FEMA flood zone rules in Utah County, UT — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Unincorporated Utah County participates in FEMA's NFIP and regulates development in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Major flood risks include the Spanish Fork River, Provo River tributaries, and Utah Lake shoreline areas.
Utah County participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), requiring regulation of development in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Key flood risk areas in unincorporated Utah County include: Spanish Fork River corridor, Provo River tributaries in upper Utah County, Utah Lake shoreline and delta areas, and mountain canyon outlets (Hobble Creek, Payson Creek, etc.). Development in FEMA Zone A or AE areas requires a floodplain development permit from Utah County Community Development. Structures must be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Fill, grading, and channel alterations in floodplains require county review and may require state Division of Water Quality or Army Corps of Engineers permits. Flood insurance is required for federally-backed mortgages on SFHA properties.
Construction below flood elevation: retroactive compliance required, fines $500 to $5,000. Floodway encroachment: removal order. Failure to maintain flood insurance: lender force-placement at higher cost.
Utah County, UT
Utah County regulates amplified music under general noise ordinances. Provo City Code §9.06 and Orem City Code §9-3 govern sound. Special event permits requi...
Utah County, UT
Utah County cities follow the 2021 International Building Code with Utah amendments requiring EV-ready parking in new multifamily construction. Residential L...
Utah County, UT
Provo bans overnight street parking from 3 AM to 5 AM year-round (Provo Code §9.45.050). Orem and unincorporated Utah County restrict overnight parking durin...
Utah County, UT
Utah County and its cities regulate fence materials by zone. Provo City Code §14.34 and Orem City Code §22-14-15 specify approved materials. Wood, vinyl, wro...
Utah County, UT
Retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from footing bottom to top) require a building permit and engineered drawings in Provo, Orem, and unincorporated Utah C...
Utah County, UT
Utah County has no breed-specific legislation. Utah Code §18-2-101 prohibits all local governments in Utah from enacting breed-specific laws. Dangerous anima...
See how Utah County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.