Teton County, WY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Teton County outside the corporate limits of the Town of Jackson, including unincorporated communities of Wilson, Moose, Kelly, Moran, and the commercial/residential areas of Teton Village. Federal lands (Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, National Elk Refuge) are not subject to county permitting.

Department

Teton County Planning and Building Department

Address

200 S. Willow Street, Jackson, WY 83001

Phone

307-733-3959

Email

building@tetoncountywy.gov

Website

https://www.tetoncountywy.gov/112/Planning-Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property's zoning designation, overlay districts, and land use classification using the county GIS map or by calling the Planning counter at 307-733-3959. Determine whether the property is in a floodplain (FEMA FIRM), wildlife corridor overlay, scenic corridor overlay, or hillside overlay.
2. For new construction, additions, commercial projects, or any project in a sensitive area, schedule and attend a pre-application meeting with Planning staff before preparing drawings or submitting an application.
3. Download the relevant application form and submittal checklist from the county website or from TRAKiT. Common project checklists include: New single-family residence, Additions and alterations, Accessory structures, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Commercial / mixed-use new construction, Demolition, Grading and site development.
4. Prepare required documents. At minimum for residential new construction: completed application form, site plan drawn to scale, construction drawings signed by a Wyoming-licensed design professional, geotechnical report if required, energy compliance documentation, floodplain development permit application if applicable, wildlife corridor mitigation plan if applicable.
5. Submit the complete application package through TRAKiT or in person at the permit counter. Pay the plan check fee at time of submittal.
6. Plans are routed internally to Building, Planning/Zoning, Engineering, Environmental Health, and Fire. Reviewers may issue comment letters requesting revisions or additional information. Applicant responds through TRAKiT.
7. Once all reviewers have approved the plans, permit fees are calculated and invoiced. Applicant pays remaining fees through TRAKiT or in person.
8. Building permit is issued. Post the permit on site before beginning any work.
9. Schedule required inspections through TRAKiT or by phone at 307-733-3959 as work progresses. Do not cover any work before the required inspection.
10. Complete all inspections. Upon passing the final inspection, the county issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The CO is required before a structure may be occupied.

Typical processing time: Plan review times are not published as fixed benchmarks and vary significantly by project complexity and workload. Simple accessory structures may be approved in 2-4 weeks; new single-family homes typically take 4-8+ weeks for first review; commercial projects can take considerably longer. Pre-application meetings help reduce review cycles.

Source: Teton County Planning and Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, structural repairs, demolitions, change of occupancy, and accessory structures in unincorporated Teton County. This includes: all new single-family and multi-family residential structures, all commercial/resort/mixed-use structures, additions to existing structures of any size, structural alterations, decks/porches/covered patios attached to structures, detached garages/guest houses/barns, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), grading that disturbs more than defined acreage thresholds or within regulated areas, fences in regulated zones or over specified heights, floodplain development, demolition of structures, re-roofing and structural roof work, and moving a structure onto a lot.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Legal description and assessor parcel number
• Site plan (to scale, 1:20 or larger) showing: property lines, setbacks, existing and proposed structures, easements, access, utilities, drainage
• Architectural drawings: floor plans, elevations, sections, details
• Structural drawings and calculations signed/stamped by a Wyoming PE or RA (required for new construction)
• Snow load design documentation (Teton County has ground snow loads of 100+ psf in many areas)
• Frost depth compliance documentation (frost depth in Teton County is 48 inches; all footings must bear below frost depth)
• Energy compliance documentation (e.g., REScheck or COMcheck)
• Floodplain development permit application if the parcel is in a FEMA mapped flood zone
• Wildlife corridor analysis or mitigation plan if property is in a designated wildlife corridor overlay
• Dark sky compliance documentation for exterior lighting
• Scenic corridor analysis if property fronts a designated scenic corridor road

Permit validity

Building permits in Teton County are valid for 12 months from date of issuance. Work must commence within 6 months of issuance. Permits may be renewed for cause prior to expiration.

Building code

2021 International Building Code (IBC) with local amendments, 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with local amendments, 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with local amendments, 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by Wyoming Division of Labor. Local amendments address Wyoming and Teton County-specific conditions including snow loads, frost depths, high-altitude construction (6,200 ft elevation base), and wildfire interface requirements.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder permits are available for owner-occupied single-family residences. The owner must sign an affidavit certifying that the home is for personal use and that the owner will act as general contractor. Owner-builders in Teton County are subject to the same inspection and code compliance requirements as permitted contractor work. Note: Wyoming does not require a general contractor license, so any owner or business may act as a GC; however, licensed trade contractors (electricians, plumbers) are required for trade work regardless.

Contractor requirements

No general contractor license is required in Wyoming. However, licensed trade contractors (electricians, plumbers, HVAC) must hold Wyoming state licenses. Teton County does not appear to have enacted a local GC registration requirement, but this should be confirmed at the permit counter.

Fees

Plan check fee

Typically 65-85% of the building permit fee, paid at submittal; non-refundable after plan review begins.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. The permit fee is calculated on the construction valuation, which is the greater of the owner's declared value or the county's valuation table (based on square footage and use type from the International Code Council building valuation data). Example ranges: $1-$25,000 valuation approximately $150-$300 base minimum; $25,001-$100,000 approximately $3-5 per $1,000 of valuation; $100,001-$500,000 approximately $2-4 per $1,000 of valuation; over $500,000 approximately $1.50-3 per $1,000 of valuation.

Reinspection fee

Typically $75-150 per reinspection when a required inspection fails or the work is not ready at the time of scheduled inspection.

Penalty (no permit)

After-the-fact (unpermitted work) permit: Typically assessed at 2x-3x normal permit fee plus any code compliance remediation costs.

