Farmington, Utah Building Permit Guide

The Farmington City Building Department issues building permits inside the city, taking applications through its online portal or as paper forms at City Hall, 160 South Main Street. Under the consolidated fee schedule adopted May 19, 2026, the permit fee comes from the 1997 Uniform Building Code valuation table and residential plan check adds 40% of that fee; the City puts residential plan check at about 3 to 4 weeks.

What needs a Farmington building permit?

The Building Department lists the work that needs a permit:

Most building permits also need a separate excavation permit from Public Works for any digging in or across a City street or right-of-way, and the residential checklist asks for it before the building permit is issued.

Who issues Farmington building permits?

The City’s Building Department reviews plans, issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits and inspects the work; Eric Miller is the Building Official. It checks that each contractor’s licence is active with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. Commercial plans are sent to a third-party reviewer. Fire sprinkler and fire alarm permits and plan reviews belong to the Farmington Fire Department’s Fire Marshal office, and Public Works issues excavation permits.

Farmington permits only land inside the city. Land outside it belongs to the neighboring city or, if unincorporated, to Davis County’s Community and Economic Development office.

Applications and forms

Farmington offers two ways to apply. The online application, run on the iWorQ portal, covers every type of building permit from pools and new homes to solar, remodels, furnace or AC changes and fencing. Alternatively, download the PDF packet, complete it and bring it to the Building Department at City Hall or mail it in.

• Residential Building Permit Application Packet, with the residential plan and site plan checklists.
• Basement Finish, Demolition Packet and the general Building Permit form.
• Residential Solar packets for micro-inverter and string or central inverter systems, and a Commercial Solar packet.
• Commercial Application Requirements and a separate Station Park Application, which needs design approval and an address letter from the center’s landlord, CenterCal.
• Owner Builder Form for owners doing their own work.
• Re-Roof and Roof Repair Policy.

Storm water land disturbance permits are on the Storm Water page and are processed through Public Works.

Farmington permit fees

Fees come from the Consolidated Fee Schedule adopted May 19, 2026. The building permit fee is read from Table 1-A of the 1997 Uniform Building Code using the project valuation:

For a house valued at $300,000, the table gives $993.75 plus 200 × $5.60, or $2,113.75, and residential plan check adds 40%, $845.50. The City calculates fees only after a full plan review and does not give estimates, but its Permits & Inspections page puts typical total fees for an average-sized home in a subdivision at about $12,000, and about $22,000 outside a subdivision once water, storm sewer and park impact fees are added. The same page mentions a $25 deposit for small remodels, additions and basements; the adopted schedule lists $75 for residential work. Working without a permit can double the fees.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire systems

Farmington’s Building Department permits and inspects electrical, plumbing and HVAC work, either within a building permit or as a stand-alone permit filed through the online application. Underground plumbing, gas lines, temporary and permanent power and the 4-way rough-in (framing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical) are inspection stages on new homes. New-home packets include a natural gas piping compliance form, and the plumber signs a notice about the water meter yoke.

Fire protection is the Fire Department’s job. Its Fire Marshal’s office handles plan reviews and permits: a fire sprinkler permit covering the flow, hydro and final tests costs $150 up to 3,000 sq ft, $250 up to 10,000 sq ft and $300 above that, and a fire alarm design review is $150. These fees took effect January 1, 2026.

Application documents and review time

Residential plan check takes about 3 to 4 weeks, and every redlined change must be made before plans are returned. Commercial plans go to a third-party reviewer with a 14 to 21 day turnaround for each round; there is no fast-track option, and the City prices the permit only once the plans are approved.

How to get a Farmington permit: 6 steps

Farmington inspections

Call the inspection line, 801-882-8954, at least 24 hours ahead; if nobody answers, leave one message and the office will call back to confirm. There are no same-day inspections, and schedules usually fill one to two days ahead. Storm water grading inspections have their own number, 801-939-9286.

A new home typically goes through water and sewer laterals, temporary power, footings, foundation, underground plumbing, the 4-way, flashing, gas line, insulation, permanent power, shower pan, final site inspection and final. A re-roof needs a mid-roof or decking inspection and a final.

If the City cannot inspect within three business days, its contracted third-party inspectors are the Syracuse, Kaysville and West Haven city building departments; tell Farmington first and wait for it to confirm it cannot inspect in time.

Permits lapse after 180 days without inspected progress. A permit closed without a passed final becomes non-compliant, and the City warns that this can lead to a lien on the property.

Local Farmington details

Design loads: the City uses a 30 lb snow load, 40 lb in foothill zones, 140 mph wind for houses and Seismic Design Category D2; engineers evaluate the exposure category.

Utilities: sewer is run by the Central Davis Sewer District, secondary water by Benchland Irrigation or Weber Basin Water, power by Rocky Mountain Power and gas by Enbridge. Excavation permits need a cash bond of at least $1,000 and a certificate of liability insurance.

Utah building code

Utah adopts one construction code for the whole state; cities and counties enforce it, and any local amendments are set by the Legislature. Utah rules

Official Farmington permitting resources

• Farmington Building Department: permit list and contacts
• Farmington building applications and forms (online application link)
• Farmington Permits & Inspections: plan check, inspection line, third-party inspectors
• Farmington Consolidated Fee Schedule adopted May 19, 2026
• Farmington residential building permit packet and checklist
• Farmington commercial application requirements
• Farmington Re-Roof and Roof Repair Policy
• Farmington Public Works excavation permits
• Farmington Fire Prevention (Fire Marshal)
• Farmington impact fee studies
• Utah State Construction Code editions

Farmington permit FAQs

Can I apply for a Farmington permit online?

Yes. The online application covers every building permit type, and paper packets are still accepted at City Hall or by mail.

How much does a building permit cost in Farmington?

The permit fee follows the 1997 Uniform Building Code table: $2,113.75 for a $300,000 house, plus 40% residential plan check and the 1% state fee. The City estimates all-in fees for an average home in a subdivision at about $12,000, including utility connections and impact fees.

How long does plan check take?

About 3 to 4 weeks for residential plans. Commercial plans go to a third-party reviewer and take 14 to 21 days per review.

How much is a re-roof permit?

$110 plus a $1.10 state fee, with a mid-roof and a final inspection.

Do I need an excavation permit too?

Usually. Most building permits also need a Public Works excavation permit, with a cash bond of at least $1,000.

How do I book an inspection?

Call 801-882-8954 at least 24 hours ahead; there are no same-day inspections.

Simplify Farmington permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Utah. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Farmington permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.