City Building Permits
Town of Manila, UT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Town of Manila, Utah. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All construction within the incorporated town limits of Manila. Does not cover unincorporated Daggett County or the Town of Dutch John.
- Department
- Town of Manila Building Department
- Address
- 145 East Highway 43, P.O. Box 189, Manila, Utah 84046
- Phone
- 435-784-3143
- Website
- https://manilautah.com/building/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person or mail submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is within Manila town limits (not in unincorporated Daggett County or Dutch John).
- Contact the Manila Town Office at 435-784-3143 to determine whether your project requires Planning Commission approval before a building permit can be submitted.
- If Planning Commission authorization is required for residential construction, obtain approval from the Planning Commission (meets first Monday of each month at Manila Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.).
- Download the current Building Permit Package from https://manilautah.com/building/building-permit-application/ or pick it up at Town Hall.
- Prepare required documents: completed building permit application, detailed site plan showing property lines, setbacks, utilities and proposed structure location, full construction plans (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing as applicable) drawn to scale, water and/or sewer connection verification form signed by the applicable provider (mandatory for permit approval), contractor list with Utah DOPL license numbers for all trades, and Planning Commission authorization where applicable.
- Submit the completed package to the Manila Town Office in person or by mail to P.O. Box 189, Manila, UT 84046.
- Pay applicable fees (contact town office for current fee schedule). Deposit may be collected at time of application submission.
- Await plan review. The building official will contact the applicant if corrections are needed.
- Receive the issued permit. Post it visibly on the job site and keep approved plans on site for all inspections.
Typical processing time: Not specified in town documentation; contact the Manila Town Office at 435-784-3143.
General Requirements
Per Manila Town Code Chapter 15.05 (Building Code), a permit is required before commencing construction, alteration, repair, improvement, or demolition of any building or structure. This includes new residential construction, additions, accessory structures, garages, and most other improvement work.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Detailed site plan showing property lines, setbacks, utilities, and proposed structure location
- Full construction plans (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing as applicable), drawn to scale
- Water and/or sewer connection verification form signed by the applicable provider (mandatory for permit approval)
- Contractor list with Utah DOPL license numbers for all trades
- Planning Commission authorization (where applicable)
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if no substantial work is commenced within 180 days of issuance or if work is suspended for 180 days (per Utah state code). Confirm specific expiration period with the town office.
- Building code
- Manila Town Code Chapter 15.05 adopts the International Building Code. Per Utah statewide mandate effective July 1, 2023 (HB 532, Utah Title 15A), the enforced baseline codes are the 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IECC, and current NEC. The town's 2019 Zoning Ordinance governs land use.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder exemption available for residential owner-occupant projects under Utah Code 58-55-305. Owner must certify sole ownership, personal/non-commercial use, and comply with state frequency limitations (one structure per year, no more than three in the past five years). The town will register the owner-builder with DOPL upon permit issuance. Not available for commercial projects.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must hold current Utah DOPL licenses for their applicable trade. License numbers must be provided on the permit application. Utah DOPL: 801-530-6628 / 866-275-3675 / dopl.utah.gov.
Fees
- Payment note
- No standalone published building permit fee schedule for Manila was located on public-facing pages at time of research. Fees are collected at the town office. Contact the Town Clerk (Jennifer Allphin) at 435-784-3143 for the current fee schedule. State surcharge: 1% of all issued building permits (required by Utah law, remitted to DOPL).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less (consistent with IRC baseline adopted statewide). However, Manila's restrictions on unattached garages and outbuildings apply regardless of size and require a simultaneous home permit.
- Fences up to 7 feet in height
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing
- Certain finish work, painting, flooring, and minor repairs that do not affect structural, fire, life safety, or energy code elements
Important: Zoning requirements apply to all structures and work, including work exempt from building permits. No building permit for an unattached garage or outbuilding will be accepted without the simultaneous placement of a home or dwelling. The Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council will not approve a permit for an unattached garage or outbuilding without a permit for a home either issued first or concurrently. Confirm exemption thresholds directly with the town office, as local conditions may be more restrictive.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Manila Town Office: 435-784-3143 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours advance notice is recommended.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; closed for lunch 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new residential construction (consistent with IRC adoption and Utah practice): Foundation/footing (before concrete pour); underground utilities (plumbing, electrical before burial); rough framing; rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical; insulation; drywall (before covering); final inspection and certificate of occupancy. Confirm exact required sequence with the building official at the time of permit issuance, as the town's published materials reference inspections at various stages but do not publish a detailed sequence list.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Manila Town Code Chapter 15.05 adopts the International Building Code. Per Utah statewide mandate effective July 1, 2023 (HB 532, Utah Title 15A), the enforced baseline codes are the 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IECC, and current NEC. The town's 2019 Zoning Ordinance governs land use.
- Verify contractor license: Utah DOPL Contractor License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Town Website
- Town Information
- Contact Page
- Planning Commission
- Subdivision Procedures (CodePublishing, Chapter 17.20)
- Utah Statewide Building Codes (UpCodes)
- License lookup guide: Utah Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Utah Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Utah hub: Utah Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Manila Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Town of Manila Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Town of Manila, UT?
- Per Manila Town Code Chapter 15.05 (Building Code), a permit is required before commencing construction, alteration, repair, improvement, or demolition of any building or structure. This includes new residential construction, additions, accessory structures, garages, and most other improvement work.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Manila, UT?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is within Manila town limits (not in unincorporated Daggett County or Dutch John). 2. Contact the Manila Town Office at 435-784-3143 to determine whether your project requires Planning Commission approval before a building permit can be submitted. 3. If Planning Commission authorization is required for residential construction, obtain approval from the Planning Commission (meets first Monday of each month at Manila Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.). 4. Download the current Building Permit Package from https://manilautah.com/building/building-permit-application/ or pick it up at Town Hall. 5. Prepare required documents: completed building permit application, detailed site plan showing property lines, setbacks, utilities and proposed structure location, full construction plans (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing as applicable) drawn to scale, water and/or sewer connection verification form signed by the applicable provider (mandatory for permit approval), contractor list with Utah DOPL license numbers for all trades, and Planning Commission authorization where applicable. 6. Submit the completed package to the Manila Town Office in person or by mail to P.O. Box 189, Manila, UT 84046. 7. Pay applicable fees (contact town office for current fee schedule). Deposit may be collected at time of application submission. 8. Await plan review. The building official will contact the applicant if corrections are needed. 9. Receive the issued permit. Post it visibly on the job site and keep approved plans on site for all inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Manila, UT?
- Typical processing time is Not specified in town documentation; contact the Manila Town Office at 435-784-3143..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Manila, UT?
- The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less (consistent with IRC baseline adopted statewide). However, Manila's restrictions on unattached garages and outbuildings apply regardless of size and require a simultaneous home permit.; Fences up to 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing; Certain finish work, painting, flooring, and minor repairs that do not affect structural, fire, life safety, or energy code elements. Note: Zoning requirements apply to all structures and work, including work exempt from building permits. No building permit for an unattached garage or outbuilding will be accepted without the simultaneous placement of a home or dwelling. The Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council will not approve a permit for an unattached garage or outbuilding without a permit for a home either issued first or concurrently. Confirm exemption thresholds directly with the town office, as local conditions may be more restrictive.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Manila, UT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Manila Town Office: 435-784-3143. At least 24 hours advance notice is recommended..
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