Sheridan County, WY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Story is a small, unincorporated community in southern Sheridan County, located approximately 15 miles south of Sheridan along Wyoming Highway 193 at an elevation of approximately 4,800 feet in the eastern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Story is NOT incorporated and has no independent building department. All permits for Story-area properties fall under Sheridan County Public Works jurisdiction. Story is an upscale second-home and retirement destination community with distinctive character as a quiet, forested mountain-adjacent village. Big Goose Creek runs through the Story area, providing a creek-side setting that is central to the community's appeal and a floodplain consideration for permitting.

Department

Sheridan County Public Works Department -- Planning and Zoning Division (county authority; Story 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

Application Process

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 Note: If any preprinted text on the form is modified, deleted, or added to, the form is no longer valid for submission.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. At Story's elevation (4,800 feet), obtain the county's Climatic/Geographic Design Criteria document from Public Works for the Story area specifically before submitting 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.

Typical processing time: Not published; contact office at (307) 675-2420. Story is approximately 15 miles from Sheridan courthouse. County inspectors travel from Sheridan. Confirm inspection lead times and availability with Public Works before scheduling construction phases, particularly during busy construction season (May-October).

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

General Requirements

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 or near Big Goose Creek.

Required Documents

• Completed Building and Zoning Permit application
• Site plan
• Construction drawings
• Property legal description
• Septic permit application (if applicable)
• Driveway permit (if applicable)
• Flood plain development permit application (if applicable)
• Climatic/Geographic Design Criteria documentation (required for Story's 4,800-foot elevation)

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. CRITICAL: Story's elevation-adjusted design criteria differ materially from Sheridan city baseline. Story ground snow load is significantly higher than the 30 lb/sq ft City of Sheridan reference value due to its 4,800-foot elevation and proximity to the Bighorn Mountains. Roof structural design must use locally applicable elevation-adjusted ground snow load. Failure to use the correct snow load is a common error on out-of-area contractors working in mountain-adjacent Wyoming communities.

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

• Second-home and seasonal residence exemptions -- NO exemption available. Standard county building and zoning permits required for all qualifying construction regardless of owner occupancy status.
• Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements)
• Large Acreage Exemptions for parcels meeting county size thresholds

Important: Story's market is heavily oriented toward second-home buyers and retirees relocating from higher-cost markets. New construction and significant renovation are common. No second-home or seasonal residence exemption from county permit requirements exists. Standard county building and zoning permits required for all qualifying construction. Guest houses and ADUs: County rules govern accessory dwelling units; confirm current county policy for ADUs or guest cabins on rural parcels with Public Works. In-law/caretaker quarters and guest cabins are common in the Story market; ensure proper permitting.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline

Story is approximately 15 miles from Sheridan courthouse. County inspectors travel from Sheridan. Confirm inspection lead times and availability with Public Works before scheduling construction phases, particularly during busy construction season (May-October).

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. Frost depth: Frost depth at Story's elevation is at least 42 inches and may be greater; confirm with county.

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. CRITICAL: Story's elevation-adjusted design criteria differ materially from Sheridan city baseline. Story ground snow load is significantly higher than the 30 lb/sq ft City of Sheridan reference value due to its 4,800-foot elevation and proximity to the Bighorn Mountains. Roof structural design must use locally applicable elevation-adjusted ground snow load. Failure to use the correct snow load is a common error on out-of-area contractors working in mountain-adjacent Wyoming communities.
• 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
• Wyoming DEQ (water quality / septic setbacks)
• License lookup guide: Wyoming Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wyoming Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wyoming hub: Wyoming Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Sheridan County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?

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 or near Big Goose Creek.

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. At Story's elevation (4,800 feet), obtain the county's Climatic/Geographic Design Criteria document from Public Works for the Story area specifically before submitting 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. Story is approximately 15 miles from Sheridan courthouse. County inspectors travel from Sheridan. Confirm inspection lead times and availability with Public Works before scheduling construction phases, particularly during busy construction season (May-October)..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Second-home and seasonal residence exemptions -- NO exemption available. Standard county building and zoning permits required for all qualifying construction regardless of owner occupancy status.; Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements); Large Acreage Exemptions for parcels meeting county size thresholds. Note: Story's market is heavily oriented toward second-home buyers and retirees relocating from higher-cost markets. New construction and significant renovation are common. No second-home or seasonal residence exemption from county permit requirements exists. Standard county building and zoning permits required for all qualifying construction. Guest houses and ADUs: County rules govern accessory dwelling units; confirm current county policy for ADUs or guest cabins on rural parcels with Public Works. In-law/caretaker quarters and guest cabins are common in the Story market; ensure proper permitting.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: . Story is approximately 15 miles from Sheridan courthouse. County inspectors travel from Sheridan. Confirm inspection lead times and availability with Public Works before scheduling construction phases, particularly during busy construction season (May-October)..