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This is PermitBase’s published record for Unincorporated Carbon County as of 2026-07-16. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.

Unincorporated Carbon County building permits

Unincorporated Carbon County, Utah — as published 2026-07-16.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Source

Codes adopted

2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices C and J — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(a) (https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title15A/Chapter2/15A-2-S103.html), in force statewide since 7/1/2026 and binding on counties under §15A-1-204. Carbon County's own Building Permits page 'What codes are enforced?' FAQ still lists the 2021 IBC with Appendix J only (no Appendix C) — live-checked 2026-07-16, the county's own page has not been updated to the current statewide edition.2021 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendix AQ (the FAQ labels it 'Appendix Q') — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(b)/(c); this edition is UNCHANGED from the prior code cycle. Carbon County's own FAQ lists the 2021 IRC with Appendix Q — live-checked 2026-07-16, consistent with the current statute on the base edition.2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(d). Carbon County's own FAQ still lists the 2021 IPC — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(e). Carbon County's own FAQ still lists the 2021 IMC — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(f). Carbon County's own FAQ still lists the 2021 IFGC — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(g); this edition is UNCHANGED from the prior code cycle. Carbon County's own FAQ lists the 2020 NEC — live-checked 2026-07-16, one cycle behind the current statewide edition; confirmed directly against the county's own published FAQ rather than assumed uniform statewide.2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), one code with no residential/commercial split — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(h). Carbon County's own Building Permits FAQ does not list any IECC edition at all — live-checked 2026-07-16; added here per the statute, not omitted.2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), subject to Utah Code §15A-2-104(2) (the HUD Code) — governs statewide per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(i)/(j). Not listed on Carbon County's own Building Permits FAQ — live-checked 2026-07-16.Residential provisions of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — governs statewide per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(n). Not listed on Carbon County's own Building Permits FAQ — live-checked 2026-07-16.Modular Building Institute (MBI) Standards 1200 and 1205 — governs statewide per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(o). Not listed on Carbon County's own Building Permits FAQ — live-checked 2026-07-16.

Permit types & fees

Residential Building Permit (New Home / Cabin)

Required for new single-family home and cabin construction on unincorporated Carbon County land. Issued directly by Carbon County's Building & Planning Department — unincorporated land has no separate city layer, so there is no additional city zoning-approval step (unlike properties within Price, Helper, East Carbon, Wellington, or Scofield Town, which require separate city zoning sign-off per price.json). Instead, unincorporated-area applicants must submit a signed Road Encroachment Agreement. Reviewed under Utah Code §15A-2-103's statewide-adopted codes: 2024 IBC, 2021 IRC (App AQ), 2024 IPC/IMC/IFGC, and 2023 NEC — Carbon County's own FAQ still cites 2021 IBC/IRC (Appendix J/Q)/IPC/IMC/IFGC and 2020 NEC (live-checked 2026-07-16).

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Source

Requirements

  • Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect/install/enlarge/alter/repair/remove/convert/replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, must first apply to the Building Department and obtain the required permit (per Carbon County Building Permits page, quoting the adopted code's permit-requirement section)
  • Signed Road Encroachment Agreement required for unincorporated-area applications — per the Building Permits page, submitted to the County Road Shop (435-636-3268); the county's New Home or Cabin Checklist packet corroborates this and further specifies a Road Encroachment Permit approved by the Carbon County Road Department is required 'if access is from a County road'
  • Completed and signed Building Permit Application, including contractor's name(s) and license number(s), or a signed Owner/Builder Certification Form if the owner is completing any of the work
  • A complete plan set (PDF only — jpgs and other file types not accepted) including site plan, footing/foundation plan, wall framing/columns/beams, floor framing, roof framing or stamped truss sheets, electrical plan, plumbing plan, HVAC plans with heating/cooling load calculations (Manual J & D), and gas pipe sizing calculations
  • Cabins in the MR and WS zones require a natural buildable site of 20,000 square feet having slopes less than 30 percent
  • Proof of fees paid for water connection (PRWID) and sewer hook-up (PRWID or Scofield Reservoir Special Service District) or, where unserved, spring/well approval from the Utah Division of Water Rights and/or Individual Wastewater (septic) approval from the Southeast Utah Health District
  • Engineered WET-stamped plans (no copies accepted) required for all structures in the Scofield area D0 seismic zone (Scofield is itself an incorporated town, but the surrounding D0 seismic band and Scofield-area frost depth rule extend into unincorporated county land), and may be required elsewhere for unusual shapes/sizes, foundation/basement walls over 9 feet, walkout basements, basements with a garage, or non-rectangular log structures

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCompleted and signed, including contractor name(s) and license number(s). Apply online at carbon.utah.gov or in person at the County Building & Planning Office.
  • OptionalOwner/Builder Certification FormRequired if the owner is completing any of the work themselves (do-it-yourselfer), in lieu of a licensed contractor.
  • RequiredSite Plan (PDF)Drawn to scale, showing lot shape/dimensions, street, front of lot, and setbacks to property lines of all existing and proposed structures, per the county's Residential Site Plan Requirements.
  • RequiredFull Construction Plan Set (PDF, not less than 1/4" = 1')Footing/foundation plan; wall framing/columns/beams with sizes; floor framing/girder/joist/blocking sizes and spans; roof framing/rafter size and span or stamped truss sheet details; electrical plan; plumbing plan; HVAC plans with heat loss/gain calculations (Manual J & D); gas pipe sizing calculations.
  • RequiredRoad Encroachment Agreement / PermitRequired specifically for unincorporated-area applications where access is from a County road. Per the Building Permits page, the signed agreement is submitted to the County Road Shop (435-636-3268); the New Home/Cabin Checklist packet states it is submitted to the Building Department and approved by the Carbon County Road Department. Contact the Building Department at (435) 636-3260 to confirm current routing.
  • RequiredProof of Water/Sewer Fees PaidWater connection from PRWID; sewer hook-up from PRWID or Scofield Reservoir Special Service District; or septic approval from Southeast Utah Health District where unserved by sewer; or spring/well approval from the Utah Division of Water Rights where unserved by central culinary water.

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Unincorporated Carbon County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Permalink: /utah/carbon-county-ut/unincorporated-carbon/as-of/2026-07-16/

Snapshot date: 2026-07-16

Commit: 9d25784

Reproducible from PermitBase’s version-controlled dataset, commit 9d25784.