How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?

The minimum permit fee is $30.00 (Development Permit). Fees are calculated as: Development Permit Application fee: $30.00. If the project is also in the floodplain, the $30 development fee is credited toward the floodplain permit fee.. Plan check fee: No plan review fee (no building code, so no plan review is performed).

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?

Typical processing time is Not published. Contact (307) 568-2424 for current turnaround..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?

The following work is generally exempt: No formal exemption list published (because no building code is enforced, the concept of 'exempt' work differs from jurisdictions with building codes).; Floodplain exemption: No exemption from floodplain permit rules; if the project site intersects the Special Flood Hazard Area, the floodplain permit is mandatory.. Note: Small accessory structures and agricultural buildings are not called out as requiring separate permits in county materials, but a Development Permit is still required for any construction or development activity. Confirm with Land Planning whether small sheds, agricultural outbuildings, or minor grading require a development permit.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: , , .

County Building Permits

Big Horn County, WY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, Wyoming. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Wyoming Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Issues Development Permits for all unincorporated areas of Big Horn County. Properties within the incorporated limits of Basin, Greybull, Lovell, Cowley, Byron, Burlington, Manderson, or other municipalities are NOT served by this office. Shell and Hyattville are unincorporated communities and fall under county Land Planning jurisdiction.

Department: Big Horn County Land Planning Department
Address: 425 Murphy Street, Basin, WY 82410
Phone: (307) 568-2424
Email: planner@bighorncountywy.gov
Website: https://www.bighorncountywy.gov/departments/land-planning

Online Permit Portal

Open Forms and Regulations

Platform: Paper/PDF form-based process • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether your property is in unincorporated Big Horn County or within a municipality. If in a municipality, contact that town's clerk or permit office. For Shell or Hyattville, proceed with the county process.
Check the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or contact the Land Planning Department to determine whether any portion of the project site falls within the 100-year floodplain (Special Flood Hazard Area). If yes, a Floodplain Development Permit is required in addition to (or instead of) the standard Development Permit.
Download and complete the applicable form(s): Standard project (Development Permit Application), Floodplain project (Floodplain Development Permit Application), or Septic system (Septic Permit Application Package).
Prepare a site plan or sketch showing property lines, proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and roads, and any relevant site features.
Submit the completed application and fee to the Land Planning Department in person or by mail. Call (307) 568-2424 to confirm current accepted payment methods.
Land Planning staff reviews the application and contacts the applicant if additional information is needed. Staff will identify whether any additional permits (floodplain, septic, address) are required.
Development Permit is issued. Post permit on site if required.
For floodplain projects: engineering and certification requirements apply during and after construction.
For septic systems: complete county inspection and obtain final septic approval.

Typical processing time: Not published. Contact (307) 568-2424 for current turnaround.

Source: Big Horn County Land Planning Department

General Requirements

Any construction or development project in unincorporated Big Horn County requires a Development Permit before work begins. The permit is an administrative requirement to document construction activity.

Required Documents

Completed Development Permit Application
Site sketch or plan showing: property location, proposed structure footprint, and approximate distances to property lines and roads
Fee payment

Permit validity: Not published. Contact Land Planning at (307) 568-2424.
Building code: None adopted in unincorporated Big Horn County. The county does not have building codes. The county recommends using national building code standards for quality and future resale value.
Owner-builder: Not formally regulated at the county level. Homeowners may undertake their own construction. State electrical licensing rules apply to electrical work regardless of owner-builder status.
Contractor requirements: No county-level contractor license requirement. State electrical contractor license required from DFPES for electrical work. Individual municipalities within Big Horn County maintain local contractor registration requirements for work within their limits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $30.00 (Development Permit)
Plan check fee: No plan review fee (no building code, so no plan review is performed)
Permit fee formula: Development Permit Application fee: $30.00. If the project is also in the floodplain, the $30 development fee is credited toward the floodplain permit fee.
Trade permit fee: Wyoming state wiring permit fee: $50 (state-issued, separate from county). Well permit fee: $50 (domestic/stock), $75 (irrigation) -- state SEO fee, separate from any county fees.
Reinspection fee: No reinspection fee for building (no building inspections in county)

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

No formal exemption list published (because no building code is enforced, the concept of 'exempt' work differs from jurisdictions with building codes).
Floodplain exemption: No exemption from floodplain permit rules; if the project site intersects the Special Flood Hazard Area, the floodplain permit is mandatory.

Important: Small accessory structures and agricultural buildings are not called out as requiring separate permits in county materials, but a Development Permit is still required for any construction or development activity. Confirm with Land Planning whether small sheds, agricultural outbuildings, or minor grading require a development permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Typical inspection sequence: Building inspections: None required for standard residential or agricultural construction in unincorporated Big Horn County. Because the county has not adopted a building code, there is no formal inspection program for general construction work.

Additional Resources

Building code: None adopted in unincorporated Big Horn County. The county does not have building codes. The county recommends using national building code standards for quality and future resale value.
Owner-builder rules: View rules
License lookup guide: Wyoming Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Wyoming Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Wyoming hub: Wyoming Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Big Horn County Land Planning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Big Horn County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?: Any construction or development project in unincorporated Big Horn County requires a Development Permit before work begins. The permit is an administrative requirement to document construction activity.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?: The minimum permit fee is $30.00 (Development Permit). Fees are calculated as: Development Permit Application fee: $30.00. If the project is also in the floodplain, the $30 development fee is credited toward the floodplain permit fee.. Plan check fee: No plan review fee (no building code, so no plan review is performed).
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?: 1. Determine whether your property is in unincorporated Big Horn County or within a municipality. If in a municipality, contact that town's clerk or permit office. For Shell or Hyattville, proceed with the county process. 2. Check the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or contact the Land Planning Department to determine whether any portion of the project site falls within the 100-year floodplain (Special Flood Hazard Area). If yes, a Floodplain Development Permit is required in addition to (or instead of) the standard Development Permit. 3. Download and complete the applicable form(s): Standard project (Development Permit Application), Floodplain project (Floodplain Development Permit Application), or Septic system (Septic Permit Application Package). 4. Prepare a site plan or sketch showing property lines, proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and roads, and any relevant site features. 5. Submit the completed application and fee to the Land Planning Department in person or by mail. Call (307) 568-2424 to confirm current accepted payment methods. 6. Land Planning staff reviews the application and contacts the applicant if additional information is needed. Staff will identify whether any additional permits (floodplain, septic, address) are required. 7. Development Permit is issued. Post permit on site if required. 8. For floodplain projects: engineering and certification requirements apply during and after construction. 9. For septic systems: complete county inspection and obtain final septic approval.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?: Typical processing time is Not published. Contact (307) 568-2424 for current turnaround..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?: The following work is generally exempt: No formal exemption list published (because no building code is enforced, the concept of 'exempt' work differs from jurisdictions with building codes).; Floodplain exemption: No exemption from floodplain permit rules; if the project site intersects the Special Flood Hazard Area, the floodplain permit is mandatory.. Note: Small accessory structures and agricultural buildings are not called out as requiring separate permits in county materials, but a Development Permit is still required for any construction or development activity. Confirm with Land Planning whether small sheds, agricultural outbuildings, or minor grading require a development permit.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY?: Inspections can be scheduled via: , , .

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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