Provo Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Provo
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Provo — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
Provo City Code Title 14 — Zoning (with section 14.30.030 ADU standards)
Provo zoning is codified in Title 14 of the Provo City Code and is administered by the Community Development Department. Section 14.30.030 sets ADU development standards: ADUs are capped at 1,000 square feet, owner-occupancy of either the main dwelling or the ADU is mandatory (or the ADU is not permitted), exterior evidence of two dwelling units is prohibited, four off-street parking spaces are required for a single-family home with an internal ADU, and a separate rental dwelling license is required to operate the ADU.
Source · provo.municipal.codesUtah HB 82 (2021) — Internal ADU statewide preemption(2021)
Utah HB 82, signed May 5, 2021 and effective October 1, 2021, created Utah Code § 10-9a-530 and makes one internal ADU within a primary single-family dwelling a permitted use in single-family zones statewide. The statute preempts conflicting local rules, including the historic conditional-use approval Provo used for internal ADUs, while leaving zone-specific Provo requirements on parking, owner-occupancy, and exterior appearance intact where consistent with state law.
Source · le.utah.govBYU / large-university context under Utah Code § 10-9a-530
Utah Code § 10-9a-530, as enacted by HB 82, allows large university cities to exempt up to 67% of their single-family residential land from the internal ADU mandate (versus 25% for other municipalities). Provo, as the host of Brigham Young University, falls into this large-university tier — a major reason Provo retains broader local control over ADU location compared with most other Utah cities.
Source · le.utah.gov
Key Zoning Facts
Provo Zoning Overview
Provo is a city in Utah County with approximately 115,162 residents. The city manages land use and development through its local zoning ordinance, which divides the municipality into districts regulating permitted uses, building heights, lot sizes, setbacks, and density.
Provo follows the Utah State Construction Code, which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC).
Primary Zoning Districts
Provo's zoning code includes a range of residential districts. The R1 district requires a minimum lot size of 12,000 square feet with a 30-foot height limit and setbacks of 25 feet (front), 8 feet (side), and 25 feet (rear). The R2 district requires 7,000 square foot minimum lots with setbacks of 20 feet (front), 6 feet (side), and 20 feet (rear). The RC (Residential Conservation) district allows smaller lots with a 4,000 square foot minimum for compact development.
Commercial activity is served by the CG (General Commercial) district. The M1 (Light Manufacturing) district provides for industrial and warehousing uses.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Rules
Provo regulates ADUs under Title 14, Chapter 14.30 of the Provo City Code, with development standards in Section 14.30.030. Utah HB 82 (2021) requires Utah municipalities to allow at least one internal accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot — but does not require allowance of detached ADUs. Contact the Provo Development Services Department for current requirements including size limits, setbacks, owner-occupancy rules, and permitting procedures.
Development Process
Development in Provo generally requires obtaining the appropriate permits from the city's planning and building departments. The process typically involves:
- Zoning Verification — Confirm that your proposed use is permitted in the applicable zoning district
- Site Plan Review — For commercial and multi-family projects, submit a site plan for review
- Building Permit — Apply for a building permit with construction documents
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
For projects that do not conform to existing zoning, property owners may need to seek a variance, special exception, or rezoning through the local board of zoning appeals or planning commission.
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Provo, property owners should:
- Verify the zoning classification of their property
- Review setback, height, and lot coverage requirements for their specific district
- Check for any overlay districts or special regulations
- Determine if the property is in a flood zone using FEMA's flood map service
- Confirm whether HOA covenants or deed restrictions apply
- Contact the Development Services Department at (801) 852-6400 for pre-application guidance
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Provo and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the City of Provo or the municipal code before making development decisions.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Provo
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Utah
- Building Code: Utah State Construction Code
- State ADU Override: Yes (Utah Code § 10-9a-530 (created by HB 82, 2021 General Session) — municipalities generally cannot prohibit one internal ADU within a primary single-family dwelling.)
County — Utah County
- Role: County-level property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs and deed restrictions for additional requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 12,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 30 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 8 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 7,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 30 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 6 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 4,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 30 ft
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
ADU Rules in Provo
State law (statewide context, not city-specific):
Utah HB 82 (2021), codified at Utah Code section 10-9a-530, requires municipalities to allow an internal accessory dwelling unit as a permitted use in residential zones, with the option for a city to exempt up to 25 percent of its primarily residential zones (or up to 67 percent in qualifying college towns). The law also prohibits HOA and CC&R bans on internal ADUs.
For local size, setback, and parking specifics, contact the City of Provo Development Services.
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Provo are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Provo permit fees →Official Sources
City-specific