Environmental Rules in Orem, UT (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Orem, Utah, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Orem makes it unlawful to obstruct, cover, or contribute to blocking any part of the City's storm water system, including drain inlets. Anyone connecting to that system, directly by pipe or indirectly through a sump, must first get a Storm Water Connection Permit from the City, reviewed by the Development Review Committee.
Orem Storm Water Connection Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code 23-3-2 (Prohibited Obstructions) and 23-3-4(A) (Storm Water Connection Permit)
Unlawful Obstructions. It is unlawful for any person to: Obstruct the flow of water in the storm water system. Contribute to the obstruction of the flow of water in the storm water system. Cover or obstruct any drain inlet. ... Permit Required. Except as provided for in Section 23-4-7, no person shall connect to the City's storm water system without first obtaining a Storm Water Connection Perm...
Erosion Control
Orem requires a Land Disturbance Permit before any activity disturbing 500 or more square feet of land, backed by a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. Disturbed soil must be stabilized within 14 days after work stops, and applicants post a bond scaled to the site's street frontage.
Orem Land Disturbance & Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code 23-4-7(2) (Land Disturbance Permit, When Required) and 23-4-7(3)(B)(3)(d) (Stabilization)
A Land Disturbance Permit (or "Permit") is required before any person may perform any type of land disturbance activity that will disrupt or cause a change in the natural landscape upon any parcel of property located in the City. ... Land disturbance activities disturbing less than 500 square feet of land surface area [are exempt]. ... Stabilization measures shall be initiated as soon as practi...
Flood Zones
Orem requires a development permit before any construction or land-disturbing work begins in a mapped area of special flood hazard. City Code 10-4-3 covers plats, site plans, and building permits, while Section 10-5-2 sets numeric elevation standards under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Orem Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code § 10-4-3 (Establishment of Development Permit) and § 10-5-2(A) (Residential Construction elevation standard)
A development permit (a preliminary plat, site plan and or building permit as applicable) shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 10-3-2. ... Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, machinery and equipment...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Orem's mapped special flood hazard areas, new homes and substantially improved structures must have the lowest floor built at least one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE), the FEMA-mapped 1% annual chance flood level. A licensed engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify compliance to the City's Floodplain Administrator.
Orem Flood Elevation: 1 Ft. Above BFE Required
Some RestrictionsOrem City Code § 10-5-2(A)
Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, machinery and equipment, elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that the standards of this ordinance are sati...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orem city rules.
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