Foothills and west side
Most newly qualifying Provo lots are along the foothills east and north of BYU and on the west side toward Utah Lake.
Provo, Utah County
Provo is moving to open its backyards.
Provo's rules asked for at least four off-street parking spaces for a house and its ADU combined, which made detached units hard. Under SB 284 that has to change, and the city has a draft that allows detached ADUs on lots of 11,000 square feet or more.
Planning Commission backed it October 14, 2026; council vote expected
What we confirmed for Provo
Source: Deseret News, October 14, 2026; local reporting on the Provo Planning Commission; Utah Code 10-21-304.
- Before
- At least 4 off-street parking spaces for a house and its ADU together
- State floor
- Lots of 11,000 sq ft or more with a single-family home must qualify
- Parking limit
- State law now caps it at 1 space under 650 sq ft and 2 at 650 sq ft or more
- Draft height
- The city draft allows newly eligible units up to 25 ft tall
- Planning Commission
- Recommended approval 6 to 0 on October 14, as reported
- Next step
- City Council vote expected in November 2026
Not confirmed: Whether the City Council has adopted the ordinance and its final standards. Ask Provo Planning for the current status.
About Provo
A college town where most households rent.
Provo is the Utah County seat and home to Brigham Young University, with Provo Canyon to the east and Utah Lake to the west. A 2023 city report found about 59 percent of Provo households rent, much higher than the state average, so rental demand is a bigger part of the conversation here than in most Utah cities.
Most of the lots that newly qualify are near the edges of town: along the foothills east and north of BYU, and on the west side toward Utah Lake, where parcels are larger and clear the quarter-acre mark. The parking change may matter more than the lot size. Going from four required spaces for house and ADU to one or two for the ADU alone could make a backyard unit work on lots where it never penciled out.
What it means for you
What this means for a Provo homeowner.
From four spaces to two
Provo's current rule asks for at least four spaces for house and ADU. State law caps the ADU at one or two.
A taller draft limit
The city draft allows newly eligible units up to 25 feet, which makes room for a two-story plan.
Draft, not final
The ordinance is still moving through the council, so details can change before you build.
Plans that fit Provo
A 25 foot draft limit opens two-story plans.
Rabbit 1000 is a two-story, two-bedroom plan with about 1,000 square feet and a covered balcony, which a 25 foot limit could accommodate if the final text keeps it. Cabana 2 Bed and Mysa 500 are single-story options with one parking space, and Morada 800 is a wide single-story home.
Final fit depends on your lot, utilities, the delivery route and Provo's current standards. We confirm all of it in a lot review.
Foothill and west-side lots are different projects.
Foothill lots can slope and have rock and drainage to deal with, while west-side lots can be flat but sit near the water table in places. Either way, the budget depends on grading, foundation and utility distance. We assess the lot before you pick a plan and price the site work line by line.
How to plan the full budgetGetting it built in Provo
From a Provo lot to move-in.
- Check the lot. Confirm it clears 11,000 square feet and note where parking would go.
- Watch the council vote. Ask Provo Planning whether the ordinance has been adopted and the final height limit.
- Choose a plan. Single-story is safest until the final height is set.
- Provo review. We prepare the plan set and site plan for planning and building review.
- Site work, set and finish. Foundation and utilities, crane day, then finish work.
Questions
Provo ADU questions, answered.
Are detached ADUs allowed in Provo?
State law requires it on qualifying lots. Provo's Planning Commission recommended approval of its ordinance 6 to 0 on October 14, 2026, as reported, and a City Council vote was expected in November. Ask Provo Planning for the current status.
How much parking will Provo require?
Provo's previous rule asked for at least four off-street spaces for a house and ADU combined. State law caps parking for the detached unit at one space under 650 square feet or two for 650 square feet and larger.
How tall can a Provo detached ADU be?
The city's draft allowed newly eligible units up to 25 feet tall. The final number depends on the council.
Which Provo lots qualify?
Most newly qualifying lots are on the edges of the city, along the foothills east and north of BYU and on the west side toward Utah Lake, where parcels are larger.
Can I rent a Provo ADU to students?
State law lets a city prohibit rentals under 90 consecutive days and require the owner to live on the property, so a long-term rental may be possible. Check Provo's rules before you plan around it.
General information, not legal advice. Cities can amend their ordinances, so confirm current rules with Provo before you design or buy.
Nearby
Compare nearby cities.
Neighbors in southern Utah County:
Own a lot in Provo?
Send us your address. We will check the lot and where Provo's ordinance stands, then tell you honestly whether a detached ADU fits.