Moving to Orem, UT?

Orem permits construction 7 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. No construction within 200 feet of residential zones is allowed outside these hours. No Sunday construction.

Orem considers excessive and continuous barking a noise nuisance. Dogs must be contained on the owner's property or on a leash. Orem Animal Control responds to barking dog complaints. The North Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Lindon handles impoundment.

Orem enforces quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7 AM under its criminal offenses code. Loud noise plainly audible at 30 feet from a residence during quiet hours is prohibited. Disturbing the peace is a Class C misdemeanor if it continues after a request to stop.

Orem City Code Chapter 22 does not establish a short-term rental insurance requirement because the 2002 zoning amendment prohibits transient lodging under 30 days in residential districts, so the city has not codified a liability minimum, certificate-of-insurance filing, or homeowner-policy endorsement rule for STR operators. Utah Code does not impose a statewide STR insurance mandate either; HB 217 (2024) limits cities' ability to ban STRs solely on advertising but leaves insurance as a local choice not yet exercised by Orem.

Orem has historically prohibited short-term rentals (transient lodging under 30 days) in residential zones under a 2002 zoning ordinance, so no occupancy formula has applied to lawful residential STRs. The Orem City Council reviewed a draft STR text amendment in 2025 (Utah PMN posting 772697) discussing tiered caps such as two guests per bedroom up to a maximum of eight, but as of the most recent verified council discussion no STR occupancy ordinance had been formally adopted.

STR operators in Orem must collect Utah state sales tax (4.85%), Utah County Transient Room Tax (6%), and applicable local taxes. Platforms like Airbnb may auto-collect, but hosts remain responsible for compliance.

STR properties in Orem must have designated off-street parking for guests. Street parking is limited to 72 hours per vehicle. HOAs often impose stricter parking rules. Planned development zones may have enclosed RV storage requirements.

Orem regulates short-term rentals but cannot ban them in residential zones per Utah state law (SB 167/HB 217). STR operators must obtain a city business license under Chapter 12. Safety requirements and neighbor complaint mechanisms are in place.

STR guests in Orem must comply with the city's noise ordinance. Quiet hours are 10:30 PM to 7 AM. Noise plainly audible at 30 feet from residences during quiet hours is prohibited. Hosts are responsible for guest compliance.

Orem follows Utah state fireworks windows (July 2–5 and July 22–25). Fireworks are prohibited within 100 feet of undeveloped land, within 500 feet of National Forest/BLM lands, and in all city parks. Discharge maps available at orem.gov/fireworks.

Orem allows residential recreational fire pits following Utah fire code standards: maximum 3-foot diameter fuel area, 2-foot flame height, 25-foot clearance from structures, spark arrestor required. Air quality must be checked before any fire.

Open burning in Orem requires contacting the City or Fire Chief for permits, not the standard online county system. Utah DAQ burn seasons are April 1–May 31 and September 15–October 31 when the clearing index is 500+. Red/Yellow air action days prohibit all burning.

Orem City Code §19-3-5 prohibits parking trailers, unattached campers, or boats on public streets for more than 72 hours. In planned development zones, RV storage must be in a 6-foot fenced, paved enclosure. Front yard storage is restricted.

Orem City Code §19-3-5 prohibits parking any vehicle in the same location on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours. Enhanced enforcement near Utah Valley University campus. All vehicles must have current registration.

Orem restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage in residential areas is prohibited. All vehicles must comply with the 72-hour street parking limit.

Orem requires a minimum number of off-street paved parking spaces by zoning type. For accessory apartments, at least 3 paved off-street parking pads are required. Driveways may not be within 25 feet of a fence over 3 feet in the clear vision area.

Orem allows 6-foot fences in rear yards and side yards. Front yards are limited to 3 feet for solid fences or 4 feet for open-style fences. All fences over the de minimis size require a written permit from the City.

Orem follows Utah general property law for shared fences. Utah Code §17-15-3 provides county fence viewers for disputes. No Orem-specific cost-sharing ordinance exists. Fences must not create vision hazards near driveways.

