On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Sanpete County
No building may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished in unincorporated Sanpete County without a permit from the Sanpete County Building Department. In unincorporated areas, structures up to 120 sq. ft. (single-story detached storage shed) are exempt from building permits. All structures over 120 sq. ft. require a permit.
Single detached storage structures up to 120 sq. ft. (in unincorporated areas) no building permit required
Agricultural buildings that are strictly for agricultural use in qualifying zones may be exempt. An Agricultural Exemption Form must be completed and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator before construction begins. Contact Heidi Sorensen at 4358352115 to obtain the form.
Related permits not issued by the Building Department: Septic tank permits are issued by the Central Utah Public Health Department, 125 N. 100 E., Manti; well permits are issued by the Utah Division of Water Rights, 130 N. Main, Richfield, 4358962557.
- Exempt Single detached storage structures up to 120 sq. ft. (in unincorporated areas) no building permit required
- Exempt Agricultural buildings that are strictly for agricultural use in qualifying zones may be exempt. An Agricultural Exemption Form must be completed and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator before construction begins. Contact Heidi Sorensen at 4358352115 to obtain the form.
- Exempt Related permits not issued by the Building Department: Septic tank permits are issued by the Central Utah Public Health Department, 125 N. 100 E., Manti; well permits are issued by the Utah Division of Water Rights, 130 N. Main, Richfield, 4358962557.
Required documents
- Permit validity/expiration: Permits become null if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance. Permits may also expire if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement.
- Ownerbuilder rules: Utah statewide ownerbuilder exemption applies. The city or county registers the ownerbuilder with DOPL when the permit is issued.
- Building code
- Utah statewide 2021 code package (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IECC, NEC, Utah WUI Code) as adopted under Utah Code Title 15A. All permits are reviewed in accordance with the most current construction codes adopted under the State Construction and Fire Codes Act.
- Permit validity
- Permits become null if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance. Permits may also expire if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement.
- Owner-builder
- Utah statewide owner-builder exemption applies. The city or county registers the owner-builder with DOPL when the permit is issued.
- Contractor requirements
- Utah DOPL licensure required for any regulated work valued at $3,000 or more. Trade contractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) must hold applicable Utah specialty contractor licenses.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not explicitly published. Contact the department at 435-835-2113 for current turnaround times, which vary by project complexity.
- 01 Determine whether a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) permit is required. Properties located near the base of a mountain, on the benches, or on the mountain typically fall within the WUI zone. Contact Scott Olsen (Building Department, 435-835-2113) to confirm WUI applicability.
- 02 If WUI applies: submit WUI plans with the applicable WUI plan review fee, and schedule an onsite WUI inspection with the WUI official before the Building Official will review construction plans. Plans must indicate 1-hour Ignition Resistant construction design rating. Contact the Sanpete County Fire Chief, who will conduct a site assessment and prepare a fire mitigation plan specifying tree removal and other measures.
- 03 If required by the relevant city or county zone: obtain a zoning clearance or planning permit from the applicable municipality or Sanpete County Planning and Zoning before the county building permit is issued. Zoning permit applications are submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department (Suite 203, 160 North Main, or via the county's online portal; contact Heidi Sorensen, Zoning Administrator, at 435-835-2115, zoning@sanpetecountyutah.gov).
- 04 Register for a CityInspect account at the county building department portal and submit the building permit application with all required documents.
- 05 Pay the permit fee at the time of application or upon approval (confirm current payment workflow with the department).
- 06 The Building Administrator reviews the application and plans. Respond to any correction requests.
- 07 Receive the issued permit. Post the permit card on-site in a visible location before work begins.
- 08 Call the county building department to schedule inspections at each required stage of construction.
- 09 Obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon project completion.
Typical processing time: Not explicitly published. Contact the department at 435-835-2113 for current turnaround times, which vary by project complexity.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective Failure to obtain a permit before beginning work results in an investigation fee equal to the full permit fee being added to the cost (effectively doubling the permit fee). Work-without-permit violations result in paying both the investigation fee and the regular permit fee.
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Not clearly published on the public-facing building department page. Confirm with the department.
02
Reinspection fee
Not clearly published. Confirm with the department.
Confirm with the department; online payment may be available through CityInspect.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
Typical sequence: footing/foundation; under-slab utilities where applicable; framing; rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical; insulation; final inspection. WUI properties require a WUI onsite inspection before plan review and additional fire-mitigation compliance verification.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Sanpete County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT? ▸
No building may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished in unincorporated Sanpete County without a permit from the Sanpete County Building Department. In unincorporated areas, structures up to 120 sq. ft. (single-story detached storage shed) are exempt from building permits. All structures over 120 sq. ft. require a permit.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) permit is required. Properties located near the base of a mountain, on the benches, or on the mountain typically fall within the WUI zone. Contact Scott Olsen (Building Department, 435-835-2113) to confirm WUI applicability. 2. If WUI applies: submit WUI plans with the applicable WUI plan review fee, and schedule an onsite WUI inspection with the WUI official before the Building Official will review construction plans. Plans must indicate 1-hour Ignition Resistant construction design rating. Contact the Sanpete County Fire Chief, who will conduct a site assessment and prepare a fire mitigation plan specifying tree removal and other measures. 3. If required by the relevant city or county zone: obtain a zoning clearance or planning permit from the applicable municipality or Sanpete County Planning and Zoning before the county building permit is issued. Zoning permit applications are submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department (Suite 203, 160 North Main, or via the county's online portal; contact Heidi Sorensen, Zoning Administrator, at 435-835-2115, zoning@sanpetecountyutah.gov). 4. Register for a CityInspect account at the county building department portal and submit the building permit application with all required documents. 5. Pay the permit fee at the time of application or upon approval (confirm current payment workflow with the department). 6. The Building Administrator reviews the application and plans. Respond to any correction requests. 7. Receive the issued permit. Post the permit card on-site in a visible location before work begins. 8. Call the county building department to schedule inspections at each required stage of construction. 9. Obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon project completion.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT typically run Not explicitly published. Contact the department at 435-835-2113 for current turnaround times, which vary by project complexity.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Sanpete County, UT. The following work is generally exempt: Single detached storage structures up to 120 sq. ft. (in unincorporated areas) no building permit required; Agricultural buildings that are strictly for agricultural use in qualifying zones may be exempt. An Agricultural Exemption Form must be completed and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator before construction begins. Contact Heidi Sorensen at 4358352115 to obtain the form.; Related permits not issued by the Building Department: Septic tank permits are issued by the Central Utah Public Health Department, 125 N. 100 E., Manti; well permits are issued by the Utah Division of Water Rights, 130 N. Main, Richfield, 4358962557.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026
source Sanpete County Building Department (also referred to as Sanpete County Building Inspection Department and Zoning) ↗
entry id permits/utah/sanpete/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Sanpete County Building Department (also referred to as Sanpete County Building Inspection Department and Zoning) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.