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Plumbing Permit in Unincorporated Salt Lake County, Utah

Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in unincorporated Salt Lake County including water heaters, fixture additions, and gas line work. Issued by MSD. The 2024 IPC governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(d); MSD's own page still lists the 2021 IPC as adopted (live-checked 2026-07-16), lagging the current statewide edition.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

  • New plumbing fixture installations (sinks, toilets, showers)
  • Water heater installation or replacement
  • Water line or sewer line replacement or extension
  • Gas line installation or modification
  • Backflow prevention device installation

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical Permit — base feeFY2025 Fee Schedule for Salt Lake County, adopted June 17, 2025. Fee covers one system/appliance inspection.
$70.00
Fee per additional appliance or fixtureFY2025 Fee Schedule for Salt Lake County, adopted June 17, 2025.
$20.00 each
State SurchargeFY2025 Fee Schedule for Salt Lake County, adopted June 17, 2025.
1% of the permit fee
Re-Inspection FeeFY2025 Fee Schedule for Salt Lake County, adopted June 17, 2025.
$50.00 per occurrence

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Salt Lake County building department
~1–7 business days

How long did your Plumbing Permit permit actually take in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Underground / Slab

    Before concrete pour — verify pipe slope, materials, and cleanouts.

  2. 2

    Rough-In

    After pipes installed, before walls closed — pressure test required.

  3. 3

    Final

    All fixtures connected, water flowing, no leaks, proper venting verified.

See the full Unincorporated Salt Lake County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Water heater replacements in unincorporated Salt Lake County require a permit even for like-for-like swaps — the base fee is $70.
  • Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(d) governs and sets the 2024 IPC statewide; MSD's own page still lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code (live-checked 2026-07-16). PEX and copper are both accepted.
  • Utah allows homeowners to perform plumbing work on their own primary residence, but a permit and inspection are still required.
  • Seismic strapping is required for water heaters in Utah — two straps at the upper and lower thirds of the tank.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. MSD requires a plumbing permit for all water heater installations and replacements including like-for-like swaps. The fee is $70 base. A 1% state surcharge also applies. Apply at msd.utah.gov/portal.

Per the FY2025 Fee Schedule for Salt Lake County (adopted June 17, 2025): $70 base fee (covers one inspection), plus $20 for each additional appliance or fixture. Re-inspection is $50. A 1% state surcharge applies.

Plan review for a plumbing permit in Unincorporated Salt Lake County typically runs 1–7 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (MSD) — Building Services at (385) 910-7138.

You'll need: Building Permit Application. Depending on your project, Unincorporated Salt Lake County may also ask for: Plumbing Plan; Contractor License. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Salt Lake County requires 3 inspection(s) for a plumbing permit, in order: Underground / Slab, Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (MSD) — Building Services ((385) 910-7138).

Apply through Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (MSD) — Building Services at 860 W. Levoy Drive, Suite 300, Taylorsville, UT 84123. Phone: (385) 910-7138, email: inspections@msd.utah.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Official information: https://msd.utah.gov/205/Building-Services.

Unincorporated Salt Lake County, Utah has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices C and J — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(a) (https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title15A/Chapter2/15A-2-S103.html), in force statewide since 7/1/2026 and binding on counties under §15A-1-204. MSD's own Codes and Design Criteria page still lists the 2021 IBC (incl. Appendices C & J) adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, MSD's own page has not been updated to the current statewide edition.; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendix AQ (except residential energy Chapter 11) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(b)/(c); this edition is UNCHANGED from the prior code cycle. MSD's own page lists the same 2021 IRC + Appendix AQ exclusion, adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, consistent with the current statute on the base edition.; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(d). MSD's own page still lists the 2021 IPC, adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(e). MSD's own page still lists the 2021 IMC, adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(f). MSD's own page still lists the 2021 IFGC, adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(g); this edition is UNCHANGED from the prior code cycle. MSD's own Codes and Design Criteria page still displays the 2020 NEC — live-checked 2026-07-16, not updated to the statewide edition; confirm the enforced edition with MSD before starting electrical work.; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — one code, no residential/commercial split, per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(h). MSD's own page still splits it — 2015 IECC residential (IRC Chapter 11 residential energy provisions explicitly excluded from the 2021 IRC adoption) and 2021 IECC commercial — live-checked 2026-07-16, both lag the current statewide edition; the residential/commercial split itself is preserved here as MSD-published history, not carried into the governing statutory citation.; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(i). MSD's own page still lists the 2021 IEBC, adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.; Residential provisions of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — governs per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(n). MSD's own page still lists the 2021 ISPSC, adopted effective July 1, 2023 — live-checked 2026-07-16, lags the current statewide edition.; Modular Building Institute (MBI) Standards 1200 and 1205 — governs statewide per Utah Code §15A-2-103(1)(o). Not listed on MSD's own Codes and Design Criteria page — live-checked 2026-07-16.; 2006 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) — adopted per Utah Code Title 65A, Chapter 8. Local amendments apply — see the Unincorporated Salt Lake County overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

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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