Hurricane, Utah Building Permit Guide

Inside Hurricane city limits, building permits come from the City’s Building Department at 147 N. 870 W. (435-635-2811), and you apply, pay and request inspections in the City Inspect portal. Since Resolution 2025-39 of December 2025, the permit fee is figured from a City valuation of $114.60 per sq ft for a type VB house, and sewer, water and fire impact fees are paid to three separate districts before the City releases the permit.

What needs a building permit in Hurricane?

The City’s permit guide says building permits are for any structure or pool, and the City’s forms cover new homes, commercial buildings, additions, gas and mechanical work, temporary power and utility connections. Two rules on the Building Department page shape small projects:

• Accessory buildings: a structure under 120 sq ft is exempt from building plan review unless it has electrical or plumbing, but it still needs a permit so the City can check setbacks and other development standards. The City’s older step-by-step permit guide puts that small-building threshold at 160 sq ft, so ask the department which figure it is applying.
• Easements: no structure of any kind may be built in a public utility easement, in any zone.

Under City Code 9-1-3, a building permit is issued only after the owner obtains a geotechnical report from a qualified engineer and agrees to follow its recommendations. An accessory building on an already developed lot, or a remodel, is excused unless the Building Official asks for one case by case.

Who issues building permits in Hurricane?

The Hurricane City Building Department reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects work inside the city. Larry Palmer is the Building Official. Unincorporated land around the city is permitted by Washington County, not by Hurricane. Before applying, the department recommends asking the Hurricane City Power Department (435-635-5536) about the project’s power needs and service requirements.

Applying through City Inspect

Create a City Inspect account; the system emails a generated password. Contractors already registered with another city on City Inspect still register for Hurricane, but should use the same email so they can switch between cities. After signing in, choose Building Permits (structures, pools and small accessory buildings) or Planning and Zoning (conditional use permits and plats), then “apply for a new permit” and pick the permit type.

Forms on the Building Department page include:

• Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release, required for all new construction: signed by the owner and notarized, with the original wet-stamped form delivered to the City before plan review is finalized. It is recorded against the parcel and confirms the geotechnical report.
• Owner Builder Form 2026, which every owner-builder new construction permit must upload.
• Culinary Water Connection Form, Temp Power Application, Utility Applications (residential and commercial) and Pressurized Irrigation form.
• Gas Diagram, Mechanical Diagram, IRC/IECC Code Compliance form and Back Flow Test form.
• Washington County Water Conservancy District forms for residential, multi-family and commercial projects.

Fees can be paid online by e-check only, or in person at the City office by check or money order.

Hurricane permit and impact fees

Resolution 2025-39, adopted on December 4, 2025, sets the building permit fee: the project is valued with the City’s Exhibit B table, a reduced version of the 2024 IBC construction-cost chart, and the fee is read from the 2021 IRC permit fee table. The Council must review these fees again by December 31, 2026.

In Exhibit B a one- or two-family house (R-3) is valued at $114.60 per sq ft for type VB construction, a private garage at the utility rate of $44.44 per sq ft (type VB), and an unfinished R-3 basement at $31.50 per sq ft; shell-only buildings are valued 20% lower. At the type VB rate, 2,000 sq ft of house is valued at $229,200, which gives a permit fee of $1,027 plus 130 × $7, or $1,937. The City adds a 1% state charge on the permit fee and a habitat fee of 0.2% of the home’s value.

The sewer, water availability and fire district fees must be paid before the City issues the permit, with the receipt or the signed district form returned to the City. In the Dixie Escalante power area, the power impact fee is paid to Dixie Escalante (435-673-3297) instead of the City. Under City Code 9-2-3, City impact fees can be paid at permit issuance or, with a $50 processing fee and a recorded agreement, within six months or at the certificate of occupancy, whichever comes first.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work

The Building Department permits and inspects trade work in the city through the same City Inspect account; gas and mechanical layouts are drawn on the City’s Gas Diagram and Mechanical Diagram forms. Electrical service depends on the area: Hurricane City Power serves its own areas and Dixie Escalante serves others, and the City posts a separate impact fee sheet for each.

