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

Fees are calculated as: Not confirmed; fees set by the separate Land Use Fee Schedule, not embedded in the permit application forms..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural and equestrian facility structures (pole barns, hay storage, stables, indoor arenas, corrals, equipment buildings) -- may qualify for agricultural exemptions under Sheridan County Agricultural Covenant rules; Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements); Large Acreage Exemptions for parcels meeting county size thresholds. Note: Agricultural/Large-Lot exemptions are available in-office only (not downloadable). Contact Public Works to determine eligibility. Given Big Horn's identity as the polo capital, the equestrian economy is central to the area; many parcels have active agricultural operations and may have significant exemption eligibility. Confirm which specific structures require permits and which qualify for agricultural covenant exemptions.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: . Big Horn is approximately 10-12 miles from Sheridan. County inspectors travel from Sheridan courthouse to inspect. Inspection scheduling may require advance notice; confirm lead time requirements with Public Works before scheduling construction phases..

County Building Permits

Sheridan County, WY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Wyoming Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Big Horn is an unincorporated community in Sheridan County, located approximately 10-12 miles south of Sheridan at the base of the Bighorn Mountains foothills, elevation approximately 4,000 feet. Big Horn is NOT incorporated and has no independent building department. All permits for properties in and around Big Horn fall under Sheridan County Public Works jurisdiction. Big Horn is an upscale rural community with equestrian properties, large-lot estates, the historic Bradford Brinton Memorial, and the historic polo grounds of the Big Horn Polo Club -- one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States, and the centerpiece of Sheridan's identity as the polo capital of the West. Development in the Big Horn area -- including the active Powder Horn Ranch PUD -- has been among the fastest-growing in Sheridan County.

Department: Sheridan County Public Works Department -- Planning and Zoning Division (county authority; Big Horn is unincorporated)
Address: Sheridan County Courthouse, 224 S. Main St., 4th Floor, Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: (307) 675-2420 or (307) 674-2920
Email: publicworks@sheridancountywy.gov
Website: https://www.sheridancountywy.gov/departments/planning/building_in_the_county/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Open County Building and Permit Information

Platform: No dedicated online permit portal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Contact the Public Works Department at (307) 675-2420 or publicworks@sheridancountywy.gov before submitting any application. Staff confirm the correct permit type for your situation and whether any exemptions apply.
Determine whether a Zoning Permit, Building Permit, or both are required. Some projects require both; some uses are exempt from the zoning permit. A Flood Plain Development Permit is also required for any activity in a designated county floodplain area.
Download the appropriate permit application form(s) from the county Document Center. Note: If any preprinted text on the form is modified, deleted, or added to, the form is no longer valid for submission.
Prepare required supporting documents: site plan, construction drawings, property legal description, and any applicable covenant, septic, or driveway permit applications.
Submit completed application(s) in person at the courthouse, 4th Floor, during business hours (M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Staff review application for zoning compliance, code conformance, and septic/floodplain requirements.
Permit issued; post permit on job site.
Schedule and pass required inspections during construction.
Final inspection sign-off.

Typical processing time: Not published; contact office at (307) 675-2420. Note on Powder Horn Ranch PUD: The Powder Horn Ranch planned unit development (PUD) north of Big Horn has its own PUD-specific conditions of approval beyond standard county building and zoning requirements. Prior to any new construction or renovation within Powder Horn Ranch, confirm PUD-specific requirements (architectural standards, landscape standards, HOA requirements) with Sheridan County Public Works and review the recorded PUD approval documents.

Source: Sheridan County Public Works Department -- Planning and Zoning Division (county authority; Big Horn is unincorporated)

General Requirements

Properties in Big Horn are typically large-lot rural residential (5-40+ acres) or equestrian estates. A Building and/or Zoning Permit is required prior to construction, reconstruction, alteration, or change of use of any structure or lot. Additional specific permits required: Driveway Permit for any new or changed driveway accessing a County road; Septic Permit for new or replacement septic systems (including partial replacements); Flood Plain Development Permit for any activity within a FEMA-designated county floodplain area.

Required Documents

Completed Building and Zoning Permit application
Site plan
Construction drawings
Property legal description
Septic permit application (if applicable)
Driveway permit (if applicable)

Permit validity: Not published publicly; contact office for current rules
Building code: Sheridan County adopted the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), and International Fire Code (IFC), as amended by county rules. The 2015 IECC (Energy Conservation Code) was deleted and not replaced. Note: no energy code (IECC) is in effect for unincorporated county construction as of March 2026.
Owner-builder: Not specified in publicly available sources; contact Public Works Department
Contractor requirements: No county-level contractor licensing requirement identified in public sources. Wyoming has no statewide general contractor license requirement. Wyoming State Fire Marshal licensing applies to electrical contractors statewide.

