Unincorporated Uintah County building permits

Requirements

• New single-family dwelling construction
• Additions to existing residential structures
• Remodels and structural alterations
• Manufactured home installation on a private lot (requires a permanent foundation system per County Code 18.03 of the Administrative Manual)
• Property must be a legally buildable lot (split through the county's subdivision process)

Required documents

• RequiredResidential Building Permit ApplicationCompleted application form (SFD Permit Application Packet 2025) submitted to the Community Development Department, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, UT, or online
• RequiredProof of OwnershipMost current tax statement, deed, or property information sheet
• RequiredSite PlanNorth indicator, lot shape/dimensions, footprint of all structures (existing and proposed), setbacks from all property lines, easements, canals/ditches/drainages, driveway location, wells/septic systems, and FEMA floodplain
• RequiredTwo Complete Sets of Building PlansLegible, to-scale sets (minimum 11x17), designed to the currently adopted IRC — floor plans, elevations, cross sections, framing/footing/foundation details, electrical/plumbing/mechanical details per the county's Building Plans Checklist
• RequiredWater and/or Sewer Availability LetterLetter from the local water district confirming water/sewer availability and stating the distance to the nearest fire hydrant
• OptionalFire Hydrant Approval LetterRequired from the Fire Marshal if no hydrant is within 600 feet of the proposed structure
• OptionalSeptic Construction Permit / Well Water ApprovalLetter from the Tri-County Health Department when a septic system and/or private well is planned
• OptionalRoad Encroachment PermitFrom the Uintah County Road Department, required for any work in the county right-of-way (driveways, utility connections) unless the lot has curb and gutter
• OptionalOwner/Builder CertificationNotarized form required if the property owner will act as their own contractor
• RequiredAgreement for Electrical MeterSigned agreement governing temporary construction power and conditions for setting a permanent meter

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Residential electrical service upgrade or replacement
• Temporary construction power pedestal installation
• Agricultural electrical service
• Any new electrical work in an otherwise-exempt agricultural building

Required documents

• RequiredElectrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Building Permit ApplicationCompleted application listing the electrical contractor and license number, submitted to the Community Development Department
• OptionalElectrical Single-Line Diagram / PlanPanel location, meter size and location, circuit layout — required per the county's plan review checklist for new construction and service upgrades

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Installation of a Level 2 or DC fast EV charger (EVSE) at a residential or commercial property in unincorporated Uintah County — falls under the county's general Electrical Permit (residential electrical service upgrade/replacement, or commercial/utility electrical service for non-residential installations)
• Completed Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Building Permit Application listing the electrical contractor and license number
• Compliance with the 2023 NEC, which remains current statewide per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g)

Required documents

• RequiredElectrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Building Permit ApplicationCompleted application listing the electrical contractor and license number, submitted to the Community Development Department; no distinct EV-charger application form or checkbox exists.
• OptionalElectrical Single-Line Diagram / PlanPanel location, meter size and location, circuit layout for the charger installation.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Furnace, AC unit, water heater, or boiler replacement
• LPG conversion to natural gas
• New HVAC system installation (part of new construction fee)
• Adding mechanical systems to a building that previously had none

Required documents

• RequiredElectrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Building Permit ApplicationCompleted application listing the mechanical contractor and license number
• OptionalEquipment SpecificationsManufacturer data for furnace, AC, boiler, or water heater

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV installation
• Generator power installations
• Residential wind and/or radio tower installation

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCompleted application submitted to the Community Development Department
• RequiredElectrical Single-Line DiagramSystem wiring from panels/array to inverter to main panel and utility meter
• RequiredEquipment SpecificationsManufacturer specifications for panels, racking, and inverter

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Complete demolition of any structure
• Asbestos inspection prior to demolition (hired-contractor demolitions; owner-performed demolition of a private home is exempt per Utah House Bill 285)
• Division of Air Quality notification at least two weeks prior to demolition (required even if no asbestos is found)
• Fire Marshal and Tri-County Health Department sign-off on the Demolition Application

