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Provo City Zoning Code

14.14A Low

Density Residential Zone

14.14A.010 Purpose and Objectives.

The Low Density Residential Zone (LDR) is established to provide a residential environment within the City which is characterized by attractively landscaped one-family (detached or attached) and two-family residential lots and structures. This zone is intended to permit a residential density higher than the R1 zone, but maintains the residential character compatible with one-family residential housing.

(Enacted 2012-35)

14.14A.020 Permitted Uses.

(1) Permitted Principal Uses. The following principal uses, and no others, are permitted in the LDR zone:

(a) One-family dwelling - detached;

(b) One-family dwelling - attached (townhomes), not to exceed six (6) units in one (1) building;

(c) Two-family dwellings (subject to the standards of Section 14.34.340, Provo City Code);

(d) Assisted living facilities (subject to the standards of Section 14.34.470, Provo City Code);

(e) Residential facilities for the elderly or disabled (see Section 14.34.230, Provo City Code);

(f) Public utilities and rights-of-way and accompanying infrastructure (local distribution or services only);

(g) Police protection and related services, branch (office only);

(h) Religious activities; and

(i) Parks.

(2) Permitted Accessory Uses. Accessory uses and structures are permitted in the LDR zone, provided they are incidental to and do not substantially alter the character of the permitted principal use or structure. Such permitted accessory uses and structures include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Accessory buildings such as garages, carports, greenhouses, gardening sheds, recreation rooms and similar structures which are customarily used in conjunction with and incidental to a principal use or structure;

(b) Accessory living spaces in conjunction with existing one-family, detached homes, subject to the requirements of Section 14.30.030, Provo City Code;

(c) Swimming pools and incidental accessory structures, subject to the standards of Section 14.34.210, Provo City Code;

(d) Home occupations subject to the regulations of Chapter 14.41, Provo City Code;

(e) Storage of materials used to construct a building, including the contractor’s temporary office; provided, that such use is on the building site or immediately adjacent thereto; and provided further, that such use shall be permitted only during the construction period and thirty (30) days thereafter; and

(f) Household pets; provided, that no more than two (2) dogs and two (2) cats six (6) months of age or older shall be kept at any residence or commercial establishment at any time. Nothing herein shall be construed as authorizing the keeping of any animal capable of inflicting harm or discomfort or endangering the health and safety of any person or property.

(Enacted 2012-35, Am 2020-04, Am 2020-44)

14.14A.030 Lot Standards.

Lots within the LDR zone shall be developed according to the following standards:

(1) Min. Lot Area:

One-family detached:

4,000 sf

Twin home/duplex:

8,000 sf

One-family attached:

10,000 sf

(2) Housing Density Maximum:

12 dwelling units per gross acre.

(3) Min. Lot Frontage:

35 ft

(4) Min. Lot Width:

40 ft

Corner Lot:

50 ft

(5) Min. Lot Depth:

One-family detached dwelling:

75 ft

All other permitted uses:

90 ft

(6) Max. Lot Coverage:

50%

(Enacted 2012-35, Am 2020-34, Am 2020-44)

14.14A.040 Prior Created Lots.

Lots or parcels of land which were created prior to December 12, 1974, shall not be denied a building permit for a single-family dwelling solely for the reason of nonconformance with the parcel requirements of this Chapter.

(Enacted 2012-35, Am 2015-22)

14.14A.050 Yard Requirements.

Yards shall be provided according to the requirements listed below: (Note: All setbacks are measured from the property line.)

(1) Front Yard:

20 ft

(2) Side Yard, Corner lot

20 ft

(3) Side Yard, Interior:

One-family detached:

8 ft & 10 ft

All other buildings:

10 ft

(4) Rear Yard:

20 ft

(5) Distance between buildings on the same parcel:

15 ft.

(6) Side Yard - Driveway. (See Section 14.37.100, Provo City Code)

(7) The Development Services Director, or designee, may reduce the setbacks of this zone subject to finding that all of the following conditions exist:

(a) The proposed setback is visually compatible with neighboring development and does not cause an undue burden or harm to the adjacent property;

(b) The proposed setback does not violate an existing or needed utility easement; and

(c) The proposed setback does not cause a violation of the International Building Code or the Fire Code.

