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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Garden City
All new construction, additions, structural alterations, reroof, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work in Garden City requires a permit.
One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, tool storage) not exceeding 200 square feet in floor area with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections
Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet from bottom of footing without a surcharge
Platforms, decks, and walks not more than 30 inches above grade
Painting, papering, tiling, and similar finish work
Minor repairs
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, tool storage) not exceeding 200 square feet in floor area with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections
- Exempt Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet from bottom of footing without a surcharge
- Exempt Platforms, decks, and walks not more than 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, and similar finish work
- Exempt Minor repairs
Note: Garden City is a high-activity vacation and short-term rental market. Structures associated with short-term rentals or vacation cabins are still subject to full permit requirements. Consult the 'When Do You Need a Building Permit?' guide before beginning any work. Even for exempt structures, all zoning setback, height, and land-use rules apply.
Required documents
- Online permit application via iWorQ
- Site plan
- Construction plans (architectural drawings)
- Engineering calculations (where required)
- Project valuation and square footage
- Contractor Utah license number or Owner/Builder Certification
- Exterior Lighting Compliance Form (where applicable)
- Encroachment Permit (for work affecting right-of-way)
- Street/Driveway Planning Application (where applicable)
- Building code
- Garden City adopted Ordinance 25-06 (Building Permits). Utah statewide 2021 code package (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IECC, NEC) applies as baseline. Garden City Municipal Code (updated 3/19/2026) and Architectural Standards Color Palette also apply.
- Permit validity
- Utah state baseline: 180-day commencement and 180-day abandonment rules apply. Confirm current Garden City policy with Building Official.
- Owner-builder
- Garden City provides Owner/Builder Certification form (downloadable from forms page). Utah statewide owner-builder rules apply (residential only, sole owner, no more than one build per year, no more than three builds in five years; prohibited for commercial and rental projects).
- Contractor requirements
- Utah DOPL licensing required for general and specialty contractors. License number collected in iWorQ application.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No explicit timeline published; contact Building Official or Inspector for estimates.
- 01 Determine whether a building permit is required using the 'When Do You Need a Building Permit?' guide (available on gardencityutah.gov/forms).
- 02 For development projects (subdivision, plat), contact Planning Commission (4th Thursday at 7:00 PM) and submit Application for Project Review with Checklist.
- 03 Complete the online Building Permit Application exclusively through the iWorQ portal at gardencityut.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/gardencityut.
- 04 Pay required deposit at submission: $500 residential / $1,000 commercial (3% surcharge applies for credit card).
- 05 Upload all required plans, site plan, engineering, and supporting documents through the portal.
- 06 Await plan review by Building Official (commercial: Dan Kurek, 435-890-7460) or Building Inspector (residential: Tyler Seaman, 801-721-1138). Address plan review corrections.
- 07 Pay remaining permit fees after approval (total fee minus deposit already paid).
- 08 Receive issued permit. Post permit on-site.
- 09 Schedule inspections through iWorQ portal or by contacting the building inspector at each required construction phase.
Typical processing time: No explicit timeline published; contact Building Official or Inspector for estimates.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Garden City building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Included in deposit and/or overall permit fee structure; not separately published.
02
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based. Contact Building Official Dan Kurek (435-890-7460 / buildingofficial@gardencityutah.gov) for current schedule.
Required deposit: $500 residential / $1,000 commercial. 3% surcharge on all credit card payments. Payments processed through iWorQ portal.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- iWorQ Citizen Portal (online)
- Residential: Tyler Seaman (801-721-1138); Commercial: Dan Kurek (435-890-7460) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not explicitly published; contact inspector directly.
- Inspection hours
- Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Time windows
- Not explicitly published; contact inspector for availability.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, rough framing, rough trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), insulation and energy compliance, final inspection. Additional phase inspections may apply to commercial projects.
Remote video inspections may be used at inspector's discretion.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Garden City permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Garden City, UT? ▸
All new construction, additions, structural alterations, reroof, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work in Garden City requires a permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Garden City, UT? ▸
Building permit fees in Garden City, UT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Contact Building Official Dan Kurek (435-890-7460 / buildingofficial@gardencityutah.gov) for current schedule.. Plan check fee: Included in deposit and/or overall permit fee structure; not separately published..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Garden City, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Garden City, UT, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether a building permit is required using the 'When Do You Need a Building Permit?' guide (available on gardencityutah.gov/forms). 2. For development projects (subdivision, plat), contact Planning Commission (4th Thursday at 7:00 PM) and submit Application for Project Review with Checklist. 3. Complete the online Building Permit Application exclusively through the iWorQ portal at gardencityut.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/gardencityut. 4. Pay required deposit at submission: $500 residential / $1,000 commercial (3% surcharge applies for credit card). 5. Upload all required plans, site plan, engineering, and supporting documents through the portal. 6. Await plan review by Building Official (commercial: Dan Kurek, 435-890-7460) or Building Inspector (residential: Tyler Seaman, 801-721-1138). Address plan review corrections. 7. Pay remaining permit fees after approval (total fee minus deposit already paid). 8. Receive issued permit. Post permit on-site. 9. Schedule inspections through iWorQ portal or by contacting the building inspector at each required construction phase.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Garden City, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in Garden City, UT typically run No explicit timeline published; contact Building Official or Inspector for estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Garden City, UT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Garden City, UT. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, tool storage) not exceeding 200 square feet in floor area with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections; Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet from bottom of footing without a surcharge; Platforms, decks, and walks not more than 30 inches above grade; Painting, papering, tiling, and similar finish work; Minor repairs. Note: Garden City is a high-activity vacation and short-term rental market. Structures associated with short-term rentals or vacation cabins are still subject to full permit requirements. Consult the 'When Do You Need a Building Permit?' guide before beginning any work. Even for exempt structures, all zoning setback, height, and land-use rules apply. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Garden City, UT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Garden City, UT via: iWorQ Citizen Portal, Residential: Tyler Seaman (801-721-1138); Commercial: Dan Kurek (435-890-7460). Not explicitly published; contact inspector directly..
last verified April 2026
source Garden City Building Department ↗
entry id permits/utah/rich/garden-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Garden City Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.