Do I need a permit for fence installation or replacement in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
Often no. Fence installation or replacement is frequently exempt, but confirm with Unincorporated Salt Lake County before you start.
Utah's adopted 2021 IRC R105.2 exempts fences not over 7 feet high from a building permit statewide; a taller fence needs one. Local zoning still controls fence height, front-yard and corner clear-view limits, and setbacks, and some offices issue a separate zoning or fence permit. A fence that also retains soil may be a retaining wall; Utah's exemption covers walls retaining less than 4 feet of unbalanced fill with no surcharge.
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.
Documents you may need
- Site plan showing fence location and property linesSometimes required
- Fence height and material descriptionSometimes required
- Zoning or fence permit application where the city or county requires oneVerification needed
Possible inspections
- Usually none for a building permit; a zoning or final location check where the local office requires one
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for fence installation or replacement in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
- Often no. Fence installation or replacement is frequently exempt, but confirm with Unincorporated Salt Lake County before you start. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Salt Lake County?
- The local building department for Unincorporated Salt Lake County handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
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.