Cody, WY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers the incorporated city limits of Cody, Wyoming (population approximately 10,000). Cody is the county seat of Park County and the primary commercial, tourism, and services hub for the region. It is the principal eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park via the North Fork Highway (US-14/16/20, approximately 52 miles from Cody to Yellowstone's east entrance).

Department

City of Cody Building Department (within the Community Development Department)

Address

1338 Rumsey Avenue, Cody, WY 82414

Phone

(307) 527-7511

Email

cdept@cityofcody-wy.gov

Website

https://www.cityofcody-wy.gov/departments/community_development/building_department/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. For commercial, mixed-use, and larger residential projects, schedule a pre-application meeting with Community Development at (307) 527-7511 to identify zoning issues, special use requirements, and submittal requirements specific to your project. No fee for a pre-application meeting.
2. Confirm the parcel's zoning classification with the Community Development Planning Division. Cody's zoning designations include residential (R-1, R-2, R-3), commercial (C-1, C-2), industrial, and potentially mixed-use and historic overlay districts.
3. Download or pick up the building permit application from Community Development at 1338 Rumsey Avenue. Separate permit applications may be required for building, mechanical, plumbing, and fire suppression/alarm systems.
4. Compile all required submittal materials based on project type. For commercial projects, a full plan set stamped by a Wyoming-licensed PE or architect is required.
5. Confirm with the Building Department whether the City of Cody has adopted the IECC or a local energy efficiency standard. If required, energy compliance documentation must be submitted.
6. For commercial projects, hotels, multi-family residential, or structures requiring fire suppression systems, coordinate fire suppression plan review with the Cody Fire Department and/or the Wyoming State Fire Marshal concurrently with building permit review.
7. Deliver the complete application package and fees to the Building Department at 1338 Rumsey Avenue. Fees are due at time of submittal.
8. Building Department staff review for compliance with adopted building codes, zoning regulations, and all applicable local ordinances. For commercial projects, review may include coordination with the Planning Division, Fire Department, Public Works, and the Wyoming State Fire Marshal.
9. Upon approval, the building permit is issued. The permit must be posted at the job site in a location visible from the street before any work begins.
10. Confirm that all contractors performing work hold any required City of Cody contractor registration. Electrical contractors must hold a Wyoming state electrical license.
11. Schedule required inspections at each required milestone. For electrical work, schedule state electrical inspections separately with the Wyoming regional electrical inspector.
12. After all final inspections pass for new commercial construction or major projects, the Building Department issues a Certificate of Occupancy. The building may not be occupied until the CO is issued.

Typical processing time: Not published on the city website. Simple residential permits may be processed in a few days; commercial projects may require two to four weeks or longer for full plan review. During peak construction season (spring through fall), turnaround times may be longer.

Source: City of Cody Building Department (within the Community Development Department)

General Requirements

Building permits are required for all new construction (residential and commercial), additions, structural alterations, demolition, accessory structures, and regulated mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression work within the City of Cody. Contact the Building Department at (307) 527-7511 to confirm whether a specific scope of work requires a permit.

Required Documents

• Completed Building Permit Application (required for all projects)
• Site plan/plot plan (to scale) showing lot lines, existing structures, proposed structure footprint, setback dimensions from all property lines, utility connections, driveway, and accessory structures
• Residential new construction: Foundation plan with footing and wall dimensions, reinforcing, and bearing information; Floor plan with room labels and dimensions; Exterior elevations (all four sides); Framing plan/roof framing plan; Wall bracing plan per IRC Section R602.10; Soils report or engineered foundation plan if expansive, wet, or problematic soils are suspected; Energy compliance documentation if required
• Residential addition: Building Permit Application, site plan, construction drawings appropriate to scope (foundation, framing, elevations)
• Residential remodel (interior): Building Permit Application, basic scope description, plans as needed for scope of work
• Accessory structure (garage, shed, outbuilding): Building Permit Application, site plan, basic construction drawing if structure is larger than a minor accessory structure
• Commercial new construction: Full construction document set stamped by a Wyoming-licensed PE and/or architect, site plan, energy compliance documentation, fire suppression/alarm plans, ADA accessibility documentation, grading and drainage plan

Building code

The City of Cody does not publish its adopted code edition list on the city website. The most likely current adoption is either the 2018 or 2021 ICC suite, but direct verification with the Building Department is required. This matters because the 2021 IRC and IBC contain updated requirements for energy efficiency, fire sprinklers in townhouses, and other items not present in the 2018 editions.

