Accessory Structures in Orem, UT (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Orem, Utah, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Orem requires the property owner to live in either the main residence or the accessory apartment, and detached accessory buildings may not be used as a separate apartment (Orem City Code 22-6-8(D)(7)). Internal ADUs created within an owner-occupied single-family home are a permitted use statewide under Utah Code 10-9a-530.
Orem Accessory Apartment & ADU Rules
Some RestrictionsUtah Code 10-9a-530 (Internal accessory dwelling units), Subsections (2) and (4)
(2) In any area zoned primarily for residential use: (a) the use of an internal accessory dwelling unit is a permitted use; (b) except as provided in Subsections (3) and (4), a municipality may not establish any restrictions or requirements for the construction or use of one internal accessory dwelling unit within a primary dwelling, including a restriction or requirement governing: (i) the siz...
Shed Rules
Orem City Code 22-6-8(D) caps the combined footprint of all accessory buildings at 8% of a single-family parcel (12% for multifamily), requires a 6-foot gap from the main house for any permitted structure, limits rear-yard accessory buildings to 18 feet in height, and bans shipping containers and PODS as permanent structures. A building permit is not required for a shed of 200 square feet or smaller on single/two-family lots.
Orem Shed & Accessory Building Rules (22-6-8(D))
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code 22-6-8(D) (Accessory Buildings/Structures)
D. Accessory Buildings/Structures. 1. Prohibited Locations. a. No accessory building/structure requiring a building permit shall be located closer than six feet (6') to the primary structure on the lot. b. No accessory building/structure may be constructed in a front yard unless the accessory building/structure is set back at least forty (40) feet from the front property line nor shall it be pl...
Garage Conversions
Orem City Code 22-6-10(J) allows enclosing a pre-March-2000 attached carport into a garage if it sits at least 5 feet from the side and 25 feet from the front property line, the existing footprint is not enlarged in a nonconforming way, and a building permit is issued. If you convert a garage into living space and create an internal ADU, Utah Code 10-9a-530(4)(c) lets the city require replacement of the lost parking.
Orem Carport-to-Garage Conversion Rules (22-6-10(J))
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code 22-6-10(J) (Enclosing Existing Carports)
J. Enclosing Existing Carports. Attached carports in existence as of March 2000 which do not meet current setbacks and are at least five (5) feet from the side property line and twenty-five (25) feet from the front property line are permitted to be enclosed provided the following requirements are met: 1. The existing footprint of the carport shall not be increased unless the portion that is inc...
Carport Rules
Carports in Orem are accessory structures counted toward the 8%/12% accessory footprint cap under 22-6-8(D), and any accessory building over 500 square feet or 50% of the main home's footprint must use residential styling with a matching roof pitch and similar exterior materials (22-6-8(D)(5)). Multifamily carports may have flat roofs.
Orem Carport & Accessory Structure Design Rules
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code 22-6-8(D)(5)-(6) (Architectural Controls; Building Codes)
5. Architectural Controls. If the total footprint area of an accessory building/structure exceeds 500 square feet or 50% of the footprint area of the primary structure (whichever is less), the accessory structure must: a. be designed with residential styling, including: i. a roof pitch which matches that of the primary structure, but not to be less than four feet of rise to twelve feet of run f...
Tiny Homes
Orem allows only one single-family dwelling per residential lot (22-6-8(F)), prohibits using a detached accessory building as a separate apartment or guest house (22-6-8(D)(7)), and bans shipping containers, semi-trailers, boxcars, and PODS as residential structures (22-6-8(D)(9)) - which together restrict standalone tiny homes. Tiny dwellings within the main house may qualify as internal ADUs under Utah Code 10-9a-530.
Orem Tiny Homes & Prohibited Container Structures
Heavy RestrictionsOrem City Code 22-6-8(D)(7), (D)(9), and (F)
7. Use Limitations. An accessory building/structure located in a residential zone shall not be designed or used as a guest house or a separate apartment unit. ... 9. Prohibited Structures. Shipping containers, semi-trailers, boxcars, PODS, or similar structures may not be installed or maintained on a residential lot. ... F. Single Family. Only one (1) single family dwelling may be constructed p...
Looking for Utah County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orem city rules.
Accessory Structures in Utah County →