In Orem, you need a building permit for:
- Decks more than 30 inches above the ground.
- Sheds over 200 square feet.
- Basement finishes and remodels that move walls, windows or doors.
- Water heaters, furnaces and other HVAC work.
- Reroofing, siding, windows and doors.
- Solar panels, pools and hot tubs.
You don't need one for sheds of 200 square feet or less, low decks, patios without roofs, landscaping, painting or new countertops. Apply online, and call 801-229-7198 with questions or to schedule inspections.
The lists below are from the City of Orem's "What Needs a Permit" 2026 sheet and its Building Safety pages, read Nov. 9, 2026. The city says the lists aren't all-inclusive, so call if you're unsure. For Provo, see our Provo building permits guide.
Outside the house: needs a permit
- Porch and patio covers and awnings.
- Decks more than 30 inches above grade.
- Sheds over 200 square feet (over 120 square feet on commercial properties or multifamily properties with four or more units).
- Masonry or concrete fences over 7 feet.
- Swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.
- Room additions, attached or detached garages and patio enclosures.
- Solar panels; see our home solar guide.
- Retaining walls 4 feet or taller, measured from grade, or any that hold back extra load.
- Reroofing and siding.
- Replacing windows or doors, or changing their size.
- Water heaters, HVAC installs or replacements, boilers, gas lines, gas logs and fireplaces (wood, pellet or gas).
- Any plumbing, electrical or mechanical work, and structural repairs.
Inside the house: needs a permit
- Basement finishes and other room finishes. See our basement finishing guide.
- Remodels that move walls, windows or doors.
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.
- Installing or enlarging windows or doors.
- Structural changes, repairs or replacements.
No building permit needed
| Project | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sheds 200 sq. ft. or less | One story, detached, on a one- or two-family lot |
| Low wood decks | Under 30 inches, no guardrail needed, no roof |
| Concrete patios and porches | Without a roof |
| Sidewalks | Concrete, on private property |
| Retaining walls under 4 feet | |
| Landscaping | |
| Painting and wallpaper | |
| Minor roof repairs and fence repairs | |
| Floor coverings, cabinets, countertops | |
| Swapping plumbing fixtures | |
| Light fixtures, switches, outlets | Changing existing ones |
| Insulation | |
| Shipping containers under 350 sq. ft. | At grade, not connected to utilities, storage only |
| Prefab pools under 24 inches deep |
Other permits still apply:
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- Wood, vinyl and other non-masonry fences need a fence permit, not a building permit.
- Driveway approaches need an engineering permit.
For setbacks and height rules, see our fences, sheds and setbacks guide.
How to apply
- Register for Orem's online plan submittal portal.
- Apply online. Larger projects need plans and a review.
- Small jobs are fast. The city says minor permits, such as water heaters, furnaces and small electrical jobs, can often be issued within one business day.
- Inspections: call 801-229-7198 to schedule them. You can look up inspection results and track your permit online.
Building Safety is at City Center, 56 N. State St., second floor. Its staff can answer code questions but don't do design work. The city also posts its adopted building codes and monthly building permit reports.
Basement apartments
Orem allows legal accessory apartments, a separate unit with its own kitchen, bedroom and bathroom inside a house, under these rules:
- The owner must live in either the main house or the apartment.
- The city publishes a list of legal accessory apartments by address (complete as of July 31, 2026).
- An Accessory Apartment Checklist explains how to bring an existing unit up to code so it can be approved.
- You can report a suspected illegal unit to the city's Neighborhood Improvement Team at connect.orem.gov.
Questions go to the city at 801-229-7000. For detached units under state law, see our detached ADU guide.
Related guides
- Provo building permits guide
- Fences, sheds and setbacks in Utah Valley
- Basement finishing in Utah Valley
- Orem business license guide
- Living in Orem
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in Orem?
Not for a one-story detached shed of 200 square feet or less on a one- or two-family lot. Sheds over 200 square feet need a building permit, according to Orem's 2026 list. On commercial or multifamily properties with four or more units, the cutoff is 120 square feet.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Orem?
Yes if it's more than 30 inches above grade. A wood deck under 30 inches that needs no guardrail and has no roof doesn't need a building permit. Porch and patio covers and awnings do.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Orem?
Yes. Basement and room finishes, remodels that move walls, windows or doors, and electrical, plumbing and mechanical work all need a building permit, Orem says.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Orem?
Yes. Water heaters, furnaces and other HVAC installations or replacements, boilers, gas lines, gas logs and fireplaces all need a permit. Orem says minor permits like these can often be issued within one business day.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Orem?
Masonry or concrete fences over 7 feet need a building permit. Other fences need a fence permit, not a building permit. Fence repairs need neither.
Does a new roof need a permit in Orem?
Reroofing and siding need a permit. Minor roof repairs don't.
How do I apply for a building permit in Orem?
Online, after registering for Orem's online plan submittal portal. Questions and inspection scheduling go to Building Safety at 801-229-7198. The office is at City Center, 56 N. State St., second floor.
Can I have a basement apartment in Orem?
Only a legal accessory apartment. Orem requires the owner to live in either the main house or the apartment, keeps a published list of legal accessory apartments, and has a checklist for bringing an existing unit up to code.
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Building Safety Division, City of Orem. Checked November 9, 2026.
- What Needs a Permit (2026), City of Orem. Checked November 9, 2026.
- Accessory Apartments, City of Orem. Checked November 9, 2026.
