Orem will consider senior landlord measure

OREM (The Daily Herald)  -- A zoning amendment that would allow residents over 65 who own a single-family dwelling to rent out portions of it to family or nonrelatives is anticipated to come before the Orem City Council sometime next month.

Similar to a measure narrowly passed by the Provo Municipal Council last October, the idea behind the draft legislation is that it would allow homeowners advancing in age and on fixed incomes, or who require minimal medical attention or home maintenance help, to stay in their homes, said Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn.

He said when the Orem City Council changed the law restricting additional accessory basement apartments in the city several years ago, it had an unintended consequence.

"There are a number of seniors who have indicated they have a larger home that has the capability to provide a place for people to live with them, especially at a time in their life where extra income would be valuable," Washburn said. "Our existing ordinance doesn't provide for that. We felt we really needed to address that for people who have a bona fide need."

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