Orem, UT Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Chapter 16, Article 16-2 of the Orem City Code governs work in the public right-of-way. Section 16-2-1 makes it unlawful to do any construction or excavation work on a street, curb, gutter, or sidewalk without a City permit; a signed contract with the City to perform the work satisfies the permit requirement, and a State Highway Department permit covers work on state roads within Orem. Section 16-2-2 requires the contractor performing the work, or an authorized agent, to sign the application and agree to complete it to City construction standards at no cost to the City.

Section 16-2-3 requires payment of both a permit fee and an inspection fee, set by City Council resolution, before the permit is issued. Section 16-2-4 requires every contractor to hold a current Utah State Contractor's license restricting the work to what that license covers, carry comprehensive general liability insurance in the amount required by the bid documents or City policy, and sign a hold-harmless and indemnification statement protecting the City. Section 16-2-5 gives the City complete discretion to grant or deny a permit, and repeated problems with a contractor's compliance, workmanship, or quality can result in denial.

Section 16-2-6 binds the contractor to the permit's terms and any time limits imposed as a condition of issuance. Section 16-2-9 allows emergency excavation or repair work necessary to preserve life or property to begin before a permit issues, provided the contractor applies for the permit on the City's first working day after the work starts. Separately, Section 16-1-3 makes it unlawful to obstruct a street or sidewalk so that traffic cannot pass or must detour around it, though that rule does not apply to work already covered by a lawful permit under this Article.