Salt Lake City, UT Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Salt Lake County Building Services administers building permits for all unincorporated areas including Magna, Kearns, White City, Copperton, Emigration Canyon, and the canyons. Title 15 of the Salt Lake County Code of Ordinances adopts the International Code Council family of codes along with Utah state amendments promulgated by the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission. A permit is required before beginning construction on new buildings, additions, structural alterations, re-roofing with material changes, decks over 30 inches above grade, retaining walls over 4 feet, swimming pools and spas, solar PV systems, electrical service changes, water heater replacement, furnace and HVAC replacement, and most plumbing rough-ins. Detached accessory structures under 200 square feet and not containing plumbing or mechanical systems are typically exempt from building permits but still must comply with zoning setbacks. Submittal requirements include site plans showing setbacks, construction drawings stamped by a Utah-licensed design professional for structures over certain thresholds, energy code compliance documentation, and structural calculations for engineered elements. The County charges plan review fees at approximately 65 percent of the building permit fee. Inspections follow the standard IRC sequence including footing, foundation, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, insulation, and final. Altitude-related requirements apply in canyon areas with heavy snow loads reaching 90 pounds per square foot or higher in upper Cottonwood Canyons. Work started without a permit is subject to double fees and potential stop-work orders.