Required documents

• RequiredDemolition ApplicationCompleted form submitted to the Community Development Department with Fire Marshal and Health Department approval signatures
• RequiredDivision of Air Quality Notification / ApprovalCopy of the state notification form (asbestos and demolition notification forms available at airquality.utah.gov) submitted at least two weeks before demolition; approx. $50 state fee
• OptionalAsbestos InspectionRequired if demolition is performed by a hired contractor; private homeowners performing their own demolition are exempt per HB 285

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Retaining walls over 4 feet in total height (bottom of footing to top of wall)
• Any retaining wall supporting a surcharge, regardless of height
• Walls not exceeding 4 feet in height and not supporting a surcharge are exempt from a permit under IRC R105.2 (as reprinted in the county's Building Permit FAQ)

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCompleted application submitted to the Community Development Department
• RequiredSite PlanWall location relative to property lines, structures, and utilities
• OptionalEngineered Wall PlansRequired for walls supporting a surcharge or where engineering is otherwise warranted

Fee schedule

Requirements

• In-ground swimming pool construction
• Above-ground pools 24 inches deep or greater (IRC R105.2 exempts pools under 24 inches)
• Pool barrier/fence required for all pools per adopted IRC/ISPSC

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCompleted application submitted to the Community Development Department
• RequiredPool PlansPool dimensions, depth, equipment location, and structural details
• RequiredBarrier PlanPool fence/barrier details meeting ISPSC/IRC Chapter 31/41 requirements
• RequiredElectrical PlanPool pump, lighting, bonding, and GFCI protection details per NEC Article 680

Fee schedule

Requirements

• New commercial construction under an IBC occupancy classification (Business, Mercantile, Assembly, Educational, Factory, Hazardous, Institutional, or Storage)
• Two complete, legible, to-scale sets of building plans (minimum 11x17), designed to the currently adopted IBC (2024 IBC per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(a), effective 7/1/2026)
• Utah law requires commercial building plans to be designed, drawn, and stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer (Utah Code §§ 58-22-305 and 58-3a-304 — the exemption from stamped plans applies only to one- and two-family dwellings, not commercial structures)
• Site Plan showing north indicator, lot dimensions, footprint of all structures, setbacks, easements, driveway location, and FEMA floodplain status
• Fire hydrant location letter from the water provider; if no hydrant is within 600 feet, an approval letter from the Fire Marshal is required
• Road Encroachment Permit from the County Road Department, required for any work in the county right-of-way unless the lot already has curb and gutter

Required documents

• RequiredCommercial Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Community Development Department, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, UT, or online.
• RequiredProof of OwnershipMost current tax statement, deed, or property information sheet.
• RequiredSite PlanNorth indicator, lot shape/dimensions, footprint of all structures, setbacks, easements, driveway location, and FEMA floodplain status.
• RequiredTwo Complete Sets of Building Plans, Stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or EngineerLegible, to-scale sets (minimum 11x17), designed to the currently adopted IBC — floor plans, elevations, cross sections, framing/footing/foundation details, electrical/plumbing/mechanical details, per the county's Building Plans Checklist.
• RequiredWater and/or Sewer Availability LetterLetter from the local water district confirming water/sewer availability and stating the distance to the nearest fire hydrant.
• OptionalFire Hydrant Approval LetterRequired from the Fire Marshal if no hydrant is within 600 feet of the proposed structure.
• OptionalRoad Encroachment PermitFrom the Uintah County Road Department, required for any work in the county right-of-way unless the lot has curb and gutter.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Tenant improvement / tenant finish build-out of previously shelled commercial space, remodel of existing commercial space, or change of use/occupancy
• Two complete, legible, to-scale sets of building plans (minimum 11x17), designed to the currently adopted IBC
• Utah law requires commercial building plans to be designed, drawn, and stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer (Utah Code §§ 58-22-305 and 58-3a-304 — the exemption from stamped plans applies only to one- and two-family dwellings, not commercial structures)
• For scope adding plumbing, mechanical, or electrical to space that previously lacked such facilities: plans showing the new systems

