Building permits in unincorporated Uintah County come from the County’s Building Division in the Community Development office at 152 East 100 North, Vernal (435-781-5336), and most applications can be filed online. Vernal, Naples and Ballard permit work inside their own limits. The County charges by floor area, $0.70 per sq ft for a house and $0.40 for a garage, with a plan check fee of up to 65% of the permit fee.
What needs a building permit in Uintah County?
The Building Division permits new construction, additions, remodels and changes of use, and the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work in them. Its application packets show the range: site-built homes, manufactured homes, outbuildings, roofing, siding, windows and decks, stand-alone electrical, mechanical and plumbing work, commercial and industrial buildings, communications towers and demolition.
Flat-fee permits
- Replacing an AC unit, furnace, water heater or boiler
- Replacing exterior coverings
- Residential electrical service upgrades and temporary power pedestals
- LPG conversion to natural gas
- Retaining walls over 4 ft
- Solar and generator installations
- Signs, billboards and towers
Exempt
- One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft
- Fences not over 7 ft high
- Retaining walls up to 4 ft, unless supporting a surcharge
- Unattached decks up to 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above grade
- Sidewalks, driveways, painting and finish work
- Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
Agricultural structures use the County’s Agricultural Use Exemption Application.
Who issues building permits in Uintah County?
The County Building Division covers private and public projects in the unincorporated areas. It issues permits, reviews plans, inspects work and interprets and enforces the codes, and it also inspects for business licences. Each of the three incorporated places runs its own permitting:
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Building permits from |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Uintah County | Uintah County Building Division, 435-781-5336 |
| Vernal | Vernal City Building Division, with online applications through the City’s own portal; City offices 435-789-2255 |
| Naples | Naples City, which posts its own building permit form and lists a building official at 435-789-9090 |
| Ballard | Ballard City Building Department, using City residential and commercial applications; City Hall, 2381 E. 1000 S., 435-722-3393 |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Community Development, 152 East 100 North, Vernal, UT 84078 |
| Permits and inspections | 435-781-5336 |
| Online applications | iWorQ portal (uintahcounty.portal.iworq.net) |
| Fire Marshal (hydrant and wildland approvals) | 435-781-6756 |
| Road Department (encroachment permits) | 435-781-5307 |
The County Planning Commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chamber on the second floor of the County Building.
Applying online and the County packets
Most applications can be submitted through the County’s iWorQ portal; incomplete applications are not accepted. The Building Applications page has a packet or form for each common job: Site-Built Home, Manufactured Home on Private Lot, Manufactured Home in Park, Outbuilding, Roofing/Siding/Window & Deck, Electrical/Mechanical & Plumbing, Commercial/Industrial Building, Communications Tower, Demolition and Agricultural Use Exemption, plus the Owner Builder Certification, a site plan example, a gas line schematic example, the Post Application Packet, a contractor list and sample plans for uncovered decks and porches.
The application deposit is non-refundable but credited toward the plan check total. A refund of up to 80% of the permit fee can be requested within 90 days of approval if work has not started, and the Building Official decides the amount.
Uintah County permit fees
Fees are set in the County fee schedule, Section 3.30.010 of the County Code (codified through August 4, 2026). Most building permits are charged per square foot by occupancy type:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Building type | Fee per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Houses and residential care (R-3, R-4) | $0.70 |
| Hotels and multi-family (R-1, R-2) | $0.90 |
| Assembly, business and educational | $1.00 |
| Mercantile | $0.75 |
| Factory | $0.60 |
| Storage | $0.55 |
| Garages and other utility buildings (U) | $0.40 |
| Unfinished basements; factory-built portion of a manufactured home; swimming pools; change of use | $0.40 |
| Remodeling | $0.40, minimum $200 |
| Shell building before tenant build-out | $0.35 |
| Porches, decks and other unwalled structures | $0.25 |
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minimum building permit fee | $50 |
| AC, furnace, water heater or boiler replacement; exterior coverings; residential electrical service; temporary power | $50 each |
| Solar under 10 kW and generators | $200 |
| Solar 10 kW and larger | $400 |
| Inspection or re-inspection | $50 |
| After-hours inspection | $100 per visit |
| Reinstating an expired permit | $100 plus remaining inspections |
| Plan check | Up to 65% of the building permit fee |
| Starting work without a permit | Up to double the permit fee, plus $20 a day after the compliance date (maximum $600) |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →For example, a 2,000 sq ft house with a 600 sq ft garage has a building permit fee of $1,400 plus $240, or $1,640, before the plan check fee.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work
The Building Division permits trade work in the unincorporated county. Stand-alone jobs use its Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing application, with flat $50 permits for replacing an AC unit, furnace, water heater or boiler and for a residential service upgrade. Commercial electrical service and utility equipment is $200. Gas lines are drawn on the County’s gas line schematic example, and the County posts a note for roofers and homeowners about rooftop solar.
