In unincorporated San Juan County, building permits come from the County’s Planning & Building Department at 117 South Main Street in Monticello (435-587-3829). Applications are filed online, the plan review and building permit together cost $1.75 per sq ft ($3,500 for 2,000 sq ft), and each inspection costs $65 plus mileage. The three towns run their own building departments.
What needs a building permit in San Juan County?
The County’s checklist says a building permit must be obtained before any construction begins, and names three triggers:
- New construction
- Moving a trailer or pre-built home onto a lot
- Additions or remodeling
A structure used only for agriculture and not for people can be exempted with the County’s Agricultural Building Permit Exemption Form. The owner signs a notarized covenant that the building will not be converted to residential, commercial or other non-farm use without permits, and the covenant runs with the land and can be recorded with the County Recorder. Subdivisions and conditional uses are applied for through the same portal as building permits, each with its own County checklist.
Who issues building permits in San Juan County?
The County Planning & Building Department handles building permits, subdivisions and conditional use permits in the unincorporated county. Corey Coleman is listed as Building Inspector in the County directory and signs the County’s permit checklist as Building Official. The three incorporated towns each run their own building departments:
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Building permits from |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated San Juan County | San Juan County Planning & Building Department, 435-587-3829 |
| Blanding | Blanding City, through its online permit, plan review and inspection program; Blanding Public Works handles power, water, gas and sewer connections. 50 West 100 South, 435-678-2791 |
| Monticello | Monticello City’s Building Official; the property must be deeded and recorded in the owner’s name, or the owner must give notarized permission. 17 N. 100 E., 435-587-2271 |
| Bluff | Town of Bluff Building Department, which has issued all permits within town limits since April 1, 2025; 435-672-9990, building@townofbluffutah.gov |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 117 S. Main Street, Monticello, UT 84535 (P.O. Box 9) |
| Phone and inspection requests | 435-587-3829 |
| permits@sanjuancountyut.gov | |
| Building inspection | Corey Coleman |
| Applications and payments | iWorQ portal and online payment links on the County’s Building Permits page |
Applying online
Building, subdivision and conditional use permits are applied for through the County’s iWorQ portal and paid online through the payment link on the same page. The County posts a Building Permit Checklist, a Conditional Use Permit Checklist, a Subdivision Checklist and the Agricultural Building Permit Exemption Form. Owners building their own home file an Owner/Builder certification; otherwise the application lists each contractor and licence.
For the owner’s own protection the County also recommends keeping a written bid or estimate, a signed construction contract and proof of the contractor’s liability insurance.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →San Juan County permit fees
The County’s Building Permits page lists the fees below. The square-foot charge covers both plan review and the building permit.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plan review and building permit | $1.75 per sq ft (2,000 sq ft = $3,500) |
| Inspections | $65 per inspection plus the state mileage rate |
| Appeal for a time extension | $150 |
| Business sign permit | $150 |
| Work done without a permit | Twice the permit price, plus $150 a week if work continues beyond the 30-day notice |
| Outside consultant | Actual cost of consulting or inspections |
Septic permits are separate: San Juan Public Health charges $440 plus mileage for an individual wastewater system permit and $78 plus mileage for a recertification.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work
The County permit covers the trades: the plan set must include electrical, plumbing and mechanical layouts, and the County’s 4-way inspection checks framing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work together before it is covered.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Septic systems are inspected and permitted by San Juan Public Health (435-587-3838), and an approved sewage system is required before the County building permit application is complete.
What to submit
Required
- Complete set of plans drawn to scale
- Legal description and parcel number
- Approved sewage system
- Road encroachment permit
- Signed permit application
- Owner/Builder certification, if applicable
- Contractor information and licences
- Proof of ownership (tax roll or title report) or notarized permission from the owner
Plan set
- Site plan
- Building elevations
- Architectural plans
- Foundation plan
- Framing plan
- Roof plan
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical layouts
- Additional construction details
How to get a San Juan County building permit
Inside Blanding, Monticello or Bluff, apply to that town instead.
Apply to San Juan Public Health for the wastewater system permit.
It is one of the required items on the County checklist.
Submit the application, plans, ownership proof and contractor information through the County’s iWorQ portal.
Pay $1.75 per sq ft for plan review and the permit through the County’s online payment link.
Call or email 48 hours ahead for each inspection; each visit is $65 plus mileage.
Rather not deal with the San Juan County building department?
Get a free quote →San Juan County inspections
Schedule inspections by phone at 435-587-3829 or by email, with 48 hours’ notice. The County checklist lists four:
- Foundation inspection
- 4-way inspection: framing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical
- Final inspection, before occupancy
- Septic inspection, where it applies
Each inspection is billed at $65 plus the state mileage rate.
Local San Juan County details
Spanish Valley: the area has its own land use rules, the 2019 Spanish Valley Land Use Supplemental Ordinance, and a 2024 ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals there.
Unpermitted work: work found without a permit is charged twice the permit price, and $150 a week more if it continues past the County’s 30-day notice.
Town rules differ: Monticello charges an investigation fee equal to the permit fee when work starts before a permit, and Bluff’s quoted permit cost includes all inspection costs.
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
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Get a free quote →Official San Juan County permitting resources
- San Juan County building permits and fees
- San Juan County online permit portal (iWorQ)
- San Juan County Building Permit Checklist
- San Juan County Agricultural Building Permit Exemption Form
- San Juan County Conditional Use Permit Checklist
- San Juan County Planning & Building directory
- San Juan County Spanish Valley ordinances
- San Juan Public Health environmental health and septic permits
- Blanding City building and zoning
- Monticello City building and zoning
- Town of Bluff Building Department
- Town of Bluff building permit process
San Juan County building permit FAQs
How much is a building permit in San Juan County?
$1.75 per sq ft for plan review and the permit, so $3,500 for 2,000 sq ft, plus $65 and mileage for each inspection.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Who issues permits in Blanding, Monticello and Bluff?
Each town’s own building department. The County covers the unincorporated county.
Who issues septic permits?
San Juan Public Health (435-587-3838). An individual wastewater system permit is $440 plus mileage.
How do I schedule an inspection?
Call 435-587-3829 or email the department, giving 48 hours’ notice.
Do farm buildings need a permit?
A building used only for agriculture and not for people can be exempted with the County’s notarized exemption form and non-conversion covenant.
What happens if I build without a permit?
The County charges twice the permit price, plus $150 a week if work continues past its 30-day notice.
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More Utah permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about San Juan County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.