(8) Accessory Buildings Within the Buildable Area. Accessory buildings meeting all setback requirements (within the buildable area) for the main dwelling shall:

(a) Have a building footprint and height less than the main dwelling;

(b) Comply with all lot coverage requirements;

(c) Comply with the latest adopted edition of the International Building Code;

(d) Only be used for those accessory uses allowed in the respective zone; and

(e) Maintain architecturally similar material and colors with main building.

(9) Accessory Building Outside the Buildable Area. Accessory buildings that do not meet the setback requirements (outside the buildable area) for the main dwelling shall meet the conditions in Subsection (8) of this Section and shall:

(a) Be no closer to the front property line than the main building;

(b) Be no larger than ten percent (10%) of the actual lot area of said property;

(c) Be set back a minimum of three (3) feet from any property line;

(d) Not be located within a recorded public utility easement, unless a release can be secured from all public utilities;

(e) Have no portion of the building exceed twelve (12) feet in height within ten (10) feet of a property line; and

(f) Not be located within a front or street side yard.

(Enacted 2012-35, Am 2020-57, Am 2021-33)

14.14A.060 Projections into Yards.

(1) The following structures may be erected on or project into any required yard:

(a) Fences (see Section 14.34.500, Provo City Code).

(b) Landscaping (see Chapter 15.20, Provo City Code).

(c) Necessary appurtenances for utility service, subject to City approval.

(2) The structures listed below may project into a minimum front or rear yard not more than four (4) feet, and into a minimum side yard not more than two (2) feet.

(a) Cornices, eaves, belt courses, sills, buttresses or other similar architectural features;

(b) Fireplace structures and bays, provided they are not wider than eight (8) feet and are generally parallel to the wall of which they are a part; and

(c) Stairways, balconies, door stoops, fire escapes, awnings and planter boxes or masonry planters.

(Enacted 2012-35)

14.14A.070 Building Height.

(1) Maximum building height: thirty (30) ft.

(2) Maximum main floor elevation: thirty (30) inches above the lowest adjacent street curb elevation.

(Enacted 2012-35)

14.14A.080 Project Plan Approval/Design Review/Design Guidelines.

See Sections 15.03.300 and 15.03.310, Chapter 14.04A, and Section 14.34.287, Provo City Code.

(Enacted 2012-35)

14.14A.090 Other Requirements.

(1) Signs (see Chapter 14.38, Provo City Code).

(2) Landscaping (see Chapter 15.20, Provo City Code).

(3) Trash storage (see Section 14.34.080, Provo City Code).

(4) Fencing (see Section 14.34.500, Provo City Code).

(5) Parking, Loading and Access. Each land use in the LDR zone shall have automobile parking sufficient to comply with the requirements of Chapter 14.37, Provo City Code.

(6) In any new project consisting of twenty (20) or more residential units, an area equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the gross lot area must be developed as residential amenities in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 14.34.330, Provo City Code. Landscaping within the required setbacks may not be counted towards meeting this provision.

(7) In any new project consisting of twenty (20) or more residential units, the open space must be massed or accumulated to be functional as a recreational amenity or gathering space.

(Enacted 2012-35, Am 2025-15)

14.14A.100 Notice of Parking and Occupancy Restrictions.

(1) Prior to the issuance of a building permit for any multiple residential project over two (2) dwelling units, a contract must be entered into between Provo City and the developer agreeing to a determined occupancy based on a given number of parking spaces. This contract shall be recorded with the Utah County Recorder’s Office and shall be a covenant running with the property. A copy of a recorded deed for the property in question must also be submitted prior to the issuance of a building permit which indicates the maximum allowable occupancy as a deed restriction. Attached to the deed must be a document that separately lists the occupancy according to Provo City Code, the previously mentioned deed restrictions and any other use restrictions pertaining to parking and occupancy such as restrictions of use as noted in condominium covenants. This document must be signed, dated and notarized indicating that the owner acknowledges and agrees to all restrictions and regulations stated on the deed and attachments.

(2) Upon submittal of the documents required in this Section any violation to the restrictions and regulations noted therein will be considered a misdemeanor offense and will be subject to criminal action as provided in Section 1.03.010, Provo City Code.

(Enacted 2012-35)