Provo, UT Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Provo City Code 7.01.020(21)
- First-offense fine
- $100/day (days 1-30)
- Escalated fine
- $500/day (day 61+)
- Repeat-offense fine
- up to $750/day
- Hearing request window
- 10 days from notice
- Reinspection fee
- $30 per additional inspection
- Repeat abatement cost
- treble cost within 2 years
Summary
Provo declares a deteriorated, unfit-for-habitation, or partially built and abandoned building a public nuisance under City Code 7.01.020(21). The City can issue a notice of violation under Title 17.03, then assess daily civil fines and abate the structure itself if the owner does not correct it.
(21) Maintenance of buildings and/or structures in such condition as to be deemed defective or in a condition of deterioration or disrepair including, but not limited to: (a) Any building or structure which is unfit for human habitation, or which is an unreasonable hazard to the health of people residing in the vicinity thereof, or which presents an unreasonable fire hazard in the vicinity where it is located; ... (c) Buildings which are abandoned, partially destroyed, or left in an unreasonable state of partial construction for a period of six (6) months or longer... (g) Buildings or conditions that violate any building, electrical, plumbing, fire, housing, or other code adopted by Provo City.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-17, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020(21) makes it unlawful to maintain a building or structure in a condition of deterioration or disrepair, including one unfit for human habitation, one left abandoned or in an unreasonable state of partial construction for six months or longer, one with dry rot, termite damage, or missing doors and windows, or one that otherwise violates the building, electrical, plumbing, fire, or housing code. Enforcement runs through Title 17. 020 must identify the code sections violated, the required repairs or demolition, a correction deadline, and the daily civil fine that starts accruing the day after that deadline passes.
110's Table 1, unabated violations accrue $100 per day for days 1 to 30, $250 per day for days 31 to 60, and $500 per day from day 61 onward for a first offense, doubling to $250, $500, and $750 for a subsequent offense at the same property. 030; skipping that window waives both the hearing and any appeal. 080 lets the City record the uncorrected notice of violation against the property with the Utah County Recorder. 060. 100 blocks the City from issuing building permits, business licenses, or other approvals for the property until a notice of compliance is recorded.
Violations & Fines
Failing to correct a cited building nuisance by the deadline is itself unlawful under 17.03.040 and is a class B misdemeanor, on top of the daily civil fines under 17.03.110 (up to $750/day for repeat violations). The City may also record the notice of violation against the property title, withhold all permits and approvals under 17.03.100, and abate the structure itself, billing the owner (treble cost if a second abatement is needed within two years).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building a 'nuisance' under Provo's code?
How much can the daily fine reach for an uncorrected building nuisance?
Can Provo fix the building itself and bill the owner?
What happens if I ignore the notice of violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Provo
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