Unincorporated Utah County building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Unincorporated Utah County, Utah.
Last verified 2026-07-16 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 51 South University Avenue, Suite 117, Provo, UT 84601
- Phone
- (801) 851-8342
- Office hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (inspection scheduling: ShaunaL@utahcounty.gov)
- Website
- Official site
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Unincorporated Utah County — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Utah adopts construction codes statewide under Utah Code Title 15A (State Construction and Fire Codes Act), enforced by every jurisdiction. Chapter 4 of Title 15A codifies Legislature-enacted amendments for specific named jurisdictions (e.g., Park City, Salt Lake City, Sandy City) as part of the state construction code. Through June 30, 2026, the editions in force under Utah Code § 15A-2-103 are the 2021 IBC (with Appendices C and J), 2021 IRC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IEBC, and 2021 ISPSC (residential provisions), together with the 2023 NEC. Effective July 1, 2026, § 15A-2-103 adopts the 2024 editions of the IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC; the IRC remains the 2021 edition and the NEC remains the 2023 edition. Note: residential energy requirements are modified by statewide amendments, and several Utah jurisdictions document their residential energy provisions at the 2015 IECC level rather than the adopted IECC year — confirm the applicable residential energy code with your local jurisdiction. Always confirm the edition in force with your local jurisdiction.
- 2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices C and J — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(a), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 IBC); confirmed matching the County's own Building page, which lists 'International Building Code 2024' as of 2026-07-16
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(b); unchanged by the July 1, 2026 code cycle flip; confirmed matching the County's own Building page, which lists 'International Residential Code 2021' as of 2026-07-16
- 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(d), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 IPC); confirmed matching the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16
- 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(e), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 IMC); confirmed matching the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16
- 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(f), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 IFGC); confirmed matching the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g); unchanged by the July 1, 2026 code cycle flip; confirmed matching the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(h), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 IECC; one edition applies statewide, no separate residential/commercial split); confirmed matching the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16
- 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(i), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 IEBC); confirmed matching the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16
- Residential provisions of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — current statewide code per Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(n), in force since July 1, 2026 (superseded the 2021 ISPSC); not separately itemized on the County's own Building page as of 2026-07-16, added here as it applies statewide
- NOTE: The July 1, 2026 statewide code cycle flip (Utah Code § 15A-2-103, amended by Ch. 47, 2026 General Session) is now in effect. The County's own Building page has been updated to reflect it — it lists IBC 2024, IPC 2024, IMC 2024, IFGC 2024, IECC 2024, and IEBC 2024, alongside the unchanged IRC 2021 and NEC 2023. The County's page is current, not lagging.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
Required before commencing any building or construction work, changing the use of a building, or performing work on electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems regulated by adopted codes in Unincorporated Utah County. Issued by the Utah County Community Development Building Division.
From$1.00Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work in Unincorporated Utah County including panel upgrades, new circuits, service changes, and new construction wiring. Governed by the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(g). EV charger/EVSE installation is electrical work and falls under this general Electrical Permit; the county's Exhibit A 'Permit Fee by Activity & Flat Fee' schedule and Community Development building page do not publish an EV-specific line item.
From$101.00EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Unincorporated Utah County does not publish a distinct EV charger / EVSE permit type or fee line item. The county's codified Fee Schedule (Utah County Code, Building Permits Exhibit A, effective 4/3/2012, last updated 3/13/2019) itemizes numerous specific flat-fee electrical activities — Residential Electrical Service Upgrade/Replacement ($101.00), Temporary Power Pedestal ($101.00), New Commercial Electrical Service ($303.00), Commercial Electrical Service Upgrade ($303.00), and Adding Electrical to a Building Without Power ($505.00) — but contains no 'EV,' 'electric vehicle,' or 'charging station' line item. EV charger / EVSE installation is therefore billed as ordinary electrical work under the same Electrical Permit that governs residential and commercial electrical service upgrades, consistent with the existing electrical-permit entry.
From$101.00Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Unincorporated Utah County including water heaters, fixture additions, and gas line work. Governed by the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(d), in force since July 1, 2026.
From$101.00Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, replacements, and ductwork modifications in Unincorporated Utah County. Governed by the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) as adopted by Utah Code § 15A-2-103(1)(e), in force since July 1, 2026.
From$101.00Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof repairs in Unincorporated Utah County. Permit fees are based on the remodeling rate from the county fee schedule.
From$0.30Solar Panel Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in Unincorporated Utah County. Both a building permit (structural mounting) and an electrical permit (wiring) are typically required. A Residential Solar Plan Submittal Checklist is available from the County.
From$303.00Fence Permit
Required for fence installation in Unincorporated Utah County. The county fee schedule lists a flat rate for fences.
From$101.00Deck Permit
Required for new deck construction or structural modification of existing decks in Unincorporated Utah County. The county fee schedule lists a flat rate for decks.
