Orem council passes new home height limits for single-family zones and approves land swap with the state for a Utah Lake trail
April 28, 2026, 3:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council unanimously approved an ordinance limiting building height and bulk in single-family zones and a resolution to convey disputed-title land near Utah Lake to the State of Utah in exchange for a 99-year city lease. At the work session, members leaned toward allowing only owner-occupied short-term rentals and agreed to continue the discussion; about 20 residents spoke on the issue in the evening, and neighbors of a new subdivision raised drainage concerns.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Budget
Information technology and general operations budget presentations
Discussed
IT staff described a year of cybersecurity upgrades paid for with state-allocated federal grants, backup and disaster recovery improvements, the launch of the 'My Orem' single sign-on portal the day before, and plans to add two software engineers and a database administrator. Finance Director Brandon Nelson outlined FY2027 tentative budget expansion requests, including added attorney positions, urban forestry support, absorbing the Podium 311 tool previously covered by ARPA, a fire station equipment sinking fund and emergency management funding to offset declining federal grants. Solid waste costs rise 14.4%. Budget work sessions follow May 5 and the tentative budget is presented May 12.
City code
Short-term rental regulation options
Discussed
Deputy City Attorney Jacob Summers presented three paths: codify the prohibition; allow only owner-occupied rentals (owner on site 183 days a year, discretionary annual license, inspections); or a tiered system with a cap of about 100 non-owner-occupied rentals, 1,000-foot spacing and no rentals in school safe-walking zones. Council Members Muhlestein and Millett favored a ban, citing affordability and opposing neighbor-led enforcement; Council Members Gale and Mecham favored the tiered option, noting rentals are under 1% of housing units; Council Members Killpack and Lambson and Mayor McCandless leaned toward owner-occupied only. Proposed rules included overnight stays only, quiet hours, a 24/7 contact responding within 40 minutes, a three-strikes revocation within 12 months with $500, $750 and $1,000 fines (Millett asked for higher fines and an 18-24 month window), and a limit of one family or up to eight unrelated people. The attorney advised against a 'mansion exception.' The council agreed to continue the work session the following week ahead of an ordinance targeted for May 12.
Presentation
Legislative report from Senator Keven Stratton
Discussed
Sen. Stratton praised Orem's debt-free City Center, described state budget priorities and water conservation legislation, and told Council Member Millett he was interested in exploring removing residential property tax exemptions for non-owner-occupied homes. He cited ideas to recover water for the Great Salt Lake.
Presentation
Recognitions: Green Grant, Arbor Day, Firefighter Appreciation Day, Drinking Water Week, UMCA awards
Discussed
Waste Management presented a $5,000 Green Grant for recycling education. The mayor signed an Arbor Day proclamation; Orem has been a Tree City USA for 33 years and aims to plant 1,000 trees in five years. Public Works reported the new water reuse facility can treat 15 million gallons a day. Orem's Traffic Tiger Team won a Utah City Managers Association program award and Strategy and Innovation Manager Jennica Jones was named Emerging Leader of the Year.
- Grant$5,000 to Waste Management of Utah
Appointment
Consent: minutes and Recreation Advisory Commission appointments
Approved · 6-0
The council approved minutes of March 10, April 14 and April 15, 2026 and appointed Stephanie Whyte and Crissa Robertson to the Recreation Advisory Commission.
Budget
Public hearing: CDBG annual action plan and budget
No action
Taylor Draney of the Mountainland Association of Governments presented $640,721 in Community Development Block Grant funds ($563,721 from HUD plus $77,000 rollover), including $170,000 for Senior Center flooring, code enforcement, home repairs, a new tree removal program for hazardous trees, $30,000 for victim advocate salaries and regional nonprofit services reimbursed only for Orem residents. No one spoke; the final vote is set for May 26 with the program year starting July 1.
- Grant$563,721 to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Grant$77,000
- Contract$170,000
Parks
Public hearing: surplus parcels near 1020 South 2300 West and 99-year lease from the State of Utah
Approved · 6-0
Assistant City Manager Ryan Clark and Utah Lake Authority Deputy Director Sam Braeggar said four parcels the city bought in 2003 during Sleepy Ridge Golf Course construction sit below an 1856 meander line, so the seller did not hold valid title. The city will surplus its interest and convey it to the state, which will receive clear title from the federal government, and Orem will lease the land for 99 years, the legal maximum, to keep its golf course, stormwater outfalls, sewer and utility facilities. The clean-up supports the Wakara Way Trail along the Utah Lake shoreline linking Vineyard and Provo, with about $12 million to $16 million in MAG funding and state appropriations secured, and a trailhead at the end of University Parkway. No one spoke.
- Grant$16.0 million to Mountainland Association of Governments / State of Utah
City code
Public hearing: building height limits in single-family zones (Article 22-6-8)
Approved · 6-0
Planning Manager Jared Hall presented an ordinance lowering the base height to 30 feet for pitched roofs and 20 feet for flat roofs at minimum setbacks, with one extra foot of height allowed for each extra foot of setback up to 35 feet (pitched) and 24 feet (flat), plus a graduated height envelope sloping inward at 45 degrees from a point 8 feet above grade at the property line, with exceptions for gables and dormers. Hall said artificial grade elevation would be addressed separately. Council Member Mecham said the Planning Commission was universally in favor. No one spoke at the hearing.
What residents said
Short-term rentalsDrainage at Belmont West subdivisionLane widths on 950 NorthHome height and bulk
About 20 residents spoke on short-term rentals. Opponents said rentals bring transient guests, safety concerns, higher home prices and fewer families, cited 522 existing rentals, and asked the council to keep the ban or require owner occupancy. Hosts, including owner-occupied operators, asked for licensing and enforcement aimed at 'party houses.' Two neighbors of the Belmont West subdivision (Patterson Homes) said new home pads sit three to four feet higher than their lots and asked for a drainage system. A fifth-grade student proposed repainting the center line on 950 North to equalize lane widths.