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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for San Juan County
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.
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)
- Exempt Farm buildings (agricultural structures) that do not contain electrical or plumbing and are not intended for human habitation
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area of 120 square feet or less
- Exempt Fences not more than 7 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Ordinary repair work that does not alter the structural, fire, life-safety, or egress conditions of a building
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Contact the department for current review times; staffing is limited.
- 01 Determine whether the project is located in unincorporated county territory or within Monticello, Blanding, or Bluff city/town limits.
- 02 Confirm zoning designation using the San Juan County interactive GIS map.
- 03 Create an account on the iWorQ citizen portal.
- 04 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.
- 05 List all contractors and subcontractors with Utah DOPL license numbers, contact information, and expiration dates.
- 06 Submit the application. Incomplete submissions are returned without review.
- 07 Department staff reviews plans and calculates fees based on the county fee schedule.
- 08 Pay fees through the online payment system or in person at the department office.
- 09 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.
Typical processing time: Contact the department for current review times; staffing is limited.
§ 04
Fee schedule
San Juan County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Included within the plan review and building permit fee
02
Permit fee formula
$1.75 per square foot for plan review and building permit
03
Penalty (no permit)
2x the normal permit price, plus $150 per week if work continues beyond 30 days after notice of violation
Online payment available through the iWorQ portal; in-person payment at the department office
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated San Juan County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated San Juan County, UT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated San Juan County, UT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, UT, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated San Juan County, UT typically run Contact the department for current review times; staffing is limited.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated San Juan County, UT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated San Juan County, UT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated San Juan County, UT via: (435) 587-3829, permits@sanjuancountyut.gov.
last verified April 2026
source San Juan County Planning and Building Department ↗
entry id permits/utah/san-juan/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with San Juan County Planning and Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.