Cheyenne building permits

Requirements

• Building permit and plan review approval required prior to starting construction
• Application, fees, and submittal documents (4 sets of drawings, 1 set of digital specifications) submitted together to the Building Safety Division
• All foundation plans must be prepared by a Wyoming registered design professional, except residential projects conforming to the Department's Minimum Footing Requirements for Additions
• Design must account for: 105 mph ultimate wind speed VULT (Exposure C) [corrected 2026-07-17 from a previously stated 115 mph, verified live against the City's current Table R301.2(1) Design Criteria], Seismic Design Category A-B [corrected from 'B'], 32 lb/ft² ground snow load [corrected from a previously stated 30 psf], 36-inch minimum frost depth (confirmed unchanged), Climate Zone 6B (not on the current live design-criteria table — carried over from the older 2023 handout, unconfirmed this pass)
• Building permit is all-inclusive — mechanical, electrical, and plumbing scope can be included on the same application rather than filing separate trade permits
• All contractors and subcontractors must hold current City of Cheyenne contractor licenses
• Plan review typically completed within 10 business days for residential projects

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal — cheyennewy.portal.opengov.com)Online application, submitted with fees and full submittal package
• RequiredConstruction Drawings (4 sets + 1 digital specification set)Full plan set: foundation, framing, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, drawn to scale
• RequiredSite PlanProperty lines, setbacks, existing/proposed structures, utilities — required with application per Planning and Development review
• RequiredFoundation/Structural Plans (Wyoming registered design professional, wet-sealed)Required for all foundation plans except minor residential additions meeting the Department's Minimum Footing Requirements

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Room additions, structural modifications, garage conversions
• Basement finishes involving framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work
• Change of use requires additional review — see Planning and Development
• Submit via OpenGov portal with plans showing scope, dimensions, structural details, and connection to existing structure
• Foundation/structural plans for additions must be prepared by a Wyoming registered design professional unless conforming to the Department's Minimum Footing Requirements for Additions

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Online application; select remodel/addition scope
• RequiredSite PlanExisting structures, proposed addition footprint, setbacks
• RequiredConstruction DrawingsPlans showing all relevant aspects of the addition/alteration including any MEP scope

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical work (new circuits, service changes, panel upgrades, rewiring, EVSE, solar interconnection wiring) requires an electrical permit from the City of Cheyenne Compliance Department — NOT from the Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office, for work inside Cheyenne city limits
• Governed by Cheyenne Municipal Code Chapter 15.20 (National Electrical Code Adopted); the 2023 NEC is the current edition in force
• Contractor must hold a current City of Cheyenne electrical contractor/trade license (Class per Contractor Licensing Regulations) in addition to any state licensing
• Submit the 'Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit Application' (or include electrical scope on the combined building permit application) via the OpenGov portal or in person
• List all electrical subcontractors and their Contractor Class & License # on the application — work not described/listed is not covered by the permit
• Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days; expires one year after date of issue in any case
• Wyoming Statute still requires the actual electrician performing licensable work to hold a WY state electrician license (per state licensing statute) even though the City, not WSFM, issues the wiring/inspection permit inside Cheyenne

Required documents

• RequiredPlumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit ApplicationCity of Cheyenne Compliance Department form; select 'Electrical' checkbox, list valuation of work, contractor name/class/license #, and scope of work

Fee schedule

Requirements

• New fixture installations, water heater replacement, re-piping, sewer/water line work
• Submit the 'Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit Application' (select Plumbing) or include plumbing scope on the combined building permit application
• Licensed City of Cheyenne plumbing contractor required; list contractor class and license # on the application
• Governed by the 2024 International Plumbing Code

Required documents

• RequiredPlumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit ApplicationCity of Cheyenne Compliance Department form; select 'Plumbing' checkbox

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Furnace, A/C, heat pump, boiler installation or replacement
• Ductwork installation or modification
• Gas piping/fuel gas systems
• Submit the 'Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit Application' (select Mechanical) or include mechanical scope on the combined building permit application
• Licensed City of Cheyenne mechanical contractor required

Required documents

• RequiredPlumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit ApplicationCity of Cheyenne Compliance Department form; select 'Mechanical' checkbox

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Complete roof replacement/tear-off and reroof requires a building permit per the City FAQ ('Renovations (garage conversions, basement furnishings, kitchen expansions, reroofing, etc.)')
• Apply via OpenGov portal
• Roof design must account for 32 lb/ft² ground snow load per the City's current Table R301.2(1) Design Criteria [corrected 2026-07-17 from a previously stated 30 psf]

