This is PermitBase’s published record for Unincorporated San Juan County as of 2026-07-21. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Unincorporated San Juan County building permits
VerifiedUnincorporated San Juan County, Utah — as published 2026-07-21.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for new residential construction, moving a trailer or pre-built home onto a lot, and any addition or remodeling in unincorporated San Juan County (which also covers the Town of Bluff, whose Planning & Zoning Commission issues a prerequisite Land Use Clearance before the county issues the actual building permit). Plan review for one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes must be completed within the 14-business-day statutory window required by Utah Code § 17-36-55(3)(a).
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- New residential construction, moving a trailer/pre-built home onto a lot, or any addition or remodeling
- Complete set of plans drawn to scale submitted to the Building Department for review (per the county's Plan Requirements sheet)
- Per Utah Code §§ 58-22-305 & 58-3a-304, only one- or two-family dwellings not exceeding two stories are exempt from requiring a licensed Professional Engineer or Architect to prepare the plans; the Building Official may require stamped plans when project scope/design warrants it
- All commercial buildings must be designed, drawn, and stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer
- Structural Steel, Straw Bale, Adobe, or Rammed Earth construction methods require plans drawn by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer regardless of building type
- Legal description and San Juan County property tax parcel number
- Sewage system approved by the San Juan County Health Department (located at 735 S 200 W Suite 2, Blanding, or in the basement of the County Administration Building in Monticello)
- Road Encroachment Permit from the San Juan County Road Department, if applicable
- Property must be deeded in the applicant's name and recorded in the San Juan County Recorder's Office before permit issuance (or a notarized statement from the legal owner granting permission to build)
- For property within the Town of Bluff: a Land Use Clearance (LUC) approved by the Bluff Planning & Zoning Commission must be obtained before the county building permit application
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationFilled out as complete as possible and signed by the owner or agent; must list all contractors/subcontractors with a copy of their Utah Contractor license (company/license holder name, license number, licensed trades, expiration date), address, phone, and email. Submitted by mail, email, or in person to the San Juan County Administrative Building.
- RequiredComplete Set of Plans (per Plan Requirements sheet)Site plan (lot dimensions, building locations/setbacks, utility lines, easements), 4 building elevations, architectural plans, foundation plan, framing plan, roof framing plan, electrical layout, plumbing layout, mechanical/appliance layout, and other structural details (guardrails, handrails, stairs, hold-downs, insulation, fireplace details, roof/wall covering) — per San Juan County's official Plan Requirements checklist.
- RequiredLegal Description and County Property Tax Parcel NumberLocatable on the applicant's tax notice
- RequiredSeptic/Sewage System ApprovalApproved by the San Juan County Health Department before permit issuance; a separate Septic Permit is required when a septic system is being installed
- OptionalRoad Encroachment PermitObtained from the San Juan County Road Department (435-587-3230), if the project requires access work affecting a county road
- RequiredProof of Property Ownership / Notarized Owner PermissionProperty must be deeded in the applicant's name and recorded in the San Juan County Recorder's Office, or a notarized statement from the legal owner granting permission to build
- OptionalTown of Bluff Land Use Clearance (LUC)Required only for property within the Town of Bluff — approved by the Bluff Planning & Zoning Commission before the county building permit is submitted; valid for one year after approval per the Town of Bluff's official LUC Application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review & Building Permit (combined) | 1.75 × square footage of the structure (example given by the county: 2,000 sq ft = $3,500) | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section, retrieved live 2026-07-08. |
| Inspection Fee | $65.00 per inspection + State mileage rate | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), retrieved live 2026-07-08. |
| Appeal for Time Extension | $150.00 | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). |
| Work Done Without Permit (Investigation Fee) | 2× permit price, plus $150/week if continued beyond a 30-day notice | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building); also referenced in the county's Building Permit Checklist as an investigation fee equal to the permit fee. |
Commercial Building Permit
Required for new commercial building construction in unincorporated San Juan County. The county bills commercial construction under the same combined Plan Review & Building Permit formula published for residential construction (1.75 × the structure's square footage) — San Juan County's official Building Department webpage publishes no separate commercial valuation track or fee tier. The county's own Building Permit Checklist states verbatim: 'All commercial Buildings must, by Utah Law, be designed, drawn and stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer. A building can be considered commercial by the building use, occupancy, or construction type,' and: 'ALL WORK TO BE PERFORMED ON ANY COMMERCIAL PROJECT MUST BE DONE BY LICENSED CONTRACTORS. THE OWNER OF A COMMERCIAL PROJECT C[A]NNOT ACT AS THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR IN THE STATE OF UTAH.'
