Accessory Structures in Orem, UT (2026)
6 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...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Orem allows an accessory apartment only inside an owner-occupied detached single-family home, never in the R5 or PRD zones. The owner must use the home as a primary residence and mailing address, hold at least 50% equity or beneficial interest, and the requirement only pauses for a bona fide temporary absence of three years or less.
Orem Accessory Apartment Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code § 22-6-9(I), (I)(1)
Accessory Apartments. Accessory apartments shall be allowed only in owner-occupied detached single-family dwellings and in such other dwellings as may be specifically designated by ordinance, but shall not be allowed in any R5 zone or PRD zone. A dwelling shall be considered owner-occupied only if the owner uses the dwelling as his/her primary dwelling and mailing address...Owner occupancy for ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
An Orem accessory apartment must carry a rental dwelling license under Orem City Code Section 22-6-9(I)(9) and Article 12-9, but the owner pays the license fee only once, not annually, for a legal ADU under Section 12-9-6. A new owner after a sale must reapply and pay the initial fee again.
Orem Accessory Apartment Rental License Rule
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code § 22-6-9(I)(9); § 12-9-3; § 12-9-6
Rental Dwelling License. Accessory apartments are subject to the rental dwelling license requirements set forth in Article 12-9 of the Orem City Code. [12-9-3] It is unlawful for any person, as owner, lessee, or agent thereof to keep, conduct, operate or maintain a rental dwelling within the City of Orem...without a valid rental dwelling license...A rental dwelling license shall also not be req...
Shed & Carport 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...
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 →