Code enforcement report: Provo logs 98 ADU‑related cases in 2024, 53 resolved before court

Scott Johnson, who presented the monthly ADU enforcement update, told the council December was a slow month for code enforcement and summarized annual totals and outcomes.

“December is a very slow month, across the board with enforcement,” Scott Johnson said, explaining that students being out of town and the holidays typically reduce enforcement activity.

Johnson reported that for calendar year 2024 the city opened 98 ADU‑related enforcement cases; 53 were resolved without going to court. He said the December additions included three ADU cases opened in the month; two received notices of violation and one was closed as unfounded after staff determined the owner lived on site and was not renting the unit.

Johnson described how ADU enforcement cases are initiated: some cases start when applicants submit rental license applications that show ADU uses in non‑permitted zones; others begin after complaints. He said the department received 11 new rental license applications in December; two were for properties in zones that do not allow ADUs and were denied, two failed for incomplete fees and were canceled, and seven remained under review.

Councilors pressed staff on communication to complainants after cases are closed. Johnson said the city’s online portal typically generates automated status emails when an investigation is updated and that staff will follow up directly when complainants call for clarification. Councilor McKay and others urged improved, clearer follow‑up to avoid repeated complaints about the same address.

Johnson estimated that a full enforcement matter can take about six months on average from complaint to final resolution when legal action is needed, because of the need to verify occupancy and gather evidence for potential court proceedings.

The presentation was informational; the council asked staff to improve outreach to complainants and to provide further details in future monthly reports.