Before You Build in Spanish Fork, UT: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Spanish Fork caps fences at 6 feet in all zoning districts (pillars up to 6.5 ft). Front yard setback limits solid fences to 3 feet, with open fences (chain link, wrought iron) allowed up to 4 feet.

Building permits are required for fences in Spanish Fork. Applications are submitted through the Community Development Department.

Fences must be built on or inside the property owner's lot. Neighbor notification is recommended but not required. Disputes over boundary fences may involve the Utah fence line law.

Spanish Fork follows International Building Code pool safety standards. Building permits are required for new pool construction. Electrical, plumbing, and safety inspections are mandatory.

Swimming pools in Spanish Fork must be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least 6 feet high. Pool fences must have openings no larger than 36 square inches (except gates), with self-closing and self-latching gates.

Above-ground pools in Spanish Fork are subject to the same fencing requirements as in-ground pools. Pools over a certain size require building permits.

Garage conversions to living space require a building permit in Spanish Fork. Converting a garage to an ADU or habitable space must meet all residential construction standards including insulation, egress, and parking replacement.

Spanish Fork permits ADUs in residential zones (except A-E, R-4, R-5, R-O) with a minimum 6,000 sq ft lot. Owner-occupancy is required. Annual registration ($60) is mandatory. ADUs are not permitted as STRs.

Spanish Fork regulates carports as accessory structures under Spanish Fork City Code Sec. 15.3.24.090(A). All accessory structures require a building permit, must sit behind the front wall plane of the principal structure, and may not exceed 20 feet to the peak of the roof (24 feet on lots over a half-acre with matching setbacks). Detached structures over 200 square feet must maintain a minimum 5-foot setback to side and rear property lines. Combined detached accessory structure square footage cannot exceed 15% of the lot when entirely within the principal structure's setbacks, or 10% if located elsewhere on the lot.

Sheds and detached accessory structures in Spanish Fork require building permits. Structures under 200 square feet may qualify for a simplified permit process. Setback requirements from property lines apply.

Recreational fire pits are allowed in Spanish Fork under International Fire Code standards. Below-ground pits must be at least 4 inches deep, surrounded by non-combustible material, no more than 3 feet in diameter, and the fire pile no taller than 2 feet.

Open burning in Spanish Fork requires a burn permit during the permit season (March 1–May 30 and September 15–October 30). Burn day status must be confirmed via the Utah County Burn Line before each burn.

Property owners in Spanish Fork are responsible for maintaining trees on their property. Trees overhanging public rights-of-way or creating safety hazards may be subject to city action.

Spanish Fork does not require permits for removing trees on private residential property. Trees in the public right-of-way (parkway strip) require city approval before removal.

Spanish Fork operates a metered pressurized irrigation (PI) system and enforces water waste prohibitions under SFMC §13.28.020. The city uses a tiered rate structure to discourage over-irrigation.