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

Covers all unincorporated areas of Sheridan County. Does not apply within the incorporated city/town limits of Sheridan, Ranchester, Dayton, or Clearmont, each of which maintains its own permit authority. The unincorporated communities of Big Horn and Story fall under county jurisdiction for building permits.

Department
Sheridan County Public Works Department -- Planning and Zoning Division
Address
Sheridan County Courthouse, 224 S. Main St., 4th Floor, Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone
(307) 675-2420 or (307) 674-2920
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

  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 Note: If any preprinted text on the form is modified, deleted, or added to, the form is no longer valid for submission.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.

Typical processing time: Not published; contact office at (307) 675-2420

Source: Sheridan County Public Works Department -- Planning and Zoning Division

General Requirements

A Building and/or Zoning Permit is required prior to construction, reconstruction, alteration, or change of use of any structure or lot within unincorporated Sheridan County. 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)
  • Flood plain development permit application (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. Also adopted: the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings; NFPA 2022 National Electrical Code; ICC Building Valuation Data (current edition). The 2015 IECC (Energy Conservation Code) was deleted and not replaced.
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. City of Sheridan has its own contractor licensing program but that applies within city limits only.

Fees

Permit fee formula
Not confirmed; fees set by the separate Land Use Fee Schedule, not embedded in the permit application forms. Formula type (valuation-based vs. flat fee by project type) not confirmed.
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 structures and uses (eligible parcels only; requires Agricultural Covenant or Large Acreage Exemption)
  • Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements)

Important: Agricultural/Large-Lot exemptions are available in-office only (not downloadable). Contact Public Works to determine eligibility. Ranching heritage means a significant number of parcels may qualify for agricultural classifications that reduce or eliminate permit requirements for certain farm, ranch, or outbuilding structures.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • ()
  • ()
Scheduling deadline
Not specified in public sources; contact office for required lead time for inspection scheduling
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 -- confirm with Public Works at permit issuance.

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

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 before applying.

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 within unincorporated Sheridan County. 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. Formula type (valuation-based vs. flat fee by project type) not confirmed..
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.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?
The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures and uses (eligible parcels only; requires Agricultural Covenant or Large Acreage Exemption); Family land transfers (Family Exemption available; does not automatically exempt from building permit requirements). Note: Agricultural/Large-Lot exemptions are available in-office only (not downloadable). Contact Public Works to determine eligibility. Ranching heritage means a significant number of parcels may qualify for agricultural classifications that reduce or eliminate permit requirements for certain farm, ranch, or outbuilding structures.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sheridan County, WY?
Inspections can be scheduled via: , . Not specified in public sources; contact office for required lead time for inspection scheduling.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Sheridan County (Unincorporated Area) 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.

Learn how Jaspector works
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.
← Back to Sheridan County permit guides