Provo council work session directs ADU cleanup, short-term rental license rules and redistricting guidebook
October 17, 2023, 12:00 p.m. · 445 W. Center Street, Provo, and online (hybrid)
At its work meeting the council voted 4-0 on three motions on accessory dwelling units, including cleanup language to remove zones where ADUs are permitted but cannot realistically be built. It voted 4-0 to have staff draft short-term rental business license requirements, and 5-0 to have staff write a redistricting guidebook. A closed meeting was held.
From the agenda and city or news reports of the results; minutes not yet posted. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Rezone swap at 310 S and 358 S 2470 W | Discussed |
| Rezone 156 W 500 S to ITOD | Discussed |
| Remove ITOD step-back requirement | Discussed |
| Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): 12-month follow-up | Approved · 4-0 |
| Short-term rental properties | Approved · 4-0 |
| Provo-Orem city boundary adjustments | Discussed |
| Airport appropriation from FY2023 excess revenues | Discussed |
| Redistricting process | Approved · 5-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Zoning
Rezone swap at 310 S and 358 S 2470 W
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken. Already scheduled for the council meeting the same evening.
- Case PLRZ20230182
Item 2 · Zoning
Rezone 156 W 500 S to ITOD
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken. Already scheduled for the council meeting the same evening.
- Case PLRZ20230158
Item 3 · City code
Remove ITOD step-back requirement
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken. Already scheduled for the council meeting the same evening.
- Case PLOTA20230160
Item 4 · City code
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): 12-month follow-up
Approved · 4-0
Council Member David Shipley moved, seconded by Council Member Katrice MacKay, to have council staff return with cleanup language to Title 14.30 removing zones where ADUs are permitted but cannot realistically support them (4-0). A second motion by MacKay, seconded by Shipley, asked the administration to research whether licensing costs would need to rise to fund inspections every three years for properties with RDL or ADU licenses (4-0). A third, by Council Member Rachel Whipple and seconded by Council Member George Handley, had staff follow up on ADUs in May with the new council (4-0). Council Members Ellsworth, Fillmore and Hoban were excused.
Item 5 · City code
Short-term rental properties
Approved · 4-0
Council Member Rachel Whipple moved, seconded by Council Member David Shipley, to direct staff to draft short-term rental business license requirements. They would include annual renewal, compliance with Utah State Code Title 29 if applicable, building inspections, proof of insurance, 24/7 contact information, and a look at accounting separately for the innkeeper tax on short-term rentals. It passed 4-0.
Item 6 · Other
Provo-Orem city boundary adjustments
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken. Already scheduled for the council meeting the same evening.
Item 7 · Budget
Airport appropriation from FY2023 excess revenues
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken. Already scheduled for the council meeting on November 14, 2023.
- 23-006
Item 8 · Presentation
Innovation Grant Fund Program: FY2023 funded projects
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken.
Item 9 · Other
Redistricting process
Approved · 5-0
Council Member Rachel Whipple moved, seconded by Council Member George Handley, to direct staff to put together a short redistricting guidebook with best practices and a timeline. It passed 5-0 with Council Members Fillmore and Hoban excused.
Item 10 · Presentation
Update from Downtown Provo Inc.
Discussed
Presentation only; no action taken.