The Sanpete County Building Department in Manti issues building permits across the county, both in unincorporated areas and inside the cities and towns once the town has given zoning approval. Applications, plan check fees and inspection requests go through the county’s CityInspect portal, and since June 16, 2026 no permits are accepted for projects reached by Pine Creek Road.
What requires a building permit in Sanpete County?
The Building Department says most construction work needs a permit: new homes, additions, remodels, structural changes, accessory structures, and work on electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems. Starting without one can add an investigation fee equal to the permit fee.
Building permit
- New homes and cabins, including in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) zone
- Additions, remodels and structural changes
- Accessory buildings
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work
- Moving an existing building onto a lot
Agricultural exemption
- Buildings used only for agriculture can get an Agricultural Building Exemption Permit after Planning and Zoning approval
- Residential, commercial, industrial and other non-agricultural uses do not qualify
In unincorporated areas a county zoning permit is applied for together with the building permit. Inside a city or town, the town’s zoning approval comes first.
Who issues building permits in Sanpete County?
The Sanpete County Building Department, on the second floor of the County Building in Manti, reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects work. The county page says that for property inside city limits, zoning approval must first be obtained from that city; the county then issues the building permit. Town documents confirm that pattern:
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Town | How permits work |
|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | City zoning clearance for anything over 120 sq ft (up to 3 weeks), then the building permit from the county Building Department |
| Manti | City zoning permit, with the plot plan signed by the City Creek Water Users and the Manti Fire Department; building permit from the county |
| Centerfield | City application ($50) and a city zoning permit on the county building inspection form; City Council review; building permit from the county |
| Mayfield, Fayette | Town zoning permit (Mayfield: $25 review fee, $250 for new construction, $6,921.84 impact fees); the county Building Department posts both towns’ forms, and Mayfield’s page refers builders to the county building inspector |
| Ephraim | City zoning permit ($200 for a home, $300 commercial, $50 for an accessory building of 200 sq ft or more, under Ordinance 26-08 of June 3, 2026); building permit from the county |
| Fairview | Fairview City planning permit plus a building permit from the county for every structure except single-level sheds of 200 sq ft or less, which must sit 8 feet from side and rear lines |
| Moroni | City zoning permit and a Land Use Permit signed by the Mayor, Planning Commission chair, land use authority, fire official, Public Works director and City Recorder, after the Planning and Zoning Commission approves the site plan and plot map (a property survey is required first); the zoning permit lapses after 6 months if substantive work has not begun (City Code Title 10, posted January 2026). The county building inspector issues the building permit |
| Spring City | City zoning permit ($200 for a home) plus a $500 inspection deposit, refunded 30 days after the three Spring City inspections (fee schedule posted February 2026); then the county building permit |
| Fountain Green | City building permit application for any structure of 200 sq ft or more, reviewed at the Planning Commission’s monthly meeting ($75 for a house, $20 for an auxiliary building); the approved city permit and plans then go to the county |
| Gunnison, Sterling, Wales | The county’s rule applies: town zoning approval first, then the county Building Department; the published sources do not set out a town process, so call the town (Gunnison City Hall 435-528-7969, Sterling 435-835-1799, Wales 435-436-9345) |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | County Building, 160 North Main, Suite 201, Manti, UT 84642 |
| Phone | 435-835-2113 |
| Hours | Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (closed Fridays) |
| Apply and request inspections | CityInspect online portal |
| Septic permits | Central Utah Public Health Department, 125 North 100 East, Manti |
| Well permits | Utah Division of Water Rights, 130 North Main, Richfield |
How the online application works
Register or sign in to the county’s CityInspect portal, start a new application, complete each section and attach the plans and documents. Pay the plan check fee when you submit; it is applied toward the total permit cost. Staff check the application for completeness and return incomplete ones for corrections; complete ones move to plan review, and requested changes come by email. After review you sign the permit electronically, and once all signatures are in you make the final payment and the permit is issued.
For unincorporated land, the zoning permit is part of the same application. It needs a site plan (hand-drawn is accepted) with distances to all four lot lines, an owner affidavit, a police, fire and ambulance waiver, an HOA letter if there is one, a city buffer zone form where it applies, a copy of the septic permit if there is no city sewer, and proof of power and of water approved for domestic use. Zoning staff check that taxes are current, water ownership, flood zones, the WUI zone, setbacks and road access.
