Home Business Rules in Provo, UT (2026)

In Provo, UT, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A Home Occupation Permit is required before operating. The local building department or local planning department handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for Provo.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Home Occupation Permit. Fee: varies. Apply through the local building department. Contact them through their official website for direct contact information. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.

Operating Restrictions

Home Business Restrictions in Provo: 1. All home occupations shall be secondary and incidental to the residential use . 2. No display of any kind shall be visible from the exterior of the premises. 3. Persons who are not bona fide residents of the premises shall not be employed on said premises. 4. Retail sales of products and services are allowed at the home with a maximum of two (2) customers per hour between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., provided customers do not unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. 5. Only one (1) vehicle may be used in association with the home occupation and shall be garaged or stored entirely within a building or structure . The vehicle used for the home occupation shall be limited to a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds. 6. The home occupation shall be conducted wholly within the structure on the premises and shall not exceed forty-nine percent (49%) of the total floor area of said structures . 7. The home occupation shall not alter the residential character of the premises or unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet, including radio and television reception, of the neighborhood by reason of color, design, materials, construction, lighting, sounds, noises, or vibrations. Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •All home occupations shall be secondary and incidental to the residential use . · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •No display of any kind shall be visible from the exterior of the premises. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Persons who are not bona fide residents of the premises shall not be employed on said premises. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Retail sales of products and services are allowed at the home with a maximum of two (2) customers per hour between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., provided customers do not unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •Only one (1) vehicle may be used in association with the home occupation and shall be garaged or stored entirely within a building or structure . The vehicle used for the home occupation shall be limited to a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •The home occupation shall be conducted wholly within the structure on the premises and shall not exceed forty-nine percent (49%) of the total floor area of said structures . · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• •The home occupation shall not alter the residential character of the premises or unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet, including radio and television reception, of the neighborhood by reason of color, design, materials, construction, lighting, sounds, noises, or vibrations. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Provo: medical, dental, and other health professional offices are specifically excluded as home occupations. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the local planning department to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Retail businesses requiring customer traffic
• ✕medical, dental, and other health professional offices are specifically excluded as home occupations · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
• ✕Auto repair with customers on premises
• ✕Food service requiring commercial kitchen
• ✕Childcare beyond Utah DCFS licensing thresholds

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions