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Provo, UT

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STR Regulations for Provo, Utah

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Provo?

  • Short-term rentals are allowed in Provo, but only in specific non‑residential zones and under a dedicated licensing regime.
  • In residential and agricultural zones, STRs are prohibited. If a dwelling is rented more than once within any 30‑day period, it is considered prima facie evidence that it is being used as a short‑term rental in violation of residential zoning restrictions.
  • Only the following zones permit STRs: DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, and PIC.
  • Properties must be licensed under Provo’s Short‑Term Rental chapter (Municipal Code 6.33). You must obtain a short‑term rental business license and register and link each STR property to that license.
  • In multifamily buildings located in permitted zones, STR use is capped at 10% of the total dwelling units. Once the 10% threshold is reached, no further units in that building may be licensed for STR use.
  • One license can cover multiple STR properties owned by the same person/entity, but each property must be registered and linked to that license. Licenses are not transferable between persons or structures; transfers of control require notice within 30 days and result in cancellation of the existing license for the affected property.
  • The city treats STRs as commercial activity requiring a business license and specific compliance measures. Key source pages below.

Sources:

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Provo

  • Step 1: Confirm zoning eligibility. Verify that your property lies in a permitted zone (DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, or PIC). Residential and agricultural zones are not permitted for STRs.
  • Step 2: Determine licensing approach. If you own multiple STR properties under the same legal ownership, you may hold a single short‑term rental business license covering all of them, but each property must be individually registered and linked to that license.
  • Step 3: Apply for the STR business license. Applications are accepted online; the current application fee is $125. Read Provo City Code Chapter 6.33 before applying.
  • Step 4: Register and link each property. Each STR must be registered with Provo City and linked to your license. Note that in multifamily buildings, only 10% of units may be used for STRs; once reached, no additional units in that building may be licensed.
  • Step 5: Establish safety and compliance controls. Implement guest screening, house rules, occupancy limits, quiet hours, and parking guidelines. Maintain documentation for inspections and renewals as required.
  • Step 6: Monitor and renew. Licenses are not transferable; any change in legal or equitable control requires notice within 30 days and results in cancellation of the existing STR license for the property. Maintain active licensing and registration for each unit.

Sources:

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Provo?

Provo hosts earn a median $28,783/year with $134 ADR and 71% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $44,072+ per year.

See the full Provo market breakdown

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Short‑Term Rental Business License (single license may cover multiple properties under the same ownership, with each property registered and linked).
  • Application fee (currently $125 per application).
  • Online application via the city portal.
  • Property registration: Each STR must be registered with the city and linked to your license.
  • Compliance with Chapter 6.33 (Short‑Term Rental Dwellings).
  • Zoning verification: Confirm that the property is in an allowed zone.
  • Documentation for safety, occupancy, and operations: While specific inspections and safety lists are not enumerated in the provided sources, expect to maintain records supporting compliance with city ordinances and safety standards.
  • License transfer and registration: Licenses are not transferable between persons or structures; provide notice within 30 days of any change in ownership/control; existing licenses for that property are cancelled upon transfer.
  • License structure for multiple properties: You are not required to obtain more than one STR license for multiple properties if ownership is the same, but each property must be registered and linked to that license.
  • Operational notes: If a dwelling is rented more than once within a 30‑day period, this is prima facie evidence of unlawful STR use in prohibited zones.

Sources:

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

Provo City (STR‑Specific)

  • Licensing: You must have a short‑term rental business license and link each STR property to that license. Operating without a license is unlawful.
  • Allowed zones: STRs are permitted only in DT1, DT2, SC3, GW, WG, FC1, FC2, and PIC. In agricultural or residential zones, STRs are not allowed.
  • Evidence of STR use: Renting a dwelling more than once in any 30‑day period is prima facie evidence that the dwelling is being used as a short‑term rental, which is unlawful in residential/agricultural zones.
  • Cap in multifamily buildings: In buildings where STRs are allowed, no more than 10% of dwelling units may be used as STRs; once that threshold is reached, no additional units in that building may be licensed.
  • Non‑transferability: Licenses are not transferable between persons or structures; any transfer of control requires 30‑day notice and results in cancellation of the license for that property; new ownership/control must apply for a new license.
  • Multiple properties: One license may cover multiple STR properties if ownership is the same, but each property must be registered and linked to that license.

