Unincorporated Washington County building permit requirements
Washington County Building Department
Verified 2026-06-27 · Source
Department information
- Address
- 197 E Tabernacle St, St. George, UT 84770
- Phone
- (435) 634-5700
- Office hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Website
- Official site
Codes adopted
Adopted statewide under Utah Code Title 15A and enforced by every Utah jurisdiction, with limited local amendments. Effective July 1, 2026, Utah moves to the 2024 editions of the IBC, Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and Existing Building Code (IEBC) under HB 65 (2026); other codes remain as listed. Always confirm the edition in force with your jurisdiction.
Permit types
Residential Building Permit
Required for new residential construction, additions, and structural alterations in Unincorporated Washington County.
Fence Permit
Required for new fence installation or replacement in Unincorporated Washington County. Height restrictions apply by zone.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work including panel upgrades, new circuits, rewiring, and service changes in Unincorporated Washington County.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs including water heaters, re-pipes, and fixture additions in Unincorporated Washington County.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, replacements, and ductwork modifications in Unincorporated Washington County.
Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof repairs in Unincorporated Washington County.
Deck Permit
Required for new deck construction, replacement, or structural modifications to existing decks in Unincorporated Washington County.
Swimming Pool Permit
Required for in-ground and above-ground swimming pool installation, hot tubs over a certain size, and associated barriers in Unincorporated Washington County.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Required for construction of a secondary dwelling unit on a residential property in Unincorporated Washington County, including basement apartments, detached cottages, and garage conversions.
Demolition Permit
Required for partial or complete demolition of structures in Unincorporated Washington County, including utility disconnection and debris disposal.
Solar Panel Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in Unincorporated Washington County.
Home Occupation Permit
Required to operate a business from a residential property in Unincorporated Washington County. Ensures the business use is compatible with the residential neighborhood.
Driveway & Concrete Flatwork Permit
Required for new driveways, driveway replacements, sidewalk modifications, and concrete flatwork that connects to public right-of-way in Unincorporated Washington County.
Retaining Wall Permit
Required for retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) in Unincorporated Washington County.
Basement Finish Permit
Required for finishing or remodeling an unfinished basement in Unincorporated Washington County, including framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
Grading & Excavation Permit
Required for significant grading, excavation, or land disturbance on residential or commercial properties in Unincorporated Washington County.
Sign Permit
Required for installation of commercial, directional, and certain temporary signs in Unincorporated Washington County.
Shed & Accessory Structure Permit
Required for detached garages, sheds, carports, and other accessory structures over 200 square feet in Unincorporated Washington County.
Water Heater Permit
Required for water heater installation, replacement, or conversion (tank to tankless) in Unincorporated Washington County. A specific subset of the plumbing permit for this common project.
Fire Sprinkler & Alarm Permit
Required for installation or modification of fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems in Unincorporated Washington County.
Window & Door Replacement Permit
Required for window and door replacements that involve structural changes, resizing openings, or egress modifications in Unincorporated Washington County.
Siding & Exterior Cladding Permit
Required for re-siding a home or changing exterior cladding material in Unincorporated Washington County. Like-for-like repairs may be exempt.
Patio Cover & Pergola Permit
Required for attached or detached patio covers, pergolas, gazebos, and similar shade structures in Unincorporated Washington County.
Hot Tub & Spa Permit
Required for hot tub and spa installations in Unincorporated Washington County, covering electrical connections, structural support, and barrier requirements.
Garage Conversion Permit
Required for converting an attached or detached garage into living space, office, or other habitable use in Unincorporated Washington County.
Gas Line Permit
Required for installation, modification, or extension of natural gas or propane piping in Unincorporated Washington County.
Fireplace & Wood Stove Permit
Required for installation of gas fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts in Unincorporated Washington County.
Tree Removal Permit
Required for removal of significant trees or trees in public right-of-way in Unincorporated Washington County. Regulations vary by zone and tree size.
EV Charger Installation Permit
Required for installation of Level 2 (240V) and Level 3 electric vehicle charging stations at residential and commercial properties in Unincorporated Washington County.
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit
Required for interior build-outs, renovations, and modifications to commercial, retail, and office spaces in Unincorporated Washington County.
Change of Occupancy / Use Permit
Required when changing the use or occupancy classification of a building or space in Unincorporated Washington County (e.g., retail to restaurant, office to daycare).
Temporary Structure & Event Permit
Required for temporary tents, stages, bleachers, and structures used for events or construction in Unincorporated Washington County.
Tips & gotchas
- Unincorporated Washington County includes areas around Hurricane, Leeds, and Virgin.
- Water rights and availability are a significant concern — verify water source before planning.
- Desert climate means different energy code considerations — verify insulation and HVAC requirements.
- Flash flood zones are common — check FEMA flood maps before building.
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-27.
- Washington County Building Department — official building department
- Washington County Community Development Fees
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 Washington County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related guides
Get alerts for Unincorporated Washington County
We'll notify you when permit requirements, fees, or codes change.
We only use your email to send permit updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.