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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Goshen County
Goshen County's public-facing information on building permit requirements for unincorporated areas is limited. Standard Wyoming practice for agricultural counties of this size is that county-level permits may be required for new residential dwellings, commercial buildings, and manufactured home placements, but agricultural structures (barns, equipment storage) may be broadly exempt. Contact Planning and Zoning at (307) 532-2100 to confirm whether a permit is required for your specific project and location before beginning work.
Agricultural structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes (crop storage, livestock housing, equipment storage) are generally not subject to building permits in rural Wyoming counties
- Exempt Agricultural structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes (crop storage, livestock housing, equipment storage) are generally not subject to building permits in rural Wyoming counties
Note: Agricultural exemptions apply to structures used solely for agricultural purposes on active agricultural land. Residential structures on agricultural land (farmhouse, guest house, rental unit) are not exempt. Confirm scope with county staff.
Required documents
- Site/plot plan
- Completed application form
- Building code
- Goshen County has not been confirmed to have adopted the International Residential Code (IRC) or International Building Code (IBC) for unincorporated areas as of early 2026. Wyoming statewide law requires local jurisdictions to adopt current codes within 6 months of statewide adoption, but enforcement and adoption by county government (as opposed to incorporated municipalities) varies. Contact Planning and Zoning to confirm current code adoption status.
- Owner-builder
- Wyoming has no statewide owner-builder licensing restriction for general construction. Owners may typically pull their own permits. Confirm with county.
- Contractor requirements
- Wyoming has no statewide general contractor license. There is no indication Goshen County maintains a separate local contractor licensing program for unincorporated areas. Electrical work requires a WSFM wiring permit and a state-licensed electrical contractor.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Contact Goshen County Planning and Zoning at (307) 532-2100 to determine whether your project requires a county-level permit or zoning approval.
- 02 Confirm whether a building permit is required in your specific unincorporated location; requirements may be minimal or nonexistent in some rural unincorporated areas of the county.
- 03 If a permit is required, obtain the applicable application form from the Planning and Zoning office at 2125 E A Street, Torrington.
- 04 Prepare required documents: site/plot plan showing property lines, structure footprint, and setbacks from property lines and any roads; any construction drawings required by staff.
- 05 Submit completed application and documents in person or by mail to Planning and Zoning.
- 06 Pay any applicable fees at time of submission.
- 07 Await review and determination. Processing times are not publicly posted; contact the office for current turnaround.
- 08 If approved, permit or zoning clearance is issued.
- 09 Post any permit on-site before beginning work.
- 10 For electrical work anywhere in unincorporated Goshen County, obtain a Wyoming State Fire Marshal (WSFM) wiring permit separately -- this is required regardless of any county building permit requirement.
- 11 Schedule any required inspections as directed by county staff.
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Contact Goshen County Planning and Zoning at (307) 532-2100 to determine whether county inspections are required and how to schedule them (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Goshen County offices are generally open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: If county inspections are required, a typical sequence for residential construction would include: footing/foundation, framing, rough mechanical, insulation, and final inspection. Confirm with county staff.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Goshen County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Goshen County, WY? ▸
Goshen County's public-facing information on building permit requirements for unincorporated areas is limited. Standard Wyoming practice for agricultural counties of this size is that county-level permits may be required for new residential dwellings, commercial buildings, and manufactured home placements, but agricultural structures (barns, equipment storage) may be broadly exempt. Contact Planning and Zoning at (307) 532-2100 to confirm whether a permit is required for your specific project and location before beginning work.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Goshen County, WY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Goshen County, WY, follow these steps: 1. Contact Goshen County Planning and Zoning at (307) 532-2100 to determine whether your project requires a county-level permit or zoning approval. 2. Confirm whether a building permit is required in your specific unincorporated location; requirements may be minimal or nonexistent in some rural unincorporated areas of the county. 3. If a permit is required, obtain the applicable application form from the Planning and Zoning office at 2125 E A Street, Torrington. 4. Prepare required documents: site/plot plan showing property lines, structure footprint, and setbacks from property lines and any roads; any construction drawings required by staff. 5. Submit completed application and documents in person or by mail to Planning and Zoning. 6. Pay any applicable fees at time of submission. 7. Await review and determination. Processing times are not publicly posted; contact the office for current turnaround. 8. If approved, permit or zoning clearance is issued. 9. Post any permit on-site before beginning work. 10. For electrical work anywhere in unincorporated Goshen County, obtain a Wyoming State Fire Marshal (WSFM) wiring permit separately -- this is required regardless of any county building permit requirement. 11. Schedule any required inspections as directed by county staff.
03 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Goshen County, WY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Goshen County, WY. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes (crop storage, livestock housing, equipment storage) are generally not subject to building permits in rural Wyoming counties. Note: Agricultural exemptions apply to structures used solely for agricultural purposes on active agricultural land. Residential structures on agricultural land (farmhouse, guest house, rental unit) are not exempt. Confirm scope with county staff. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Goshen County, WY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Goshen County, WY via: Contact Goshen County Planning and Zoning at (307) 532-2100 to determine whether county inspections are required and how to schedule them.
last verified April 2026
source Goshen County Planning and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/wyoming/goshen/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Goshen County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.