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- New commercial building construction
- "All commercial Buildings must, by Utah Law, be designed, drawn and stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer. A building can be considered commercial by the building use, occupancy, or construction type." — quoted verbatim from San Juan County's official Building Permit Checklist
- "ALL WORK TO BE PERFORMED ON ANY COMMERCIAL PROJECT MUST BE DONE BY LICENSED CONTRACTORS. THE OWNER OF A COMMERCIAL PROJECT C[A]NNOT ACT AS THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR IN THE STATE OF UTAH." — quoted verbatim from the county's Building Permit Checklist
- Structural Steel, Straw Bale, Adobe, or Rammed Earth construction methods require plans drawn by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer regardless of building type
- Legal description and San Juan County property tax parcel number
- Sewage system approved by the San Juan County Health Department, or connection to public sewer where available
- Road Encroachment Permit from the San Juan County Road Department, if applicable
- Property must be deeded in the applicant's name and recorded in the San Juan County Recorder's Office before permit issuance (or a notarized statement from the legal owner granting permission to build)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationFilled out as complete as possible and signed by the owner or agent; must list all contractors/subcontractors with a copy of their Utah Contractor license.
- RequiredComplete Set of Plans, Stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or EngineerSite plan, elevations, architectural/foundation/framing/roof framing plans, electrical/plumbing/mechanical layouts, and other structural details — per the county's Plan Requirements checklist, with commercial plans additionally requiring a licensed architect/engineer stamp.
- RequiredLegal Description and County Property Tax Parcel NumberLocatable on the applicant's tax notice.
- RequiredSeptic/Sewage System Approval or Public Sewer ConnectionApproved by the San Juan County Health Department before permit issuance where a septic system is used.
- OptionalRoad Encroachment PermitObtained from the San Juan County Road Department (435-587-3230), if the project requires access work affecting a county road.
- RequiredProof of Property Ownership / Notarized Owner PermissionProperty must be deeded in the applicant's name and recorded in the San Juan County Recorder's Office, or a notarized statement from the legal owner granting permission to build.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review & Building Permit (combined) | 1.75 × square footage of the structure (example given by the county: 2,000 sq ft = $3,500) | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section — the county publishes a single combined formula for Plan Review & Building Permit that applies to all construction, with no distinct commercial rate or tier. |
| Inspection Fee | $65.00 per inspection + State mileage rate | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). |
| Appeal for Time Extension | $150.00 | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). |
| Work Done Without Permit (Investigation Fee) | 2× permit price, plus $150/week if continued beyond a 30-day notice | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). |
Commercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish Permit
Required for tenant improvement / tenant finish work inside an existing commercial building in unincorporated San Juan County. The county publishes no distinct tenant-improvement fee tier — TI/remodel work is billed under the same 1.75-times-square-footage combined Plan Review & Building Permit formula applied to the affected square footage, and remains subject to the same statewide requirement that commercial plans be stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer and that all work be performed by licensed contractors.
Reviewed 2026-07-19 · Source
Requirements
- Tenant improvement, tenant finish, or remodel work inside an existing commercial building
- "All commercial Buildings must, by Utah Law, be designed, drawn and stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer." — quoted verbatim from the county's Building Permit Checklist; applies to remodel/TI scope as well as new construction
- "ALL WORK TO BE PERFORMED ON ANY COMMERCIAL PROJECT MUST BE DONE BY LICENSED CONTRACTORS..." — quoted verbatim from the county's Building Permit Checklist
- Legal description and San Juan County property tax parcel number
- Property must be deeded in the applicant's name and recorded in the San Juan County Recorder's Office before permit issuance (or a notarized statement from the legal owner granting permission to build)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationFilled out as complete as possible and signed by the owner or agent; must list all contractors/subcontractors with a copy of their Utah Contractor license.
