Unincorporated Sheridan County

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.

• 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.
• Exempt Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements)
• Exempt 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.

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.

Permit validity

Not published publicly; contact office for current rules

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.

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

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   Staff review application for zoning compliance, code conformance, and septic/floodplain requirements.
7. 07
   Permit issued; post permit on job site.
8. 08
   Schedule and pass required inspections during construction.
9. 09
   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) ↗

In-person payment at courthouse, 4th Floor; no online payment portal confirmed for county permits

• Contact Public Works Department at (307) 675-2420 or publicworks@sheridancountywy.gov during business hours (M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) (email)

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 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.

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