New Provo City Zoning Ordinance

[Matt Prawitt]

I have a five-bed, two bath unit in Provo that's currently rented to five singles. I just became aware of the new rental disclosure requirement which requires landlords to have all tenants sign a statement that only 3 unrelated singles are living at the property and Provo now classifying zoning violations as a misdemeanor. This really boils my blood. Just wondering if anyone has found a creative way around this, if anyone has heard of a movement to appeal this with the city council, or if anyone knows a way of getting an exception based on number of bedrooms and parking. Any help would be extremely appreciated. 

[Matt Prawitt]

This is from the Provo Code 14.06: 

"“Family,” unless otherwise expressly provided in this Title means:

(a) One (1) individual living alone; or

(b) One (1), but not more than one (1) at the same time, of the following groups of individuals described in subsections (i), (ii), or (iii) who together occupy a one-family dwelling unit as one (1) nonprofit housekeeping unit and who share common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities:

(i) A head of household and:

(A) All persons related to the head of household as a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, great-grandparent or great-grandchild by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship, or any other duly authorized custodial relationship; and

(B) Not more than two (2) additional related or unrelated persons, including but not limited to, personal care or personal service providers; or

(ii) In R1 zones located within neighborhood areas described in Subsection (c) of the definition of “baching singles” in this Section, two (2) related or unrelated individuals and any children of either individual, if any; or

(iii) In all other zones, three (3) related or unrelated individuals and any children of either individual, if any."

It appears that subsection (i) allows for head of household, all blood relatives of that head of household, plus two unrelated individuals. I also spoke with a Provo zoning officer that confirmed that interpretation. So you should be fine with having your two kids and two unrelated singles in the unit.