$0.30Demolition Permit
Required for partial or complete demolition of structures in Unincorporated Utah County, including coordination of utility disconnections and required asbestos surveys.
$101.00Water Heater Permit
Required for water heater installation, replacement, or conversion in Unincorporated Utah County. A subset of the plumbing permit, commonly pulled as a standalone for this frequent project type.
$101.00Swimming Pool Permit
Required for in-ground and above-ground swimming pool installation in Unincorporated Utah County. The county fee schedule lists a dedicated per-square-foot rate for swimming pools.
$0.30Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Required for construction of a secondary dwelling unit on a residential property in Unincorporated Utah County, including basement apartments, detached cottages, and garage conversions. ADU permitting requires both a zoning clearance (Planning & Zoning) and a building permit.
$1.00Basement Finish Permit
Required for finishing or remodeling an unfinished basement in Unincorporated Utah County. The county fee schedule has a specific category for finishing an unfinished basement based on the difference between the finished and unfinished multipliers.
$0.70Grading & Excavation Permit
Required for significant grading, excavation, or land disturbance on properties in Unincorporated Utah County. The county fee schedule lists flat rates by volume.
From$101.00Commercial Building Permit
Required for new commercial building construction within unincorporated Utah County, administered by Utah County Community Development — Building Division. The county's own Fee Schedule (Exhibit A, 'Permit Fee by Building Type & Size,' effective 4/3/2012, last updated 3/13/2019) is structured as a per-square-foot table by IBC occupancy classification, hosted at utahcounty.municipalcodeonline.com. The 'Permit Fee by Building Type & Size' table carries 19 occupancy/activity rows: R-3/R-4 Residential $1.00/sq ft, R-1/R-2 Hotels & Multi-Family $1.50/sq ft, Unfinished Basements $0.30/sq ft, Remodeling $0.30/sq ft, Swimming Pools and Water Tanks $0.30/sq ft, Change in Use or Occupancy $0.30/sq ft, Finishing of Unfinished Basement 'Difference Between Multipliers', and Porches/Decks $0.30/sq ft, among others. Commercial buildings are billed by IBC occupancy classification, not a single flat 'commercial' rate: Business (B) $1.50/sq ft, Mercantile (M) $1.00/sq ft, Assembly (A-1 through A-5) $1.50/sq ft, Educational (E) $1.50/sq ft, Institutional (I-1 through I-4) $1.50/sq ft, Hazardous (H-1 through H-5) $1.50/sq ft, Factory (F-1/F-2) $0.50/sq ft, Storage (S-1/S-2) $0.50/sq ft, and Utility/Miscellaneous (U) $0.50/sq ft. A dedicated county-published 'Building Permit Submittal Requirements for Commercial, Industrial, and Similar Projects' PDF (linked from the Building page's 'Commercial, Industrial or Similar - Submittal Requirements', PDF metadata dated 10/10/2025) confirms the $300.00 New Buildings submittal fee applies specifically to commercial/industrial new construction. No commercial-specific plan-review timeline is published anywhere on the county's current site — see reviewTimelineNote, including two historical timeline figures deliberately excluded from reviewTimelineDays as non-current and non-commercial-scoped.
From$1.50Commercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish Permit
Required for commercial tenant improvement / interior remodel work within unincorporated Utah County. Utah County's codified Exhibit A fee table has no tenant-improvement-specific line item, but it does have a general 'Remodeling' row under the 'All Occupancies' section of the same 'Permit Fee by Building Type & Size' table used for the commercial-building-permit entry — $0.30 per square foot, plan review and state surcharge included. The change-of-use-permit entry follows the same approach: 'Change in Use or Occupancy' — another 'All Occupancies' row in the identical table — carries the same $0.30/sq ft tier. The Exhibit A table is hosted at utahcounty.municipalcodeonline.com. The county's own 'Building Permit Submittal Requirements for Commercial, Industrial, and Similar Projects' PDF covers 'New Construction; remodels, and additions' as one category — i.e., commercial tenant-improvement/remodel work is processed through the same commercial submittal pathway as new construction, just billed at the Remodeling rate rather than an occupancy-specific new-construction rate.
From$0.30Sign Permit
Required for signs in unincorporated Utah County. Small signs are handled through a Zone Compliance Permit; larger signs and billboards are handled through the standard building-permit flat-fee schedule. Utah County's own Current Fee Schedule and Ordinance (Commission Approval 12/21/1999, Effective 1/1/2000, Last Update October 6, 2021) publishes two distinct dollar figures: a $50.00 Zone Compliance Permit for signs under 32 square feet that do not otherwise require a building permit, and a $303.00 flat fee for 'Billboards & Signs (Not Including Power Connection).'
From$50.00Fire Sprinkler Permit
Required for installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system in unincorporated Utah County, issued by the Utah County Fire Marshal's Office (a separate office from the Community Development Building Division, though in the same building) under International Fire Code (IFC) § 105.7.1. The Fire Marshal's own published Permit Fee Schedule lists a distinct dollar fee for this permit, separate from the general building permit.
