This is PermitBase’s published record for Unincorporated Garfield County as of 2026-07-20. It has since been superseded — see the current record.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 Garfield County building permits
VerifiedUnincorporated Garfield County, Utah — as published 2026-07-20.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for new single-family/manufactured home construction, additions, and structural alterations in unincorporated Garfield County. The Garfield County Building Department issues the building permit, performs plan review, and conducts all inspections for the unincorporated county AND — per contract — for essentially all of the county's small incorporated towns (documented explicitly for Boulder Town, which contracts with Garfield County 'to issue the actual Building Permit, conduct all building code inspections, and issue the Certificate of Occupancy'). Property inside city/town limits requires town-level zoning/project approval first, but the building permit itself still comes from the county.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- New single-family dwelling or manufactured home construction
- Additions to existing residential structures
- Any structural modification, remodel, repair, or demolition
- Basements, second levels, decks, private garages, carports, patio covers, and other accessory structures per the fee schedule
- Large sheds (200 sq ft or more, or any shed with power/water/heat) — see Local Amendments
- Two complete sets of plans (one retained by the building department, one kept on the jobsite)
- City/town zoning approval first if the property is within incorporated city/town limits
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via the county's 'City Inspect' portal (garfield.utah.gov > Departments > Building > Building Permit Application). Must include names and Utah state license numbers of all contractors on the project.
- OptionalCity/Town PermissionRequired prerequisite if the property is within city/town limits (e.g., Boulder Town Project Approval) — the county will not issue its building permit until the town has approved the project.
- RequiredSeptic System PermitIssued by the Southwest Utah District Health Department, 88 East Fiddlers Canyon Road, Cedar City, UT 84720, (435) 865-5154, for any dwelling or structure generating wastewater.
- RequiredTwo Complete Sets of PlansCross section, footing and foundation details, elevations on all four sides, and floor plan for all stories. One set stays with the building department, one on the jobsite. Unconventional residential buildings requiring plan review need two paper sets plus one electronic (CD/PDF) set.
- RequiredPlot PlanShowing setbacks and side yards
- RequiredProof of OwnershipLegal description of the property, tax I.D. number, and physical address (Garfield County Recorder's Office, (435) 676-1112)
- RequiredProof of Cost / ValuationFrom the contractor or the lending institution, to establish building valuation for fee calculation
- OptionalOwner/Builder AffidavitSigned and notarized, if the owner is acting as their own contractor
- OptionalUtah Prairie Dog ClearanceRequired for property in Tropic or anywhere west of Tropic — clearance letter or 'not needed' letter from DWR (Patrick Anderson, (435) 691-5700, pranderson@utah.gov) uploaded before the application will be accepted.
- RequiredREScheckEnergy code compliance documentation required for all buildings (energycodes.gov/rescheck)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $2,000 or less | $60.00 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule (building-department-fees.pdf); valuation set per ICC Building Valuation Data Sheet or itemized component pricing below |
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $2,001–$25,000 | $73.68 for first $2,000 + $14.90 per additional $1,000 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $25,001–$50,000 | $416.82 for first $25,000 + $10.75 per additional $1,000 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $50,001–$100,000 | $684.95 for first $50,000 + $7.93 per additional $1,000 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $100,001–$500,000 | $1,057.35 for first $100,000 + $5.96 per additional $1,000 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $500,001–$1,000,000 | $3,440.71 for first $500,000 + $5.03 per additional $1,000 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Total Building Permit Valuation — $1,000,001 or more | $5,967.71 for first $1,000,000 + $3.88 per additional $1,000 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Manufactured Home | 80% of cost | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Basement — Unfinished | $30.00 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Basement — Finished with Dwelling | $45.48 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Second Level — Unfinished | $30.00 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Second Level — Finished with Dwelling | $45.48 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Private Garage — Finished | $42.50 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Private Garage — Unfinished | $24.00 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Deck — Open | $16.68 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Deck — Covered | $27.48 per square foot | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Plan Review — Residential Dwelling | $100.00 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| WUI Plan Review (one per parcel) | $225.00 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule — Wildland Urban Interface Code review |
| Re-Inspection | $60.00 per inspection | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Permit Renewal | $100.00 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
Commercial Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for new commercial construction in unincorporated Garfield County. The Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule publishes a Commercial Building plan-review fee at a distinctly different rate than the residential dwelling rate: 'Commercial Building — 65% of permit price' vs. 'Residential Dwelling — $100.00' flat. The base building-permit fee uses the same generic sliding-scale valuation table as residential and other structures.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- New commercial construction
- Two complete sets of plans (one retained by the Building Department, one kept on the jobsite); commercial and unconventional residential plans additionally require one electronic (CD/PDF) set
- Commercial swimming pools and kitchens require separate approval from the Southwest Utah District Health Department
- City/town zoning approval first if the property is within incorporated city/town limits (the Garfield County Building Department issues the actual permit for essentially the whole county, including inside most incorporated towns, per contract — see the Residential Building Permit type's description)
- Utah Prairie Dog clearance letter from DWR if in Tropic or anywhere west of Tropic
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via the county's 'City Inspect' portal.
