise plainly audible at 30 feet from a residence during quiet hours i...
Orem, UT
Orem permits construction 7 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. No construction within 200 feet of residential zones is allowed outside the...
Orem, UT
Orem requires a minimum number of off-street paved parking spaces by zoning type. For accessory apartments, at least 3 paved off-street parking pads are requ...
Orem, UT
Orem City Code §19-3-5 prohibits parking any vehicle in the same location on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours. Enhanced enforcement near Ut...
Orem, UT
Orem City Code §19-3-5 prohibits parking trailers, unattached campers, or boats on public streets for more than 72 hours. In planned development zones, RV st...
See how Orem's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.