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Include reroof scope and valuation (contract price for materials + labor)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV installation requires a building permit (structural/racking) and electrical permit (interconnection, wiring) from the Compliance Department
• 2024 IFC solar-system 'pathway to ridge' fire-access requirements apply to systems installed/permitted on or after March 1, 2025 (systems existing or permitted before that date are grandfathered)
• A separate Solar Access Permit System review ($35 fee, City Code § 39-4) exists specifically to address solar-access-rights disputes between neighboring properties — this is distinct from the construction/electrical permit for the PV system itself
• Structural calculations for roof-mounted arrays must account for 32 lb/ft² snow load and 105 mph (VULT) wind design criteria [corrected 2026-07-17 from previously stated 30 psf / 115 mph, per the City's current live Table R301.2(1) Design Criteria]

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal) — structural/racking scopeSite plan, racking/structural details, roof-mounting connections
• RequiredPlumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit Application — electrical scopeElectrical interconnection, wiring, disconnect location

Fee schedule

Requirements

• ADU construction requires a standard valuation-based building permit plus Planning Fees review (Accessory Dwelling Unit planning fee)
• As of the Feb 2026 ordinance, owner-occupancy of the primary residence is NO LONGER required to build or rent out an ADU in Cheyenne
• Parking regulations were adjusted alongside the owner-occupancy repeal — confirm current on-site parking requirement with Planning and Development (307-637-6282)
• ADU and semi-attached dwelling (flat-over-flat duplex) definitions were clarified in the UDC to align zoning code with building department practice
• Governed by the 2024 IRC for construction standards; zoning eligibility governed by the Unified Development Code (UDC)
• Contact Planning and Development (307-637-6282) before applying to confirm zoning eligibility for the specific property

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Standard valuation-based residential permit process
• RequiredSite PlanProperty lines, existing structures, proposed ADU location, setbacks, parking

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Contractors are prohibited from demolishing any building/structure without holding the required City of Cheyenne contractor and building trade licenses per the Contractor Licensing Regulations
• Application submitted to the Building Safety Department; 'Demolish' is one of the selectable 'Work to be completed' checkboxes on the combined permit application form
• Utility disconnects should be verified/arranged prior to demolition
• Floodplain development permit required if the structure is within a designated floodplain (demolition is explicitly listed as 'development' under FEMA's definition per the City's Engineering FAQ)

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal) — 'Demolish' work typeStandard Compliance Department application with the Demolish box checked

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Interior remodel, tenant build-out, or change-of-use in a commercial space
• Change-of-use projects require a minimum $250 Change of Use Permit fee
• Commercial Master Plan Code Review available for prototype/repeat commercial layouts ($250 initial, 25% of original fee for subsequent reviews of the same master plan)
• Commercial plan review runs up to 21 business days
• Contractors must hold current City of Cheyenne contractor licenses
• Temporary Certificate of Occupancy available for commercial structures pending completion; penalty ($750) applies for failing to convert a TCO to a full CO within the required timeframe

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Commercial tenant improvement / remodel scope
• RequiredConstruction Drawings stamped by a Wyoming registered design professionalFull plan set including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection as applicable

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Deck construction/replacement requires a building permit
• Structural design must account for 32 lb/ft² snow load [corrected 2026-07-17 from a previously stated 30 psf, per the City's current live Table R301.2(1) Design Criteria] and appropriate footing depth (36-inch frost line minimum, confirmed unchanged) if the deck is supported on footings
• Submit via OpenGov portal with site plan and construction drawings showing framing and connection to the primary structure

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Deck scope, dimensions, ledger/footing details
• RequiredConstruction DrawingsFraming plan, footing/post spacing, guardrail/stair details as applicable

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Basement finishing involving framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems requires a permit — the City FAQ specifically lists 'basement furnishings' among renovation work requiring a building permit
• Egress window requirements apply if creating a habitable/sleeping space, per the 2024 IRC
• Submit via OpenGov portal with scope of work including any MEP trades involved

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Remodel scope covering basement finish work
• RequiredConstruction DrawingsFloor plan showing new walls, egress windows (if applicable), and any electrical/plumbing/mechanical additions

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical permit required from the City of Cheyenne Compliance Department for EVSE installation -- explicitly listed alongside new circuits, service changes, panel upgrades, rewiring, and solar interconnection wiring as electrical work requiring a permit
• Governed by Cheyenne Municipal Code Chapter 15.20 (National Electrical Code Adopted); 2023 NEC is the current edition in force
• Contractor must hold a current City of Cheyenne electrical contractor/trade license in addition to any state licensing
• Submit the 'Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit Application' (or include the EVSE scope on a combined building permit application) via the OpenGov portal or in person
• Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days; expires one year after date of issue

Required documents

• RequiredPlumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit ApplicationCity of Cheyenne Compliance Department electrical permit application, submitted via the OpenGov portal or in person; EVSE circuit work falls under this application type

