Pop. 115,162 · Utah County
Utah state law prohibits breed-specific legislation. Provo cannot ban or restrict specific dog breeds. No breed-specific ordinances exist. Dangerous/vicious dog rules apply regardless of breed based on behavior.
Provo may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning.
Provo City requires all dogs to be on a leash or otherwise restrained when not on the owner's property. Dogs must be under restraint in all public areas including city parks, unless the area is a designated off-leash park.
STR properties in Provo must meet the same parking requirements as their zoning classification. ADU-associated parking may be on a front yard driveway if it leads to required covered spaces. Provo Code Ch. 14.37 governs off-street parking minimums.
Provo City Code Chapter 6.33 (Short-Term Rentals) does not publish a specific minimum liability-insurance dollar amount for STR operators, and Utah Code Sec. 10-8-85.4 does not set a statewide STR insurance floor. Standard Utah homeowner policies typically exclude commercial short-term rental activity, so most Provo operators rely on platform liability coverage (Airbnb Host Liability up to USD 1 million per occurrence; Vrbo Liability Insurance) or a stand-alone commercial STR policy.
Provo regulates short-term rentals (rentals under 30 consecutive days) under Provo City Code Chapter 6.33. STRs are only permitted in specific commercial and mixed-use zones (DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, PIC) and are not allowed in standard residential zones. Occupancy in any rental dwelling in Provo is governed by Provo's residential occupancy rule of one family or up to three single (unrelated) individuals per dwelling unit, applied through the underlying zoning and the Rental Dwelling chapter (Ch. 6.26).
Short-term rental guests in Provo are subject to the same noise ordinance as permanent residents. Chapter 9.06 limits apply 24/7 with quiet hours from 10 PM–7 AM. STR licenses can be revoked for repeated noise violations.
Short-term rentals in Provo are only permitted in specific commercial/mixed-use zones (DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, PIC) — not in residential zones. Hosts must obtain a city STR business license under Chapter 6.33. Application fee is $125.
STR operators in Provo must collect Utah state sales tax (4.85%), Utah County Transient Room Tax (6%), and Provo City sales tax (1%). Total tax burden on STR stays is approximately 11–12%.
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.
Garage conversions to living space in Provo require a building permit and must meet residential occupancy codes. Converting a garage to an ADU is subject to §14.30.030 ADU standards. Off-street parking requirements must still be met.
Provo City Code §14.30.030 governs ADUs. Detached ADUs must set back 10 feet from all property lines, be on permanent foundations, be architecturally compatible, and independently connected to utilities. Internal ADUs may have 1–2 utility meters.
Sheds under 200 sq ft in Provo do not require a building permit but must meet setback and height requirements. Structures over 200 sq ft require a permit and engineered drawings. No living quarters permitted in accessory buildings.
Utah Code §10-9a-530 and §17-27a-526 authorize internal ADUs statewide. Tiny homes on foundations are dwellings; tiny homes on wheels (THOW) are typically classified as RVs and cannot be permanent residences in Provo or Orem.
Provo City Code requires living vegetation to cover at least 40% of unbuilt surface area within 3 years of planting. Artificial turf is prohibited in standard residential zones. Weeds do not count toward the 40% minimum.
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 requires written consent from the City Forester before trimming, pruning, or treating any tree on a public right-of-way or parking strip. Property owners may hire private arborists but must get city approval first.
Provo follows the Utah Division of Water Resources weekly watering guide — typically 2 days/week in May, no watering 10 AM–6 PM, and no watering October 31–April 1. All sodded yards must have automatic irrigation. Provo does NOT participate in Utah's lawn-replacement rebate program.
Provo enforces weed abatement. Utah Noxious Weed Act (Utah Code §4-17-101) applies statewide. County weed boards enforce.
Utah County cities permit artificial turf as a water-efficient alternative. Provo and Orem require proper drainage and limit turf in front yards to a percentage of landscaped area; HOAs cannot ban it outright under UT §57-8a-231.
Rainwater harvesting in Utah County regulated by Utah Code §73-3-1.5. Residents may collect up to 2,500 gallons underground with free state registration via Division of Water Rights. Critical due to Wasatch Front drought.
