ADU builder in Orem, Utah
Cocoon Homes is a Lehi, Utah ADU builder that designs, permits and builds backyard ADUs in Orem — typically $85,000–$200,000 all-in.
Orem allowed detached ADUs for the first time on September 22, 2026 (Art. 22-6-11): single story, sized by lot from about 850 to 1,200 sq ft, owner-occupied, and never in the front yard.
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Orem ADU rules at a glance
| Rule | Orem |
|---|---|
| Detached ADU | Allowed — Art. 22-6-11 adopted Sept 22, 2026 (first time Orem has allowed them) |
| Size | Tiered by lot — about 850 / 1,000 / 1,200 sq ft (1,200 on 15,000 sq ft+ lots); 200 sq ft minimum |
| Height | Single story; 20 ft pitched, 14 ft flat, never taller than the home |
| Setbacks | 10 ft from the home and interior lot lines; 20 ft from a neighbor's house; no front yard |
| Owner-occupancy | Required; no short-term rentals |
Last reviewed October 6, 2026 · Official source: Orem City Council, Sept 22, 2026 · Orem on our Utah ADU rules tracker
Two numbers decide where an Orem ADU can go: 10 ft from your house and interior lot lines, and 20 ft from a neighbor's house. The second is measured to their house, not the property line, so on a narrow lot it's the one we check first. Your lot size then sets which size tier you're in.
Which Cocoon floor plans fit Orem's rules
| Plan | Size | Fits Orem's size rules? | Added parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Series studio (home ~$63K) | 170 sq ft | No — 170 sq ft is under Orem's 200 sq ft minimum; widen it past 200 sq ft | Confirm with Orem |
| 200 Series one-bed retreat (home ~$73K) | 240 sq ft | Yes, under every size tier | Confirm with Orem |
| 300 Series one-bedroom, most popular (home ~$84K) | 300 sq ft | Yes, under every size tier | Confirm with Orem |
| 400 Series flex (home ~$94K) | 400 sq ft | Yes, under every size tier | Confirm with Orem |
| 500 Series two-bedroom (home ~$109K) | 500 sq ft | Yes, under every size tier | Confirm with Orem |
| Orem allows a single story only: 20 ft with a pitched roof, 14 ft flat, and never taller than your home. We confirm the roof height of the plan you pick against those limits before design. | |||
Most owners go wider or add square footage; custom footprints up to Orem's cap (about 850, 1,000 or 1,200 sq ft, depending on your lot) are available, and we size them to the rules before design. The one plan Orem won't take as drawn is the 100 Series studio, which sits under the 200 sq ft minimum.
What an ADU costs in Orem
An Orem ADU from Cocoon typically comes to $85,000–$200,000 all-in. Start with the home price, then add 35–50% for site work, utilities and city costs; Orem's share of that, the city fees, typically runs $3,500–$9,000. The 300 Series one-bedroom lands around $113,000–$126,000 all-in. One Orem detail changes the math: the single-story rule rules out the second-story loft that sets the top of our price range, so extra room here comes from going wider instead. A traditional custom-built ADU runs $200,000–$400,000+. The full breakdown: Utah ADU costs.
What an ADU rents for in Orem
We don't publish an Orem-specific rent figure yet. Across the Wasatch Front, ADUs rent for $1,200–$2,500 a month, with a typical one-bedroom at $1,200–$1,500 (a regional range, not an Orem number). At $1,300 a month, a $113,000 build pays back in about 7–7.5 years of gross rent. Orem doesn't allow short-term rentals of the ADU, so plan the numbers around a long-term tenant. More: ADU rental income in Utah.
How we build your ADU in Orem
- Lot check. We read your lot against Art. 22-6-11: which size tier it falls in, the 10 ft and 20 ft separations, and a spot in the side or rear yard.
- Plan and finishes. Pick a single-story plan or a custom footprint within your tier, then your finishes.
- Engineer-stamped plans submitted to Orem. We put together the permit set and file it with the city.
- On-site build. Our Utah crew builds the ADU on a permanent foundation in your yard.
- Final inspection, utilities, keys. Orem signs off, the utilities get connected, and the keys are yours.
Orem ADU questions
Can I build an ADU in Orem?
Who builds ADUs in Orem?
Do I have to live on the property?
How much parking does an ADU need in Orem?
Can an ADU in Orem have a second story?
Building in Orem? We'll check your lot first.
Free, and you'll hear from us the same business day.
Ready to talk? Book a 30-minute call.
Nearby: ADU builder in Utah County · Lehi · Provo · American Fork
More on Utah ADUs: Utah ADU homes · ADU rules in 34 Utah cities · Floor plans