Under the City’s New Construction Power Policy, temporary power comes from a pedestal near the utility, and a house is not given power to the panel until the sheetrock is hung. Permanent power is granted with the certificate of occupancy; if the certificate does not issue within four months of power to panel, the meter is removed unless the Building Official extends the period.

Documents for a new home

• Completed City Inspect application with all contacts, and the plans for the structure
• Geotechnical report from a qualified engineer, with the City’s Geotechnical Data Sheet
• Notarized Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release, original delivered before plan review is finalized
• Owner Builder Form 2026 where the owner is the builder
• Energy compliance (IRC/IECC Code Compliance form)
• Washington County Water Conservancy District form and utility application
• Receipts from Ash Creek Special Service District and the Hurricane Valley Fire District

Design values the City publishes: ground snow load 21 lb, wind 105 mph (3-second gust), seismic design category D, exposure C, footings at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep, frost line 12 inches, and a fire hydrant within 250 ft of the back of the house.

How to get a Hurricane building permit

Hurricane inspections

Schedule inspections through your builder account in City Inspect. A request for the next day must reach the portal by 3 p.m. the business day before, and the department does not do same-day inspections.

The City’s Notice to Contractors adds site rules: the address must be posted and visible from the street or the inspection will not happen and utilities will not be connected; the approved plans must be on site for every inspection; and the soil analysis and letter of compliance must reach the Building Department before occupancy is given.

Local Hurricane rules

Setbacks: in the RA-1 through R1-4 residential zones the front setback is 25 ft. A detached accessory building at least 10 ft from the house needs 2 ft at the rear and interior side and 10 ft on a street side (25 ft front). Planned developments approved before April 3, 2025 have their own setbacks; call the City to confirm them.

Job sites: under City Code Chapter 4-8, a restroom must be within 350 ft of the work and a waste container that keeps its contents from blowing away within 100 ft, emptied within 72 hours of a City notice. Violations are a Class B misdemeanor, each day a separate offense.

Water and sewer: sewer is provided by the Ash Creek Special Service District and water supply fees go to the Washington County Water Conservancy District, both separate from the City.

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 Hurricane permitting resources

• Hurricane City Building Department
• Hurricane City Inspect permit portal
• Hurricane guide to submitting a building permit
• Hurricane typical impact fee schedule, Hurricane City Power areas
• Hurricane typical impact fee schedule, Dixie Escalante Power area
• Hurricane City Council packet, December 4, 2025, with Resolution 2025-39
• Hurricane City Council minutes, December 4, 2025
• Hurricane City Council agenda and packet, June 18, 2026 (storm drain impact fee)
• Hurricane Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release form
• Hurricane Owner Builder Form 2026
• Hurricane Notice to Contractors
• Hurricane New Construction Power Policy
• Hurricane City Code Title 9, Building Regulations
• Hurricane City services

Hurricane building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Hurricane?

The Hurricane City Building Department, 147 N. 870 W., 435-635-2811. Washington County permits land outside the city.

How much is a building permit for a new house in Hurricane?

The house is valued at $114.60 per sq ft for type VB construction and the fee read from the City’s table, so 2,000 sq ft carries a $1,937 permit fee before the 1% state charge, the 0.2% habitat fee and impact fees.

Do I need a permit for a small shed?

Yes. A shed under 120 sq ft without electrical or plumbing skips plan review, but still needs a permit for the setback check.

Is a soils report required?

Yes, as a condition of the building permit. Accessory buildings on developed lots and remodels are excused unless the Building Official requires one.

How do I schedule an inspection?

In City Inspect, by 3 p.m. the business day before. Same-day inspections are not offered.

Can a homeowner be the builder?

Yes. Owner-builder new construction permits must upload the City’s Owner Builder Form.

Simplify Hurricane 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 Hurricane permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.