- RequiredTwo Complete Sets of Plans + One Electronic SetGarfield County Checklist of Necessary Information, item 11: 'Any plans requiring a plan review (unconventional residential buildings and all commercial projects) will require two sets of paper plans and one set of plans on CD, Pdf file.' Cross section, footing/foundation details, elevations on all four sides, and floor plan for all stories.
- OptionalSouthwest Utah District Health Department ApprovalRequired specifically for commercial swimming pools and commercial kitchens, per Garfield County Checklist item 11: 'Also, commercial swimming pools and kitchens will require approval from the Southwest Utah District Health Department.'
- RequiredSeptic System PermitIssued by the Southwest Utah District Health Department for any structure generating wastewater.
- RequiredProof of Cost / ValuationFrom the contractor or the lending institution, to establish building valuation for fee calculation.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Building Permit Valuation — same sliding-scale table as residential | e.g. $1,057.35 for the first $100,000 + $5.96 per additional $1,000 for $100,001-$500,000 (see the Residential Building Permit type for the full tier table) | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule — re-verified 2026-07-19 via a Wayback Machine archive of the fee PDF (live URL returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches; Show full citationHideGarfield County Building Department Fees schedule — re-verified 2026-07-19 via a Wayback Machine archive of the fee PDF (live URL returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches; archived copy dated 2025-10-28 fetched directly and confirmed byte-for-byte structurally consistent with the previously-documented tier table). Header line: 'Building Permit — See ICC Building Valuation Data Sheet,' with a generic sliding-scale table used for all building types. |
| Plan Review — Commercial Building | 65% of permit price | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule, 'Plan Review' section: 'Commercial Building — 65% of permit price' (vs. Show full citationHideGarfield County Building Department Fees schedule, 'Plan Review' section: 'Commercial Building — 65% of permit price' (vs. 'Residential Dwelling — $100.00' flat, and 'Other Small Structure/WUI (one per parcel) — $20.00/$225.00'). Re-verified 2026-07-19 via direct PDF text extraction of a Wayback Machine archive (archive timestamp 20251028220208) after the live PDF returned HTTP 403. |
| WUI Plan Review (one per parcel) | $225.00 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule — Wildland Urban Interface Code review, applies to commercial projects the same as residential. |
| Re-Inspection | $60.00 per inspection | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
| Permit Renewal | $100.00 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
Commercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish Permit
VerifiedRequired for interior tenant-improvement and remodel work within existing commercial space in unincorporated Garfield County. The Building Department Fees schedule lists 'Remodel' as its own Plan Review line item ('$20.00 / based on bid price'), distinct from both the flat Residential Dwelling rate and the percentage-based Commercial Building rate.
Verified 2026-07-19 · Source
Requirements
- Interior tenant-improvement or remodel work inside existing commercial space
- Two complete sets of plans plus one electronic (CD/PDF) set, since remodel/TI plan review falls under the same 'any plans requiring a plan review' rule as new commercial construction
- Southwest Utah District Health Department approval if the tenant improvement affects a commercial kitchen or pool
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via the county's 'City Inspect' portal; Garfield County does not publish a distinct tenant-improvement application form.
