Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Building Safety in Washington County, UT (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washington County, Utah.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Washington County's short-term rental licensing ordinance requires proof that carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers are installed and operable under the adopted International Residential Code before the Community Development Department issues or renews a Short Term Rental License in the unincorporated county, per section 10-13-23.D.1.i.

Washington County STR Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Some Restrictions

Washington County Code of Ordinances § 10-13-23.D.1.i

i. Proof that smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are installed and operable per adopted IRC (International Residential Code). Yearly assurance of compliance at time of licensing renewal.

Building Permits

No building permit can be issued in unincorporated Washington County unless the project meets the building codes adopted in section 9-1-4, the county zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance, and the groundwater protection ordinance, all under section 9-1-7 of the county code.

Washington County Building Permit Requirement

Some Restrictions

Washington County Code of Ordinances § 9-1-7

No building permit shall be issued unless the applicable requirements of this chapter and the building codes adopted herein, the county zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, groundwater protection ordinance and all other ordinances pertaining thereto are met. All work done under any building permit issued herein shall be in full compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter, th...

Electrical Permits

Washington County adopts the National Electrical Code, as amended by the State of Utah, as part of its Building Code under County Code section 9-1-4. Anyone wiring, altering, or repairing electrical systems in the unincorporated county needs a permit from the county building inspector before starting work.

Washington County Electrical Permit Requires Adopted NEC

Some Restrictions

Washington County Code of Ordinances § 9-1-4

The most recent version adopted by the State of Utah of the following codes and the appendices and the State's amendment are incorporated by reference and adopted as the Building Codes of Washington County: International Building Code including appendix J, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Residential Code including appendix J, International Fire Code inc...

Plumbing Permits

Washington County adopts the International Plumbing Code, as amended by the State of Utah, under County Code section 9-1-4, and locally amends two sections governing pipe cover depth. Plumbing work in the unincorporated county needs a permit from the county building inspector before installation begins.

Washington County Plumbing Permit Adopts IPC

Some Restrictions

Washington County Code of Ordinances § 9-1-4

The most recent version adopted by the State of Utah of the following codes and the appendices and the State's amendment are incorporated by reference and adopted as the Building Codes of Washington County: ... International Plumbing Code, National Electrical Code, HUD Code, and the Model Manufactured Home Installation Standard ... B. The cited sections of the international plumbing code are am...

Building Inspections

The Washington County building inspector can inspect any building or structure under construction, modification, moving or repair, and can enter premises to check compliance with the zoning title, building code and subdivision ordinance, under county code section 10-1-9.

Washington County Building Inspection Authority

Some Restrictions

Washington County Code of Ordinances § 10-1-9

The building inspector is hereby authorized to inspect or to cause to be inspected all buildings and structures in the course of construction, modification, moving or repair and to inspect land uses to determine compliance with the provisions of this title, the building code, and the subdivision ordinance. The building inspector or any authorized employee of the county shall have the right to e...

Building Safety by City in Washington County

1 cities in Washington County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Washington County ordinances

See every category we cover for Washington County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Washington County Ordinance Hub →