What Provo Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Provo is a mid-sized city in Utah County, Utah, with about 115000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 50 ordinances across 12 categories that affect daily life in Provo.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Provo requires a short-term rental business license under Provo City Code Chapter 6.33; the city only permits STRs in eight commercial and mixed-use zones, not in residential or agricultural zones. Utah Code 10-8-85.4(4) expressly authorizes the city to require this license..

Also covered: Parking Rules (permissive), Insurance Requirements (permissive), Occupancy Limits (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Provo for details.

Accessory Structures

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..

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate), Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Provo for details.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: In Provo R1 zones, solid fences in front yards are limited to 3 feet. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet.

Also covered: Permit Requirements (permissive), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Provo for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Provo City Code 9.20.050 makes it unlawful to plant, remove, spray, trim, prune, or cut any tree or shrub on city parking strips, parks, or other public property without first obtaining the written consent of the City Forester. Provo's Arboricultural Standards require limbs over streets to clear 13 feet and over sidewalks to clear 8 feet, and all work to follow ANSI A300 and Z133.1 standards..

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Provo for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Provo requires an outdoor pool to be enclosed by a wall or fence at least six feet high with no openings that pass a 4-inch sphere and with automatic self-closing, self-latching gates; the zoning code and the adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code set the barrier standards..

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Pool Permits (moderate), Hot Tub Rules (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Provo for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Provo City Code §15.05.180 governs floodplain development. A floodplain development permit is required for any construction in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

Animal Ordinances

Breed Restrictions: Provo cannot ban or restrict any dog by breed. Utah Code 18-2-101 prohibits a municipality from adopting or enforcing any breed-specific rule, regulation, policy, or ordinance regarding dogs and voids any such measure, so no breed restrictions apply in Provo..

Also covered: Pet Limits (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Provo for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Provo City Code 9.32.090 bars trucks rated 1.5 tons or more (or licensed over 18,000 lbs gross) from parking on residential public streets for more than 2 hours (8 hours absolute max) except while actively loading or unloading..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Provo for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Provo City Code Section 14.41.040 prohibits any sign or advertising on the premises of a home occupation except a permitted nameplate, and bars any display visible from the exterior. Under the cross-referenced sign rules in Section 14.38.050, a home occupation nameplate is limited to a small wall-mounted nameplate..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Provo for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Provo prohibits open burning under its adopted International Fire Code (Provo City Code 9.51), with narrow exceptions. Where yard-waste burning is allowed, Utah Division of Air Quality rule R307-202 requires a valid permit from the fire authority and a National Weather Service clearing index of 500 or greater..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Provo for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Provo City Code Chapter 9.06 caps residential noise at a property line at 55 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Provo for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Provo enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours..

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Provo includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.