Provo ADU Requirements: What Chapter 14.30 Actually Says

Here's what I found on the up-to-date legal ADU requirements for Provo, UT: I found that legal accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Provo are strictly regulated by Provo City Code Chapter 14.30, which establishes tight guidelines for owner occupancy, parking, structural aesthetics, and licensing. Furthermore, Utah's 2026 state law (SB284) has significantly expanded the eligibility for detached/external ADUs (like backyard cottages or garage apartments) on larger residential lots across the city. Key requirements and rules I noticed: 1. Strict Owner-Occupancy Mandate: An ADU is only permitted in single-family detached dwellings where the property owner actively resides. Rental properties with off-site landlords cannot legally host an ADU. If the owner has a temporary absence (up to 3 years), they must apply for a temporary absence permit to keep their rental license active. 2. On-Site Parking Minimums: The property must provide at least four (4) conforming off-street parking spaces. Up to two of these spaces may be tandem (one behind another) in a driveway, provided the driveway leads directly to an active garage or carport. 3. Single-Family Appearance: The home must physically maintain the exterior look of a single-family dwelling. Only one front door can be visible from the front yard; secondary ADU entrances must be located on the side or rear of the structure. 4. Utility and Deed Restrictions: An ADU deed restriction must be officially recorded with the Utah County Recorder. The property is limited to a maximum of two utility meters (water, gas, electricity), which must remain in the property owner's name. 5. SB284 Detached ADU Expansion (2026 Law): While standard basement ADUs are allowed by right in specific overlay zones, the state-wide SB284 law mandates that detached ADUs must be permitted on any single-family residential lot that is at least 11,000 square feet, even if it sits outside the city's pre-existing ADU overlay. 📥 The full research report is included as the first source in the import card below — import it to chat with the findings directly. [ {"version": "v0.9", "createSurface": {"surfaceId": "source-import-provo-adu", "catalogId": "notebooklm:nlm_v1"}}, {"version": "v0.9", "updateComponents": { "surfaceId": "source-import-provo-adu", "components": [{ "id": "root", "component": "SourceImportCard", "description": "Zoning, parking, and owner-occupancy codes covering ADU requirements in Provo", "sources": [ { "id": "src-report", "title": "Research report: Provo ADU Requirements", "url": "https://contribution.usercontent.google.com/download?c=Cgpub3RlYm9va2xtEkASCWFydGlmYWN0cxozCiQ5OGY0MjZmNS0zOTI4LTRjODEtYTkxZi0zZmRjMzNkN2E5MWUSCxIHEIraq67eAhgB&filename=Research_report_Provo_ADU_Requirements.md&opi=96797242", "sourceType": "text", "sourceName": "Research Report", "summary": "Full research report outlining Provo City Code 14.30 and the newly enacted 2026 state law (SB284) for accessory dwelling units." }, { "id": "src-1", "title": "Accessory Dwelling Units | Provo, UT", "url": "https://www.provo.gov/1367/Accessory-Dwelling-Units", "sourceName": "Provo City Government", "summary": "Official Provo portal detailing types of ADUs, rental dwelling license rules, owner occupancy, and safety inspection guidelines." }, { "id": "src-2", "title": "ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REQUIREMENTS - Provo City", "url": "https://www.provo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/874/Accessory-Dwelling-Unit-Requirements-PDF", "sourceName": "Provo City Development Services", "summary": "Official guidelines outlining the 4-car parking requirement, single-family appearance restrictions, utility metering rules, and building inspections." }, { "id": "src-3", "title": "Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Eligibility Expansion - Provo City", "url": "https://www.provo.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=322", "sourceName": "Provo City", "summary": "Announces the expansion of detached ADU eligibility in Provo to comply with Utah's SB284 for single-family lots over 11,000 sq ft." }, { "id": "src-4", "title": "Utah ADU Rules by City — 2026 SB284 Guide", "url": "https://mycocoonhomes.com/utah-adus/utah-adu-tracker", "sourceName": "Cocoon Homes", "summary": "An active tracker mapping how Wasatch Front cities are updating their detached backyard ADU rules ahead of the state's 2026 deadlines." } ] }] }} ]