Fees

Permit fee formula: Not confirmed; fees set by the separate Land Use Fee Schedule, not embedded in the permit application forms.
Penalty (no permit): Additional inspection fee is assessed if construction begins before a permit is obtained. Specific dollar amount not confirmed from public sources.
Payment note: In-person payment at courthouse, 4th Floor; no online payment portal confirmed for county permits

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Agricultural and equestrian facility structures (pole barns, hay storage, stables, indoor arenas, corrals, equipment buildings) -- may qualify for agricultural exemptions under Sheridan County Agricultural Covenant rules
Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements)
Large Acreage Exemptions for parcels meeting county size thresholds

Important: Agricultural/Large-Lot exemptions are available in-office only (not downloadable). Contact Public Works to determine eligibility. Given Big Horn's identity as the polo capital, the equestrian economy is central to the area; many parcels have active agricultural operations and may have significant exemption eligibility. Confirm which specific structures require permits and which qualify for agricultural covenant exemptions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline: Big Horn is approximately 10-12 miles from Sheridan. County inspectors travel from Sheridan courthouse to inspect. Inspection scheduling may require advance notice; confirm lead time requirements with Public Works before scheduling construction phases.
Inspection hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Time windows: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection sequence for residential new construction: Footing/foundation inspection (before concrete pour); rough framing inspection (before sheathing/insulation); mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in inspection (coordinated with framing inspection or separate); insulation inspection (before drywall); final inspection (after all work complete). Actual required inspections depend on project scope and county code requirements.

Wyoming statewide electrical wiring permit holders may receive a state electrical inspection separate from county building inspections. Coordinate timing of state and county inspections to avoid construction delays.

Additional Resources

Building code: Sheridan County adopted the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), and International Fire Code (IFC), as amended by county rules. The 2015 IECC (Energy Conservation Code) was deleted and not replaced. Note: no energy code (IECC) is in effect for unincorporated county construction as of March 2026.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Building in the County (main page)
Required Permits overview
County Public Works building page
County Planning and Zoning Division
Building & Zoning Permit form (May 2023)
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Wyoming State Engineer's Office (water rights/wells)
Wyoming State Fire Marshal
Wyoming State Forestry Division (fire restrictions)
USFS Bighorn National Forest
Bradford Brinton Memorial (historic property information)
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 Sheridan County Public Works Department -- Planning and Zoning Division (county authority; Big Horn is unincorporated) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sheridan County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?: Properties in Big Horn are typically large-lot rural residential (5-40+ acres) or equestrian estates. A Building and/or Zoning Permit is required prior to construction, reconstruction, alteration, or change of use of any structure or lot. Additional specific permits required: Driveway Permit for any new or changed driveway accessing a County road; Septic Permit for new or replacement septic systems (including partial replacements); Flood Plain Development Permit for any activity within a FEMA-designated county floodplain area.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?: Fees are calculated as: Not confirmed; fees set by the separate Land Use Fee Schedule, not embedded in the permit application forms..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?: 1. Contact the Public Works Department at (307) 675-2420 or publicworks@sheridancountywy.gov before submitting any application. Staff confirm the correct permit type for your situation and whether any exemptions apply. 2. Determine whether a Zoning Permit, Building Permit, or both are required. Some projects require both; some uses are exempt from the zoning permit. A Flood Plain Development Permit is also required for any activity in a designated county floodplain area. 3. Download the appropriate permit application form(s) from the county Document Center. Note: If any preprinted text on the form is modified, deleted, or added to, the form is no longer valid for submission. 4. Prepare required supporting documents: site plan, construction drawings, property legal description, and any applicable covenant, septic, or driveway permit applications. 5. Submit completed application(s) in person at the courthouse, 4th Floor, during business hours (M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). 6. Staff review application for zoning compliance, code conformance, and septic/floodplain requirements. 7. Permit issued; post permit on job site. 8. Schedule and pass required inspections during construction. 9. Final inspection sign-off.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?: Typical processing time is Not published; contact office at (307) 675-2420. Note on Powder Horn Ranch PUD: The Powder Horn Ranch planned unit development (PUD) north of Big Horn has its own PUD-specific conditions of approval beyond standard county building and zoning requirements. Prior to any new construction or renovation within Powder Horn Ranch, confirm PUD-specific requirements (architectural standards, landscape standards, HOA requirements) with Sheridan County Public Works and review the recorded PUD approval documents..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?: The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural and equestrian facility structures (pole barns, hay storage, stables, indoor arenas, corrals, equipment buildings) -- may qualify for agricultural exemptions under Sheridan County Agricultural Covenant rules; Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements); Large Acreage Exemptions for parcels meeting county size thresholds. Note: Agricultural/Large-Lot exemptions are available in-office only (not downloadable). Contact Public Works to determine eligibility. Given Big Horn's identity as the polo capital, the equestrian economy is central to the area; many parcels have active agricultural operations and may have significant exemption eligibility. Confirm which specific structures require permits and which qualify for agricultural covenant exemptions.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?: Inspections can be scheduled via: . Big Horn is approximately 10-12 miles from Sheridan. County inspectors travel from Sheridan courthouse to inspect. Inspection scheduling may require advance notice; confirm lead time requirements with Public Works before scheduling construction phases..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Big Horn (Unincorporated Community) can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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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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