How Provo Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Provo maintains 50 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Provo falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Carport Rules

Provo regulates carports as accessory structures under Title 14 (Zoning). In the R1 (One-Family Residential) zone, Sec. 14.10.080 requires garages and carports to be set back at least 20 feet behind the sidewalk, or at least 26 feet behind the back of curb where no sidewalk exists. On a residential corner lot, a garage or carport in the rear yard cannot be closer to the side-street property line than any residence on the adjoining lot, and in no case closer than 30 feet, whichever is more restrictive. Building permits are required for carport construction.

Key details: R1 Section: Provo City Code Sec. 14.10.080. Behind Sidewalk: 20 ft minimum. Behind Back of Curb: 26 ft where no sidewalk. Corner-Lot Rear Yard: 30 ft minimum from side-street line. Other Zones: See Sec. 14.11.080 etc..

Constructing a carport without the required building permit, placing it within a required setback, or exceeding the height or coverage limits in the underlying zone can support code-enforcement action under Title 14, including stop-work orders, removal orders, and fines. Permit-less carports are commonly identified during complaint-driven inspections or when the property is later sold and a building-records search is run. Bringing an existing non-permitted carport into compliance typically requires after-the-fact permit application or relocation to meet the setback.

ADU Rules

Provo allows one accessory dwelling unit per single-family detached home in most residential zones under Chapter 14.30 of the Provo City Code, but requires owner occupancy, four off-street parking spaces, and a rental dwelling license; internal ADUs are a permitted use statewide under Utah Code 10-9a-530.

Key details: Code Section: Provo City Code Ch. 14.30 (esp. 14.30.030). State Law: Utah Code 10-9a-530 (internal ADUs). ADUs per single-family home: 1 maximum. Detached ADU min size: 200 sq ft (footprint/height less than main dwelling). Detached ADU setback: 10 ft from any property line (or existing dwelling setback if less).

Operating an ADU without a building permit and Rental Dwelling License, or in violation of the occupancy, parking, or appearance standards, is just cause for denial or revocation of the license under Chapters 6.01 and 6.26; an ADU is not authorized on a property with outstanding ordinance violations. Internal ADU violations under Utah Code 10-9a-530 can also expose the owner to a municipal lien of up to $100 per day after the cure period expires.

Garage Conversions

Provo permits an accessory apartment created over an attached garage or by conversion inside the home, and Utah Code 10-9a-530 makes an internal ADU within an owner-occupied single-family dwelling (including a connected, habitable garage) a permitted use; a building permit, interior inspection, and owner occupancy are required.

Key details: Code Section: Provo City Code 14.30.030(2)(a); Utah Code 10-9a-530. Garage ADU allowed: Yes - over an attached garage or as an internal conversion. State definition: Internal ADU includes a habitable garage connected by a common wall. Permit: Building permit and interior inspection required. Min ceiling height (existing units): 7 ft (floor to ceiling).

Converting a garage into living space or an accessory apartment without a building permit and interior inspection is a code violation; the unit must be brought up to minimum health and safety standards (ceiling height, egress, smoke detectors, GFCI, handrails) and corrections are required whether or not a permit is ultimately obtained. Internal ADU violations under Utah Code 10-9a-530 can also result in a municipal lien of up to $100 per day after the cure period expires.

Shed Rules

Provo treats sheds, gazebos, and other detached accessory buildings under its yard-requirement code (14.10.080); accessory buildings outside the buildable area must sit at least three feet from any property line, cover no more than 10% of the lot, and no portion may exceed 12 feet in height within 10 feet of a property line.

Key details: Code Section: Provo City Code 14.10.080 (Yard Requirements - Accessory Buildings). Setback (outside buildable area): 3 ft minimum from any property line. Max coverage (outside buildable area): 10% of actual lot area. Height near property line: No portion over 12 ft within 10 ft of a property line. Prohibited location: Not in a front or street side yard.

Sheds or accessory buildings placed in a front or street side yard, closer than three feet to a property line, exceeding 12 feet in height within 10 feet of a property line, or covering more than 10% of the lot area are zoning violations subject to Provo code-enforcement action, which can require relocation, reduction, or removal of the structure. Building an accessory structure over 200 square feet without a building permit is a separate building-code violation.

The Bottom Line

Provo's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Provo is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Provo's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.