Rich County, UT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All construction in unincorporated Rich County.

Department

Rich County Building Department

Address

20 S. Main, Randolph, UT 84064

Phone

435-793-2415

Email

beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com

Website

https://www.richcounty.gov/building-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning designations and permitted uses with Bear Lake Regional Commission (435-946-2198).
2. Verify subdivision requirements and whether infrastructure is in place (development sequence requirement).
3. Download and review Building Permit Instructions from richcounty.gov/building-department/.
4. Complete the online building permit application through iWorQ portal with project details, cost, square footage, and Utah contractor license number or owner-builder designation.
5. Upload required supporting documents (site plan, construction plans, engineering) through iWorQ.
6. Contact Building Inspector Tyler Seaman (801-564-0897 or beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com) for plan review status (text or email preferred).
7. Pay permit fees to Rich County Treasurer (435-793-5155) after plan review approval.
8. Receive issued permit and post on-site during construction.
9. Schedule required inspections at each construction phase.

Typical processing time: Variable; coordinate directly with contract building inspector for timeline estimates.

Source: Rich County Building Department

General Requirements

Most construction in unincorporated Rich County requires a building permit, including new residential construction, commercial construction, additions, remodels, detached garages, electrical work, and agricultural structures.

Required Documents

• iWorQ online application
• Project description
• Site plan
• Construction plans
• Project valuation (total cost)
• Square footage
• Utah contractor license number or Owner/Builder Certification Form
• Fire Hazard Severity Form (where applicable for wildland interface areas)

Permit validity

Utah state baseline: permits expire if construction does not commence within 180 days of issuance, or if construction is abandoned for 180 days. Confirm current county policy with building inspector.

Building code

Utah statewide 2021 code package (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IECC, NEC)

Owner-builder

Rich County provides Owner/Builder Certification Form. Utah statewide owner-builder exemption applies for residential only (sole owner, no more than one build per year, no more than three builds in five years). Prohibited for commercial and rental properties.

Contractor requirements

Utah contractor licensing required through DOPL (dopl.utah.gov) for general and specialty contractors.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based (project cost and square footage collected in application). Contact Rich County Treasurer (435-793-5155) for current fee schedule.

Payment note

3% credit card surcharge on iWorQ-processed payments. Payments directed to County Treasurer's line: 435-793-5155.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections
• Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
• Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing (unless supporting a surcharge)
• Platforms, decks, and walks not more than 30 inches above finished grade
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
• Minor repairs

Important: Even for exempt structures, all zoning setback, height, and land-use rules apply. Any structure with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections requires a permit regardless of size. Confirm exemptions with Building Inspector or Bear Lake Regional Commission.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building Inspector Tyler Seaman: 801-564-0897 / beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com (text or email preferred) (phone/email)

Scheduling deadline

Contact building inspector directly for scheduling availability.

Inspection hours

Coordinate with contract building inspector; typically Monday-Friday during standard business hours.

Time windows

Not published; confirm with inspector.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing/foundation, rough framing, rough mechanical/plumbing/electrical, insulation (where required by IECC), final inspection.

Remote video inspections may be used at inspector's discretion.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Utah statewide 2021 code package (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IECC, NEC)
• Verify contractor license: Utah DOPL Contractor Licensing
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Rich County Development Code (2025)
• Fire Hazard Severity Form
• Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy Ordinance
• Bear Lake Regional Commission (Planning & Zoning)
• License lookup guide: Utah Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Utah Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Utah hub: Utah Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Rich County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Rich County, UT?

Most construction in unincorporated Rich County requires a building permit, including new residential construction, commercial construction, additions, remodels, detached garages, electrical work, and agricultural structures.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Rich County, UT?

Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based (project cost and square footage collected in application). Contact Rich County Treasurer (435-793-5155) for current fee schedule..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rich County, UT?

1. Confirm zoning designations and permitted uses with Bear Lake Regional Commission (435-946-2198). 2. Verify subdivision requirements and whether infrastructure is in place (development sequence requirement). 3. Download and review Building Permit Instructions from richcounty.gov/building-department/. 4. Complete the online building permit application through iWorQ portal with project details, cost, square footage, and Utah contractor license number or owner-builder designation. 5. Upload required supporting documents (site plan, construction plans, engineering) through iWorQ. 6. Contact Building Inspector Tyler Seaman (801-564-0897 or beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com) for plan review status (text or email preferred). 7. Pay permit fees to Rich County Treasurer (435-793-5155) after plan review approval. 8. Receive issued permit and post on-site during construction. 9. Schedule required inspections at each construction phase.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Rich County, UT?

Typical processing time is Variable; coordinate directly with contract building inspector for timeline estimates..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Rich County, UT?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections; Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing (unless supporting a surcharge); Platforms, decks, and walks not more than 30 inches above finished grade; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Minor repairs. Note: Even for exempt structures, all zoning setback, height, and land-use rules apply. Any structure with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections requires a permit regardless of size. Confirm exemptions with Building Inspector or Bear Lake Regional Commission.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rich County, UT?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Building Inspector Tyler Seaman: 801-564-0897 / beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com (text or email preferred). Contact building inspector directly for scheduling availability..