Payment note

Online payment via TRAKiT portal (credit card); in-person payment at permit counter by check, cash, or credit card. Plan check fee is due at submittal. Remaining permit fees are due before permit issuance.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Minor repairs
• Painting
• Finish work not affecting structure or systems
• Replacement of like-for-like fixtures (non-structural)

Important: Teton County's standards are stringent. Always verify with the Building Department before proceeding without a permit. Do not rely on common 'no permit needed' assumptions from other jurisdictions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline

Inspections should be requested at least 24-48 hours in advance; 48 hours is strongly recommended during peak construction season (May through October).

Inspection hours

Building inspectors typically conduct inspections Monday - Friday during regular business hours. Confirm specific scheduling windows with the counter as inspector availability varies with workload.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection sequence for new single-family residential construction: 1) Footing inspection (before pouring concrete); 2) Foundation/stem wall inspection (after forming, before pour); 3) Underground utilities inspection (before backfilling); 4) Rough framing inspection (after all framing complete but before insulation/drywall); 5) Rough plumbing inspection (before closing walls); 6) Rough mechanical (HVAC) inspection (before closing walls/ceilings); 7) Rough electrical inspection (conducted by Wyoming Division of Labor Standards - SEPARATE from county inspections; 8) Insulation inspection (before drywall); 9) Exterior weather barrier/sheathing inspection (if required); 10) Drywall nailing/wallboard inspection (if required); 11) Pre-final inspection (punch list walkthrough); 12) Final building inspection (all work complete, mechanical systems operational); 13) Electrical final (separate by state inspector); 14) Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing all required inspections.

All required inspections must be completed and passed before work is covered. Covering work without inspection may result in a stop-work order and requirement to uncover work at the owner's expense. Teton County enforces code stringently; inspectors are familiar with high-end construction and will identify deficiencies. During peak summer-fall construction season, inspection backlogs can develop.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with local amendments, 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with local amendments, 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with local amendments, 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by Wyoming Division of Labor. Local amendments address Wyoming and Teton County-specific conditions including snow loads, frost depths, high-altitude construction (6,200 ft elevation base), and wildfire interface requirements.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Teton County Housing Authority
• Wyoming Division of Labor Standards - Electrical Program
• Wyoming State Fire Marshal
• Jackson Hole Land Trust
• License lookup guide: Wyoming Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wyoming Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wyoming hub: Wyoming Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Teton County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, structural repairs, demolitions, change of occupancy, and accessory structures in unincorporated Teton County. This includes: all new single-family and multi-family residential structures, all commercial/resort/mixed-use structures, additions to existing structures of any size, structural alterations, decks/porches/covered patios attached to structures, detached garages/guest houses/barns, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), grading that disturbs more than defined acreage thresholds or within regulated areas, fences in regulated zones or over specified heights, floodplain development, demolition of structures, re-roofing and structural roof work, and moving a structure onto a lot.

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

Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. The permit fee is calculated on the construction valuation, which is the greater of the owner's declared value or the county's valuation table (based on square footage and use type from the International Code Council building valuation data). Example ranges: $1-$25,000 valuation approximately $150-$300 base minimum; $25,001-$100,000 approximately $3-5 per $1,000 of valuation; $100,001-$500,000 approximately $2-4 per $1,000 of valuation; over $500,000 approximately $1.50-3 per $1,000 of valuation.. Plan check fee: Typically 65-85% of the building permit fee, paid at submittal; non-refundable after plan review begins..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Teton County, WY?

1. Confirm the property's zoning designation, overlay districts, and land use classification using the county GIS map or by calling the Planning counter at 307-733-3959. Determine whether the property is in a floodplain (FEMA FIRM), wildlife corridor overlay, scenic corridor overlay, or hillside overlay. 2. For new construction, additions, commercial projects, or any project in a sensitive area, schedule and attend a pre-application meeting with Planning staff before preparing drawings or submitting an application. 3. Download the relevant application form and submittal checklist from the county website or from TRAKiT. Common project checklists include: New single-family residence, Additions and alterations, Accessory structures, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Commercial / mixed-use new construction, Demolition, Grading and site development. 4. Prepare required documents. At minimum for residential new construction: completed application form, site plan drawn to scale, construction drawings signed by a Wyoming-licensed design professional, geotechnical report if required, energy compliance documentation, floodplain development permit application if applicable, wildlife corridor mitigation plan if applicable. 5. Submit the complete application package through TRAKiT or in person at the permit counter. Pay the plan check fee at time of submittal. 6. Plans are routed internally to Building, Planning/Zoning, Engineering, Environmental Health, and Fire. Reviewers may issue comment letters requesting revisions or additional information. Applicant responds through TRAKiT. 7. Once all reviewers have approved the plans, permit fees are calculated and invoiced. Applicant pays remaining fees through TRAKiT or in person. 8. Building permit is issued. Post the permit on site before beginning any work. 9. Schedule required inspections through TRAKiT or by phone at 307-733-3959 as work progresses. Do not cover any work before the required inspection. 10. Complete all inspections. Upon passing the final inspection, the county issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The CO is required before a structure may be occupied.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Teton County, WY?

Typical processing time is Plan review times are not published as fixed benchmarks and vary significantly by project complexity and workload. Simple accessory structures may be approved in 2-4 weeks; new single-family homes typically take 4-8+ weeks for first review; commercial projects can take considerably longer. Pre-application meetings help reduce review cycles..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs; Painting; Finish work not affecting structure or systems; Replacement of like-for-like fixtures (non-structural). Note: Teton County's standards are stringent. Always verify with the Building Department before proceeding without a permit. Do not rely on common 'no permit needed' assumptions from other jurisdictions.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: , . Inspections should be requested at least 24-48 hours in advance; 48 hours is strongly recommended during peak construction season (May through October)..