Orem council bans targeted residential picketing within 100 feet in special noon meeting
November 13, 2020, 12:00 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street (held electronically)
Meeting on short notice by Zoom, the council unanimously enacted an ordinance making it a Class B misdemeanor to picket directed at a specific residence within 100 feet of its property line. Council members said it applies to any viewpoint.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
1 item came up for a decision or discussion: 1 approved.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
7 members were present.
The previous City Council meeting was on November 10, 2020: Orem council delays Geneva Road gas station rezone for a development agreement and creates HUB District Edge zone
The next one was on December 8, 2020: Orem council approves Geneva Road gas station rezone with development agreement, accepts 9.87-acre park donation from IHC
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Targeted residential picketing ordinance (Section 9-2-15) | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
Agenda, item by item
City code
Targeted residential picketing ordinance (Section 9-2-15)
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
Staff said groups had recently picketed outside the residences of government officials and larger protests were being called for, which can be intimidating. The ordinance makes it unlawful to picket within 100 feet of the property line of a residence that is the target of the picketing; violation is a Class B misdemeanor. Deputy City Attorney Steve Earl said the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld such ordinances, that the rule does not target any viewpoint and that a larger buffer risked being found unconstitutional. Police Chief Josh Adams said officers were talking with neighbors, aiming to educate and keep the peace, and that painting a physical line might provoke aggression. Council Member Terry Peterson said he generally supported the ordinance but was uneasy about passing it two days before a scheduled event; Mayor Brunst said the timing was appropriate for safety and peace. Council Member Brent Sumner said it would be a tool for public safety, not a limit on speech.