Required documents

• RequiredCommercial Tenant Improvement / Remodel Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Community Development Department, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, UT, or online.
• RequiredTwo Complete Sets of Building Plans, Stamped by a Utah Licensed Architect or Engineer (where scope requires)Floor plans and structural/electrical/plumbing/mechanical detail for the improved space, per the county's Building Plans Checklist.
• RequiredProof of Ownership or Tenant AuthorizationMost current tax statement, deed, or property information sheet, or written authorization from the property owner for a tenant-initiated permit.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Signs to conform: unlawful to erect, raise, move, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, place or maintain a sign except in accordance with Chapter 17.29 (Section 17.29.020(A))
• Application made to the Community Development Department upon the standard building permit form or permitted use application form (Section 17.29.060(B)); a conditional use permit is required instead if the sign requires one under the chapter
• All signs must be constructed in accordance with all applicable building and electrical codes (Section 17.29.050(A))
• Site plan and design approval by the zoning administrator or designee required prior to placement (Section 17.29.050(B))
• Sign application must include a plot plan showing the sign's relationship to buildings, property lines, setbacks from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; two dimensioned scaled drawings (height, color, square footage, landscaping, illumination type, street-view appearance); and construction details including electrical plan, foundation scheme, and sign value (Section 17.29.050(C))
• Temporary signs (business opening/relocation, special promotions, inventory liquidation) require a temporary sign permit and are capped at 60 days (Section 17.29.030)
• No sign may exceed 25 feet in height except as detailed by the zone-specific table in Section 17.29.070
• Planned centers and multi-tenant buildings must have an approved sign theme before any sign permits will be issued for tenants (Section 17.29.050(D))
• Off-premises signs are a conditional use, not a permitted use, under Section 17.29.070

Required documents

• RequiredStandard Building Permit Form or Permitted Use ApplicationUintah County does not publish a distinct sign-permit application form -- per Code Section 17.29.060(B), sign applications are made 'upon the standard building permit form or permitted use application form used by Uintah County,' submitted to the Community Development Department.
• RequiredPlot PlanShows the sign's relationship to buildings, property lines, setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements, and driveways (Section 17.29.050(C)(1)).
• RequiredScaled Sign DrawingsTwo accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street (Section 17.29.050(C)(2)).
• RequiredConstruction DetailsElectrical plan, foundation scheme, and declared value of the sign (Section 17.29.050(C)(3)).

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system in any occupancy requiring fire suppression under the currently adopted IBC (2024 IBC per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(a))
• Installation of a special automatic fire-extinguishing system (e.g., commercial kitchen hood suppression)
• Installation of a fire alarm/detection and notification system
• Submitted alongside (not in place of) the associated new-construction, remodel, or tenant-improvement building permit for the same project

Required documents

• RequiredFire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Shop DrawingsSystem-specific plans (head/device layout and hydraulic calculations for sprinkler systems, riser and zone diagrams for alarm systems) submitted to the Community Development Department for fire review.
• RequiredAssociated Building Permit ApplicationThe underlying Commercial Building Permit, Tenant Improvement, or Residential Building Permit application for the same project — Uintah County does not publish a standalone fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm permit application form separate from this.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Change in use or occupancy classification of an existing, previously-approved commercial or other non-residential building — billed at a flat $0.40/sq ft across all occupancies
• Change of use for a building whose existing use was never officially approved or confirmed by the county — billed 'as per new occupancy classification' at the applicable per-square-foot rate for the new use
• Compliance review for the new use under the currently adopted IBC (2024 IBC per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(a)), including egress, occupant load, and fire separation for the new occupancy
• Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy issuance before the new use may commence

Required documents

• RequiredCommercial Building Permit Application or Tenant Improvement/Remodel ApplicationUintah County does not publish a standalone 'change of use' application form; a change-of-use project is submitted on the same Community Development building permit application used for other commercial/tenant-improvement work.
• RequiredFloor Plan Showing Existing and Proposed UseLayout sufficient to evaluate the new occupancy classification's egress, occupant load, and fire/life-safety requirements against the currently adopted IBC.
• RequiredProof of Ownership or Tenant AuthorizationMost current tax statement, deed, or property information sheet, or written authorization from the property owner for a tenant-initiated change of use.

Fee schedule