Unincorporated Salt Lake County building permit requirements
Salt Lake County Planning & Development Services
Verified 2026-06-27 · Source
Department information
- Address
- 2001 S State St #N3-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190
- Phone
- (385) 468-6700
- pds@slco.org
- 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 in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Fence Permit
Required for new fence installation or replacement in Unincorporated Salt Lake County. Height restrictions apply by zone.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work including panel upgrades, new circuits, rewiring, and service changes in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs including water heaters, re-pipes, and fixture additions in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, replacements, and ductwork modifications in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof repairs in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Deck Permit
Required for new deck construction, replacement, or structural modifications to existing decks in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Swimming Pool Permit
Required for in-ground and above-ground swimming pool installation, hot tubs over a certain size, and associated barriers in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Required for construction of a secondary dwelling unit on a residential property in Unincorporated Salt Lake County, including basement apartments, detached cottages, and garage conversions.
Demolition Permit
Required for partial or complete demolition of structures in Unincorporated Salt Lake County, including utility disconnection and debris disposal.
Solar Panel Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Home Occupation Permit
Required to operate a business from a residential property in Unincorporated Salt Lake County. 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 Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Retaining Wall Permit
Required for retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Basement Finish Permit
Required for finishing or remodeling an unfinished basement in Unincorporated Salt Lake County, including framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
Grading & Excavation Permit
Required for significant grading, excavation, or land disturbance on residential or commercial properties in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Sign Permit
Required for installation of commercial, directional, and certain temporary signs in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Shed & Accessory Structure Permit
Required for detached garages, sheds, carports, and other accessory structures over 200 square feet in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Water Heater Permit
Required for water heater installation, replacement, or conversion (tank to tankless) in Unincorporated Salt Lake County. 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 Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Window & Door Replacement Permit
Required for window and door replacements that involve structural changes, resizing openings, or egress modifications in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Siding & Exterior Cladding Permit
Required for re-siding a home or changing exterior cladding material in Unincorporated Salt Lake County. 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 Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Hot Tub & Spa Permit
Required for hot tub and spa installations in Unincorporated Salt Lake County, 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 Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Gas Line Permit
Required for installation, modification, or extension of natural gas or propane piping in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Fireplace & Wood Stove Permit
Required for installation of gas fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Tree Removal Permit
Required for removal of significant trees or trees in public right-of-way in Unincorporated Salt Lake County. 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 Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit
Required for interior build-outs, renovations, and modifications to commercial, retail, and office spaces in Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Change of Occupancy / Use Permit
Required when changing the use or occupancy classification of a building or space in Unincorporated Salt Lake County (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 Unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Tips & gotchas
- Unincorporated Salt Lake County uses the county planning department — not a city building department.
- Zoning and land use regulations may differ from nearby cities — verify with county staff.
- All contractors must be licensed with Utah DOPL.
- Metro townships (Magna, Kearns, etc.) use county services for building permits.
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-27.
- Salt Lake County Planning & Development Services — official building department
- Greater Salt Lake MSD FY2026 Fee Schedule
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 Salt Lake County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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