Do I need a permit to build a house in unincorporated Laramie County?

Yes. The Laramie County Board of Commissioners has adopted building codes requiring permits and inspections for essentially all construction, including new single-family residences.

Can I do the construction work myself as the homeowner?

Yes — per the county's Building Department FAQ, a homeowner may perform all of the work, including electrical, on their own primary residence, as long as it is built to the adopted codes. Only electricians working for other people must be licensed through the Wyoming Dept. of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety.

Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence) in Unincorporated Laramie County, Wyoming

Verified

Required for construction of a new single-family residence in unincorporated Laramie County, including manufactured/modular homes placed on a foundation. Governed by the 2024 IRC as adopted effective January 1, 2025, with the county's own climatic/geographic design criteria table.

Verified 2026-07-01 · Source

$75.00Building Permit Fee — valuation $1–$1,000

When you need this permit

Apply online via the Laramie County, WY Public Portal (SmartGov)
Foundation plans must be stamped by a Wyoming Design Professional and be site-specific (legal description), OR use the county's pre-approved Laramie County Foundation Standards where applicable
Plot plan meeting the county's minimum plot-plan requirements
Full plan set with all rooms labeled, all dimensions shown, and location of underslab utilities and mechanical rooms in the basement
IRC Letter required for modular homes stating the building and electrical code the home was built to
Design must account for county Table R301.2(1): 32 lb/ft² ground snow load, 105 mph Vult wind, Seismic Design Category A–B, 36-inch minimum frost depth
Ownership documentation (recorded warranty deed) required if ownership changed within the past 6 months, or if this is the first structure built on the property
Plan review typically 7–10 business days from a complete submittal per the county's Building Department FAQ

Required documents

Req
Building Permit Application (SmartGov portal — co-laramie-wy.smartgovcommunity.com)
Online application under 'Building Safety and Construction – Residential'
Req
Plot Plan
Must meet the county's Plot Plan Minimum Requirements handout
Req
Foundation Plans
Site-specific, stamped by a Wyoming Design Professional, or matched to the pre-approved Laramie County Foundation Standards
Req
Building Plans
Clear plan set with all rooms labeled, all dimensions, and underslab utility/mechanical room locations shown
Opt
IRC Letter (modular/manufactured homes)
States the building code and electrical code edition the factory-built home was constructed to
Opt
Recorded Warranty Deed
Required if ownership changed in the past 6 months or this is the first structure built on the property

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building Permit Fee — valuation $1–$1,000	$75.00	Laramie County Building Permits — 2022 Building and Plan Review Fee Schedule (cited on the county's Building Permit Handouts and Fee Schedule page)
Building Permit Fee — valuation $95,001–$100,000	$1,150.00	Laramie County 2022 Building and Plan Review Fee Schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001–$500,000	$1,150.00 for the first $100,000 plus $5.41 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, including $500,000	Laramie County 2022 Building and Plan Review Fee Schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001–$1,000,000	$3,855.00 for the first $500,000 plus $4.78 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, including $1,000,000	—
Building Permit Fee — valuation over $1,000,000	$6,245.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.52 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	—
Plan Review Fee	65% of the Building Permit Fee, charged in addition to the Building Permit Fee	Laramie County 2022 Building and Plan Review Fee Schedule
Project Valuation — 1st Floor	$85.00 per square foot	Laramie County Guidance for Residential Projects — Project Valuation Calculation chart
Project Valuation — 2nd/3rd Floor or Bonus Room	$43.00 per square foot	—

Review timeline

7–10 business days

Unincorporated Laramie County’s published plan-review target

Inspection process

1
Underground / Under-slab
All underground work must be inspected before covering
2
Rough Framing
Framing inspected before insulation or wall cover
3
Rough Plumbing / Rough HVAC / Rough Electrical / Rough Gas Piping
All rough trade work must be inspected before it is covered or turned on
4
Final
Required before occupancy; occupancy is authorized only by the Building Official — placement of personal belongings is itself considered occupancy

Tips

Inspections are generally scheduled within 2 business days of request (call the inspection line (307) 633-4615 or use the online portal form); provide permit #, project address, contact name/phone, inspection type, and ready date.
The building permit must be displayed in a visible location on site along with a copy of approved plans and a clearly visible address for every inspection.
A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) may be issued in writing (non-refundable fee, signed by applicant and county staff) if only minor corrections remain after final inspections and life-safety items are met; moving personal property in without a TCO or final occupancy can result in a $750/day fine.
Do not start work before the permit is issued — per the county FAQ, this is not allowed even after the application is submitted and fees are paid.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to build a house in unincorporated Laramie County?: Yes. The Laramie County Board of Commissioners has adopted building codes requiring permits and inspections for essentially all construction, including new single-family residences.
Can I do the construction work myself as the homeowner?: Yes — per the county's Building Department FAQ, a homeowner may perform all of the work, including electrical, on their own primary residence, as long as it is built to the adopted codes. Only electricians working for other people must be licensed through the Wyoming Dept. of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-01.

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

Other permits in Unincorporated Laramie County

Residential Addition, Remodel, Deck/Patio/Porch, and Basement Finish Permit Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Roofing Permit Solar PV Permit Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit Demolition Permit Commercial Tenant Improvement / Renovation Permit

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