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

Fees are calculated as: $1.75 per square foot for plan review and building permit. Plan check fee: Included within the plan review and building permit fee.

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

Typical processing time is Contact the department for current review times; staffing is limited..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Farm buildings (agricultural structures) that do not contain electrical or plumbing and are not intended for human habitation; One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area of 120 square feet or less; Fences not more than 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), unless supporting a surcharge; Ordinary repair work that does not alter the structural, fire, life-safety, or egress conditions of a building; Re-roofing of a single layer (confirm with department). Note: Confirm all exemptions directly with the San Juan County Planning and Building Department before proceeding, particularly for remote or mountain-area projects. County-specific ordinances may modify statewide IBC exemption thresholds.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (435) 587-3829, permits@sanjuancountyut.gov.

County Building Permits

San Juan County, UT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, Utah. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Utah Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of San Juan County, including La Sal, Spanish Valley, and rural areas outside Monticello, Blanding, and Bluff city or town limits. Excludes tribal trust lands and federal lands.

Department: San Juan County Planning and Building Department
Address: 117 South Main Street, P.O. Box 9, Monticello, UT 84535
Phone: (435) 587-3829
Email: permits@sanjuancountyut.gov
Website: https://sanjuancountyut.gov/building

Online Permit Portal

Open San Juan County iWorQ Citizen Portal

Platform: iWorQ Citizen Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project is located in unincorporated county territory or within Monticello, Blanding, or Bluff city/town limits.
Confirm zoning designation using the San Juan County interactive GIS map.
Create an account on the iWorQ citizen portal.
Complete the building permit application online and attach a complete set of plans drawn to scale, site plan, legal property description, and county tax parcel number.
List all contractors and subcontractors with Utah DOPL license numbers, contact information, and expiration dates.
Submit the application. Incomplete submissions are returned without review.
Department staff reviews plans and calculates fees based on the county fee schedule.
Pay fees through the online payment system or in person at the department office.
Permit is issued with a permit card listing required inspections.
Schedule each required inspection by phone or email.
Inspections are conducted by the county building inspector. Mileage fees apply given the county's large geographic area.
Obtain a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy to close the permit.

Typical processing time: Contact the department for current review times; staffing is limited.

Source: San Juan County Planning and Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required before commencing or proceeding with any construction, alteration, or use of land or structures in the unincorporated county. Farm buildings are generally exempt unless they will contain electrical or plumbing installations or are intended for human habitation or dwelling.

Required Documents

Complete set of plans drawn to scale
Site plan with setback dimensions
Legal property description
County tax parcel number
Signed permit application
Utah DOPL license information for all contractors and subcontractors
Proof of property ownership or notarized owner authorization

Permit validity: Permits must have at minimum one inspection requested every 180 days or the permit may lapse. A permit renewal fee of approximately $56 (subject to change) is charged annually until the project is finaled.
Building code: San Juan County has adopted all State of Utah building, construction, and fire codes per Title 15A, Chapters 1 through 5 of the Utah Code Annotated, including 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IECC, and NEC. Design criteria: Ground snow load per 2018 Utah Ground Snow Load Map; frost depth 24 inches (Spanish Valley/Bluff), 36 inches (most areas), 42 inches (mountains including La Sal); wind load 115 mph Exposure C; seismic zone B.
Owner-builder: Utah DOPL allows property owners to act as their own general contractor for their primary residence under the Construction Trades Licensing Act, subject to worker's compensation and payroll tax obligations. An owner-builder certification is required.
Contractor requirements: Utah state contractor licensing through DOPL is required for all work requiring a permit. General contractors must hold a B100 license (or appropriate specialty license) issued by DOPL for projects valued at $3,000 or more in combined labor and materials.