Utah Code §57-8a-231 protects homeowners' right to install water-wise landscaping. Utah County encourages Localscapes and Slow the Flow native plant designs given persistent Wasatch Front drought.
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.
Utah adopts IRC Appendix G requiring pool barriers at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates for all residential pools, spas, and hot tubs. Non-compliance triggers immediate correction orders in Provo and Orem.
Retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from footing bottom to top) require a building permit and engineered drawings in Provo, Orem, and unincorporated Utah County. Walls with surcharge loads need permits at any height.
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, wrought iron standard. Barbed wire prohibited residential.
Provo City Code Chapter 9.31 governs commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. All vehicles require current registration. Commercial vehicles parked on residential streets must comply with general 72-hour movement rules.
Provo City Code §14.34.060 limits RV, boat, and trailer street parking to 72 consecutive hours. On residential private property, RVs must be on a driveway or paved area, set back 12.5 feet from the sidewalk for portions over 3 feet in height.
Provo City Code Chapter 14.37 governs off-street parking. For one-family dwellings with ADUs, driveway parking in the front yard is allowed if it leads to required covered spaces. Vehicles may not be between the dwelling and the street.
Provo City Code Chapter 9.31 requires all vehicles to have current registration and move at least 400 feet every 72 hours. Parking near fire hydrants (15 ft), crosswalks (20 ft), and stop signs (30 ft) is prohibited.
Utah Code §41-6a-1405 defines abandoned vehicles as those left on public property 48+ hours or on private property without consent. Provo Code §9.45.100 and Orem Code §10-5 authorize tagging and towing after notice.
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 during snow season. Vehicles may be ticketed or towed.
Utah County cities follow the 2021 International Building Code with Utah amendments requiring EV-ready parking in new multifamily construction. Residential Level 2 installations need a Utah-licensed electrician and an electrical permit.
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.
Provo requires a building permit for all pools. Outdoor pools must be surrounded by a fence or wall of minimum 6 feet height, set back at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
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.
Utah County requires electrical permits for 240V hot tub installations. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 typically satisfies barrier rules under IRC Appendix G, adopted via Utah Code §15A-3-202.
Utah County requires building permits for all in-ground pools and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep. Provo, Orem, and county inspections cover electrical, plumbing, and barriers. IBC 2021 adopted by Utah.
Provo allows residential fire pits under strict size and clearance requirements. Fire pits may not exceed 3 feet in diameter, flames may not exceed 2 feet, and non-combustible surrounds are required. Clearance is 25 feet from structures.
Provo City Code Chapter 9.43 permits Class C consumer fireworks July 2–5 and July 22–25 (11 AM–11 PM, with midnight extension on July 4 and July 24), plus Dec 31 and Chinese New Year's Eve. East foothill areas are prohibited zones. Violation is a $1,000 fine and Class B misdemeanor.
Open burning in Provo is prohibited except for permitted recreational fires under City Code §9.51.040. The Utah Division of Air Quality's Red/Yellow air action days ban all burning. Residents must check air quality before any fire.
Utah County requires defensible space in WUI areas along the Wasatch foothills. Provo, Orem, and unincorporated hillside communities enforce 30-foot non-combustible zones. Utah Code §65A-8 wildland fire provisions apply.
Utah County enforces wildfire-hazard-area defensible space under Utah Code §65A-8-203 and the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code, with mandatory 30-foot clearance, Class A/B roofing in mapped WUI zones along the Wasatch Front, and closed-fire restrictions issued annually by the state forester.
Utah Code 53-7-301 et seq. and Utah Administrative Rule R710-6 give the State Fire Marshal exclusive authority over liquefied petroleum gas, adopting NFPA 58 statewide for tank installation, storage, certification, and operator licensing.
Home businesses in residential zones are generally limited to minimal or no exterior signage. Provo's sign regulations are governed by Title 14. Contact the Planning Division at (801) 852-6419 for sign permit requirements.
Home-based businesses in Provo require a business license and must be a permitted use in the property's zoning district. Contact Provo's Zoning Division at (801) 852-6400 before starting operations to confirm allowed uses.
Home occupations in Provo's residential zones must not generate customer traffic that disturbs the neighborhood's residential character. No non-resident employees are typically permitted. High-traffic businesses require commercial zoning.
