A first for Orem
Before this year there was no path to a separate backyard unit in Orem. Internal apartments were the only ADU option.
Orem, Utah
Backyard ADUs are now allowed in Orem.
Orem had never allowed detached accessory dwelling units before Utah's SB 284. The city adopted rules this fall to meet the October 1 state deadline, so owners of qualifying lots can now plan a separate home in the backyard.
Rules adopted, September 2026
What we confirmed for Orem
Source: Deseret News, October 14, 2026; Orem City Council agenda for September 22, 2026; Utah Code 10-21-304.
- Before
- Detached ADUs were not allowed in Orem
- Now
- Allowed on qualifying single-family lots under the city's new rules
- State floor
- Lots of 11,000 sq ft or more with a single-family home must qualify
- Height
- Single story, 20 ft maximum, as reported in October 2026
- Parking
- State law caps it at 1 space under 650 sq ft and 2 at 650 sq ft or more
- Rentals
- Cities may require rentals of 90 consecutive days or longer
Not confirmed: Orem's final lot-size wording, unit size caps, setbacks and owner-occupancy details. Confirm them with Orem Planning before you design.
What it means for you
What changes for Orem homeowners.
One story, 20 feet
Orem limits detached units to a single story at 20 feet, which suits a compact modular plan well.
Smaller is easier
Plans under 650 sq ft need at most one added parking space under state law, and fit more lots.
Plans that fit
Compact floor plans for a Orem backyard.
Small plans are easier to fit inside setbacks and cap parking at one space under 650 square feet. Open any plan for photos and the floor plan.
Final fit depends on your lot, utilities, the delivery route and the city's current standards. We confirm all of it in a lot review.
Budget the site work before you fall for a plan.
The home is only part of what a detached ADU costs. Sewer, water and power connections, trenching, the foundation and the finish work that joins the modules add up, and they depend on how far your lot is from the utilities. Taylorsville city staff told their council that utility connections alone could run 50 to 70 percent of the cost of a detached unit. We price the site and the utilities line by line in a lot review, before you commit to a plan.
How to plan the full budgetHow it works here
From your lot to move-in.
- Lot review. We check lot size, setbacks, utilities and the delivery route to your backyard.
- Choose a plan and finishes. Pick a floor plan and one of four finish series.
- City review. We help you prepare the plans and site information Orem will want for approval and the building permit.
- Foundation and utilities. Site work happens on your lot while the home is built in the factory.
- Delivery and set. The home arrives by truck and is set by crane, then finished, connected and walked through with you.
Questions
Orem ADU questions.
Is a two-story ADU allowed in Orem?
Orem limits detached units to a single story, with a maximum height of 20 feet, as reported in October 2026. Our single-level plans are the ones to look at. Confirm the current limit with Orem Planning.
Does SB 284 apply to Orem?
Yes. Orem is covered by the state mandate, which requires a covered city to allow a detached ADU on a lot of 11,000 square feet or more that has a single-family home, as a permitted use. Cities can still set size, height, setback, owner-occupancy and rental rules within the limits of the law. Read the SB 284 guide.
How much parking does a detached ADU need?
A city cannot require more than one on-site space for a detached ADU under 650 square feet, or more than two for a unit of 650 square feet or larger.
Can I rent it out?
The state allows a city to require rentals of at least 90 consecutive days and to require the owner to live on the property. Check how Orem applies those rules to your lot.
What if my lot is smaller than 11,000 square feet?
The state mandate does not reach it, but a city may choose to allow smaller lots. Ask Orem Planning what applies to your parcel.
Does Stoneward work in Orem?
Yes. Stoneward is based in American Fork and serves Utah County and the rest of the Wasatch Front. We run a lot review first and tell you plainly if a detached ADU does not fit.
General information, not legal advice. Cities can amend their ordinances, so confirm current rules with Orem before you design or buy.
Own a lot in Orem?
Send us your address. We will check the lot against Orem's rules and tell you honestly whether a detached ADU fits.