Provo council approves allowing caretaker dwellings in general commercial zones

The Provo City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on May 26 to allow a caretaker dwelling as a permitted accessory use in the city’s general commercial (CG) zone. The measure applies citywide to general commercial zoning and is intended to let businesses site an employee on-site to secure and maintain property.

Aaron Ardmore, the city’s planning manager, explained the proposal and said the Planning Commission recommended approval. Ardmore told the council the general commercial zone is the baseline commercial zoning for a variety of retail and office uses and that the caretaker dwelling use is already permitted in several other commercial and industrial zones. The amendment would add the use to the general commercial zone citywide.

One resident, Sherry Silverberg, spoke during public comment and expressed concern about parking and emergency access on a narrow neighborhood street near her home. She asked the council to consider parking impacts when allowing residential uses in commercial areas.

Councilors discussed standards and the option to refine the definition of caretaker dwelling later in the code rewrite. Several councilors said they preferred handling these arrangements as separate appropriations or special approvals in the past, and noted the permit would give businesses better security and maintenance options.

The council voted on the ordinance as presented; the motion carried 7–0.

The ordinance adds caretaker dwelling as a permitted accessory use in the general commercial zone; staff noted specific standards for caretaker dwellings (such as on-site employee requirements) exist elsewhere in the code and can be adjusted later if needed.