Salt Lake City building permit requirements
Salt Lake City Building Services
Verified 2026-06-27 · Source
Department information
- Address
- 451 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- Phone
- (801) 535-7968
- permits@slcgov.com
- Office hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Website
- Official site
Codes adopted
Adopted statewide under Utah Code Title 15A and enforced by every Utah jurisdiction, with limited local amendments. Effective July 1, 2026, Utah moves to the 2024 editions of the IBC, Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and Existing Building Code (IEBC) under HB 65 (2026); other codes remain as listed. Always confirm the edition in force with your jurisdiction.
Permit types
Residential Building Permit
Required for new residential construction, additions, and structural alterations within Salt Lake City limits.
Deck Permit
Required for new deck construction or structural modification of existing decks in Salt Lake City.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work including panel upgrades, new circuits, rewiring, and service changes in Salt Lake City.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs including water heaters, re-pipes, and fixture additions in Salt Lake City.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, replacements, and ductwork modifications in Salt Lake City.
Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof repairs in Salt Lake City.
Fence Permit
Required for new fence installation or replacement in Salt Lake City. Height restrictions apply by zone.
Swimming Pool Permit
Required for in-ground and above-ground swimming pool installation, hot tubs over a certain size, and associated barriers in Salt Lake City.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Required for construction of a secondary dwelling unit on a residential property in Salt Lake City, including basement apartments, detached cottages, and garage conversions.
Demolition Permit
Required for partial or complete demolition of structures in Salt Lake City, including utility disconnection and debris disposal.
Solar Panel Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in Salt Lake City.
Home Occupation Permit
Required to operate a business from a residential property in Salt Lake City. Ensures the business use is compatible with the residential neighborhood.
Driveway & Concrete Flatwork Permit
Required for new driveways, driveway replacements, sidewalk modifications, and concrete flatwork that connects to public right-of-way in Salt Lake City.
Retaining Wall Permit
Required for retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) in Salt Lake City.
Basement Finish Permit
Required for finishing or remodeling an unfinished basement in Salt Lake City, including framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
Grading & Excavation Permit
Required for significant grading, excavation, or land disturbance on residential or commercial properties in Salt Lake City.
Sign Permit
Required for installation of commercial, directional, and certain temporary signs in Salt Lake City.
Shed & Accessory Structure Permit
Required for detached garages, sheds, carports, and other accessory structures over 200 square feet in Salt Lake City.
Water Heater Permit
Required for water heater installation, replacement, or conversion (tank to tankless) in Salt Lake City. A specific subset of the plumbing permit for this common project.
Fire Sprinkler & Alarm Permit
Required for installation or modification of fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems in Salt Lake City.
Window & Door Replacement Permit
Required for window and door replacements that involve structural changes, resizing openings, or egress modifications in Salt Lake City.
Siding & Exterior Cladding Permit
Required for re-siding a home or changing exterior cladding material in Salt Lake City. Like-for-like repairs may be exempt.
Patio Cover & Pergola Permit
Required for attached or detached patio covers, pergolas, gazebos, and similar shade structures in Salt Lake City.
Hot Tub & Spa Permit
Required for hot tub and spa installations in Salt Lake City, covering electrical connections, structural support, and barrier requirements.
Garage Conversion Permit
Required for converting an attached or detached garage into living space, office, or other habitable use in Salt Lake City.
Gas Line Permit
Required for installation, modification, or extension of natural gas or propane piping in Salt Lake City.
Fireplace & Wood Stove Permit
Required for installation of gas fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts in Salt Lake City.
Tree Removal Permit
Required for removal of significant trees or trees in public right-of-way in Salt Lake City. Regulations vary by zone and tree size.
EV Charger Installation Permit
Required for installation of Level 2 (240V) and Level 3 electric vehicle charging stations at residential and commercial properties in Salt Lake City.
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit
Required for interior build-outs, renovations, and modifications to commercial, retail, and office spaces in Salt Lake City.
Change of Occupancy / Use Permit
Required when changing the use or occupancy classification of a building or space in Salt Lake City (e.g., retail to restaurant, office to daycare).
Temporary Structure & Event Permit
Required for temporary tents, stages, bleachers, and structures used for events or construction in Salt Lake City.
Tips & gotchas
- Salt Lake City enforces 2021 ICC codes — make sure plans reference the correct edition.
- Properties in historic districts face additional review layers. Check the zoning map before applying.
- Electronic plan submission via ProjectDox is strongly preferred and processes faster.
- The city enforces a 180-day permit expiration — request extensions before it lapses.
- All contractors must be licensed with Utah DOPL AND registered with Salt Lake City.
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-27.
- Salt Lake City Building Services — official building department
- Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-34)
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 Salt Lake City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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