City Building Permits
Cedar City, UT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Cedar City, Utah. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies within Cedar City municipal limits only
- Department
- Cedar City Building and Zoning Department
- Address
- 10 N Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84720
- Phone
- 435-865-4519
- lhope@cedarcityut.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City Inspect • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Confirm project scope and zoning by calling 435-865-4519 or reviewing Cedar City Ordinance Chapter 26 Article 3.
- For new commercial buildings, pole signs, monument signs, and tenant improvements involving a change of use classification, attend a required Project Review Meeting (typically held 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 8:30 AM, City Office 2nd Floor Conference Room).
- Create an account at the City Inspect portal or log in to existing account.
- Submit the permit application online; upload all required documents in PDF format. All document upload boxes must be checked before submission.
- Pay fees when application is approved for issuance.
- Post permit on site and schedule inspections through the portal (must request by 5:00 PM the business day prior to desired inspection date).
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact 435-865-4519
General Requirements
New buildings, additions, structural changes, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, grading/site work tied to development, meter upgrades, solar installations, retaining walls over 4 feet, and other work regulated by the adopted construction codes per IRC R105.1/R105.2 and IBC 105.1/105.2
Required Documents
- Actual property address on all plans and documents
- Digital architectural plans (PDF, separate from structural/site plans)
- Stamped structural plans
- Site plan
- Geotechnical Data Sheet
- Prairie Dog Clearance Request
- Signed energy code compliance documentation
- Water acquisition / impact fee documentation (when applicable)
- Owner-Builder Certification if applicable
- Contractor DOPL license information if not owner-builder
- Notice Criteria Tool for commercial projects
- Water/flood/easement documentation for commercial projects
- Permit validity
- Utah-adopted code standard is 180 days without commencement or ongoing permitted activity; check with department for local policy
- Building code
- Utah statewide 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IEBC and related Utah State Construction Code adopted under Title 15A; local amendments per Cedar City Ordinance Chapter 36
- Owner-builder
- Residential property owners may obtain permits for owner-occupied primary structures; must submit notarized Owner-Builder Certification; contractor information not required for owner-builder projects but can be included
- Contractor requirements
- All permits require applicable DOPL-licensed contractor information unless owner-builder form is submitted. Contractors must be licensed through Utah DOPL (dopl.utah.gov/contracting/)
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- As set by Uniform Codes Adopted by Ch. 36 -- standard IBC/IRC valuation-based permit fee table
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective December 3, 2025).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Fences 6 feet or less in height
- Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height not supporting surcharge
- Concrete flatwork (patios, walkways) not structural in nature
- Accessory structures consistent with Utah-adopted IRC R105.2 / IBC 105.2 exemptions (generally: detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft without electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
- Limited finish work, fixture replacement, painting, and similar minor work per IRC R105.2 / IBC 105.2
Important: Cedar City may have zone-specific requirements -- verify with 435-865-4519 or Cedar City Ordinance Chapter 26 Article 3
Inspections
How to Schedule
- City Inspect permit portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Request by 5:00 PM the business day prior to the desired inspection date
- Time windows
- AM and PM time blocks; time blocks are not guaranteed; no same-day inspections offered
Additional Resources
- Building code: Utah statewide 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IEBC and related Utah State Construction Code adopted under Title 15A; local amendments per Cedar City Ordinance Chapter 36
- Verify contractor license: Utah DOPL Contractor Licensing
- State Construction Registry
- Planning Commission
- Permit Document List
- Departmental Sign-off Sheet 2026
- Gas and Electric Service Requirements
- Building Inspection Reference Guide
- 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 Cedar City Building and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cedar City Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Cedar City, UT?
- New buildings, additions, structural changes, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, grading/site work tied to development, meter upgrades, solar installations, retaining walls over 4 feet, and other work regulated by the adopted construction codes per IRC R105.1/R105.2 and IBC 105.1/105.2
- How much does a building permit cost in Cedar City, UT?
- Fees are calculated as: As set by Uniform Codes Adopted by Ch. 36 -- standard IBC/IRC valuation-based permit fee table.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Cedar City, UT?
- 1. Confirm project scope and zoning by calling 435-865-4519 or reviewing Cedar City Ordinance Chapter 26 Article 3. 2. For new commercial buildings, pole signs, monument signs, and tenant improvements involving a change of use classification, attend a required Project Review Meeting (typically held 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 8:30 AM, City Office 2nd Floor Conference Room). 3. Create an account at the City Inspect portal or log in to existing account. 4. Submit the permit application online; upload all required documents in PDF format. All document upload boxes must be checked before submission. 5. Pay fees when application is approved for issuance. 6. Post permit on site and schedule inspections through the portal (must request by 5:00 PM the business day prior to desired inspection date).
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Cedar City, UT?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact 435-865-4519.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Cedar City, UT?
- The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet or less in height; Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height not supporting surcharge; Concrete flatwork (patios, walkways) not structural in nature; Accessory structures consistent with Utah-adopted IRC R105.2 / IBC 105.2 exemptions (generally: detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft without electrical/plumbing/mechanical); Limited finish work, fixture replacement, painting, and similar minor work per IRC R105.2 / IBC 105.2. Note: Cedar City may have zone-specific requirements -- verify with 435-865-4519 or Cedar City Ordinance Chapter 26 Article 3
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Cedar City, UT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: City Inspect permit portal. Request by 5:00 PM the business day prior to the desired inspection date.
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