Home additions · Orem, UT
In Orem, how far an addition can reach depends on your zone. Most single-family lots have a 25 foot rear setback and a height cap set by Orem City Code 22-6-8. We check your lot against those numbers before anyone draws a plan.
Home additions in Orem
Orem's single-family zones run from R5 to R20, and the number is the minimum lot size in thousands of square feet. Each zone has its own setbacks and height rules. Those decide where an addition can go before style even comes up.
In the R8 zone, the house has to stay 25 feet from the rear line and 25 feet from the front. Side yards need 8 feet on each side and 20 feet total when the garage is attached. On a lot like that, the back yard usually has the most room to grow.
Height matters too. A pitched roof in R5 through R8 tops out at 30 feet, and Orem also draws a slanted line in from each property line that the house has to fit under. A second story on a narrow lot can hit that line before it reaches 30 feet.
"He knows what he is doing, shows up when he says he will, and his pricing is very fair. I refer him to numerous clients and have for years."
Aren Bybee · Repeat referrerKinds of additions for Orem lots
Out the back is where most Orem lots have space. In R8 the new room still has to stop 25 feet from the rear line.
A few feet can make a kitchen work. Bay windows with no foundation may reach 24 inches into a setback, up to 10 feet wide.
A bedroom, closet, and bath in one wing. On a corner lot, the side that faces the side street needs 20 feet.
Going up saves yard space. Orem's 30 foot cap can stretch a foot for every extra foot of setback, up to 35 feet.
A porch and its roof may reach 5 feet into the front or rear setback. A deck higher than 18 inches has to stay 10 feet from the side and rear lines.
Orem was writing rules for detached ADUs in 2026. The draft limits them to lots of 11,000 square feet or more, about 23.5 percent of the city's lots, so confirm the final rules first.
"Dakota did such an amazing job on my project. He handled all the subcontractors and would call me when they were coming next. The workmanship is excellent and I am very happy with the process and end result."
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These are real, verified 5.0-star reviews from homeowners and repeat clients across Utah County.
"We had a wonderful experience working with Dakota and his subs. He will actually do what he says he will do and does a great job. I would highly recommend him!"
"Dakota did multiple things for us in one of our duplexes. He showed up when he said he would, finished in a timely manner, and his work was top notch. His prices were great. I am planning to use Dakota on our other rental properties."
"Hired Kota to do a remodel for us and very glad we did. He was very on top of the project, always making sure we were updated on what was going on. The quality of the project turned out excellent."
Orem permits and design numbers
Orem names room additions among the jobs that require a building permit. The plans get checked against your zone and against the city's design numbers for wind, snow, and earthquakes.
Orem's code table puts the city in seismic design category D1 to E. That drives how the new walls are braced and tied to the old house, so an engineer usually sizes the structure.
Orem's frost line is 30 inches. New footings go at least that deep so the addition does not heave when the ground freezes.
If at least 70 percent of lots within 300 feet sit closer to the line, Orem's director can approve a smaller setback for you. It can help on blocks where most houses already sit closer than the code allows.
Orem points builders to a Utah State University calculator for residential snow load. Roof framing for the addition is sized to the number for your lot.
"He gets things planned, scheduled, and done. Dakota was recommended to us, and we will pass that recommendation on."
Lyle Bingham · Planned and doneHow it works
Dakota comes to your Orem home, talks through what you want to add, and gives you one honest price in writing.
We draw the addition, get it engineered, help you pick finishes, and pull the Orem City permit.
Foundation through finish work, on schedule, site kept clean, and you updated the whole way.
Final Orem inspection, a walkthrough with you, and we stand behind the work.
"Great service, great communication, and always answers phone calls. The whole team including the subs all really cared about the work they do."
Brakston Wyatt · Cared about the workExplore more
Based in Spanish Fork and building additions all over Utah County. Here is more about our work and the nearby cities we serve:
"Reliable and great craftsmanship. I will call Lynnwood Construction again!"
M Macias · Reliable craftsmanshipOrem is a short drive up I-15 for us. We build additions from Lehi down to Payson, so wherever you are near Orem, odds are we are already working nearby.
Get a free estimateGood questions
"Great attention to detail, which I feel is rare. The pricing was also fair and the work excellent. Definitely would use them again!"
Roshan Richards · Attention to detailGet a free, in-writing price from Dakota. No pressure and no commission salesman. Most Utah County homeowners hear back the same day.
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