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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Iron County
A building permit is required for any structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work, including remodels, basement finishing, new construction, additions, accessory structures over 200 square feet or those with any electrical/plumbing/mechanical, fences over 6 feet tall, retaining walls over 4 feet tall, and utility upgrades.
Accessory structures up to 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems
Fences 6 feet or less in height (administrative review may still apply for setback compliance)
Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height not supporting surcharge
Concrete flatwork (patios, walkways) that is not structural
Routine maintenance and repair work not involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical changes
- Exempt Accessory structures up to 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems
- Exempt Fences 6 feet or less in height (administrative review may still apply for setback compliance)
- Exempt Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height not supporting surcharge
- Exempt Concrete flatwork (patios, walkways) that is not structural
- Exempt Routine maintenance and repair work not involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical changes
Note: Even exempt structures must comply with zoning setback requirements; contact 435-865-5350 to verify
Required documents
- Structural engineered plans (required for all dwellings)
- Site plan showing property address
- Geotechnical/soils data (required for new dwellings and additions where original structure required soil testing)
- Geotechnical compliance report for footing/foundation
- Owner-builder form if applicable
- Contractor DOPL license information if not owner-builder
- Architectural, structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical stamped plans for commercial projects
- Building code
- 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IECC, 2021 NEC -- as adopted statewide under Utah Title 15A
- Permit validity
- No building permit fees will be refunded after 180 days. If no required inspections are completed within 1 year, the permit holder must renew the permit according to the fee schedule. Permit renewal: up to $750.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder form required; available at ironcountyut.gov/files/building/forms/owner-builder-form.pdf. Utah owner-builder rules apply statewide (DOPL Owner/Builder Certification Agreement).
- Contractor requirements
- Utah DOPL contractor license required. Utah State Surcharge: 1% of building permit fee (state-mandated).
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated; contact department at 435-865-5350
- 01 Confirm property zoning using the Iron County interactive GIS zoning map via ironcountyut.gov/building using the assessor parcel number.
- 02 Download or access the building permit plan requirements document at https://www.ironcountyut.gov/files/building/resources/building-permit-requirements.pdf.
- 03 Prepare required documents including structural engineered plans, site plan, and geotechnical data.
- 04 Submit the building permit application online through City Inspect portal at ironcounty.cityinspect.com, or in person at Suite 102, 82 N 100 E, Cedar City.
- 05 Pay the non-refundable plan review / submittal fee at time of application (Dwelling: $250; Commercial: $500; Other: $50).
- 06 Plans are reviewed for code compliance. Commercial plans may require outside consultant review billed at actual cost.
- 07 Receive permit issuance and pay remaining permit fees.
- 08 Post permit on site, begin construction and schedule required inspections through the portal.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department at 435-865-5350
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 14, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$24
02
Permit fee formula
$1-$500: $24; $501-$2,000: $24 for first $500 + $3 per additional $100 or fraction; $2,001-$40,000: $69 for first $2,000 + $11 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $40,001-$100,000: $487 for first $40,000 + $9 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $100,001-$500,000: $1,027 for first $100,000 + $7 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $500,001-$1,000,000: $3,827 for first $500,000 + $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $1,000,001-$5,000,000: $6,327 for first $1,000,000 + $3 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $5,000,001 and up: $18,327 for first $5,000,000 + $1 per additional $1,000 or fraction
03
Reinspection fee
$94.00 flat; or $47/hour for inspections requiring more than standard time
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 14, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- City Inspect portal (online)
- 435-865-5350 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Footings, foundation/stem walls, foundation weatherproofing, groundwork plumbing, exterior shear nailing, window installation, 4-way rough-in, permanent power, final/certificate of occupancy
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Iron County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Iron County, UT? ▸
A building permit is required for any structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work, including remodels, basement finishing, new construction, additions, accessory structures over 200 square feet or those with any electrical/plumbing/mechanical, fences over 6 feet tall, retaining walls over 4 feet tall, and utility upgrades.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Iron County, UT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Iron County, UT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $24. Fees are calculated as: $1-$500: $24; $501-$2,000: $24 for first $500 + $3 per additional $100 or fraction; $2,001-$40,000: $69 for first $2,000 + $11 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $40,001-$100,000: $487 for first $40,000 + $9 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $100,001-$500,000: $1,027 for first $100,000 + $7 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $500,001-$1,000,000: $3,827 for first $500,000 + $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $1,000,001-$5,000,000: $6,327 for first $1,000,000 + $3 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $5,000,001 and up: $18,327 for first $5,000,000 + $1 per additional $1,000 or fraction.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Iron County, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Iron County, UT, follow these steps: 1. Confirm property zoning using the Iron County interactive GIS zoning map via ironcountyut.gov/building using the assessor parcel number. 2. Download or access the building permit plan requirements document at https://www.ironcountyut.gov/files/building/resources/building-permit-requirements.pdf. 3. Prepare required documents including structural engineered plans, site plan, and geotechnical data. 4. Submit the building permit application online through City Inspect portal at ironcounty.cityinspect.com, or in person at Suite 102, 82 N 100 E, Cedar City. 5. Pay the non-refundable plan review / submittal fee at time of application (Dwelling: $250; Commercial: $500; Other: $50). 6. Plans are reviewed for code compliance. Commercial plans may require outside consultant review billed at actual cost. 7. Receive permit issuance and pay remaining permit fees. 8. Post permit on site, begin construction and schedule required inspections through the portal.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Iron County, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Iron County, UT typically run Not publicly stated; contact department at 435-865-5350. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Iron County, UT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Iron County, UT. The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures up to 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems; Fences 6 feet or less in height (administrative review may still apply for setback compliance); Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height not supporting surcharge; Concrete flatwork (patios, walkways) that is not structural; Routine maintenance and repair work not involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical changes. Note: Even exempt structures must comply with zoning setback requirements; contact 435-865-5350 to verify When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Iron County, UT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Iron County, UT via: City Inspect portal, 435-865-5350.
last verified April 2026
source Iron County Building and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/utah/iron/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Iron County Building and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.