Draper building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Draper, Utah.
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 1020 E. Pioneer Rd., Draper, UT 84020
- Phone
- (801) 576-6399
- Office hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Website
- Official site
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Draper's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Draper — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Utah adopts construction codes statewide under Utah Code Title 15A (State Construction and Fire Codes Act), enforced by every jurisdiction. Chapter 4 of Title 15A codifies Legislature-enacted amendments for specific named jurisdictions (e.g., Park City, Salt Lake City, Sandy City) as part of the state construction code. Through June 30, 2026, the editions in force under Utah Code § 15A-2-103 are the 2021 IBC (with Appendices C and J), 2021 IRC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IEBC, and 2021 ISPSC (residential provisions), together with the 2023 NEC. Effective July 1, 2026, § 15A-2-103 adopts the 2024 editions of the IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC; the IRC remains the 2021 edition and the NEC remains the 2023 edition. Note: residential energy requirements are modified by statewide amendments, and several Utah jurisdictions document their residential energy provisions at the 2015 IECC level rather than the adopted IECC year — confirm the applicable residential energy code with your local jurisdiction. Always confirm the edition in force with your local jurisdiction.
- 2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices C and J — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(a); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(b); unaffected by the 7/1/2026 statute revision, continues in force
- 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(d); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(e); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(f); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g); unaffected by the 7/1/2026 statute revision, continues in force
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(h); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(i); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), residential provisions — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(n); effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 edition
- NOTE: Effective July 1, 2026 (now in force) — 2024 editions of IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC replaced the 2021 editions per Utah Code § 15A-2-103 (version effective 7/1/2026, superseded 1/1/2027; text independently re-verified live at le.utah.gov 2026-07-16). The 2021 IRC and 2023 NEC were unaffected by this revision and remain in force.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
Required for new residential construction, additions, structural alterations, and structural repairs in Draper. The fee is based on 100% of the ICC Building Valuation schedule. A $500 deposit is due at application and applied to the total fee.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work in Draper including new circuits, panel upgrades, service changes, and new construction wiring. Governed by the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted statewide by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g). Draper charges a flat $150 electrical permit fee. EV charger/EVSE installation is electrical work and falls under this general Electrical Permit; the city's Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29) publishes no separate EV-charger-installation permit fee — the schedule's only distinct 'Electric Vehicle Charging Station' line item (Res 20-31, items 277-279) is an unrelated per-kilowatt-hour usage fee for charging at Draper's own public Level 2 charging stations, not an installation permit.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Draper including water heaters, fixture additions, drain/waste/vent work, and gas line work. Governed by the 2024 IPC statewide, effective July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 edition). Draper charges a flat $150 plumbing permit fee.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, replacements, and ductwork modifications in Draper. Governed by the 2024 IMC statewide, effective July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 edition). Draper charges a flat $150 mechanical permit fee.
Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement and re-roofing in Draper. Listed as 'Re-Roof' in Draper's Online Services Portal. Fees are valuation-based under the ICC Schedule per Resolution 26-29.
Solar Panel Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV systems and energy storage systems (ESS) in Draper. Listed as 'Solar/PV/ESS' in Draper's permit portal. Draper charges a flat $600 residential solar review fee per Resolution 26-29.
Deck Permit
Required for new deck construction or structural modification of existing decks in Draper. Draper publishes a specific Deck submittal checklist (deck-2024.pdf). Fees are valuation-based under the ICC Schedule per Resolution 26-29.
Basement Finish Permit
Required for finishing or remodeling an unfinished basement in Draper. Draper publishes a specific Basements submittal checklist. Processed as a Remodel/Alteration permit; fees are ICC valuation-based.
Demolition Permit
Required for partial or complete demolition of structures in Draper. A flat $150 fee applies per the Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29). Draper publishes a Demolition Request Plan Requirements checklist on the Building Permits page.
Water Heater Permit
Required for water heater installation, replacement, or conversion in Draper. Processed as a plumbing permit in Draper's system. The flat $150 plumbing permit fee applies per Resolution 26-29.
Retaining Wall Permit
Required for retaining walls over 4 feet in height in Draper. Draper has a specific Retaining Wall / Helical Permit with a $500 application fee and $250 permit fee per Resolution 26-29. Engineered plans and a geotechnical report are required. Draper publishes a Retaining Walls submittal checklist.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Required for construction of a secondary dwelling unit on a residential property in Draper, including basement apartments, detached cottages, and garage conversions. Draper has a dedicated ADU Permits page under Planning and Development. Building permit fees are ICC valuation-based.
Commercial Building Permit
Required for new commercial building construction, additions, and structural alterations in Draper. Draper does not use a separate commercial fee table — the same "Building Permit" fee formula (100% of the ICC Building Valuation Data schedule) applies to both residential and commercial structures. A $500 deposit is due at application, applied to the total fee. Commercial projects also require a geotechnical report and are subject to commercial-specific impact fees and fire sprinkler/alarm plan review fees not charged on residential permits.
Commercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish Permit
Required for tenant improvement (tenant finish) work in existing commercial buildings in Draper — interior build-outs, remodels, and finish work for a new or changing tenant space. Draper does not have a separate tenant-improvement fee table; the permit is billed under the same "Building Permit" formula (100% of the ICC Building Valuation Data schedule) as new commercial construction, based on the value of the finish work. Fire sprinkler and alarm system plan review fees are lower for remodel/tenant-finish work than for new system installs.
Sign Permit
Required for nearly every permanent or temporary sign erected, installed, or used in Draper — wall signs, freestanding/monument signs, temporary banners, and sign face changes — under City Code chapter 9-26 (Signs). A sign permit is separate and distinct from any building permit that may also be required. Fees are set by the Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29): permanent signs are $100.00 plus $2.50 per square foot over 32 square feet.
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Draper publishes no separate EV-charger-installation permit or fee. Installing an EV charger (EVSE) is electrical work and is processed under the city's flat $150.00 Electrical Permit, per the Draper Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29, item 50). The schedule's only distinct 'Electric Vehicle Charging Station' line item (Res 20-31, items 277-279) is an unrelated per-kilowatt-hour usage fee for charging at Draper's own public Level 2 charging stations — it is not an installation permit fee and should not be confused with the permit process for installing a private charger.
Fire Sprinkler Permit
Required for installation, alteration, or repair of an automatic fire sprinkler system in Draper. Draper has operated its own city Fire Department since exiting Unified Fire Authority on July 1, 2017 (Draper City Council voted 4-1 to withdraw); the Draper Fire Marshal's Office handles fire sprinkler plan review, permitting, and inspection directly, billed through the same Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29) that covers the city's other permits. Residential systems use a flat inspection fee; commercial new-system installs and commercial remodel/tenant-finish work are billed on separate head-count tiers, with the remodel/tenant-finish tiers priced lower than new-system installs.
Fire Alarm Permit
Required for installation or alteration of a fire alarm system in Draper. The Draper City Fire Department's Fire Marshal's Office (Draper has operated its own fire department since exiting Unified Fire Authority on July 1, 2017) handles fire alarm plan review, permitting, and inspection directly, billed under the Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29). A new-system fire alarm plan review and inspection is billed at a higher rate than remodel/tenant-finish alarm work; these figures are distinct from the fee schedule's separate 'False Alarm' penalty fees, which apply only to nuisance/false-alarm dispatch responses and are not a permit or installation fee.
Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy
Draper does not publish a standalone, separately-fee'd 'Change of Use Permit' product. Instead, City Code Title 10, Chapter 5 requires a Certificate of Occupancy before any building or structure is used or occupied, and expressly extends that requirement to 'a change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof' (Draper City Code § 10-5-010). The Certificate of Occupancy itself carries no distinct line item in the Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29) — the full fee schedule (items 1-540) was checked directly and contains no 'Certificate of Occupancy' or 'Change of Use' fee. Where the change of occupancy requires construction (e.g., converting retail space to a restaurant), that work is billed under this file's commercial-building-permit or commercial-tenant-improvement-permit entries, whose fees already appear there and are not duplicated here.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- 9units
9 buildings · $9.8M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 168units
12 of 12 months reported · #33 in Utah coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 58units
58 buildings · $36M valuation
5 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 280units
223 buildings · $119.6M valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Utah building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Draper has a mandatory geotechnical engineering report requirement — building permits for homes, townhouses, apartments, and commercial buildings will NOT be accepted unless a soils/geotech report for the specific parcel has been reviewed and approved by Draper City.
- Draper is in significant hillside terrain. Properties in the Hillside Overlay District face additional engineering and geotechnical requirements.
- All electronic plan files submitted to the Draper Online Services Portal must be unlocked (not password-protected); locked files are returned immediately without review.
- Utah Code § 15A-2-103 governs adopted construction codes statewide. Effective July 1, 2026 (now in force), the 2024 editions of IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC replaced the 2021 editions. The 2021 IRC and 2023 NEC were unaffected and continue in force. (Re-verified against the live statute text at le.utah.gov 2026-07-16.)
- Draper's Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-29, July 2026 — supersedes Resolution 26-29 Oct 2025; same fee amounts) is the authoritative fee document — the building permit uses the ICC Building Valuation Data schedule; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits each have flat $150 fees.
- The $500 deposit due at permit application is applied toward the total building permit fee; refunds on canceled/changed permits are capped at 60% of the permit fee.
- Draper processes permits through the Online Services Portal at draper.onlama.com — create an account before applying.