Permit costs and fees in Sanpete County
The plan check fee is paid when you submit and credited toward the total permit cost, and the rest is paid once the permit is signed. Fees tied to a county permit:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Zoning permit (unincorporated land) | $50, added to the building permit fee (zoning permit documents); the 2022 zoning fee schedule lists $500 for a home and $200 for other structures |
| Work started without a permit | Investigation fee equal to the permit fee |
| Conditional use permit | $700 (2022 schedule) |
| Code enforcement re-inspection | $50 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The two county zoning documents disagree on the zoning permit fee for a house ($50 or $500), so budgeting for the higher figure is safer. Inside a town, the town’s own zoning and connection fees apply on top of the county building permit.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work
The county Building Department permits electrical, plumbing and mechanical work along with the building. House plans must show the breaker panel and sub-panels, lights, switches and outlets, GFCI locations, smoke and CO detectors, all plumbing fixtures and the water line size, duct sizing, gas pipe design and furnace, water heater and dryer locations. Septic systems need a separate permit from the Central Utah Public Health Department, and wells need a permit from the Utah Division of Water Rights.
Plan requirements for a house
The county’s residential checklist requires professionally drawn plans at 1/4-inch scale, with no red-lined engineering or hand-drawn corrections; plans missing required items are not reviewed.
Plans and engineering
- Wet-stamped structural engineering for non-conventional construction, buildings over one story above grade, or sites above 6,100 feet
- Plot plan with setbacks, easements, other buildings, fences and utility and septic locations
- Footings at least 30 inches below grade for frost
- Wall sections, framing, bracing and roof and floor framing details
- Floor plans with egress windows (sill no higher than 44 inches, 5.7 sq ft openable)
- RESCheck energy compliance
Site conditions
- WUI zone: ignition-resistant construction shown on the plans and an on-site inspection before the WUI plan is approved
- Slopes steeper than 1 in 3 (33%): IBC slope setbacks or a geotechnical report
- Cuts or fills of 1.5 to 1 or steeper: stability analysis and engineered walls
- Relocated buildings: engineering for snow load, foundation and anchoring
Rather not deal with the Sanpete County building department?
Get a free quote →How to apply: 6-step Sanpete County process
Inside a town, get its zoning approval first; check the WUI map and whether the lot uses Pine Creek Road.
Get proof of domestic water and, without city sewer, a septic permit from the Central Utah Public Health Department.
Follow the residential plans checklist, with engineering where required.
Attach the plans and zoning documents and pay the plan check fee.
Respond to emailed corrections, sign the permit in the portal and make the final payment.
Use the portal or call 435-835-2113 at least 24 hours ahead, through the final inspection.
Sanpete County inspections
Request inspections through the portal or by calling 435-835-2113, with at least 24 hours’ notice. On a voicemail, give the permit number, the inspection type and whether you want a morning or afternoon visit; the department confirms the time.
The final inspection for a house checks 32 items, among them: all earlier inspections approved; interconnected smoke detectors and combination smoke and CO alarms; a water heater with an expansion tank and two seismic straps; water pressure below 80 psi; insulation certificate in the attic; an address of at least 4-inch numbers; ground sloped 2% for 10 feet away from the house; a GPS and elevation reading; and pre-approval by the city or subdivision official. Anyone who moves in before the occupancy permit is issued is cited.
Local Sanpete County details that matter
Wildland-urban interface: homes and cabins near the base of the mountains, on the benches or on the mountain are usually in the WUI zone, which brings ignition-resistant construction and fire mitigation requirements. Check the county WUI map before designing.
Planning Commission: meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month; applications must be submitted and approved at least 21 days ahead. Turning agricultural land into building lots goes through a subdivision approval, which the county says can take 2 to 18 months.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Radon: the county notes that radon occurs naturally here but does not test, regulate or enforce radon levels.
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 Sanpete County permitting resources
County and town documents for building permits in Sanpete County:
- Sanpete County Building Department
- Sanpete County CityInspect permit portal
- Sanpete County residential building plans checklist
- Sanpete County final inspection checklist
- Sanpete County zoning permit documents
- Sanpete County wildland-urban interface zone
- Sanpete County Planning and Zoning
- Mt. Pleasant City zoning clearance
- Centerfield City building permit application
- Fountain Green citizen’s guide to the building permit process
- Moroni City Code Title 10, zoning (January 2026)
- Spring City construction related fee schedule
- Utah Code 15A-2-103, adopted code editions
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Sanpete County permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Sanpete County?
The Sanpete County Building Department in Manti (435-835-2113), for unincorporated land and for property inside cities after the city’s zoning approval.
I live in Mount Pleasant or Manti. Where do I apply?
Get the city’s zoning approval first, then apply for the building permit with the county through CityInspect.
How do I pay for a Sanpete County permit?
Pay the plan check fee online when you submit; it counts toward the total, and the balance is paid after you sign the permit in the portal.
Do farm buildings need a building permit?
Buildings used only for agriculture can get an Agricultural Building Exemption Permit after Planning and Zoning approval; any other use needs a building permit.
How do I book an inspection?
Through the portal or by calling 435-835-2113 at least 24 hours ahead. The office is closed on Fridays.
Can I build off Pine Creek Road?
Not at present: since June 16, 2026 the county is not accepting building permit applications for projects accessing Pine Creek Road.
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More Utah permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Sanpete County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.