How Orem Handles Parking Rules: A Practical Guide

Orem maintains 49 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with parking rules. 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.

Abandoned Vehicles

Utah Code 41-6a-1406 authorizes a peace officer to remove and impound vehicles at the owner's expense, including abandoned vehicles under 41-6a-1408, and Orem City Code Chapter 19, Article 4 declares vehicles constituting nuisances subject to City impound.

Key details: Removal authority: Peace officer may remove/impound at owner's expense (UCA 41-6a-1406). Abandonment trigger: Over 48 hours on a highway (UCA 41-6a-1408). City impound: Nuisance-vehicle impound and redemption (Orem 19-4-1 to 19-4-3). Code Section: UCA 41-6a-1406, 41-6a-1408; Orem City Code Article 19-4.

An abandoned or nuisance vehicle may be towed and impounded at the owner's expense under Utah Code 41-6a-1406 and Orem City Code Article 19-4; the owner must satisfy redemption prerequisites (including fees) before the vehicle is released.

This is one of the stricter rules in Orem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Overnight Parking

Orem has no blanket overnight on-street parking ban, but Utah Code 41-6a-1408 treats a vehicle left unattended on a highway for more than 48 hours as abandoned, and Orem City Code 19-3-6 limits any vehicle to 72 hours in the same on-street location.

Key details: Overnight ban: No citywide overnight ban; 72-hour same-spot limit (Orem 19-3-6). Abandoned (state law): Unattended on highway over 48 hours = abandoned (UCA 41-6a-1408). Permit areas: Residential Parking Permit Program restricts non-residents (Orem 19-5). Code Section: Orem City Code 19-3-6, 19-5; UCA 41-6a-1408.

A vehicle exceeding 72 hours (Orem 19-3-6) or meeting the 48-hour abandonment threshold (UCA 41-6a-1408) may be cited and removed/impounded. Abandoning a vehicle is prohibited statewide, and removal is at the owner's expense under Utah Code 41-6a-1406.

RV & Boat Parking

Orem City Code 19-3-5 makes it unlawful to park or keep any trailer, unattached camper, or boat on a public street for longer than 72 hours, and 19-3-4 bars parking any vehicle or trailer 25 feet or longer (or over 1.5 tons) on a public street in any residential zone.

Key details: Trailer/camper/boat limit: 72 hours max on a public street (Orem 19-3-5). Large vehicle ban (residential): No vehicle/trailer 25 ft+ or over 1.5 tons (Orem 19-3-4). Commercial/industrial zones: Same large vehicles barred 5:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m. (Orem 19-3-4). Code Section: Orem City Code 19-3-4, 19-3-5.

RVs, boats, campers, or trailers left beyond the limits are subject to citation under Orem City Code 19-3-4 or 19-3-5 and may be impounded under Chapter 19, Article 4.

Street Parking Limits

Orem caps continuous parking in the same on-street location at 72 hours (Orem City Code 19-3-6), and Utah state law (UCA 41-6a-1402) requires vehicles to be parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb on a two-way roadway.

Key details: Same-location limit: 72 hours max continuous on-street parking (Orem 19-3-6). Roadway clearance: Must leave at least 10 ft of roadway width (Orem 19-3-3). Curb position (state law): Right wheels within 12 inches of curb (UCA 41-6a-1402). Code Section: Orem City Code 19-3-1 to 19-3-6; UCA 41-6a-1402.

Vehicles parked contrary to posted signs, curb markings, or the 72-hour limit are subject to citation by Orem Police and may be impounded under Orem City Code Chapter 19, Article 4 (Impounding). A violation of the Utah parking statute is a traffic infraction.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Orem City Code 19-3-4 prohibits parking any vehicle or trailer 25 feet or longer (or over 1.5 tons rated capacity) on a public street in any residential zone at any time, and bars the same large vehicles in commercial or industrial zones between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Key details: Residential ban: No vehicle/trailer 25 ft+ or over 1.5 tons, anytime (Orem 19-3-4). Commercial/industrial limit: Same vehicles barred 5:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m. (Orem 19-3-4). Clear-roadway rule (state law): Leave 200 ft clear view each direction (UCA 41-6a-1404). Code Section: Orem City Code 19-3-4; UCA 41-6a-1404.

Parking an oversized or heavy commercial vehicle in violation of Orem City Code 19-3-4 is subject to citation by Orem Police and possible impound under Chapter 19, Article 4. A violation of the Utah roadway-parking statute (41-6a-1404) is an infraction. Unlawful vehicle-for-sale displays are cited under 19-3-7 or 19-3-8.

Driveway Rules

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 required. Driveways may not be within 25 feet of a fence over 3 feet in the clear vision area.

Key details: ADU/Acc. Apt.: 3 paved spaces required. Vision Area: No fence 3+ ft within 25 ft of driveway. Contact: Dev. Services (801) 229-7058. Topic: Driveway Rules.

Parking on unapproved surface: code compliance notice. Fines after correction period. Inoperable vehicles: removal order.

Orem is more permissive than most cities when it comes to driveway rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Orem's parking rules 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.

All of the above reflects Orem's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.