Utah's Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act (UT §4-5-9.5) is one of the most permissive cottage food laws in the U.S. with no revenue cap and no registration for most shelf-stable foods sold direct-to-consumer.
Utah Code §26B-2-404 licenses in-home daycare. Utah County permits residential daycare as a home occupation; larger operations (9+ kids) need a conditional use permit under Provo and Orem zoning.
Provo regulates noise under City Code Chapter 9.06 using decibel limits. The residential daytime maximum is 85 dBA. Quiet hours of 10 PM–7 AM are the general standard for residential areas. Proximity to BYU campus makes enforcement active year-round.
Provo's noise ordinance Chapter 9.06 permits construction noise during daytime hours. Exemptions for special construction projects may be obtained by permit from the Mayor's office. Standard quiet hours of 10 PM–7 AM apply to construction as well.
Provo City Code §8.02.100 defines excessive barking as continuous noise for 10 minutes or intermittent barking for 30 minutes or more disturbing any person, at any time of day or night. Animal control may summarily impound a dog if no owner is present.
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 required for amplified outdoor events. Utah Code §76-9-102 applies.
Utah County has no leaf blower-specific ban. General noise ordinance limits apply during quiet hours. Gas-powered blowers widely used across Provo, Orem, and Wasatch Front neighborhoods year-round.
Aircraft noise in Utah is regulated almost entirely by the Federal Aviation Administration under federal law. Utah Code Title 72 Chapter 10 (Aeronautics Act) recognizes federal supremacy, and municipalities cannot impose flight-path or in-air noise limits.
Provo City Code §15.05.180 governs floodplain development. A floodplain development permit is required for any construction in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The effective FIRM date is June 19, 2020. A 100-foot Provo River buffer zone applies.
Utah County requires a grading permit for excavation or fill over 50 cubic yards or any grading on slopes over 30 percent, per the Land Use Ordinance and IBC Appendix J. Drainage cannot be redirected onto adjacent parcels. Wasatch foothill sites face stricter geotechnical review.
Utah County requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan before any grading or construction activity, with Wasatch Front foothill sites facing stricter slope stabilization rules. Silt fence, wattles, and stabilized construction entrances are standard. County inspectors can halt work for uncontrolled sediment.
Utah County enforces stormwater management under its MS4 permit with UDEQ, requiring Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) for land disturbance over 1 acre. Provo and Orem operate separate MS4 programs. Utah Lake watershed protection is a priority given ongoing algal bloom concerns.
Utah County has no ocean coastline but regulates development near Utah Lake, the Provo and Spanish Fork Rivers, and Jordanelle Reservoir tributaries. Shoreline buffers, floodplain restrictions, and US Army Corps §404 wetland permits apply near Utah Lake, a sovereign lake managed by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands.
Provo 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.
Utah County parks and trails close at 10 PM and reopen at 6 AM per Utah County Code Title 8. Provo parks close at 11 PM, Orem parks at 10:30 PM. After-hours presence is a class C misdemeanor under Utah Code §76-6-206.
Utah County food trucks require reciprocal permits under Utah Code §11-56-103. Utah County Health Department food permit mandatory. Provo Mobile Vendor license required. Statewide portability recent.
Utah County cities designate food truck vending zones subject to Utah Code §11-56 state reciprocity. Provo allows mobile food with restrictions near brick-and-mortar. Orem has downtown Center Street zones.
Utah County cities maintain no-knock registries. Provo and Orem both operate opt-out lists. Posted signs carry legal weight. Utah Code §76-6-206 trespass enforcement applies to ignored signs.
Utah County cities require solicitor permits. Provo City Code §5.40 mandates permit and BCI background check. Orem City Code §5-10 similar. 9 AM to sundown hours. LDS missionaries exempt.
Provo limits residential garage sales to 3 per calendar year per property under §14.34.020. Orem caps at 4 sales per year per §14-8-5. Exceeding limits triggers home occupation zoning rules.
Provo §14.34.020 limits garage sale hours to 7 AM to 8 PM. Orem §14-8-5 allows 8 AM to 8 PM. Sunday sales are permitted countywide though LDS cultural norms mean Saturday is dominant in Utah County.
Utah County does not require garage sale permits in unincorporated areas. Provo and Orem allow sales without permits but limit frequency and signs. Most Utah County jurisdictions are permit-free for residential sales.