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A sign plan/permit is required for all new signs and for alterations of existing signs that replace more than 50% of the sign's surface area (UDC 6.5.2, 6.5.5.a); a sign plan is also required with the site plan review application for all new uses/buildings (except detached dwellings, duplexes, townhouses) and for any change of use involving alteration of an existing sign
• Plans are submitted to the Development Office/Planning and Development Department with the site plan review application, then submitted to the Director with any building plans; the Director determines issuance of the sign permit(s) at the same time as the building permit (UDC 6.5.5.a.1-2)
• No sign shall be erected without a building permit (UDC 6.5.5.a.3)
• Freestanding, billboard, and ground sign applications require digital structural/foundation plans stamped by a Wyoming registered design professional, and a final certification of sign placement/dimensions/setbacks stamped by a Wyoming engineer or land surveyor, submitted prior to final inspection (UDC 6.5.6.d; City Sign Permit Check List)
• Certain sign types are EXEMPT from the permit requirement if they meet the specific thresholds in UDC 6.5.5.b -- e.g., nonilluminated temporary signs within the allowances of UDC 6.5.4, nonilluminated incidental/directional signs in residential districts not exceeding 3 sq ft, nameplates/building markers not exceeding 1 sq ft per 10 linear ft of building frontage (max 10 sq ft), window signs, government/public-safety signs, and signs in place as of 6-14-93 that were properly permitted or required no permit at the time
• Signs exceeding any of the UDC 6.5.5.b exemption thresholds require a full sign permit subject to all applicable district regulations

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Sign permits are issued alongside the building permit; submitted by a licensed contractor with payment of fees
• RequiredPlot PlanShows setbacks and dimensions from property lines and other buildings on the property
• RequiredDigital Building PlansShows dimensions of the sign
• RequiredDigital Structural/Foundation Plans (Wyoming registered design professional, wet-sealed)Required for freestanding, billboard, and ground sign permits
• RequiredDigital Certification of Final Sign Placement (Wyoming engineer or land surveyor, wet-sealed)Certifies sign placement, installed dimensions, and setbacks for freestanding, billboard, and ground signs; must be submitted prior to final inspection (UDC 6.5.6.d)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fire protection system (sprinkler and/or alarm) plans are submitted together with the rest of the building/commercial permit plan set via the OpenGov portal -- there is no separate stand-alone fire sprinkler or fire alarm permit application
• Plans for fire protection systems may be designed by a NICET III (or greater) certified professional, must include hydraulic calculations, and must be wet-stamp sealed by a Wyoming registered design professional (City Plan Review Information, 2026)
• The Building Safety Department forwards submitted plans internally to the Fire Department (Cheyenne Fire Rescue); Cheyenne Fire Rescue's Fire Marshal reviews the fire protection plans as part of the overall plan review process
• Governed by the 2024 International Fire Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 4613 (Feb 24, 2025), codified at City Code Title 8 Chapter 8.12
• Charged under the City's single unified valuation-based Building and Construction Permit Fee (Ordinance 4254) -- no distinct fire sprinkler or fire alarm fee line exists anywhere in the adopted Schedule of Fees, confirmed directly 2026-07-22
• A Fire/Life Safety inspection, coordinated with Cheyenne Fire Rescue, is required before Certificate of Occupancy issuance for commercial projects with fire protection systems

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Fire protection system scope is included on the standard building/commercial permit application -- no separate application exists
• RequiredFire Protection System Plans (hydraulic calculations, NICET III+ design, Wyoming registered design professional wet stamp seal)Submitted with the rest of the plan set for Building Safety Department review and internal forwarding to Cheyenne Fire Rescue

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Per the City's Building/Planning FAQ, a change of use constitutes at least one of: the proposed use is appreciably different than the current use; there is an increase in the size of the existing building or extent of the use of the land; the new use is permitted in the zoning district but requires more parking than the previous use; the new use generates more vehicle trips than the previous use (per the Institute of Transportation Engineers' Trip Generation, latest edition); or the amount of stormwater runoff/impervious surface area increases with the new use
• A Site Plan application is required for any change of use or new building (among other triggers), except for single-family, duplex, or townhouse development
• If the change of use involves NO proposed exterior modifications, Planning and Development accepts a reduced 'Site Plan Change of Use Documentation' in place of a full Site Plan application
• A Certificate of Occupancy is issued when the Building Official finds no code violations for the change of use of an existing structure, following required inspections
• A financial surety bond (125% of cost for site/landscaping work, 150% for right-of-way work) is required for any unfinished exterior work when a Site Plan and final Planning inspection are required, prior to TCO or CO issuance
• Contractors performing any construction work associated with the change of use must hold current City of Cheyenne contractor licenses

Required documents

• OptionalBuilding Permit Application (via OpenGov portal)Required if the change of use involves construction work; select change-of-use / remodel scope
• RequiredSite Plan or Site Plan Change of Use DocumentationFull Site Plan required for most changes of use; the reduced 'Site Plan Change of Use Documentation' applies only when no exterior modifications are proposed. Not required for single-family, duplex, or townhouse development.

Fee schedule