Do I need a permit to change what my building is used for in Unincorporated Utah County?

Yes. Unincorporated Utah County requires a change of occupancy review whenever the use or occupancy classification of a building changes. This applies even if no physical construction is planned — the building must meet code for the new use.

What triggers a change of occupancy in Unincorporated Utah County?

Any change in use that moves the building to a different IBC occupancy group — for example, retail (M) to restaurant (A-2), office (B) to daycare (E), or warehouse (S) to office (B). Unincorporated Utah County also reviews changes that significantly increase occupant load.

Change of Occupancy / Use Permit in Unincorporated Utah County, Utah

Required when changing the use or occupancy classification of a building or space in Unincorporated Utah County (e.g., retail to restaurant, office to daycare).

Verified 2026-06-27 · Source

When you need this permit

Changing building use (e.g., retail to restaurant, warehouse to office)
Changing occupancy group classification per IBC
Increasing occupant load of existing space
Converting residential to commercial or vice versa

Required documents

Req
Change of Use Application
Current and proposed use, occupancy group, and occupant load
Req
Code Analysis
Comparison of current building features vs. requirements for new occupancy
Req
Fire/Life Safety Upgrades
Required upgrades for sprinklers, alarms, exits, and fire ratings
Req
ADA Assessment
Accessibility compliance for the new use

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Change in Use or Occupancy	$0.30 per sq ft	—
Minimum Permit Fee	$101	—

Review timeline

~14–30 business days

Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Utah County building department

Inspection process

1
Building Review
Existing building assessed for compliance with new occupancy requirements
2
Fire Inspection
Fire department review of exits, sprinklers, and alarm for new use
3
Final / Certificate of Occupancy
All upgrades complete, new CO issued for approved use

Tips

Changing use often triggers code upgrades — sprinklers, ADA, and fire ratings may be required for the new use.
A change of use in Unincorporated Utah County requires a new Certificate of Occupancy before the new business can open.
Restaurant and assembly uses have the most stringent requirements — expect fire sprinklers and commercial kitchen hoods.
Even if no construction is planned, Unincorporated Utah County still requires a change of occupancy review to verify code compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to change what my building is used for in Unincorporated Utah County?: Yes. Unincorporated Utah County requires a change of occupancy review whenever the use or occupancy classification of a building changes. This applies even if no physical construction is planned — the building must meet code for the new use.
What triggers a change of occupancy in Unincorporated Utah County?: Any change in use that moves the building to a different IBC occupancy group — for example, retail (M) to restaurant (A-2), office (B) to daycare (E), or warehouse (S) to office (B). Unincorporated Utah County also reviews changes that significantly increase occupant load.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-27.

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 Utah County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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