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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Washington County
Building permits required for county-regulated construction in unincorporated areas
Note: Default Utah-adopted IRC/IBC permit exemptions appear to govern minor exempt work.
Required documents
- County building permit documents
- Septic permit from Southwest Utah Public Health Department
- Verification of water
- Project-specific building permit documents
- Building code
- Utah statewide adopted 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC and related Utah codes, plus any county amendments
- Permit validity
- Default Utah-adopted 180-day code standard likely applies unless locally amended
- Contractor requirements
- Utah DOPL licensing applies
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No firm number stated; status tracking is provided after submittal
- 01 Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Washington County and gather all required building permit documents
- 02 Apply electronically through the county's online permitting software system; the department only accepts building permit applications electronically
- 03 Upload required documents, including water verification and septic permit materials where applicable
- 04 Track status through the link automatically sent by the system after application receipt
- 05 Pay permit fees and state surcharge once reviewed
- 06 Request inspections after work is complete and ready; 24-hour notice is required and permit number is required when scheduling
- 07 Complete all inspections and final approval items before occupancy / closeout
Typical processing time: No firm number stated; status tracking is provided after submittal
§ 04
Fee schedule
Washington County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$23.50 for total valuation $1.00 to $500.00
02
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
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based permit fee table; state surcharge is 1 percent of building permit
04
Reinspection fee
$100.00 per hour; inspections outside normal business hours are $100.00 per hour minimum two hours
County bills actual outside consultant, administrative, and overhead costs where applicable
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- County online permitting system (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24-hour notice required after work is complete and ready for inspection
Typical sequence: Project-specific county building inspection sequence after permit issuance
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Washington County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT? ▸
Building permits required for county-regulated construction in unincorporated areas
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washington County, UT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Washington County, UT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT, follow these steps: 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
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, UT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Washington County, UT typically run No firm number stated; status tracking is provided after submittal. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, UT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, UT via: County online permitting system. 24-hour notice required after work is complete and ready for inspection.
last verified April 2026
source Washington County Community Development ↗
entry id permits/utah/washington/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Washington County Community Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.