- RequiredComplete Set of Plans, Stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer (where scope requires)Floor plans, structural/electrical/plumbing/mechanical detail for the improved space, per the county's Plan Requirements checklist.
- RequiredLegal Description and County Property Tax Parcel NumberLocatable on the applicant's tax notice.
- RequiredProof of Property Ownership / Notarized Owner PermissionProperty must be deeded in the applicant's name and recorded in the San Juan County Recorder's Office, or a notarized statement from the legal owner granting permission to build.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review & Building Permit (combined) | 1.75 × square footage of the affected/improved space | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section — the county publishes a single combined formula for Plan Review & Building… Show full citationHideSan Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section — the county publishes a single combined formula for Plan Review & Building Permit that applies to all construction, with no distinct commercial rate or tier. No reduced TI-specific rate is published; the county's example (2,000 sq ft = $3,500) is the same formula applied to new construction. |
| Inspection Fee | $65.00 per inspection + State mileage rate | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). |
| Work Done Without Permit (Investigation Fee) | 2× permit price, plus $150/week if continued beyond a 30-day notice | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired for constructing a sign in unincorporated San Juan County. The county publishes a dedicated Sign Permit Application (separate from its building permit forms), reviewed by the Planning & Building Department, with a real, published fee structure: free for most signs, but $10 for a commercial sign placed on state highway frontage (because approved applications for those signs are forwarded to UDOT District Four). Sign categories and dimensional standards are set out in the County Zoning Ordinance § 12-5 (Signs).
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Business (commercial) signs require approval of a 'Request for Business Sign Permit' and are governed by federal and state highway rules where applicable; the Planning Commission may cap sign area at 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of street frontage abutting the development, with any one sign for a business capped at 100 sq. ft. and no more than 3 signs per business (Zoning Ordinance § 12-5(1))
- Non-business signs are limited to no more than 2 signs per use or occupancy, with maximum total square footage by category: Development 40 sq ft, Civic 14 sq ft, Real Estate 32 sq ft, Residential 2 sq ft (Zoning Ordinance § 12-5(2))
- All signs must be flat wall or free-standing — no revolving or moving parts, and no flashing or intermittent lighting (Zoning Ordinance § 12-5(3))
- The Sign Permit Application requires: applicant name/address/phone, physical address and legal description of the sign location, sign type (Development, Civic, Real Estate, Residential, Commercial, or Other), construction type (flat wall or free-standing), business name if different from applicant, property ownership confirmation (or property owner's name/address if applicant is not the owner), and sign size
- Landowner signature is required in addition to the applicant's signature if the applicant does not own the property
- Applications are reviewed for zoning conformance and require sign-off before Planning Commission approval, per the form's own 'For County Use Only' section (zoning check, ownership verification, staff recommendation, then Planning Commission approval)
Required documents
- RequiredSan Juan County Sign Permit ApplicationThe county's dedicated sign permit form — separate from its general building permit application — published on the Planning & Building Department's website.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial sign on state highway frontage | $10.00 | San Juan County Sign Permit Application form, fee notice printed directly on the form: 'There is a $10.00 fee for all commercial signs that are placed on state highway frontage. Show full citationHideSan Juan County Sign Permit Application form, fee notice printed directly on the form: 'There is a $10.00 fee for all commercial signs that are placed on state highway frontage. A copy of the application, when approved, will be sent by the county to the Utah Department of Transportation District Four Headquarters.' |
| All other sign types | $0.00 (no charge) | Same source: 'For all other types of signs, there is no charge for the application.' |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedSan Juan County does not publish a distinct EV charger, EVSE, or electric vehicle charging station permit or fee. The county's official Building Permits process document confirms electrical work is inspected as part of the general Building Permit process — its required "4-Way Inspection" explicitly includes "Rough Electrical" alongside framing, rough plumbing, and rough mechanical — and the Plan Requirements checklist requires an "Electrical Layout" (switches, lights, outlets, service size & location, panel size & location) as part of the same building permit plan submittal. A new dedicated EV charger circuit is therefore processed under this same general Building Permit administered by the San Juan County Planning & Building Department, with no separate EV-specific fee line item.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Installation of a Level 2 or DC fast EV charger (EVSE) at a residential or commercial property
- Electrical Layout plan showing service size, panel size and location, and the new circuit — part of the standard Plan Requirements for a San Juan County Building Permit
- Rough Electrical inspection as part of the county's required 4-Way Inspection (Framing, Rough Electrical, Rough Plumbing, Rough Mechanical)
- Compliance with the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted statewide by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g)
Required documents
- RequiredSan Juan County Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department (building@sanjuancountymail.org, 435-587-3221); covers electrical work as part of the general building permit.