From$230.00Fire Alarm System Permit
Required for installation of a fire alarm system in unincorporated Utah County, issued by the Utah County Fire Marshal's Office under International Fire Code (IFC) § 907.1. Published as a distinct line item and dollar fee on the Fire Marshal's own Permit Fee Schedule, separate from the general Community Development building permit and from the Fire Sprinkler Permit.
From$150.00Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy Permit
Required when a building or portion of a building in unincorporated Utah County changes from one use or occupancy classification to another. The county's Community Development Building page lists 'changing the use of a building' alongside new construction as a permit-triggering activity, requiring a standard Building Permit Application. Utah County's own codified Fee Schedule (Building Permits, Exhibit A, effective 4/3/2012, last updated 3/13/2019) publishes a dedicated 'Change in Use or Occupancy' line item in its 'Permit Fee by Building Type & Size' table, billed at the same $0.30 per square foot 'All Occupancies' multiplier tier as Remodeling, Shell Only Buildings (prior to tenant build-out), and Porches/Decks, per the codified ordinance site (utahcounty.municipalcodeonline.com), which serves the full Exhibit A table. A new or amended Certificate of Occupancy is issued upon passing final inspection.
From$0.30
Unincorporated Utah County's permit history isn't searchable here yet
This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Unincorporated Utah County yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.
Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Unincorporated Utah County lands. Privacy.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-08)
- 328units
308 buildings · $127.2M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 6,129units
12 of 12 months reported · #2 in Utah coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-08)
- 3,674units
2,971 buildings · $1,065.3M valuation
- Full year 2025
- 7,202units
5,525 buildings · $2,102.5M valuation
County-wide figures: BPS reports county-wide totals; jurisdiction is the unincorporated remainder — county totals include incorporated cities; county file row: 'Utah County' (co2605c.txt, 49/049); place file also carries 'Utah County Unincorporated Area' (place code 99990) as a possible Phase-1 alternative
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-08 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Utah building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Utah County Community Development ONLY serves unincorporated areas of Utah County. Check your property using the Zoning Map at https://maps.utahcounty.gov/CommDev/Zoning/Zoning.html before applying.
- Building permit fees are set in the County Code Fee Schedule (Building Permits, Exhibit A, effective 4/3/2012; consolidated fee schedule last updated 3/13/2019), adopted by the County Commission under Utah Code § 17-5-214. Fees are stated in dollars: per-square-foot multipliers by occupancy type (e.g., R-3/R-4 residential $1.00/sq ft) plus flat-rate activity fees (e.g., $101 minimum permit fee). NOTE: an older standalone PDF (PermitFeeSchedule.pdf dated 6/29/2006) used a column labeled 'SAR' for the same 'Per Sq. Ft. Multiplier'/flat-rate figures; 'SAR' was a unit label only (1 SAR = $1), and that 2006 PDF is superseded by the codified Exhibit A.
- Fee figures follow the codified County Code Fee Schedule (utahcounty.municipalcodeonline.com, FEE SCHEDULE section). The schedule's header reads 'COMMISSION APPROVAL: 12/21/1999 / EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 1, 2000 / LAST UPDATE: March 13, 2019' and Building Permits Exhibit A is marked 'Effective 4/3/2012' — no newer fee schedule or adopting resolution exists; updates are event-driven County Commission ordinance actions under Utah Code § 17-5-214, not annual/FY revisions. The Building Permit Application is marked 'Revised: 12/19/2018'; the site-plan example dates from November 2018; the solar checklist is the 2021-era 8-item PV list. The department contact block (801-851-8342, comdev@/ShaunaL@/stevek@utahcounty.gov, Mon–Fri 8:00–4:30) is per the Single Family Submittal Requirements PDF. Review timelines remain estimates (reviewTimelineVerified: false) — the county publishes no timeline.
- Since July 1, 2026, the 2024 editions of IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, and (residential provisions of) ISPSC are in effect statewide. The 2021 IRC and 2023 NEC did not change. Projects submitted before July 1, 2026 were reviewed under the codes in effect at submission.
- The county's Building page correctly lists the 2024 editions of IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, and IEBC, alongside IRC 2021 and NEC 2023 — it is current, not lagging.
- Schedule inspections with at least 3 business days advance notice. Contact: ShaunaL@utahcounty.gov or (801) 851-8342.
- A Health Department approval may be required for projects involving connection to private water or septic systems — complete the Health Dept section of the Building Permit Application form.
- If you are within a city boundary (e.g., Provo, Orem, Spanish Fork), do NOT apply through Utah County — use that city's building department.
- 2026-07-20: added Fire Sprinkler Permit and Fire Alarm System Permit entries — these are issued by the Utah County Fire Marshal's Office (51 South University Ave, Suite 120, Provo), a separate office from the Community Development Building Division (Suite 117) at the same address, with its own Permit Fee Schedule and Zone travel-fee add-on.