Utah County · Service area

Can you build a backyard home in Orem?

Orem did not allow detached ADUs at all. On October 1, it must.

Not allowed today This is the biggest change of any city we serve.

Takes about 3 minutes. No email required to see your result.

What changed here on October 1

Orem did not allow detached ADUs at all. On October 1, it must.

This is the largest single change of any city Arena serves. Orem's policy did not permit detached accessory dwelling units. Section 10-21-304 makes them a permitted use on qualifying lots, and Orem worked through a draft in summer 2026 — no front-yard units, no short-term rentals — described by staff as regulation that protects existing neighbourhoods while meeting the state requirement.

“A specified municipality shall adopt a land use regulation that permits a detached accessory dwelling unit on any lot or parcel that is 11,000 square feet or larger…” — S.B. 284, Enrolled Copy, Utah Code § 10-21-304, effective October 1, 2026.

The numbers that decide your project

Orem ADU rules at a glance

Rule	Orem — Orem City Code — new ordinance in progress
Detached ADUs today	Not permitted. confirm with city
Detached ADUs from Oct 1	Permitted use on any lot ≥ 11,000 sq ft with a single-family home, where that home is a permitted use. state law
Front yard	Draft prohibits detached units in the front yard — which state law expressly allows a city to do. moving now
Short-term rental	Draft prohibits it; state law permits a 90-day minimum tenancy. moving now
Conditional use permit	May not be required for a qualifying detached unit in a primarily residential zone. state law

state law Quoted from the enrolled copy of S.B. 284 — primary source, verified.
confirm with city From the city's published ADU material or council reporting — Arena confirms at the planning counter before design.
moving now The city is still bringing this into line with the law that took effect October 1, 2026. Treat as a moving target.
We would rather show you the gap than guess. Arena is a builder, not a law firm — confirm your parcel with Orem before you sign anything.

What that means on your lot

If you own a qualifying Orem lot, you go from no legal path at all to a permitted use in a single day. Nowhere else on this list changes that much.

Is my Orem lot 11,000 sq ft?

That single number decides whether the new state law applies to you. Enter your address above — we'll tell you which rule you fall under and which plans fit, in about three minutes.

Quoted on your Orem lot

Eight plans, from The Lookout at 784 sq ft to The Launchpad at 3,061 sq ft. A plan that is one component stack shows that price. The others say request a quote.

ADU calculator → · How the price works →

Can you build a backyard home in Orem?

Orem did not allow detached ADUs at all. On October 1, it must.

Orem ADU rules at a glance

If you own a qualifying Orem lot, you go from no legal path at all to a permitted use in a single day. Nowhere else on this list changes that much.

Is my Orem lot 11,000 sq ft?

Quoted on your Orem lot

Three places to start

The Lookout

The Encore

The Loft

There's still $2,200 a month hiding in your house.