Utah County has no general private-property tree permit. Provo requires permits for street trees under §12.16 and trees in parks. Orem §13-14 regulates public trees. Private removal is unrestricted except for heritage trees.
Provo §12.16.070 requires 2:1 replacement for permitted street tree removals. Orem §13-14-5 requires 1:1 minimum. Replacement must use approved drought-tolerant species due to Wasatch Front drought conditions.
Provo Urban Forestry designates heritage trees under §12.16.050 based on species rarity, 24+ inch DBH, and historical significance. Removal requires City Council approval. Utah County has no unincorporated heritage program.
Utah Code §10-9a-511 and §17-27a-510 protect political sign display on private property, barring cities and counties from limiting them beyond reasonable time, place, and manner rules. Utah County, Provo, and Orem allow political signs with size limits and prohibit placement in public rights-of-way.
Utah County and Provo/Orem allow small temporary garage-sale signs (typically 4 sq ft) on private property and limited off-premises directional signs, but prohibit attachment to utility poles, traffic signs, and public property. Signs must be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends.
Utah County and Provo/Orem permit residential holiday decorations without a permit. Displays must not block sidewalks or sight triangles, must use outdoor-rated electrical equipment per NEC, and inflatables must be anchored. Noise-producing displays fall under standard quiet-hour rules.
Provo §9.28.030 requires sidewalk snow removal within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Orem §13-4-5 sets 24-hour rule. Critical in Utah County given heavy Wasatch snowfall and lake-effect storms from Utah Lake.
Provo Code §9.28 and Orem Code §8-2 require trash and recycling bins to be stored out of street view except on collection day. Bins may be placed curbside after 6 PM the day before pickup and retrieved by the end of pickup day.
Utah County and cities including Provo and Orem require vacant lot owners to control weeds and refuse under Utah Code §10-11-1, with specific noxious-weed control duties under the Utah Noxious Weed Act (§4-17-101) enforced by the Utah County Weed Department.
Utah County Land Use Ordinance and municipal nuisance codes in Provo and Orem prohibit blighted property conditions including deteriorated structures, accumulated junk, and overgrown weeds, authorizing abatement under Utah Code §10-11-1 et seq. with costs liened against the property.
Provo §8.05 and Orem §12-3 property maintenance codes require neat display during sales and same-day cleanup. Items cannot be left curbside between sale days. Blight citations apply after warnings.
Utah County and Provo/Orem prohibit outdoor lighting that casts more than 0.5 foot-candles at a residential property line. Complaints are investigated by code enforcement, and security floodlights aimed at neighbors are a top complaint category around BYU and UVU student housing.
Utah County's Land Use Ordinance Chapter 10 requires fully shielded, full-cutoff outdoor fixtures in most zones with lumen caps per acre and a 3000K max color temperature for residential areas. Utah is an international dark-sky leader with several nearby IDA-certified places driving regional standards.
Utah County has 1-2 state-licensed medical cannabis pharmacies permitted under strict zoning. Provo §14.34.300 and Orem §22-14 require 600 ft buffer from schools, churches, libraries, parks. Only 15 pharmacies statewide.
Home cannabis cultivation is PROHIBITED throughout Utah County even for medical patients. Utah Code §58-37-3.7 Qualified Patient Act allows only medical use from licensed pharmacies — not home grows. Recreational is a felony.
Utah County recreational drones follow FAA 49 USC §44809. FAA registration required over 0.55 lbs. Utah Code §72-14 restricts drones near wildfires. BYU, Provo Airport, Timpanogos Cave restricted airspace.
Utah County commercial drone operators require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Real estate and construction photography common. Utah Code §63G-18 governs government drone use. Provo Airport airspace strict.
Utah County limits residential lot coverage to 40% in RA-1 zones per Title 8. Provo R1 allows 40% building coverage per §14.10.050. Orem R6.5 permits 40% per §22-5-6. Stormwater rules apply above threshold.
Utah County Land Use Ordinance Title 8 sets unincorporated setbacks at 30 ft front, 10 ft side, 30 ft rear for RA-1 zones. Provo Zoning §14.10 and Orem §22-5-3 regulate incorporated setbacks.