What to submit for a new home
- Signed residential application, owner signatures on every form and proof of ownership
- Owner Builder Certificate if the owner is the contractor
- FEMA floodplain information
- Site plan with all structures, setbacks, easements, canals and ditches, driveways, wells, septic systems and floodplain
- Water and/or sewer availability letter from the water district, showing the nearest fire hydrant; with no hydrant within 600 ft, an approval letter from the Fire Marshal
- Septic construction permit or well approval from the TriCounty Health Department (133 South 500 East, Vernal, 435-247-1177; wastewater program 435-247-1165)
- A digital copy or two complete sets of plans, checked against the County’s building plans checklist
- Road encroachment permit for any work in the County right-of-way
- Fire Marshal approval in the wildland-urban interface or on a flag lot
- A canal company letter where a canal or easement crosses the lot, and FAA approval in airport zones A, B or C
- Geotechnical data for the footings and foundation, and the energy code compliance sheet
Rather not deal with the Uintah County building department?
Get a free quote →The plans checklist asks for continuous footings at least 30 inches below grade, foundation walls at least 8 inches wide and 6 inches above grade, framing and bracing for 115 mph winds and seismic zone C, and beams sized for a 30 lb roof snow load (39 lb ground snow load).
How to get a Uintah County building permit
Make sure the property is outside Vernal, Naples and Ballard.
Water or sewer availability letter, septic or well approval, road encroachment permit, and Fire Marshal, canal or FAA letters where they apply.
Check them against the County’s plans checklist and add the energy compliance sheet.
Submit through the iWorQ portal and pay the deposit, which is credited toward plan check.
Pay the permit and plan check fees once review is complete.
Call for each inspection and pass the final before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
Uintah County inspections
Request inspections by calling 435-781-5336 with the permit number, address, owner and type of inspection, giving at least 24 hours’ notice; the Division tries to inspect the next working day. The address and permit number must be clearly visible from the road and the approved plans must be on site; no inspection is made without the required permit. At least one approved inspection is needed every 180 days to keep the permit alive.
The County’s typical sequence: construction power, footing and setback (with all property corners marked), lowest floor elevation in flood areas, foundation, basement weather-proofing, slab and under-floor, roof, exterior sheathing, weather barrier or lath, framing and 4-way, energy and insulation, drywall where there is living space over the garage or a fire separation, and final. No building may be used or occupied before the Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy.
Local Uintah County details
Decks: the Building Division notes several deck collapses in the county in recent years and recommends a licensed contractor, a permit and inspections; it posts sample plans for uncovered decks and porches.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Fire safety: new homes need a hydrant within 600 ft or a Fire Marshal approval letter, and Fire Marshal approval in the wildland-urban interface or on a flag lot. The County fee schedule also lists fire district review and inspection fees for commercial work ($90 and $80 for new construction).
Enforcement: starting work without a permit can cost up to double the permit fee, plus daily charges after the compliance date.
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 Uintah County permitting resources
- Uintah County Building Division
- Uintah County online permit applications (iWorQ)
- Uintah County building application packets
- Uintah County Site-Built Home Packet
- Uintah County plan review requirements
- Uintah County inspection procedures
- Uintah County Code 3.30, county fee schedule
- Uintah County Community Development
- Vernal City permits and licensing
- Naples City forms and permits
- Ballard City building permits
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Uintah County building permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Vernal?
Vernal City’s Building Division. The County Building Division covers only the unincorporated county; Naples and Ballard also issue their own permits.
How much is a building permit for a house in Uintah County?
$0.70 per sq ft of house and $0.40 per sq ft of garage, plus a plan check fee of up to 65%. A 2,000 sq ft house with a 600 sq ft garage is $1,640 before plan check.
Do I need a permit to replace a furnace or water heater?
Yes. Replacing an AC unit, furnace, water heater or boiler is a $50 flat-fee permit.
Who approves septic systems and wells?
The TriCounty Health Department in Vernal (435-247-1177), which takes septic construction permit applications online; its approval goes in with the permit application.
How do I schedule an inspection?
Call 435-781-5336 at least 24 hours ahead with the permit number, address, owner and inspection type.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Not for a one-story detached accessory structure of 200 sq ft or less; larger outbuildings use the County’s Outbuilding Packet.
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More Utah permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Uintah County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.