All fences in Orem require a written permit from the City before construction, reconstruction, or alteration. Contact the Orem Building Department at (801) 229-7000 to apply online.

Orem may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning.

Utah state law prohibits breed-specific legislation. Orem cannot ban or restrict specific dog breeds. Dangerous dog rules are behavior-based and apply to any breed that bites or exhibits vicious behavior.

Orem requires all dogs to be leashed or contained at all times, including in most city parks. The only designated off-leash area is the dog park at Timpanogos Park. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed annually.

Orem permits beekeeping subject to city regulations. Utah Code §4-2-103 requires registration with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). Hive setback and management rules apply in residential zones.

Orem's animal control provisions restrict keeping wild or exotic animals. Utah Admin Code R657-3 governs reptile and amphibian ownership. Permits may be required by species. Wild-caught animals are prohibited.

Tree trimming in Orem on private property is generally not regulated beyond standard safety requirements. Street/public right-of-way trees require city approval before trimming. Branches near power lines should be reported to the utility.

Orem's 2020 xeriscaping ordinance update reduced required green cover from 75% to 50% of the property. Weeds and overgrown vegetation are subject to code compliance enforcement. Artificial turf rules vary by zone.

Orem follows the Utah weekly watering guide (typically 2 days/week in spring, no watering 10 AM–6 PM, off-season Oct 31–Apr 1). The 2020 xeriscape update cut required green-cover to 50%. Orem does NOT participate in Utah's grass-replacement rebate program.

Tree removal on private property in Orem is generally permitted without a city permit for most trees. Heritage trees under the Utah Heritage Tree Act require a permit. Street or right-of-way trees require city approval.

Orem enforces weed abatement. Utah Noxious Weed Act (Utah Code §4-17-101) applies statewide. County weed boards enforce.

Home occupations in Orem residential zones must not generate customer traffic or on-site visits that alter the residential character. No non-resident employees typically permitted. High-traffic businesses require a Conditional Use Permit or commercial zone.

Home businesses in Orem residential zones are generally limited to minimal or no exterior signage. A sign permit is required for any sign exceeding residential allowances. Contact Orem Planning at (801) 229-7058.

Home-based businesses in Orem require a city business license (Chapter 12) and must be a permitted use in the property's zone (Chapter 22). Some higher-activity home businesses require a Conditional Use Permit.

Orem requires pool barriers of at least 4 to 5 feet in height with self-closing, self-latching gates. Building permits are required for all pools. Utah Admin Code R392-302 and IRC barrier standards apply.

All residential pools in Orem require a building permit. Safety standards follow the IRC and Utah Admin Code R392-302. Pool drains must comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. Commercial pools require Utah County Health Department approval.

Above-ground pools in Orem require a building permit and must meet the same fence/barrier requirements as in-ground pools. Associated decking may require an additional permit. Self-closing, self-latching gate access points are required.

Orem regulates carports as accessory buildings/structures under Chapter 22 of the City Code, with the core standards in Section 22-6-8(D). A detached accessory structure may not be placed in a front yard unless it is set back at least forty (40) feet from the front property line, must sit at least six (6) feet from the primary structure if it requires a building permit, and the combined footprint of all accessory buildings is capped at eight percent (8%) of the parcel for single-family lots (twelve percent for multifamily developments).

Garage conversions to living space in Orem require a building permit and must meet residential code standards. Converting to an accessory apartment is subject to ADU rules including 3 paved parking spaces. Off-street parking minimums must still be met.

Orem calls ADUs 'accessory apartments' and permits them in single-family homes (except R-5 zone). At least 3 paved off-street parking spaces are required. Sewer connection may be required. Units must meet full building code standards.

Orem does not require a building permit for sheds 200 sq ft or smaller on single/two-family lots (120 sq ft on multi-family). Site plan approval is still required. Structures with utilities always require a permit regardless of size.

Orem enforces FEMA flood zone standards under City Code Chapter 10 (Flood Damage Prevention). Properties in SFHAs face elevation requirements, flood insurance mandates, and construction restrictions. 2024 FEMA map updates affected Orem boundaries.

Orem enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.