- RequiredElectrical LayoutSwitches, lights, outlets, GFCI labeling, smoke detector locations, service size & location, and panel size & location — required under the county's Plan Requirements checklist.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review & Building Permit (combined) | 1.75 x square footage of the structure (example given by the county: 2,000 sq ft = $3,500) | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section. Show full citationHideSan Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section. This square-footage-based formula applies to new construction; the county does not publish a separate flat or valuation-based fee specifically for a standalone electrical/EV-charger retrofit with no associated new square footage — confirm the applicable fee for a standalone EV charger circuit with the Building Department directly. |
| Inspection Fee | $65.00 per inspection + State mileage rate | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building). Likely the applicable line item for a standalone EV-charger electrical inspection, though not explicitly itemized as EV-specific. |
Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Permit
VerifiedSan Juan County does not publish a distinct solar, solar PV, or photovoltaic installation permit or fee. The county's official Building Department webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building, live-checked 2026-07-21) and its Building Permit Checklist / Plan Requirements PDF do not mention solar, PV, or photovoltaic anywhere; the county's separate Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule (sjcpcfeesched16.pdf, which covers only planning/zoning services, not building-trade permits) likewise contains no solar line item. A rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV installation is therefore processed under the same general Residential or Commercial Building Permit administered by the San Juan County Planning & Building Department, with its Rough Electrical inspection (part of the required 4-Way Inspection) covering the PV system's electrical work under the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC Article 690, Solar Photovoltaic Systems, adopted statewide by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g)).
Verified 2026-07-21 · Source
Requirements
- Installation of a rooftop-mounted or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system at a residential or commercial property
- Electrical Layout plan showing the new PV circuit, inverter/disconnect location, service size, and panel size/location — part of the standard Plan Requirements for a San Juan County Building Permit
- Structural sign-off for roof-mounted arrays where the Building Official determines added roof loading warrants review (per the general plan-review authority described in the county's Building Permit Checklist; no PV-specific structural threshold is published)
- Rough Electrical inspection as part of the county's required 4-Way Inspection (Framing, Rough Electrical, Rough Plumbing, Rough Mechanical)
- Compliance with the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), including Article 690 (Solar Photovoltaic Systems), as adopted statewide by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g)
Required documents
- RequiredSan Juan County Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department (building@sanjuancountymail.org, 435-587-3221); covers solar PV electrical/structural work under the general building permit — the county publishes no separate solar-specific application form.
- RequiredElectrical Layout / PV System PlanPanel/array layout, inverter and disconnect location, service size & location, and panel size & location — required under the county's Plan Requirements checklist; no PV-specific plan template is published, so the standard Electrical Layout requirement applies.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review & Building Permit (combined) | 1.75 x square footage of the structure (example given by the county: 2,000 sq ft = $3,500) | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section, live-checked 2026-07-21. Show full citationHideSan Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), 'Fee Structure' section, live-checked 2026-07-21. This square-footage-based formula applies to new construction; the county does not publish a separate flat or valuation-based fee specifically for a standalone rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV retrofit with no associated new square footage — confirm the applicable fee for a standalone PV installation with the Building Department directly. |
| Inspection Fee | $65.00 per inspection + State mileage rate | San Juan County Planning & Building Department official webpage (sanjuancountyut.gov/building), live-checked 2026-07-21. Likely the applicable line item for a standalone solar PV electrical inspection, though not explicitly itemized as solar-specific. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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 San Juan County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.