Orem's Special Events & Permits: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles special events & permits a little differently. In Orem, Utah, there are 2 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.

Parade Permits

Any parade or procession in Orem, except a funeral procession, needs a permit from the Chief of Police before it can march or proceed along a city street. Organizers must give the department the time, place of formation, route, and destination, and a permitted parade may be allowed to disregard traffic-control devices if it can be done safely.

Key details: Permit issuer: Chief of Police. Exempt event: Funeral processions only. Required application info: Time, formation site, route, destination. Traffic device waiver: Allowed only if it can be done safely. Governing chapter: Article 19-2, Rules of the Road.

Section 19-2-10 sits inside Chapter 19, and Section 19-1-6 makes 'the violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter... a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or a jail term of up to six (6) months, or by both.' Marching without a Police Chief-issued permit exposes organizers to that same exposure.

Park Event Permits

Anyone who wants to run a revenue-generating event on Orem city-owned property, including parks, must first get permission from the Department of Recreation under Orem City Code 13-1-4. That covers vendor sales, paid activities, ticketed gatherings and similar commercial uses of park land. Running such an event without that sign-off is unlawful, separate from the City's other park rules on parking, animals and alcohol.

Key details: Permit authority: Department of Recreation. Covers: Any revenue-generating event citywide. Parking: Designated public lots only. Animals: Leashed dogs only without separate permit. Mass gathering defined: 25+ people, 1+ hour outdoors.

Holding a revenue-generating event in a park or on other city-owned property without Department of Recreation permission is an ordinance violation enforced under the Orem City Code's general penalty provisions, since Article 13-1 sets out no dedicated fine schedule for Section 13-1-4. City staff can also order organizers or attendees off the property under 13-1-3, and returning within 24 hours of being told to leave is a separate violation. Unauthorized alcohol service at an unpermitted event compounds the exposure under the Article's companion sections.

The Bottom Line

Orem's special events & permits 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.

Keep in mind that Orem can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.