Utah County unincorporated residential zones cap building height at 35 ft per Title 8. Provo §14.10 and Orem §22-5-5 also set 35 ft residential limits. Foothill CE-1 zones restrict to 28 ft to protect mountain views.
Utah County cities require trash bins at curb with lids closed on pickup day. Provo City Code §8.08 and Orem City Code §8-2-8 require bins removed within 24 hours. 3 feet apart minimum.
Utah County cities offer opt-in curbside recycling. Provo biweekly pickup accepts paper, cardboard, plastics #1-#2, aluminum. Orem via Republic Services. Glass NOT accepted curbside; drop-off only.
Utah County cities offer bulk pickup via scheduling or cleanup weeks. Provo hosts spring cleanup. Orem offers on-call service. South County Landfill accepts self-haul. Hazmat excluded.
Utah County cities provide weekly curbside trash via municipal or contracted haulers. Provo Waste and Recycling runs weekly pickup. Orem uses Republic Services. Unincorporated areas contract private haulers.
Utah does not require just cause for evictions. Landlords follow Utah Code §78B-6-802 (unlawful detainer) with a 3-day notice for nonpayment or lease violation, or 15-day notice for no-cause month-to-month termination. Self-help evictions like lockouts are banned under §57-22-4.5.
Utah law preempts local rent control under Utah Code §10-8-85.4 and §17-50-335, which bar cities and counties from capping private rental rates. Utah County, Provo, and Orem therefore have no rent control, and landlords may raise rent to market rate with proper notice under Utah Code §78B-6-802.
Provo operates a mandatory Residential Rental Licensing program under PCC Chapter 6.26, with fee discounts for landlords completing Good Landlord training. Orem has a Rental Dwelling License under OCC §22-9. Utah County unincorporated areas do not have countywide rental registration but rely on state law.
Utah County requires combined building and electrical permits for rooftop PV systems, issued through expedited residential solar review. Utah Code §10-9a-305 bars unreasonable local restrictions, and Rocky Mountain Power administers net metering under Utah PSC rules. Fire setbacks follow IFC 2021 §1205.
Utah Solar Rights Act (§57-8a-801 through §57-8a-805) prohibits HOAs from banning rooftop solar panels. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic conditions but cannot reduce system efficiency by more than 20% or raise installed cost by more than 10%. Approval must issue within 60 days.
Utah Title 34 Chapter 40 establishes the state minimum wage and preempts local governments from enacting their own minimum wage ordinances.
Utah preempts local paid leave mandates through employment regulation provisions, leaving private-sector leave benefits to employer discretion or state law.
Utah preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances by reserving employment scheduling regulation to the state Legislature.
Utah recognizes both a concealed firearm permit under Title 53 Chapter 5 and permitless concealed carry for qualifying adults statewide, preempting local restrictions.
Utah Code 53-5a-102 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority to the Legislature with limited exceptions for state property and government buildings.
Utah generally allows open carry of firearms by adults who may lawfully possess them, with local regulation preempted by Utah Code 53-5a-102.
Utah Code 76-10-505 and related sections govern carrying firearms in vehicles, allowing loaded carry by qualifying adults under permitless carry while preempting local rules.
Utah Code 63G-12-301 and following sections require private employers with 15 or more employees to use a status verification system such as E-Verify for new hires.
Utah Code 17-22-9.5 requires county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, effectively preempting sanctuary policies through HB 497 enforcement provisions.
Utah law supports agricultural zoning, greenbelt taxation, and Right to Farm protections that limit local restrictions on customary agricultural land uses.
Utah Code 78B-6-1101 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when surrounding land uses change toward residential development.
Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local governments from regulating auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam containers, and similar packaging items.
Utah Code 11-39-110 prevents local bans on polystyrene foam food containers by classifying them as preempted auxiliary containers under state law.
Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local regulation of plastic straws and similar single-use service items as auxiliary containers under state law.
Utah Code 76-10-104 prohibits sale, furnishing, or provision of tobacco and electronic cigarettes to anyone under 21 years of age statewide.
Utah restricts flavored electronic cigarette products outside specialty tobacco retailers, regulating where minors-prohibited flavored vapes may lawfully be sold.
Utah regulates vape retailers under Title 26B and Title 59, requiring licensing, age verification, and compliance with state nicotine and flavor restrictions.