Orem's Public Conduct: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles public conduct a little differently. In Orem, Utah, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Skateboarding Rules

Orem makes it unlawful to skateboard, roller skate, or roller blade on someone else's private property without permission. City Code 9-2-12 requires the owner's or an authorized person's prior consent before anyone rides these devices on private land, and violators face civil or criminal penalties.

Key details: Covered devices: Skateboards, roller skates, roller blades. Where it applies: Private property only. Requirement: Owner's or authorized person's prior permission. Enacted: Ordinance No. O-02-0010, Feb. 5, 2002. Penalty options: Civil infraction or class C misdemeanor.

Skateboarding, roller skating, or roller blading on private property without the owner's permission can be cited either as a civil infraction under Article 19-6 procedures or prosecuted as a class C misdemeanor. Orem Police decide the track based on the circumstances and any prior history at the location.

Aggressive Panhandling

Orem bans aggressive panhandling under City Code 9-2-14. Soliciting money in an intimidating manner, touching someone without consent, blocking a sidewalk, or approaching within 30 feet of a bank, ATM, or check-cashing business during business hours is a class B misdemeanor citywide.

Key details: Buffer zone: 30 feet from bank or ATM entrance. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Enacted: Ordinance No. O-2012-0004, Jan. 10, 2012. Covers: Aggressive manner, transit vehicles, posted property. Exception: Passive sidewalk solicitation near a roadway is lawful.

Any violation of Orem's aggressive-solicitation chapter, including soliciting in an aggressive manner, within 30 feet of a bank or ATM entrance during business hours, or on posted private property, is a class B misdemeanor under City Code 9-2-14, enforced by Orem Police on complaint or observation.

Compared to other cities, Orem takes a harder line on aggressive panhandling. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Loitering Rules

Orem makes it unlawful to loiter on or about any school or college grounds or buildings, on foot or in a vehicle, without a lawful reason to be there. The same section separately bans harassing students or staff and parking near campus to annoy or molest them.

Key details: Governing section: Orem City Code 9-2-1. Prohibited act: Loitering on school grounds, no lawful reason. Also covered: Harassing students/staff, obscene conduct on campus. Related section: 9-2-2, obstructing sidewalk/doorway access. Enacted: Ord. No. 661, 04/10/1990.

Loitering on school or college grounds without a lawful reason violates Orem City Code Section 9-2-1. The Orem Police Department enforces this section, and because Section 9-2-1 does not set out its own penalty clause, a violation is prosecuted as a general Class C misdemeanor or infraction under Chapter 9's default criminal offense provisions.

Public Urination

Orem's "Befouling public places" ordinance makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate in any public place, or on private property where the act is open to public view. The offense sits in Chapter 9's criminal offenses article alongside littering and lodging-register rules.

Key details: Governing section: Orem City Code 9-2-8. Covered locations: Public places and private property in public view. Enacted: Ord. No. 661, 04/10/1990. Related section: 9-2-10, Public Indecency. Enforcing agency: Orem Police Department.

Urinating or defecating in a public place, or on private property in open public view, violates Orem City Code Section 9-2-8. The Orem Police Department cites or arrests for the offense, which is prosecuted as a Chapter 9 criminal offense; repeated or aggravated conduct can also support a companion public indecency charge under Section 9-2-10 if nudity or exposure is also involved.

Public Alcohol Use

Orem bans both possessing and drinking alcohol anywhere on city-owned property, not just inside park boundaries, under Orem City Code 13-1-9. The rule reaches every park, adjacent parking lot, restroom, recreation area and the grounds around Orem City Center. The only way around it is a written exemption from the Director of the Department of Recreation or a designee, and only for people who lease land from the City.

Key details: Rule: No alcohol possession or consumption on city property. Applies to: Parks, adjacent lots, recreation areas, City Center grounds. Exemption: Only for lessees of City-leased land. Granted by: Recreation Director or designee. Enacted: Ord. No. O-08-0013, 7/8/2008.

Possessing or consuming alcohol on any city-owned property without a Recreation Director exemption is enforced as an ordinance violation under the Orem City Code's general penalty provisions, since Article 13-1 sets no separate fine schedule of its own. Officers can also order a violator to leave the property under 13-1-3, and returning within 24 hours of that order is a second, independent violation. Confiscation of the alcohol at the scene is standard practice for enforcing officers.

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.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Smoking, including vaping, is banned on every piece of Orem city-owned property and at any mass gathering under Orem City Code 13-1-10. The definition of 'smoke' written into Article 13-1 covers lit pipes, cigars, cigarettes and electronic cigarettes alike. The rule carves out one specific spot: a 10-foot radius around each of two benches outside the west entrance of the Fourth District Court building.

Key details: Ban covers: All city-owned property and mass gatherings. Includes: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes/vaping. Exception: 10-ft radius, 2 benches, Fourth District Court. Mass gathering: 25+ people, 1+ hour, outdoors. Exemption: Only for lessees, via Recreation Director.

Smoking on city-owned property or at a mass gathering without an exemption is enforced under the Orem City Code's general penalty provisions, since Section 13-1-10 carries no standalone fine. A person told to leave city property for violating this section who returns within 24 hours commits a separate violation under 13-1-3. Enforcement can be carried out by police or by City recreation staff on duty at the property.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Orem actively enforces its outdoor smoking restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Orem is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Orem, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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