Before You Build in Provo, UT: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Structural fences 6 feet or less in height do not require a building permit in Provo. Fences over 6 feet require a permit. All fences must comply with setback, vision clearance, and zoning rules.

In Provo R1 zones, solid fences in front yards are limited to 3 feet. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet. Non-sight-obscuring (50%+ open) fences may be up to 6 feet in front yards. No permit required for fences 6 feet or less.

Provo follows Utah's general property law for shared fences. Fences must be within the owner's property. Disputes over shared boundary fences are governed by Utah Code §17-15-3 (fence viewers). No specific cost-sharing ordinance in Provo city code.

Above-ground pools in Provo are subject to the same building permit and fencing requirements as in-ground pools. A 6-foot fence enclosure and property line setbacks apply. Accessory structure rules may apply to associated pool structures.

A City of Provo building permit is required to install any indoor or outdoor swimming pool, and the application must show setbacks, required barriers, utilities, pool equipment and pool features; commercial pools must first be approved by the Utah County Health Department.

Provo regulates spas and hot tubs under the same swimming-pool provisions and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, so a building permit and a compliant barrier or safety cover are required, with five-foot setbacks and self-closing, self-latching access.

Provo requires an outdoor pool to be enclosed by a wall or fence at least six feet high with no openings that pass a 4-inch sphere and with automatic self-closing, self-latching gates; the zoning code and the adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code set the barrier standards.

Provo pool safety rules follow IRC barrier standards and UDOH Admin Code R392-302. Building permits are required. Pools must maintain required fencing, gates, and setbacks at all times. Commercial pools require Utah County Health Department approval.

Provo allows one accessory dwelling unit per single-family detached home in most residential zones under Chapter 14.30 of the Provo City Code, but requires owner occupancy, four off-street parking spaces, and a rental dwelling license; internal ADUs are a permitted use statewide under Utah Code 10-9a-530.

Provo permits an accessory apartment created over an attached garage or by conversion inside the home, and Utah Code 10-9a-530 makes an internal ADU within an owner-occupied single-family dwelling (including a connected, habitable garage) a permitted use; a building permit, interior inspection, and owner occupancy are required.

Provo regulates carports as accessory structures under Title 14 (Zoning). In the R1 (One-Family Residential) zone, Sec. 14.10.080 requires garages and carports to be set back at least 20 feet behind the sidewalk, or at least 26 feet behind the back of curb where no sidewalk exists. On a residential corner lot, a garage or carport in the rear yard cannot be closer to the side-street property line than any residence on the adjoining lot, and in no case closer than 30 feet, whichever is more restrictive. Building permits are required for carport construction.

Provo treats sheds, gazebos, and other detached accessory buildings under its yard-requirement code (14.10.080); accessory buildings outside the buildable area must sit at least three feet from any property line, cover no more than 10% of the lot, and no portion may exceed 12 feet in height within 10 feet of a property line.

Provo Fire & Rescue allows backyard recreational fire pits under guidelines that cap the pit at 3 feet in diameter and flames at 2 feet, require a non-combustible surround, and keep fires 25 feet from structures and combustibles per the adopted International Fire Code (Provo City Code 9.51).

Provo prohibits open burning under its adopted International Fire Code (Provo City Code 9.51), with narrow exceptions. Where yard-waste burning is allowed, Utah Division of Air Quality rule R307-202 requires a valid permit from the fire authority and a National Weather Service clearing index of 500 or greater.

Tree removal on private property in Provo generally does not require a permit for small, dead, or hazardous trees. Heritage trees under the Utah Heritage Tree Act require a permit. Street/right-of-way trees require City Forester consent.

Provo City Code 9.20.050 makes it unlawful to plant, remove, spray, trim, prune, or cut any tree or shrub on city parking strips, parks, or other public property without first obtaining the written consent of the City Forester. Provo's Arboricultural Standards require limbs over streets to clear 13 feet and over sidewalks to clear 8 feet, and all work to follow ANSI A300 and Z133.1 standards.

Provo City Code 10.02.160 makes it unlawful for any water user to waste water through leaks, overflowing troughs, or wasteful running of hydrants and faucets. Under Provo City Code 10.02.220, when water is scarce the Mayor may proclaim restrictions on outdoor (non-domestic) water use, and violators can have their water shut off until they pay a turn-on fee.