Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Orem, Utah

Orem’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residential remodels, additions and conversions inside Orem city

  • Free-standing sheds, playhouses, garages or similar structures over 200 square feet, or fences over seven feet high, also need permits.
  • Retaining walls four feet or higher need separate permits.

  “permits are required for all remodels, additions, basement finishes, carport-to-garage conversions, and garage-to-living area conversions.”

• Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Homeowners working on their own home inside Orem city

  • Work not performed by the homeowner must be done by licensed contractors.
  • Permits and inspections still apply.

  “homeowners may legally work on their own home, but the hiring of competent, licensed contractors is strongly recommended.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Residential building plan review inside Orem city

  • Checklist lists current codes; the adopting ordinance was not found.
  • Includes current Utah state amendments.

  codes: 2021 IBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC residential, 2021 IFGC

  “current codes are 2021 ibc, 2021 imc, 2021 ipc, 2023 nec, 2021 iecc commercial provisions and 2015 iecc residential provisions, 2021 ifgc, 20217 ansi and current utah state amendments.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Orem city

  • Inspections requested by calling the Building Safety Division at (801) 229-7060.

  “any work which requires a permit will require inspections.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Orem city limits

  • Evidence is indirect: the city's accessory-apartment requirements refer to its zones (R-5) and zoning requirements; the zoning ordinance itself on an official code host was not opened.

  “apartments can only be built or added in single-family detached homes not located in r-5 zone, nor in a planned residential development”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Homes on septic that add an accessory apartment inside Orem city; general new-home rule not found

  • Stated in the accessory-apartment requirements; the general new-home connection ordinance was not opened.

  sewer main distance: <= 300 feet

  “if the sewer main is within 300 feet of your house, you will be required to connect to city sewer.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits for bringing an existing accessory apartment to code inside Orem city

  • Range stated only for the accessory apartment checklist; the full fee schedule was not found.

  building permit fee range: 100-1000 USD (depends on what needs done)

  “the apartment must be brought up to the current building code requirements and fees paid for building permits - $100.00 - $1,000.00 depending on what needs done.”

• Permit processPublished

  Residential building permit applications inside Orem city

  • Plan checklist published; submittals via online portal.

  “all submittals are online though our building permit poral which can be found here: www.orem.gov/buildingpermits/”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Orem or Utah County directly.

• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new buildings inside Orem city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Orem city
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family districts inside Orem city
• Minimum lot size — Residential zones R20-R5 inside Orem city
• Setbacks — Residential zones inside Orem city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.