Utah County

  • The provided sources do not specify county‑level STR regulations beyond general state tax requirements. Confirm with the Utah County Clerk/Auditor and the Utah State Tax Commission for any county lodging taxes or local add‑ons.

State of Utah (General STR Tax Framework)

  • Utah does not have a statewide short‑term rental permit. Compliance is primarily local (municipal licensing/zoning) plus state tax obligations.
  • Taxes commonly applicable to STRs:
    • State sales tax (base 4.85%, with local option increases; many areas exceed 7% combined).
    • Transient room tax (varies by locality; typically 1%–4%).
    • Resort/tourism taxes may apply in certain resort areas.
  • Platform handling: Platforms (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO) often collect/remit lodging taxes on behalf of hosts; if not, hosts must register with the Utah State Tax Commission and file returns on the applicable schedule.
  • Documentation: Maintain accurate records of rental nights, rates, fees, and tax remittances.

Sources:

Illustrative Context (Non‑Binding)

  • External market commentary (e.g., third‑party blogs) discusses evolving STR landscapes and outlooks. Treat such sources as general context, not legal guidance, and rely on official city/state references for compliance.

Source:

Contact Information: Local Authority in Charge of STRs

  • Business Licensing (Short‑Term Rental License):
    • Phone: 311 (within Provo city limits), (801) 852‑6000 (outside city limits)
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    • Physical Address: 445 W Center Street, Provo, UT 84601
  • Planning/Zoning (for zoning verification, permitted zones, and development questions):
    • Phone: (801) 852‑6419
  • Non‑Emergency Police (noise and nuisance issues):
    • Phone: (801) 852‑6210
  • Online Application Portal: Apply for Short Term Rental License (via CityView Business License portal, linked from the city STR page).
  • City Website: www.provo.gov/954/Short-Term-Rental-License

Sources:

Links to Source Pages (City, State, and Context)

Notes:

  • Compliance is governed by official city code and state law. The zoning cap in multifamily buildings and the prohibition in residential/agricultural zones are the key structural constraints. Ensure each property is registered and linked to your license, and maintain records for safety, occupancy, and operational standards.

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Provo

Market Saturation Score

036912
Low Saturation
1/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
0–1 declining months: minimal saturation pressure — revenue trends are stable.
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Photos of Provo

Overview of Provo

Provo sits in Utah County in north-central Utah, with a population of roughly 115,000 residents, making it the third-largest city in the state. The community has a youthful, college-town energy, anchored by Brigham Young University, while also serving as a friendly base for outdoor recreation thanks to its location at the base of the Wasatch Range. Visitors come for a mix of academic events, religious sites associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the surrounding canyon and mountain playgrounds. Provo lies approximately 45 miles south of Salt Lake City along the Interstate 15 corridor, placing it within an easy drive of the state's largest metropolitan amenities and international airport.

Just up Provo Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls is one of Utah's most photographed waterfalls, tumbling roughly 600 feet down a sheer rock face and accessed by a short walk from a parking area about a 15-minute drive from downtown. The waterfall is especially popular in warmer months for its cool spray and family-friendly approach, and it sits within a corridor that funnels hikers, anglers, and sightseers deeper into the Wasatch backcountry.

For more ambitious outdoor excursions, Mount Timpanogos rises to about 11,750 feet on the edge of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and offers one of the most scenic alpine hikes in the region, roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Provo via American Fork Canyon. Snow-capped nearly year-round, "Timp" draws hikers, photographers, and occasional climbers during the summer wildflower season, with a summit trail that can be tackled in a long day.

A short drive further up Provo Canyon, Sundance Mountain Resort is a four-season retreat founded by Robert Redford that combines ski terrain, summer lift-served hiking and mountain biking, and a calendar of film and arts programming. The resort, about 25 minutes from central Provo, is a frequent draw for guests who want a quieter, more rustic alternative to the larger Park City resorts to the north.

Just west of the city, Utah Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States, providing boating, kayaking, sailing, and shoreline parks within minutes of downtown. The lake's marinas and adjacent trails offer an easy, low-commitment way for visitors to experience the area's outdoor offerings without driving into the mountains.

Provo's combination of an authentic small-city core, a major university, and immediate access to mountains, canyons, and a vast freshwater lake makes it an especially versatile base for short-term rentals. Travelers can pair a campus visit, conference, or temple pilgrimage with hiking, skiing, or lake days, and still return each evening to a walkable downtown with a growing restaurant and café scene.

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