Short-Term Rentals in Provo, UT: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Provo or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Provo has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Parking Rules

STR properties in Provo must meet the same parking requirements as their zoning classification. ADU-associated parking may be on a front yard driveway if it leads to required covered spaces. Provo Code Ch. 14.37 governs off-street parking minimums.

Key details: Code: Provo City Code Ch. 14.37. ADU Parking: Driveway OK if leads to covered spaces. Street Parking: Move 400 ft every 72 hours. RV/Trailer Street: 72-hour maximum.

Parking plan non-compliance may affect registration renewal. Street parking violations per city code.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Provo gives residents more flexibility on parking rules.

Insurance Requirements

Provo City Code Chapter 6.33 (Short-Term Rentals) does not publish a specific minimum liability-insurance dollar amount for STR operators, and Utah Code Sec. 10-8-85.4 does not set a statewide STR insurance floor. Standard Utah homeowner policies typically exclude commercial short-term rental activity, so most Provo operators rely on platform liability coverage (Airbnb Host Liability up to USD 1 million per occurrence; Vrbo Liability Insurance) or a stand-alone commercial STR policy.

Key details: Licensing Chapter: Provo City Code Ch. 6.33. City Insurance Minimum: Not published in Ch. 6.33. State Insurance Minimum: None set by Utah Code Sec. 10-8-85.4. Homeowner HO-3/HO-6: Usually excludes STR activity. Airbnb Host Liability: Up to USD 1M per occurrence (platform-only).

Because Chapter 6.33 does not publish a specific minimum insurance amount, the typical enforcement path is indirect: a serious incident (guest injury, fire, water loss) at an under-insured rental can trigger civil liability against the host personally, and may surface as a code-compliance issue if life-safety requirements were not met. Misrepresenting insurance status on a Chapter 6.33 license application could be grounds for license denial, suspension, or revocation. Repeat compliance failures are commonly cited at renewal.

Provo is more permissive than most cities when it comes to insurance requirements. That said, there are still limits.

Occupancy Limits

Provo does not set a separate per-guest STR occupancy cap, but it sharply limits STR location: they are allowed only in eight commercial/mixed-use zones, and in multifamily buildings in those zones STR use is capped at 10% of the total dwelling units.

Key details: Building Cap: STR use capped at 10% of dwelling units in a multifamily building. Permitted Zones: DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, PIC only. Code Chapter: Provo City Code Ch. 6.33; 6.33.060 (Other Rental Dwelling Requirements).

Exceeding the 10% per-building STR cap, or operating an STR in a non-permitted (e.g., residential) zone, is a zoning violation enforceable through Provo's code-enforcement process and may trigger a city request to remove the listing under Utah Code 10-8-85.4.

Compared to other cities, Provo takes a harder line on occupancy limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in Provo are subject to the same noise ordinance as permanent residents. Chapter 9.06 limits apply 24/7 with quiet hours from 10 PM–7 AM. STR licenses can be revoked for repeated noise violations.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM–7 AM. Noise Limit: 85 dBA residential. Host Liability: Yes, for guest violations. Enforcement: Special Enforcement Team.

Noise violation: $100 to $750. Multiple complaints: registration review possible. Host responsible for guest behavior.

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.

Key details: Code Section: Provo City Code 6.33.020 (License Required). Application Fee: $125 short-term rental business license. Permitted Zones: DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, PIC only. State Authority: Utah Code 10-8-85.4(4).

Operating an STR without the required Chapter 6.33 business license, or operating outside a permitted zone, is a code violation subject to Provo's code-enforcement process and, where business-license or zoning requirements are violated, to a city request that the hosting platform remove the listing (Utah Code 10-8-85.4(5)-(6)).

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

Taxes & Fees

STR operators in Provo must collect Utah state sales tax (4.85%), Utah County Transient Room Tax (6%), and Provo City sales tax (1%). Total tax burden on STR stays is approximately 11–12%.

Key details: State Sales Tax: 4.85%. Utah County TRT: 6%. Provo City Tax: 1%. Total Approx.: ~11–12%. Remittance: Host responsibility.

Non-remittance: penalty + interest. Utah Tax Commission audit. Tax evasion: misdemeanor charges.

The Bottom Line

Provo's short-term rentals 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.

All of the above reflects Provo'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.