Fees

Plan check fee: Included within the plan review and building permit fee
Permit fee formula: $1.75 per square foot for plan review and building permit
Penalty (no permit): 2x the normal permit price, plus $150 per week if work continues beyond 30 days after notice of violation
Payment note: Online payment available through the iWorQ portal; in-person payment at the department office

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Farm buildings (agricultural structures) that do not contain electrical or plumbing and are not intended for human habitation
One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area of 120 square feet or less
Fences not more than 7 feet in height
Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), unless supporting a surcharge
Ordinary repair work that does not alter the structural, fire, life-safety, or egress conditions of a building
Re-roofing of a single layer (confirm with department)

Important: Confirm all exemptions directly with the San Juan County Planning and Building Department before proceeding, particularly for remote or mountain-area projects. County-specific ordinances may modify statewide IBC exemption thresholds.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(435) 587-3829 (phone)
permits@sanjuancountyut.gov (email)

Inspection hours: Contact department for office hours; Monday through Friday during normal business hours

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new construction: Setback/site; Footing (before concrete pour); Foundation stem wall; Slab on grade (before pour); Underground utilities; Rough framing; Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical; Insulation; Final inspection. Specific inspections listed on the permit card issued with each permit.

San Juan County is Utah's largest county by area. Inspectors charge mileage in addition to the per-inspection fee. Projects in remote areas (La Sal Mountains, Canyons area) may require advance scheduling.

Additional Resources

Building code: San Juan County has adopted all State of Utah building, construction, and fire codes per Title 15A, Chapters 1 through 5 of the Utah Code Annotated, including 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IECC, and NEC. Design criteria: Ground snow load per 2018 Utah Ground Snow Load Map; frost depth 24 inches (Spanish Valley/Bluff), 36 inches (most areas), 42 inches (mountains including La Sal); wind load 115 mph Exposure C; seismic zone B.
Verify contractor license: Utah DOPL License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
San Juan County Zoning Map (Interactive GIS)
San Juan County Ordinance Library
Planning Commission Email
Utah Ground Snow Load Map
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 San Juan County Planning and Building Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Juan County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, UT?: A building permit is required before commencing or proceeding with any construction, alteration, or use of land or structures in the unincorporated county. Farm buildings are generally exempt unless they will contain electrical or plumbing installations or are intended for human habitation or dwelling.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated San Juan County, UT?: Fees are calculated as: $1.75 per square foot for plan review and building permit. Plan check fee: Included within the plan review and building permit fee.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, UT?: 1. Determine whether the project is located in unincorporated county territory or within Monticello, Blanding, or Bluff city/town limits. 2. Confirm zoning designation using the San Juan County interactive GIS map. 3. Create an account on the iWorQ citizen portal. 4. Complete the building permit application online and attach a complete set of plans drawn to scale, site plan, legal property description, and county tax parcel number. 5. List all contractors and subcontractors with Utah DOPL license numbers, contact information, and expiration dates. 6. Submit the application. Incomplete submissions are returned without review. 7. Department staff reviews plans and calculates fees based on the county fee schedule. 8. Pay fees through the online payment system or in person at the department office. 9. Permit is issued with a permit card listing required inspections. 10. Schedule each required inspection by phone or email. 11. Inspections are conducted by the county building inspector. Mileage fees apply given the county's large geographic area. 12. Obtain a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy to close the permit.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, UT?: Typical processing time is Contact the department for current review times; staffing is limited..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated San Juan County, UT?: The following work is generally exempt: Farm buildings (agricultural structures) that do not contain electrical or plumbing and are not intended for human habitation; One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area of 120 square feet or less; Fences not more than 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), unless supporting a surcharge; Ordinary repair work that does not alter the structural, fire, life-safety, or egress conditions of a building; Re-roofing of a single layer (confirm with department). Note: Confirm all exemptions directly with the San Juan County Planning and Building Department before proceeding, particularly for remote or mountain-area projects. County-specific ordinances may modify statewide IBC exemption thresholds.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated San Juan County, UT?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (435) 587-3829, permits@sanjuancountyut.gov.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated San Juan County can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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