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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Rich County
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.
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
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections
- Exempt Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing (unless supporting a surcharge)
- Exempt Platforms, decks, and walks not more than 30 inches above finished grade
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Exempt 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.
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)
- Building code
- Utah statewide 2021 code package (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IECC, NEC)
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Variable; coordinate directly with contract building inspector for timeline estimates.
- 01 Confirm zoning designations and permitted uses with Bear Lake Regional Commission (435-946-2198).
- 02 Verify subdivision requirements and whether infrastructure is in place (development sequence requirement).
- 03 Download and review Building Permit Instructions from richcounty.gov/building-department/.
- 04 Complete the online building permit application through iWorQ portal with project details, cost, square footage, and Utah contractor license number or owner-builder designation.
- 05 Upload required supporting documents (site plan, construction plans, engineering) through iWorQ.
- 06 Contact Building Inspector Tyler Seaman (801-564-0897 or beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com) for plan review status (text or email preferred).
- 07 Pay permit fees to Rich County Treasurer (435-793-5155) after plan review approval.
- 08 Receive issued permit and post on-site during construction.
- 09 Schedule required inspections at each construction phase.
Typical processing time: Variable; coordinate directly with contract building inspector for timeline estimates.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Rich County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based (project cost and square footage collected in application). Contact Rich County Treasurer (435-793-5155) for current fee schedule.
3% credit card surcharge on iWorQ-processed payments. Payments directed to County Treasurer's line: 435-793-5155.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Rich County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Rich County, UT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Rich County, UT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rich County, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rich County, UT, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Rich County, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Rich County, UT typically run Variable; coordinate directly with contract building inspector for timeline estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Rich County, UT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rich County, UT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rich County, UT via: Building Inspector Tyler Seaman: 801-564-0897 / beaconcodeconsultants@gmail.com (text or email preferred). Contact building inspector directly for scheduling availability..
last verified April 2026
source Rich County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/utah/rich/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Rich County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.