County Building Permits
Washington County, UT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, Utah. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies to unincorporated Washington County only, not incorporated cities and towns
- Department
- Washington County Community Development
- Address
- 111 East Tabernacle St., St. George, UT 84770
- Phone
- 435-301-7250
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County online permitting software • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Washington County and gather all required building permit documents
- Apply electronically through the county's online permitting software system; the department only accepts building permit applications electronically
- Upload required documents, including water verification and septic permit materials where applicable
- Track status through the link automatically sent by the system after application receipt
- Pay permit fees and state surcharge once reviewed
- Request inspections after work is complete and ready; 24-hour notice is required and permit number is required when scheduling
- Complete all inspections and final approval items before occupancy / closeout
Typical processing time: No firm number stated; status tracking is provided after submittal
General Requirements
Building permits required for county-regulated construction in unincorporated areas
Required Documents
- County building permit documents
- Septic permit from Southwest Utah Public Health Department
- Verification of water
- Project-specific building permit documents
- Permit validity
- Default Utah-adopted 180-day code standard likely applies unless locally amended
- Building code
- Utah statewide adopted 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC and related Utah codes, plus any county amendments
- Contractor requirements
- Utah DOPL licensing applies
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $23.50 for total valuation $1.00 to $500.00
- Plan check fee
- Additional plan review due to changes, additions, or revisions is $100.00 per hour minimum one-half hour; outside consultant costs billed at actual cost
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based permit fee table; state surcharge is 1 percent of building permit
- Reinspection fee
- $100.00 per hour; inspections outside normal business hours are $100.00 per hour minimum two hours
- Payment note
- County bills actual outside consultant, administrative, and overhead costs where applicable
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Washington County Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- County online permitting system (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24-hour notice required after work is complete and ready for inspection
Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific county building inspection sequence after permit issuance
Additional Resources
- Building code: Utah statewide adopted 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC and related Utah codes, plus any county amendments
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Permit Documents
- Community Development Fees
- 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 Washington County Community Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT?
- Building permits required for county-regulated construction in unincorporated areas
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washington County, UT?
- The minimum permit fee is $23.50 for total valuation $1.00 to $500.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based permit fee table; state surcharge is 1 percent of building permit. Plan check fee: Additional plan review due to changes, additions, or revisions is $100.00 per hour minimum one-half hour; outside consultant costs billed at actual cost.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT?
- 1. Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Washington County and gather all required building permit documents 2. Apply electronically through the county's online permitting software system; the department only accepts building permit applications electronically 3. Upload required documents, including water verification and septic permit materials where applicable 4. Track status through the link automatically sent by the system after application receipt 5. Pay permit fees and state surcharge once reviewed 6. Request inspections after work is complete and ready; 24-hour notice is required and permit number is required when scheduling 7. Complete all inspections and final approval items before occupancy / closeout
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT?
- Typical processing time is No firm number stated; status tracking is provided after submittal.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, UT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: County online permitting system. 24-hour notice required after work is complete and ready for inspection.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Washington County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works