Las Vegas vs Provo: ADU, STR & Home Business Rules Compared (2026)
Compare ADU owner-occupancy and parking rules, short-term rental permits, and home business rules between Las Vegas, NV and Provo, UT.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Las Vegas vs Provo
| Las VegasNV | ProvoUT | |
|---|---|---|
| ADUs Allowed? | Yes — permitted with a Special Use Permit (Las Vegas Unified Development Code §19.12.070) | Yes — permitted use under Provo City Code Title 14 and Utah Code §10-9a-530 |
| Owner Occupancy Required? | Conditional — the ADU may not be offered or occupied as a rental unit unless the principal dwelling is owner-occupied (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070) | Required on an ongoing, unconditional basis — either the main dwelling or the ADU must be owner-occupied regardless of rental status (Provo City Code §14.30.030(4)(a)) |
| Parking Required? | One additional parking space beyond the number normally required (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070) | At least 4 off-street parking spaces required for a dwelling with an ADU (Provo City Code §14.30.030(5)) |
| STR Allowed? | Yes — permitted as a conditional use (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070) | No — short-term rentals are prohibited in agricultural and residential zones (Provo City Code §6.33.020(2)) |
| Registration Required? | Yes — a business license is required to operate (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070) | No — STR use is already banned in residential zones, so no license scheme applies there |
| Registration Type | Business license, including payment of applicable room taxes and licensing fees (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070) | STR business license required where STR use is otherwise allowed (Provo City Code §6.33.020) |
| Home Business Allowed? | Yes — permitted with a Home Occupation Permit (Las Vegas UDC §19.16.180) | Yes — permitted with a Home Occupation Permit (Provo City Code §14.41.020) |
| City Permit Required? | Yes — a Home Occupation Permit is required (Las Vegas UDC §19.16.180) | Yes — a Home Occupation Permit is required (Provo City Code §14.41.020) |
Key Differences
Las Vegas and Provo both require a permit to build an ADU and both restrict rental use with an owner-occupancy condition, but the frameworks differ in scope. Las Vegas's owner-occupancy rule is conditional — it only applies if the ADU is being rented out; the principal dwelling must be owner-occupied for that to happen (Las Vegas Unified Development Code §19.12.070). Provo's rule is unconditional: either the main dwelling or the ADU must be owner-occupied at all times regardless of whether either unit is rented (Provo City Code §14.30.030(4)(a)). Parking requirements follow a similar pattern of degree — Las Vegas asks for one additional space beyond the normal requirement, while Provo requires four off-street spaces total for the lot. Short-term rentals are the sharpest divide: Las Vegas allows STR use as a conditional use with a business license (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070), while Provo bans short-term rentals outright in agricultural and residential zones (Provo City Code §6.33.020(2)). Home businesses are treated almost identically in both cities — both require a Home Occupation Permit before operating.
Cost Comparison
Las Vegas ADU building permit fees run roughly $500–$2,500 based on valuation, with Clark County Water Reclamation District and traffic impact fees of about $1,500–$5,000 and Clark County School District development fees of roughly $1,000–$2,500. Provo's ADU building permit fees are based on construction value and typically run $400–$2,000, plus utility connection fees, with the city's consolidated fee schedule (an external document) governing current totals. Both ranges are drawn from each city's cached fee schedule; confirm current figures with Las Vegas Building and Safety or Provo Development Services before budgeting.
Our Verdict
Las Vegas is the more flexible city for investors — its conditional owner-occupancy rule only kicks in if you rent the ADU, and short-term rentals are allowed with a business license, giving property owners two income paths (long-term ADU rental or STR) that Provo forecloses. Provo's unconditional owner-occupancy requirement and outright STR ban make it a better fit for homeowners adding housing for family rather than income. Both cities require a Home Occupation Permit for home-based businesses, so that piece of the decision is a wash. For rental income flexibility, Las Vegas wins; for owner-occupied multigenerational housing, Provo's framework is workable but more restrictive.
Explore Each City
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live on the property if I build an ADU in Las Vegas?
Only if you plan to rent it. Las Vegas requires the principal dwelling to be owner-occupied before the ADU can be offered or occupied as a rental unit (Las Vegas Unified Development Code §19.12.070). If you're not renting either unit, this condition doesn't apply.
Can I rent out my ADU short-term in Provo?
No. Provo prohibits short-term rentals in agricultural and residential zones under City Code §6.33.020(2), so an ADU in a residential zone cannot be used as a short-term rental.
How much extra parking does an ADU need in Las Vegas vs Provo?
Las Vegas requires one additional parking space beyond what's normally required for the lot (Las Vegas UDC §19.12.070). Provo requires at least 4 off-street parking spaces total for a dwelling with an ADU (Provo City Code §14.30.030(5)).
Do both cities require a permit for a home-based business?
Yes. Both Las Vegas (UDC §19.16.180) and Provo (City Code §14.41.020) require a Home Occupation Permit before operating a business from a residential dwelling.
Source: PropertyZoned Editorial Research. Last verified July 3, 2026.