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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Hot Springs County
No comprehensive publicly available list of permit-required work has been identified for Hot Springs County unincorporated areas. Given the county's limited code infrastructure, many residential projects may not require a county-level building permit. However, the following categories likely require separate state or county permits regardless: (1) electrical work -- Wyoming State Electrical Code permit required statewide; (2) new on-site wastewater/septic systems -- state/county environmental permit required; (3) manufactured/mobile home installation -- state regulations apply; (4) commercial and multi-family construction -- Wyoming State Fire Marshal involvement required.
Agricultural structures: Wyoming law generally limits municipal authority over agricultural uses outside incorporated limits. Agricultural outbuildings and farm structures in unincorporated Hot Springs County are unlikely to require a county building permit given the county's minimal code infrastructure. Verify with the county.
- Exempt Agricultural structures: Wyoming law generally limits municipal authority over agricultural uses outside incorporated limits. Agricultural outbuildings and farm structures in unincorporated Hot Springs County are unlikely to require a county building permit given the county's minimal code infrastructure. Verify with the county.
Note: No comprehensive exempt work list has been published. All exemptions should be verified directly with Hot Springs County at (307) 864-3515.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan or plot plan showing property boundaries and proposed structure location
- Description of proposed work
- Building code
- No formal adoption of the International Building Code or International Residential Code for unincorporated Hot Springs County has been identified as of the research date. The Wyoming State Electrical Code (based on NFPA 70 National Electrical Code) applies statewide. The International Fire Code is administered by the Wyoming State Fire Marshal for applicable commercial and multi-family occupancies.
- Owner-builder
- Wyoming has no statewide general contractor licensing requirement. Property owners may generally act as their own general contractor. For electrical work, the Wyoming Division of Labor's Electrical Program regulates electrical contractors and journeyman electricians; homeowner exemptions may apply for work on an owner-occupied primary residence -- confirm with the Division of Labor at (307) 777-7261.
- Contractor requirements
- Wyoming does not require a statewide general contractor license. Hot Springs County has not been identified as having adopted a local contractor licensing ordinance. For electrical work, Wyoming requires licensed electrical contractors or licensed journeyman electricians under the Wyoming Electrical Code.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Contact the Hot Springs County Commissioners office at (307) 864-3515 to determine whether a building permit is required for your specific project type in the unincorporated county.
- 02 If a permit is required, request the applicable application form from the county office in person or by phone.
- 03 Complete the application and gather required supporting documents (site plan, project description, contractor information where applicable).
- 04 Submit the completed application and any required fees in person at the Hot Springs County Courthouse, 415 Arapahoe Street, Thermopolis, WY 82443.
- 05 For any electrical work, contact the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Division of Labor (Electrical Program) to obtain the required state electrical permit, regardless of county permit status. Phone: (307) 777-7261.
- 06 For septic/OWTS (on-site wastewater treatment systems), contact the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality or the county sanitarian, as a separate permit is typically required.
- 07 For commercial or multi-family projects, contact the Wyoming State Fire Marshal at (307) 777-7262 for fire safety requirements.
- 08 Upon permit issuance, post the permit on-site and schedule any required inspections as directed.
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Contact the Hot Springs County Commissioners office at (307) 864-3515 to determine whether county-level inspections are required and, if so, how to schedule them. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (verify current hours by phone as schedules may vary for a small county office)
Typical sequence: No formal published inspection sequence identified for unincorporated Hot Springs County. If a county permit is issued, required inspections will be specified at that time. Wyoming State Electrical inspections are conducted by the Division of Labor at (307) 777-7261. Septic/OWTS inspections are coordinated with the county sanitarian or Wyoming DEQ as applicable.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Hot Springs County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY? ▸
No comprehensive publicly available list of permit-required work has been identified for Hot Springs County unincorporated areas. Given the county's limited code infrastructure, many residential projects may not require a county-level building permit. However, the following categories likely require separate state or county permits regardless: (1) electrical work -- Wyoming State Electrical Code permit required statewide; (2) new on-site wastewater/septic systems -- state/county environmental permit required; (3) manufactured/mobile home installation -- state regulations apply; (4) commercial and multi-family construction -- Wyoming State Fire Marshal involvement required.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Hot Springs County Commissioners office at (307) 864-3515 to determine whether a building permit is required for your specific project type in the unincorporated county. 2. If a permit is required, request the applicable application form from the county office in person or by phone. 3. Complete the application and gather required supporting documents (site plan, project description, contractor information where applicable). 4. Submit the completed application and any required fees in person at the Hot Springs County Courthouse, 415 Arapahoe Street, Thermopolis, WY 82443. 5. For any electrical work, contact the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Division of Labor (Electrical Program) to obtain the required state electrical permit, regardless of county permit status. Phone: (307) 777-7261. 6. For septic/OWTS (on-site wastewater treatment systems), contact the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality or the county sanitarian, as a separate permit is typically required. 7. For commercial or multi-family projects, contact the Wyoming State Fire Marshal at (307) 777-7262 for fire safety requirements. 8. Upon permit issuance, post the permit on-site and schedule any required inspections as directed.
03 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures: Wyoming law generally limits municipal authority over agricultural uses outside incorporated limits. Agricultural outbuildings and farm structures in unincorporated Hot Springs County are unlikely to require a county building permit given the county's minimal code infrastructure. Verify with the county.. Note: No comprehensive exempt work list has been published. All exemptions should be verified directly with Hot Springs County at (307) 864-3515. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hot Springs County, WY via: Contact the Hot Springs County Commissioners office at (307) 864-3515 to determine whether county-level inspections are required and, if so, how to schedule them..
last verified April 2026
source Hot Springs County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/wyoming/hot-springs/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Hot Springs County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.