Fees

Payment note

Fees are due at time of permit application submission.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached one-story accessory structures 200 sq ft or less with no plumbing or electrical
• Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height (a zoning review may still be required)
• Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (not supporting a surcharge)
• Sidewalks and driveways not elevated above grade
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 less than 24 inches deep
• Window awnings supported by exterior walls
• Ordinary maintenance and repair

Important: Even for exempt structures, zoning setbacks and lot coverage requirements still apply. Confirm exemption status for your specific project with the Cody Building Department at (307) 527-7511. These exemptions apply under the IRC; confirm with the city what applies.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed legal holidays)

Typical inspection sequence: Residential new construction: Footing inspection (prior to placing concrete in forms), Foundation wall inspection (prior to backfilling cast-in-place or masonry foundation walls), Under-slab inspection (for slab-on-grade construction), Rough framing inspection (after all wall framing, floor framing, and roof framing are complete and before insulation or drywall), Rough mechanical/plumbing inspection (before concealment), Insulation inspection (if required), Drywall inspection (if required), Final building inspection (after construction is substantially complete), Final electrical inspection (state inspector). Commercial new construction: Same sequence as residential, plus Fire suppression rough-in, Fire suppression hydrostatic test and final, Fire alarm system, ADA/accessibility inspection, Pre-occupancy fire inspection by Cody Fire Department, Certificate of Occupancy inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The City of Cody does not publish its adopted code edition list on the city website. The most likely current adoption is either the 2018 or 2021 ICC suite, but direct verification with the Building Department is required. This matters because the 2021 IRC and IBC contain updated requirements for energy efficiency, fire sprinklers in townhouses, and other items not present in the 2018 editions.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Labor Standards Division (Electrical Code)
• Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office
• License lookup guide: Wyoming Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wyoming Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wyoming hub: Wyoming Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Cody Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Cody, WY?

Building permits are required for all new construction (residential and commercial), additions, structural alterations, demolition, accessory structures, and regulated mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression work within the City of Cody. Contact the Building Department at (307) 527-7511 to confirm whether a specific scope of work requires a permit.

How do I apply for a building permit in Cody, WY?

1. For commercial, mixed-use, and larger residential projects, schedule a pre-application meeting with Community Development at (307) 527-7511 to identify zoning issues, special use requirements, and submittal requirements specific to your project. No fee for a pre-application meeting. 2. Confirm the parcel's zoning classification with the Community Development Planning Division. Cody's zoning designations include residential (R-1, R-2, R-3), commercial (C-1, C-2), industrial, and potentially mixed-use and historic overlay districts. 3. Download or pick up the building permit application from Community Development at 1338 Rumsey Avenue. Separate permit applications may be required for building, mechanical, plumbing, and fire suppression/alarm systems. 4. Compile all required submittal materials based on project type. For commercial projects, a full plan set stamped by a Wyoming-licensed PE or architect is required. 5. Confirm with the Building Department whether the City of Cody has adopted the IECC or a local energy efficiency standard. If required, energy compliance documentation must be submitted. 6. For commercial projects, hotels, multi-family residential, or structures requiring fire suppression systems, coordinate fire suppression plan review with the Cody Fire Department and/or the Wyoming State Fire Marshal concurrently with building permit review. 7. Deliver the complete application package and fees to the Building Department at 1338 Rumsey Avenue. Fees are due at time of submittal. 8. Building Department staff review for compliance with adopted building codes, zoning regulations, and all applicable local ordinances. For commercial projects, review may include coordination with the Planning Division, Fire Department, Public Works, and the Wyoming State Fire Marshal. 9. Upon approval, the building permit is issued. The permit must be posted at the job site in a location visible from the street before any work begins. 10. Confirm that all contractors performing work hold any required City of Cody contractor registration. Electrical contractors must hold a Wyoming state electrical license. 11. Schedule required inspections at each required milestone. For electrical work, schedule state electrical inspections separately with the Wyoming regional electrical inspector. 12. After all final inspections pass for new commercial construction or major projects, the Building Department issues a Certificate of Occupancy. The building may not be occupied until the CO is issued.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Cody, WY?

Typical processing time is Not published on the city website. Simple residential permits may be processed in a few days; commercial projects may require two to four weeks or longer for full plan review. During peak construction season (spring through fall), turnaround times may be longer..

What work is exempt from building permits in Cody, WY?

The following work is generally exempt: Detached one-story accessory structures 200 sq ft or less with no plumbing or electrical; Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height (a zoning review may still be required); Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (not supporting a surcharge); Sidewalks and driveways not elevated above grade; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 less than 24 inches deep; Window awnings supported by exterior walls; Ordinary maintenance and repair. Note: Even for exempt structures, zoning setbacks and lot coverage requirements still apply. Confirm exemption status for your specific project with the Cody Building Department at (307) 527-7511. These exemptions apply under the IRC; confirm with the city what applies.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Cody, WY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: .

Other cities in Park County