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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Big Horn County
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.
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.
- Exempt No formal exemption list published (because no building code is enforced, the concept of 'exempt' work differs from jurisdictions with building codes).
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- Permit validity
- Not published. Contact Land Planning at (307) 568-2424.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not published. Contact (307) 568-2424 for current turnaround.
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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).
- 04 Prepare a site plan or sketch showing property lines, proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and roads, and any relevant site features.
- 05 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.
- 06 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.
- 07 Development Permit is issued. Post permit on site if required.
- 08 For floodplain projects: engineering and certification requirements apply during and after construction.
- 09 For septic systems: complete county inspection and obtain final septic approval.
Typical processing time: Not published. Contact (307) 568-2424 for current turnaround.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Big Horn County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$30.00 (Development Permit)
02
Plan check fee
No plan review fee (no building code, so no plan review is performed)
03
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.
04
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.
05
Reinspection fee
No reinspection fee for building (no building inspections in county)
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- For floodplain construction: Elevation Certificate required after construction; must be submitted to the county. Floodproofing Certificate required for non-residential buildings using dry-floodproofing methods. No-Rise Certification required for projects in a designated floodway. (phone)
- For septic systems: County inspects septic system installation under delegated Wyoming DEQ authority. Contact Land Planning at (307) 568-2424 to schedule. (phone)
- For electrical inspections: Performed by Wyoming DFPES (state), not by the county. (phone)
Typical 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Big Horn County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY typically run Not published. Contact (307) 568-2424 for current turnaround.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Big Horn County, WY via: For floodplain construction: Elevation Certificate required after construction; must be submitted to the county. Floodproofing Certificate required for non-residential buildings using dry-floodproofing methods. No-Rise Certification required for projects in a designated floodway., For septic systems: County inspects septic system installation under delegated Wyoming DEQ authority. Contact Land Planning at (307) 568-2424 to schedule., For electrical inspections: Performed by Wyoming DFPES (state), not by the county..
last verified April 2026
source Big Horn County Land Planning Department ↗
entry id permits/wyoming/big-horn/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Big Horn County Land Planning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.