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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Tooele City
Tooele City Code requires a written permit before construction, alteration, repair, removal, or occupancy of a structure, except for work the Building Official determines is minor or exempt.
Floor covering installation
Painting and attaching wall coverings, and similar finish work
Replacement of glazing except where safety glazing is required by the IBC
Patching wall surfaces
Replacement of light fixtures
Replacement of electrical wall outlets and switches
Replacement of faucets, washers, and traps when replaced in kind without disturbing trap arm, vents, or drain lines
Repair of irrigation pipelines where backflow preventers exist or are not being replaced
Addition to a forced-air heating system of no more than two ducts with no more than one register per duct
Replacement of filters, belts, and motors in mechanical systems
Installation of any number of battery-operated smoke detectors or one 120-volt smoke detector
Replacement of sidewalks on private property
Installation of one ventilation fan
- Exempt Floor covering installation
- Exempt Painting and attaching wall coverings, and similar finish work
- Exempt Replacement of glazing except where safety glazing is required by the IBC
- Exempt Patching wall surfaces
- Exempt Replacement of light fixtures
- Exempt Replacement of electrical wall outlets and switches
- Exempt Replacement of faucets, washers, and traps when replaced in kind without disturbing trap arm, vents, or drain lines
- Exempt Repair of irrigation pipelines where backflow preventers exist or are not being replaced
- Exempt Addition to a forced-air heating system of no more than two ducts with no more than one register per duct
- Exempt Replacement of filters, belts, and motors in mechanical systems
- Exempt Installation of any number of battery-operated smoke detectors or one 120-volt smoke detector
- Exempt Replacement of sidewalks on private property
- Exempt Installation of one ventilation fan
Required documents
- Complete application
- Site/property information
- Contractor license information or owner-builder certification
- Plans and supporting documentation sufficient for zoning/building review
- Utility/reimbursement information where applicable
- Building code
- 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC commercial provisions, 2015 IECC residential provisions, 2023 NEC, ICC/ANSI A117.1-2009, and Utah state amendments.
- Permit validity
- Null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days, or if work is suspended for 180 days or more.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must sign the owner-builder certification and agreement to comply with the Construction Trades Licensing Act.
- Contractor requirements
- State of Utah licensed contractors are required for general, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and architect/engineer of record where applicable.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not generally published for building permits; online application is available.
- 01 Prepare a complete building permit application, including owner/applicant information, parcel and zoning information, valuation, and Utah-licensed contractor information or owner-builder certification.
- 02 Submit through the Tooele City Building Permit Portal; applicants can apply for and pay for building permits online.
- 03 Upload plans and supporting documents. The permit form contemplates plan review, utility/reimbursement review, and zoning/building comments before approval.
- 04 City staff reviews the application for zoning and building compliance and calculates fees using the city fee schedule and IBC rate references.
- 05 Pay fees. The application becomes a permit only after approval signatures and payment of fees.
- 06 Schedule inspections by 4:30 PM the business day before the requested day; inspections are offered in AM or PM windows.
- 07 Keep work exposed for inspection until approved and obtain final approvals before occupancy/use.
Typical processing time: Not generally published for building permits; online application is available.
Source: Tooele City Community Development Department, Building Safety Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Tooele City building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Single-family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial plan reviews are listed at IBC Rate.
02
Permit fee formula
Building permit plan reviews for single-family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial are listed at IBC Rate.
03
Reinspection fee
$50 each after the first two
04
Penalty (no permit)
Work without a permit is charged at 2x permit fees; stop-work charges are $200 with permit and $300 without permit.
Applicants can apply for and pay for building permits online through the portal.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Schedule inspections in advance with Tooele City inspectors (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests must be made by 4:30 PM the business day before the requested time. Cancellations must be made by 3:00 PM the business day before.
- Time windows
- AM or PM windows
Typical sequence: Inspections required before any work is covered and before final approval/occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Tooele City permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Tooele City, UT? ▸
Tooele City Code requires a written permit before construction, alteration, repair, removal, or occupancy of a structure, except for work the Building Official determines is minor or exempt.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Tooele City, UT? ▸
Building permit fees in Tooele City, UT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Building permit plan reviews for single-family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial are listed at IBC Rate.. Plan check fee: Single-family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial plan reviews are listed at IBC Rate..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Tooele City, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Tooele City, UT, follow these steps: 1. Prepare a complete building permit application, including owner/applicant information, parcel and zoning information, valuation, and Utah-licensed contractor information or owner-builder certification. 2. Submit through the Tooele City Building Permit Portal; applicants can apply for and pay for building permits online. 3. Upload plans and supporting documents. The permit form contemplates plan review, utility/reimbursement review, and zoning/building comments before approval. 4. City staff reviews the application for zoning and building compliance and calculates fees using the city fee schedule and IBC rate references. 5. Pay fees. The application becomes a permit only after approval signatures and payment of fees. 6. Schedule inspections by 4:30 PM the business day before the requested day; inspections are offered in AM or PM windows. 7. Keep work exposed for inspection until approved and obtain final approvals before occupancy/use.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Tooele City, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in Tooele City, UT typically run Not generally published for building permits; online application is available.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Tooele City, UT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Tooele City, UT. The following work is generally exempt: Floor covering installation; Painting and attaching wall coverings, and similar finish work; Replacement of glazing except where safety glazing is required by the IBC; Patching wall surfaces; Replacement of light fixtures; Replacement of electrical wall outlets and switches; Replacement of faucets, washers, and traps when replaced in kind without disturbing trap arm, vents, or drain lines; Repair of irrigation pipelines where backflow preventers exist or are not being replaced; Addition to a forced-air heating system of no more than two ducts with no more than one register per duct; Replacement of filters, belts, and motors in mechanical systems; Installation of any number of battery-operated smoke detectors or one 120-volt smoke detector; Replacement of sidewalks on private property; Installation of one ventilation fan. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Tooele City, UT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Tooele City, UT via: Schedule inspections in advance with Tooele City inspectors. Requests must be made by 4:30 PM the business day before the requested time. Cancellations must be made by 3:00 PM the business day before..
last verified April 2026
source Tooele City Community Development Department, Building Safety Division ↗
entry id permits/utah/tooele/tooele-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Tooele City Community Development Department, Building Safety Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.