State building permit guide
Utah building permits — complete guide (2026)
Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. Salt Lake County and Utah County (Provo-Orem) lead in permit volume. Utah has progressive housing legislation and a relatively streamlined permitting environment.
Avg cost: $150–$600
Processing: 1–5 weeks
~34,000 permits/year
29 counties
$150–$600Average permit cost
1–5 weeksProcessing time
~34,000Permits issued/year
Yes — 2023 state lawADU-friendly
Utah passed a statewide ADU law in 2023 (SB 174) requiring cities to allow at least one ADU on single-family lots. Utah's rapid growth has put pressure on permit processing times along the Wasatch Front. Utah also has significant seismic risk from the Wasatch Fault running through the heart of the population corridor.
Permit costs by type — Utah
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | $80–$220 | 1–4 days | Utah licensed electrician required |
| Plumbing | $70–$195 | 1–4 days | Utah licensed plumber required |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $80–$225 | 1–4 days | Heat pump adoption growing |
| Roofing | $110–$300 | 1–3 days | Snow load design in mountain areas |
| New Construction | $550–$1,700 | 2–6 weeks | Wasatch Front — growing processing times |
| Room Addition | $300–$850 | 1–4 weeks | Seismic design required along Wasatch Fault |
| Deck / Patio | $120–$360 | 1–3 weeks | Frost depth 30 inches in SLC area |
| ADU | $300–$750 | 1–4 weeks | 2023 state law — cities must allow |
| Solar | $80–$220 | 1–4 days | Excellent solar resource in Utah |
| Pool | $175–$475 | 1–3 weeks | High demand in suburban Salt Lake area |
How to get a building permit in Utah
1
Find your city or county permit office
Salt Lake City (CED), South Jordan, Provo, and most Wasatch Front cities have online portals.
2
Seismic zone — Wasatch Fault
The Wasatch Fault runs through Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber Counties. All structural construction must address seismic design in these areas.
3
Utah ADU law (SB 174, 2023)
Utah cities must allow at least one ADU per single-family lot. Cities cannot require owner-occupancy, impose parking requirements, or deny compliant applications.
4
Submit application and pay fees
Wasatch Front cities have streamlined online systems. Rural Utah varies.
5
Inspections
Major cities have robust inspection programs with online scheduling. Rural Utah may have longer waits.
Permit costs by county — top Utah counties
Salt Lake County
$175–$600
2–5 weeks
Utah (Provo/Orem) County
$150–$525
1–4 weeks
Davis (Layton) County
$150–$500
1–4 weeks
Weber (Ogden) County
$125–$425
1–3 weeks
Washington (St. George) County
$150–$500
1–4 weeks
Cache (Logan) County
$100–$350
1–3 weeks
Frequently asked questions — Utah permits
What is Utah's 2023 ADU law?
SB 174 (2023) requires all Utah cities and counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on any single-family lot. This was a significant shift — many Utah municipalities had previously prohibited ADUs.
What seismic risk does the Wasatch Fault create?
The Wasatch Fault is capable of a magnitude 7.0+ earthquake. Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber Counties are in Seismic Design Category D. All structural construction must include seismic engineering, adding cost to structural permits.
Is Utah a fast-growing construction market?
Yes. Utah has been among the top 5 fastest-growing states for over a decade. Salt Lake County and Utah County are seeing significant permit volume growth with processing times lengthening as a result.
Does Utah have good solar resources?
Excellent. Utah averages over 300 sunny days per year in most of the state. Combined with Utah's net metering policy and federal tax credits, solar ROI in Utah is among the best in the country.
Data sources: US Census Bureau BPS 2024 · Utah Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Shovels.ai permit aggregator