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Building permits in Unincorporated Salt Lake County

Most construction, renovation, and repair work in Unincorporated Salt Lake County, Salt Lake County needs a building permit from Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District, Building Services. Below are the office's contact details and online portal, plus step-by-step guides for the projects homeowners ask about most, from roofing and solar to fences, sheds, pools, and HVAC.

Local detail for Unincorporated Salt Lake County: Permits for unincorporated Salt Lake County are issued by the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (https://msd.utah.gov/205/Building-Services), not a county department.

Utah has one mandatory statewide building code, the State Construction Code under Utah Code Title 15A, which currently adopts the 2021 International Residential Code with Utah's own statewide amendments, and cities and counties may not enforce rules more restrictive than it. In Unincorporated Salt Lake County, permits and inspections are handled by the city or town building department, or by the county for unincorporated areas; the state Division of Professional Licensing administers the code but does not issue permits or inspect. The adopted IRC list of work exempt from permit (Section R105.2, as amended by Utah Code 15A-3-202) applies statewide, covering items such as one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less, fences up to 7 feet, sidewalks and driveways, finish work, and low decks. Zoning rules such as setbacks and height limits still apply to exempt work, so confirm with the building and planning office that has jurisdiction over your address in Unincorporated Salt Lake County before you start.

Permit guides for Unincorporated Salt Lake County

Roof replacement or repairWindow or exterior door replacementSolar panel installationShed or accessory structureAddition or structural alterationInterior remodelingScreen enclosure or pool cageFence installation or replacementSwimming pool or spaPavers, driveway, or hardscapeHVAC replacement or installationElectrical panel or service upgradeStandby generator installationWater heater replacementPlumbing fixture or repiping

Permit FAQs for Unincorporated Salt Lake County

Do I need a building permit in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Most construction, renovation, and repair work in Unincorporated Salt Lake County needs a permit, including structural changes, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, and pools. Small cosmetic work is sometimes exempt. Every project must still meet the Utah State Construction Code (2021 IRC with Utah statewide amendments, Utah Code Title 15A), even when a permit is not required. Check your exact project with the free PermitRoadmap check.
Who issues building permits in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District, Building Services issues permits for property inside Unincorporated Salt Lake County, Salt Lake County. Your mailing city is not always the authority that permits your property, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply. This page lists the department's phone, address, website, and online portal.
Can I pull my own permit as a homeowner in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
In Unincorporated Salt Lake County, a sole owner may build a home on their own property for their own noncommercial, nonpublic use (no more than one residential structure per year and three per five years), plus incidental structures such as a shed, carport, or detached garage, without a contractor license under Utah Code 58-55-305(1)(d). The owner still needs the permit, signs the state Owner/Builder Certification Agreement at the building department, and may use only licensed contractors, employees, or unpaid helpers working under the owner's direction.
Is there a dollar amount under which no permit is needed in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Utah's statewide code adopts the 2021 IRC list of work exempt from permit, with Utah amendments, so in Unincorporated Salt Lake County a one-story detached accessory structure of 200 square feet or less, a fence no higher than 7 feet, sidewalks and driveways, painting, flooring, cabinets and countertops, and a deck no more than 30 inches above grade that needs no guardrail and does not serve the required exit door generally do not need a building permit. Any electrical, plumbing, gas, or mechanical work included in the project usually does need its own permit, and zoning setbacks and HOA rules still apply. Confirm with the Unincorporated Salt Lake County building office before starting, because a few older local rules may still be enforced.
How much does a permit cost and how long does it take in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Fees and review times are set locally and change often, so confirm the current numbers with Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District, Building Services or its online portal. Fees are usually based on the value of the work or a fixed schedule, and simple residential permits are frequently reviewed faster than new construction.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.