- RequiredScope-Appropriate Plan Set (Two Paper + One Electronic)Per the county's Checklist item 11, plan review triggers a two-paper-set-plus-CD/PDF requirement for commercial projects generally, which reasonably includes commercial remodels/TI given the fee schedule's own 'Remodel' plan-review line item.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review — Remodel | $20.00 base, then based on bid price | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule, 'Plan Review' section: 'Remodel — $20.00 / based on bid price,' re-verified 2026-07-19 via Wayback Machine archive of the fee PDF (live URL returns HTTP 403). Show full citationHideGarfield County Building Department Fees schedule, 'Plan Review' section: 'Remodel — $20.00 / based on bid price,' re-verified 2026-07-19 via Wayback Machine archive of the fee PDF (live URL returns HTTP 403). Listed as its own line distinct from both the flat Residential Dwelling ($100) and percentage-based Commercial Building (65% of permit price) rates. |
| Building Permit — same generic valuation table | Determined from the same 'Total Building Permit Valuation' sliding-scale table used for other permit types | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule; no separate TI-specific base building-permit fee line was found distinct from the general valuation table. |
| Re-Inspection | $60.00 per inspection | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule |
Solar Permit
VerifiedGarfield County Building Department publishes a distinct fee schedule for solar photovoltaic installations, separate from the general Residential Dwelling and Commercial Building permit fee lines. Applications are submitted through City Inspect, the county's online permitting portal, the same as other building permits.
Verified 2026-07-19 · Source
Requirements
- Rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installation, residential or commercial
- Compliance with the statewide adopted 2023 NEC (rapid shutdown and bonding requirements) per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g)
- Submission via the City Inspect online permitting portal
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City Inspect)Submitted online through City Inspect, the county's building permit application platform.
- RequiredElectrical Single-Line DiagramSystem wiring from panels to inverter to main panel and utility meter, per standard solar plan review practice referenced in the county's Plan Requirements packet.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Permit — Minimum ($14,000 valuation) | $252.43 | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule: minimum solar permit fee, assessed at a $14,000 project valuation floor. |
| Solar Projects Under $100,000 | Plan Check Fee = 65% of Solar Building Permit Price; Total Solar Permit Price = 40% of (Plan Review + Building Permit) | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule — distinct calculation formula from the general Total Building Permit Valuation table. |
| Solar Projects Over $100,000 | See Total Building Permit Valuation schedule | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule: above $100,000 valuation, solar permits revert to the county's general valuation-based fee table. |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Garfield County publishes no distinct EV charger / EVSE permit or fee. The county's Building Department Fees schedule prices work through a valuation-based Total Building Permit Valuation table plus itemized categories (stem walls, decks, garages, sheds, solar, signs, etc.); the only catch-all category that could apply to a minor scope with no specific line item is 'Inspections with No Specific Fee — $60.00 per hour.'
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Installation of a Level 2 or DC fast EV charger (EVSE) at a residential or commercial property in unincorporated Garfield County
- New dedicated 240V circuit and/or panel capacity to serve the charger, shown on the electrical plan submitted with the permit
- Licensed electrical contractor for the installation
Required documents
- RequiredGarfield County Building Permit ApplicationGarfield County Building Department application; include the electrical scope for the EV charger circuit.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inspections with No Specific Fee | $60.00 per hour | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule (Departmental Fees Resolution) — the county's only published catch-all rate for a scope, such as an EV charger circuit, that does not match any of… Show full citationHideGarfield County Building Department Fees schedule (Departmental Fees Resolution) — the county's only published catch-all rate for a scope, such as an EV charger circuit, that does not match any of the schedule's named line items (stem walls, decks, garages, sheds, solar, signs, etc.). |
| Total Building Permit Valuation (if treated as a valuation-based scope) | Starting at $60.00 for valuations of $2,000 or less, scaling per the county's valuation table | Garfield County Building Department Fees schedule — general fallback fee basis if the department instead treats an EV charger circuit as a valuation-based building permit rather than an hourly no-specific-fee inspection. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-13.
Fee schedules
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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 Garfield County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.