Orem caps accessory buildings at 8% of the lot and has design rules for bigger garages. Here is what that means for a steel garage or shop, and what one costs in Utah County.
| Orem at a glance | What it means for your building |
|---|---|
| Permit needed | Detached or attached garages always. Storage sheds over 200 sq ft. One-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less on one- and two-family lots are exempt. |
| Size | All accessory buildings together: no more than 8% of the parcel on single-family lots. |
| Big garage design rules | Over 500 sq ft, or over half the house footprint (whichever is less): residential styling, roof pitch matching the house and at least 4:12, and exterior materials similar to the house or to homes within 300 ft. |
| Height | Inside the rear setback: 18 ft. Outside it: 18 ft or the house height, whichever is greater. In an interior side yard next to residential or vacant land: 8 ft. |
| Placement | 6 ft from the house. Not in the front yard unless 40 ft back from the front line, not in a street-side yard or utility easement, and covering no more than 15% of the required side setback. |
| Not allowed | Shipping containers. |
| Elevation | About 4,760 ft at City Hall, Utah County. |
From Orem's published code and permit pages, checked October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the city before you build. Snow, wind and seismic values: see the Utah County guide.
Building package estimates for Utah County from our live estimator (October 2026, 3:12 roof, 10×10-class roll-up doors). Foundation, site prep and erection are separate.
| Building | Utah County estimate |
|---|---|
| 24×30×12 garage or small shop | $17,200 – $21,500 |
| 30×40×14 shop, 2 roll-up doors | $29,900 – $37,200 |
| 40×60×16 shop, 2 roll-up doors | $60,000 – $74,700 |
Your written quote is the firm number. More on steel shop pricing in Utah →
Orem's big-garage rule is the one to plan around. A steel building can meet it: we can set the roof pitch to match your house (at least 4:12), add wainscot and trim, and use colors that fit the neighborhood. A steeper roof costs a little more than the 3:12 our estimator assumes.
The 8% cap counts every accessory building on the lot, so subtract any shed you already have before you size the shop.
56 North State St., 2nd Floor, Orem, UT 84057 · 801-229-7198. City permit page →
All accessory buildings together can cover no more than 8 percent of a single-family parcel. A garage over 500 square feet, or over half the house footprint, must also meet residential design rules.
Large garages must have residential styling, a roof pitch matching the house and at least 4:12, and exterior materials similar to the house or nearby homes. A steel building can be designed to meet this with the right roof pitch, trim and colors; confirm the design with the city.
18 feet inside the rear setback. Outside the setback, 18 feet or the height of the house, whichever is greater.
A 30x40 shop with 14-foot walls and two roll-up doors estimates at about $29,900 to $37,200 for the building package in Utah County on our live estimator (October 2026), before any steeper roof the city requires. Foundation and erection are separate.
Get a live estimate now, then a firm quote with drawings engineered for your address.