Unincorporated Sublette County

A building permit is required for all new construction of structures in unincorporated Sublette County, including residential dwellings (single-family, multi-family), additions and accessory structures, garages, barns, shops, industrial and commercial buildings, manufactured home placements, and energy sector structures on private and state lease lands. Significant remodels, structural alterations, and changes of occupancy also typically require a permit.

• Exempt Minor repairs, painting, flooring, cabinet and countertop work, and similar finish work
• Exempt Agricultural structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes on agriculturally zoned parcels (confirm with county)
• Exempt Very small detached accessory structures (commonly under 200 sq ft, confirm threshold with county)

Note: The agricultural exemption for building permits is widely applicable in rural Wyoming, but the exact parameters (eligible structure types, size limits, required agricultural use documentation) are set by local ordinance and may be narrower or broader than a client assumes. Do not advise clients that agricultural structures are categorically exempt without confirming current county policy.

Building code

Wyoming provides local governments with discretion to adopt building codes; the county's adopted standards govern unincorporated area construction. The International Residential Code (IRC) and/or International Building Code (IBC) may be referenced or partially adopted by county ordinance, with local amendments. Confirm the current edition with the Planning and Zoning office at (307) 367-4375.

Permit validity

Permits are typically valid for 12 to 24 months from the date of issuance. Construction must commence within a specified period (commonly 180 days) of permit issuance. If construction does not commence or is suspended for an extended period, the permit may expire and a renewal or new application may be required.

Owner-builder

Property owners may act as their own general contractor for construction on their own property in Wyoming. Owner-builder declarations or affidavits may be required; confirm with the Planning and Zoning office.

Contractor requirements

Wyoming has no state general contractor licensing requirement. Electrical work must comply with the Wyoming State Electrical Code and be performed by or under the supervision of a Wyoming-licensed electrician. Plumbing and mechanical contractor licensing requirements are not mandated at the state level for residential work; confirm any local requirements with the county.

Source: Sublette County Planning and Zoning Department ↗

1. 01
   Confirm the parcel is located in unincorporated Sublette County -- not within the incorporated limits of Pinedale, Marbleton, or Big Piney -- and not within a federal or state land boundary where county authority does not apply. Use the Sublette County GIS mapping tool to confirm parcel ownership and jurisdiction.

2. 02
   Use the Sublette County GIS mapping tool or contact the Planning and Zoning office to identify the applicable zoning district. The Sublette County Land Development Regulations establish zoning districts that include agricultural, residential, commercial, light industrial, heavy industrial/energy, and special overlay zones applicable to the natural gas production areas.

3. 03
   Download or review the Sublette County Land Development Regulations from the county website. Confirm that the proposed use and structure type are either a permitted use (by-right) or a conditional use in the applicable zone. Energy and industrial uses commonly require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or Special Use Permit (SUP) subject to Planning Commission and/or Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) review.

4. 04
   For projects requiring discretionary approval (CUP, SUP, variance), submit the required application, fee, and supporting documents well in advance of the desired construction start. Planning Commission meetings are typically held monthly; confirm the current meeting schedule and notice deadlines with the office.

5. 05
   Download the Building Permit Application from the county website or pick it up at the Planning and Zoning office.

6. 06
   Prepare a legible site plan (to scale preferred) showing parcel boundaries and dimensions, proposed structure location(s), setback distances from all property lines and road rights-of-way, driveway and access locations, utility easements, well and septic locations (if applicable), watercourses and drainages, and any existing structures. A Location Certificate from a licensed Wyoming Professional Land Surveyor may be required to verify setback compliance.

7. 07
   Submit two full sets of construction drawings (or one hard copy plus an electronic set, as required by the office) showing: foundation design (type, dimensions, reinforcement, depth below frost line); framing and structural plans (rafters, beams, columns, wall framing); roof framing and design for snow load; insulation and vapor barrier details; and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in layouts as applicable. For projects at Pinedale-area elevations (approximately 7,000 to 7,500 feet in valley areas; higher in surrounding terrain), the design ground snow load commonly ranges from 50 to 100+ psf depending on specific location and elevation. Frost depth is typically 48 to 60 inches in valley bottoms but can be greater at higher elevations.

8. 08
   Deliver the completed Building Permit Application, site plan, construction documents, and required fee to the Planning and Zoning office in person, or mail to P.O. Box 250, Pinedale, WY 82941. For complex commercial or industrial projects, in-person submission is strongly recommended to allow staff to identify issues before formal review begins.

9. 09
   Planning and Zoning staff conduct a zoning compliance review. Because Wyoming has not adopted a statewide residential building code for unincorporated county areas, the county's construction document review is based on the county's own adopted rules and any IBC/IRC edition the county has incorporated by ordinance. Confirm the current adopted code edition by calling (307) 367-4375.

10. 10
    Upon approval of the application and payment of the permit fee, the permit is issued. Post the permit card on-site in a visible location accessible to inspectors. Retain a copy of the approved plans on-site for inspector review during all inspections.

11. 11
    Schedule required inspections at key construction milestones (see Inspections section below). Do not cover work before the required inspection is completed and approved.

12. 12
    Upon completion of the project, contact the Planning and Zoning office to schedule a final inspection. Obtain sign-off or a Certificate of Completion/Occupancy as applicable before occupying the structure.

Typical processing time: Simple residential permit applications in unincorporated areas may be reviewed within one to three weeks. Projects requiring Planning Commission or BOCC review (CUP, SUP, subdivision) are subject to the applicable meeting schedule and public notice requirements and may take six to twelve weeks or longer from application to approval. Contact the office for current review timelines.

Source: Sublette County Planning and Zoning Department ↗

• Contact the Sublette County Planning and Zoning Department at (307) 367-4375 to schedule all required inspections (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Advance notice of at least 24 to 48 hours is standard in Wyoming rural jurisdictions; confirm minimum notice requirements with the office.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Time; closed on Wyoming state holidays

Time windows

In rural Wyoming counties with small planning and zoning departments, inspector availability may be limited. During the summer construction season and during periods of high oilfield construction activity in the Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline areas, inspection wait times may increase. Coordinate inspection scheduling early in the construction timeline and do not assume next-day availability.

Typical sequence: Standard residential construction typically requires: pre-construction/setout (optional), footing, foundation, underground utilities, framing, rough electrical (Wyoming state program), rough plumbing/mechanical, insulation, and final inspections. Commercial and industrial projects may require additional inspections for fire systems, alarms, and energy sector facilities.

Source: Sublette County Planning and Zoning Department ↗