Salt Lake City building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Salt Lake City, Utah.
Last verified 2026-07-01 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- 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
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Salt Lake City's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Salt Lake City — 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, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(b); unchanged by the 7/1/2026 code cycle
- Appendix AQ of the 2021 International Residential Code — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(c)
- 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(d); effective 2026-07-01, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(e); effective 2026-07-01, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(f); effective 2026-07-01, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g); unchanged by the 7/1/2026 code cycle
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(h); effective 2026-07-01, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(i); effective 2026-07-01, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), residential provisions — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(n); effective 2026-07-01, superseding the 2021 edition (in force through 2026-06-30)
- NOTE (verified 2026-07-16): The 2024 editions of IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC took effect 2026-07-01 per Utah Code § 15A-2-103, superseding the 2021 editions that governed through 2026-06-30. The 2021 IRC and 2023 NEC were NOT changed by this cycle. Confirmed directly against the version of § 15A-2-103 effective 7/1/2026 (superseded 1/1/2027) at le.utah.gov; the next scheduled version (1/1/2027) carries identical code editions, so this entry is not expected to go stale before then.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
Required for new residential construction, additions, structural alterations, and work requiring plan review under SLC Code Title 18 and the adopted 2024 International Building Code / 2021 International Residential Code.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work in Salt Lake City including new circuits, panel upgrades, service changes, and new construction wiring. Governed by the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g).
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Salt Lake City does not issue EV charger installations under a separate permit product with its own application form — they are filed as an Electrical Permit through the same SLC Citizen Access Portal and billed from the same Electrical Fee Schedule as other electrical work. However, the city's own official Electrical Fee Schedule form explicitly singles out EV charging equipment: it states that 'a plan review process is required for all "new" generator & EV installations,' requiring the applicant to submit a site plan, construction plans, and installation specs to ProjectDox for review after applying — a step not required for routine electrical work like panel upgrades, service changes, or minor remodels. This is a genuinely distinct, explicitly documented process for EV installations, not merely implicit coverage under the general Electrical Permit.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Salt Lake City including water heaters, fixture additions, and gas line work. Governed by the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted by Utah Code § 15A-2-103, effective 2026-07-01 (superseded the 2021 edition).
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, replacements, and ductwork modifications in Salt Lake City. Governed by the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) as adopted by Utah Code § 15A-2-103, effective 2026-07-01 (superseded the 2021 edition).
Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof repairs in Salt Lake City. Permit fees are valuation-based per the SLC building permit fee schedule.
Solar Panel Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in Salt Lake City. SLC charges a flat fee by system size in kW, distinct from the standard valuation-based building permit fee.
Fence Permit
Required for fence installation in Salt Lake City. The SLC Consolidated Fee Schedule lists a flat fencing permit fee.
Demolition Permit
Required for partial or complete demolition of structures in Salt Lake City, including utility disconnection coordination and any required asbestos surveys.
Water Heater Permit
Required for water heater installation, replacement, or conversion in Salt Lake City. This is a subset of the plumbing permit, but is commonly pulled as a standalone permit for the most common project type.
Fire Sprinkler & Fire Extinguishing System Permit
Required for installation or modification of fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishing systems, and standpipes in Salt Lake City. Separate from the building permit.
Deck Permit
Required for new deck construction or structural modification of existing decks in Salt Lake City. Permit fees are valuation-based per the SLC building permit fee schedule.
Basement Finish Permit
Required for finishing or remodeling an unfinished basement in Salt Lake City, including framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Permit fees are valuation-based.
Commercial Building Permit
Required for new commercial construction, additions, and structural work in Salt Lake City, regulated by the 2024 International Building Code (effective 2026-07-01, superseded the 2021 IBC, per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(a)). SLC's Consolidated Fee Schedule uses a single valuation-based Building Permit fee table (SLC Code § 18.32.035) for all occupancy types — the same table used for the Residential Building Permit above — rather than a separate commercial-only fee tier. A contractor is required on any commercial project, and plans are reviewed in a dedicated commercial queue distinct from residential.
Commercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish Permit
Required for tenant finish and commercial remodel work in Salt Lake City. Per SLC Building Services' own FAQ, tenant finish review covers 'the path of egress travel; elevator lobbies; ADA compliance; glazing; emergency lighting and exiting; smoke detectors, alarms, horns; seismic bracing; penetrations; wood used in fire-penetrated walls, etc.' SLC does not publish a separate tenant-improvement-only fee tier — tenant finish permits use the same valuation-based Building Permit fee table (SLC Code § 18.32.035) as new commercial construction.
Sign Permit
Required to erect, construct, enlarge, locate, or modify any on- or off-premises sign in Salt Lake City, per City Code § 21A.46.030 (General Sign Permit Requirements). Permits are issued only to State of Utah licensed contractors (unless specifically exempted by the state). No sign may be erected until the site plan is approved and a sign permit is issued by the building official.
Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy Compliance
Salt Lake City has no separately named or separately priced 'Change of Use Permit' product. Instead, SLC City Code § 18.20.190 ('Final Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy') makes it unlawful to use or occupy, or to change the occupancy of, any building or structure until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy for it, and allows the building official to revoke an existing certificate of occupancy if the property has been changed or modified — including a change in occupancy classification — without obtaining the required permits. Separately, the city's own Building Permits FAQ confirms in plain language that 'if you are changing the use of a building or space (e.g., converting a residential property into a commercial space), a permit may be needed to ensure compliance with zoning and building codes.' Where a change of use also increases demand on city infrastructure, a Development Impact Fee Assessment (SLC Code Title 18.98) may apply, and where the new use is not already permitted outright in the property's zone, the standard Planning Division zoning fee schedule (Administrative Interpretation, Determination of Nonconforming Use, Conditional Use, etc.) applies rather than a distinct change-of-use fee.
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)
- 20units
20 buildings · $4.9M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 2,893units
12 of 12 months reported · #3 in Utah coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 876units
88 buildings · $185M valuation
5 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 3,217units
403 buildings · $773.3M 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
- Salt Lake City follows the state-adopted codes under Utah Code Title 15A — currently the 2024 IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC (residential provisions), effective July 1, 2026, together with the unchanged 2021 IRC and 2023 NEC.
- NOTE (verified 2026-07-16): SLC's own "Current Building Codes" page (slc.gov/buildingservices/current-building-codes/) still titles its swimming-pool-code section "2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code" — the residential provisions are now the 2024 ISPSC per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(n), effective 2026-07-01. The city's page had not been updated to reflect the new edition as of this verification date.
- All permit applications must be submitted electronically via the SLC Citizen Access Portal. Construction plans are submitted to ProjectDox for plan review after the application is accepted. In-person staff assistance is available Mon–Fri 8am–5pm at 451 South State Street.
- Applications are reviewed in the order they are received electronically. Submit as early as possible — plan review times vary by workload and project complexity.
- Properties in SLC's historic districts are subject to additional Historic Preservation review requirements before a building permit application is accepted. Check the zoning map at slc.gov.
- Salt Lake City's local building amendments are in SLC Code Title 18 — limited to the extent allowed by Utah Code § 15A-1-204(8), which restricts cities from adopting more restrictive amendments to the state base codes except in specific circumstances.
- The SLC Consolidated Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-34, amended 06/10/2025) is the definitive fee source — always verify against the current posted document at slcdocs.com/govt/cfs.pdf, as fees can change by ordinance.