Do I Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Wyoming?
Deck permit requirements. When you need a permit, footing depth, guard rail rules, and inspection stages.
Yes — unless it's a small ground-level platform under 200 sq ft.
When a Permit Is Required
Most jurisdictions require a deck permit for: decks over 200 square feet, decks more than 30 inches above grade, any deck attached to the house via a ledger board, and decks with structural modifications. A small freestanding platform under 200 sq ft and under 30 inches high may be exempt — but check with your city.
Footings and Frost Line
Deck footings must extend below the local frost line — the required depth varies by climate and elevation, so confirm the depth your city requires. This is one of the most common inspection points. Footings that are too shallow will fail inspection.
Guards and Railings
Guards are required when the deck surface is 30 inches or more above grade. Minimum guard height is 36 inches for residential decks (42 inches for commercial) under the IRC. Baluster spacing must be less than 4 inches — the classic 'sphere test' (a 4-inch sphere should not pass through).
Ledger Board Attachment
The ledger board (where the deck attaches to the house) is the #1 failure point for decks. Inspectors check that ledger boards are attached with lag screws or through-bolts — nails are never acceptable. Proper flashing above the ledger is also required to prevent water damage.
Most useful decks need a permit. Plan for three inspections (footings, framing, final) and confirm your local frost-line footing depth.
Permit fees by city in Wyoming
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
| City | Permit fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Casper | $35Verified | Deck Permit → |
| Cheyenne | Varies by project valuation — see Building and Construction Permit Fee table under residential-building-permit (e.g., $1–$500 valuation = $23.50 minimum)Verified | Deck Permit → |
| Evanston | $0.010 × project cost (minimum charge $30.00)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Gillette | $20.00Verified | Deck Permit → |
| Green River | 50% of: $30.00 ($1-$500), $60.00 ($501-$1,000), or $90.00 ($1,001-$2,000)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Jackson | $564.00Verifiedvia One and Two Family Building Permit | One and Two Family Building Permit → |
| Laramie | Per the general Building Permit and Plan Review Fee Schedule (no dedicated flat deck fee)Verified | Deck Permit → |
| Riverton | $0.42 per square foot of building area (includes building and all building systems)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Rock Springs | $1,100.00 flat — no plan review fee chargedVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Sheridan | Valuation x 0.02 x 0.8Verified | Deck Permit → |
| Unincorporated Albany County | $300.00Verifiedvia Zoning Certificate & Rural Address (county's "Building Permit" stand-in) | Zoning Certificate & Rural Address (county's "Building Permit" stand-in) → |
| Unincorporated Campbell County | No feeVerified | Deck Permit → |
| Unincorporated Laramie County | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence) → |
| Unincorporated Natrona County | $70 (valuation $0–$2,500) up to $905 plus $9.24 per additional $1,000 over $98,000Verified | Deck Permit → |
| Unincorporated Sheridan County | $150.00Verifiedvia Zoning Permit | Zoning Permit → |
| Unincorporated Sweetwater County | $50.00Verifiedvia Zoning/Construction Permit (Land Use) — not a building-code permit | Zoning/Construction Permit (Land Use) — not a building-code permit → |
| Unincorporated Teton County | 1st 2,500 sq ft x construction cost/sq ft x 0.006, plus next 2,500 sq ft x 0.009, plus remaining sq ft x 0.012 (valuation from the current ICC Building Valuation Data table); remodels valued at 75% of new-construction valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Uinta County | $50.00Verifiedvia Land Use Certificate (Zoning / Use Approval) | Land Use Certificate (Zoning / Use Approval) → |