Noise from Specific Sources in Orem, UT

Orem maintains 119 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with noise from specific sources. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Orem falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Delivery Truck Noise

In Orem's PD-12 zone at the southwest corner of 1300 South and Main Street, businesses within 200 feet of a residential zone may only load and receive deliveries between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. No delivery truck may park with its engine or motor running between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Key details: Zone covered: PD-12, SW corner of 1300 South & Main St. Delivery hours near homes: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. No truck engine idling: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Trigger distance: Within 200 feet of a residential zone. Service drive width required: Minimum 26 feet.

A violation occurs when a delivery truck idles its engine or motor between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or when a business within 200 feet of a residential zone accepts loading or deliveries outside the 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. window, inside the PD-12 zone. Because this sits in Chapter 22 (Zoning), noncompliance is a zoning code violation tied to the site plan approval for the PD-12 development, separate from a disturbing-the-peace citation under Section 9-2-9.

HVAC & Mechanical Noise

Any Orem site plan for commercial, industrial, or multi-family development must show on the drawings where mechanical equipment is placed and what steps will cut its noise impact, per City Code Section 22-14-20(E). Development Services reviews this before any building permit is issued.

Key details: Governing section: Orem City Code 22-14-20(E). What's required: Show mechanical equipment location and noise mitigation on site plan. Reviewing agency: Development Services / Development Review Committee. Applies to: Projects requiring site plan review, not single-family homes. Penalty for violation: Class C misdemeanor, up to $500 fine (22-1-6).

Skipping the mechanical equipment and noise-mitigation notation on a site plan is grounds for Development Services to reject the drawings as incomplete before the application reaches the Development Review Committee. If a project is built or altered without following its approved noise mitigation showing, Section 22-14-20 treats that as a Chapter violation, exposing the owner to the City's general zoning penalty under Section 22-1-6: a Class C misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine ($1,000 for a corporation), and up to three months in jail, with each day a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Orem's noise from specific sources 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 Orem is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Orem's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.