Orem council adopts non-conforming sign and accessory dwelling definition ordinances, 7-0
October 13, 2026, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council adopted two code amendments on Oct. 13, each with seven aye votes and none opposed on the signed ordinances: O-2026-0026, which lets qualifying nonconforming freestanding signs facing I-15 replace their cabinets or faces within set limits, and O-2026-0027, which aligns dwelling and accessory dwelling terms with the city's recently adopted standards. Results for the rezone of about 9.29 acres at 1075 South 1675 West and the short-term rental discussion are not recorded here. Outcomes come from the signed ordinances; Oct. 13 minutes were not available.
From the agenda and city or news reports of the results; minutes not yet posted. Updated October 22, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Definitions for accessory dwelling units and non-conforming signs | Pending |
| Short-term rental regulations, continued discussion | Pending |
| Alterations to legal non-conforming signs (Ordinance O-2026-0026, Section 14-4-2) | Approved · 7-0 among council members |
| Definitions of dwellings, accessory dwelling units and accessory apartments (Ordinance O-2026-0027) | Approved · 7-0 among council members |
| Rezone 9.29 acres at 1075 South 1675 West from CM to M1 with development agreement | Pending |
| Monthly financial summary for July and August 2026 | No action |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1.1 · Presentation
Employee survey results
Discussed
Deputy City Manager Keri Rugg and Management Analyst Whitney Kingsolver were scheduled to present employee survey results in the work session (20-minute presentation, 10 minutes of questions). The agenda does not give the results.
Item 1.2 · City code
Definitions for accessory dwelling units and non-conforming signs
Pending
Planning Director Jared Hall was scheduled to brief the council on text amendments to definitions tied to the accessory dwelling unit ordinance and to the non-conforming sign ordinance. These are the same changes set for public hearings in the regular session.
Item 1.3 · Other
Short-term rental regulations, continued discussion
Pending
Deputy City Attorney D. Jacob Summers was scheduled to lead a 90-minute continued discussion of short-term rentals. The agenda gives no proposal details.
Item 7.1 · Presentation
Fire Prevention Night, fire training facility open house and city drill
Discussed
Fire Chief Marc Sanderson and Emergency Manager Heath Stevenson were scheduled to present on Fire Prevention Night, the Fire Training Facility open house and the city drill.
Item 7.2 · Presentation
Constitution art contest winners
Discussed
Civic Engagement Executive Director Pete Wolfley was scheduled to present the winners of the Constitution art contest.
Item 10.1 · City code
Alterations to legal non-conforming signs (Ordinance O-2026-0026, Section 14-4-2)
Approved · 7-0 among council members
The council adopted an amendment to Section 14-4-2 allowing a legally established nonconforming freestanding sign west of the I-15 right-of-way center line and oriented toward freeway traffic to replace its cabinet or sign face if it meets set limits. The overall height cannot increase, the display area, height, width and depth cannot exceed the existing cabinet, and the replacement cannot involve structural replacement, enlargement or relocation of the main support pole, foundation or load-bearing framework. Decorative coverings over existing poles are allowed with separate restrictions. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0 on Sept. 2. The ordinance takes effect on passage and publication of a summary.
- Ordinance O-2026-0026
- Planning Commission recommendation: approval, 5-0
- Outcome source: signed ordinance, not minutes
Item 10.2 · City code
Definitions of dwellings, accessory dwelling units and accessory apartments (Ordinance O-2026-0027)
Approved · 7-0 among council members
The council adopted an ordinance updating definitions of dwellings, accessory dwelling units and accessory apartments across several chapters of the city code and Appendix A (SLU 1111). The ordinance says the change aligns the definitions with the recently adopted standards for both interior and detached accessory dwelling units; it does not itself approve those units. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0 on Aug. 5. The ordinance takes effect on passage and publication of a summary.
- Sections: 19-5-3, 21-1-2, 21-2-2, 21-1-3(B)(3), 22-2-1, 22-6-8(F), 22-6-9, 22-7-4(D), 22-11, 22-12-7, 22-14-15, Appendix A SLU 1111
- Ordinance O-2026-0027
- Planning Commission recommendation: approval, 5-0
- Outcome source: signed ordinance, not minutes
Item 10.3 · Zoning
Rezone 9.29 acres at 1075 South 1675 West from CM to M1 with development agreement
Pending
Public hearing on a request to amend Article 22-5-3(A) and the zoning map, changing about 9.29 acres from CM, Controlled Manufacturing, to M1, Light Manufacturing, together with a development agreement limiting allowed uses to those of the CM zone. The result is not yet available.
- Acres: about 9.29
- Current zone → proposed: CM → M1, with development agreement limiting uses to CM uses
Item 11.1 · Budget
Monthly financial summary for July and August 2026
No action
Information-only item; the financial statements are in the council packet.