West Haven, Utah Building Permit Guide

Inside West Haven, building permits and inspections come from the City’s Building Department, part of Community Development at City Hall, 4150 S 3900 W. You register in the City’s CityInspect system to apply and to request inspections. The permit fee follows the IBC valuation tables, residential plan review adds 20% of that fee, and the City aims to finish a first review of house plans in 7–14 working days.

What requires a building permit in West Haven?

City code § 157.690 says construction, alteration, repair, removal or occupancy of a structure may not start until the City Building Inspector has issued a written permit, unless the work is minor as defined in the code or as the Building Inspector decides. The Building Department issues permits for new buildings, additions and remodels, and reviews the building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work in them.

Excavation in city streets, flood plain development and construction stormwater each need their own City permit, covered below.

Who issues building permits in West Haven?

The Building Department, part of Community Development, reviews plans, issues building permits and carries out inspections for property inside West Haven. Community Development also handles subdivisions, commercial site plans, conditional use permits, zone changes and variances. Unincorporated land in Weber County is permitted by Weber County Building Inspection instead.

How to apply and which forms West Haven uses

Building permits, excavation permits and inspection requests all start with a registration in the City’s CityInspect system; once the account exists you submit the application and plans there. Land use applications are separate and go through CivicReview: pre-application meeting requests, conditional use permits, site plan and design review, subdivisions, zoning verification letters, boundary adjustments and a combined form for accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals, temporary storage units and temporary RV parking.

Forms and handouts the Building Department posts:

• Owner/Builder Certification, for owners building without a contractor.
• Gas Meter Request Form, certifying to the gas company that the fuel line has been sized, pressure tested and inspected; it carries the Building Official’s approval and a gas schematic.
• Shed & Detached Garage Guide, with the permit threshold, setbacks and what the plot plan and plans must show.
• Residential Basement Finish handout, listing the plan contents and inspections for a basement finish.
• Commercial submittal requirements, for commercial projects.
• Excavation Permit Application, for work in a public street or right-of-way.

West Haven building permit fees

City code § 151.15 ties the building permit fee to the IBC valuation tables and permit fee formulas in force on the day you apply, so the City does not print a dollar table; the fee is worked out from the value of the work. Everything charged on top of it is in the Consolidated Fees & Fines Schedule, last amended by Resolution 18-2026, which the City Council adopted on May 6, 2026.

The fee schedule PDF linked from the Building Department page is still the September 17, 2025 version, which shows a $100 re-inspection fee and no single-inspection or re-roof lines; the adopted May 2026 resolution sets re-inspections at $75.

Sewer and connection fees: new homes apply to the West Haven Special Service District and the City for sewer, storm drain and garbage service (and water where the City provides it), and the applicant agrees to pay the connection and impact fees for a new connection.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits in West Haven

Trade work is reviewed and inspected by the same Building Department. When a whole project is permitted, the electrical, plumbing and heating work is part of the building permit, as the basement handout notes; a stand-alone mechanical, plumbing or electrical job that needs only one inspection is charged the $75 single inspection fee.

Before the gas company sets a meter, the City’s Gas Meter Request Form must certify that the fuel line has been sized for 4 oz or 2 lb pressure, pressure tested and inspected, signed by the certified installer and contractor and approved by the Building Official. New concealed gas piping in a basement finish is air tested at 25 psi for 12 hours.

West Haven submittal requirements and review times

The Building Department aims to finish the first review of submitted plans in 7–14 working days for residential projects and 14–21 days for commercial buildings. For an identical (duplicate) plan, the City charges an identical plan fee of 30% of the plan review fee instead of the plan review fee.

How to apply: 6-step West Haven process

West Haven inspections

Inspections are requested through the City’s CityInspect system or by email to buildinginspections@westhavencity.com. Work may not be covered or concealed until it has been inspected and approved.

For a basement finish the City lists a rough 4-way inspection (power to panel, gas line pressure test, framing, rough electrical, plumbing and heating), insulation and vapor barrier where needed, and a final, called for by the permit holder once every device and fixture is installed with its cover plates, that also covers decks, guards, handrails and exterior site work. Underground wiring must be inspected before the trench is covered.

A re-inspection costs $75, calling for an inspection before the work is ready is a $50 fine, and moving in before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued is charged $300 a day.

Local West Haven details that matter

Construction stormwater: a single-family home that is not part of a common plan or larger construction permit needs a City stormwater construction permit ($400). A Common Plan Permit for single-lot housing projects in a larger development is $400 plus $50 per lot. Working without the stormwater permit is $500 per occurrence and tracking mud onto the road $300.

Flood plain: development in a flood plain needs a $150 Flood Plain Development Permit.

Street cuts: excavation in a public street needs an Excavation Permit ($150 application) plus $2.50 per square foot of street cut, $125 more for a road 3–10 years old, and $500 for an emergency cut.

Shed setbacks: the shed guide keeps sheds behind the front wall of the house and sets minimum distances from property lines and the house that grow with the size of the shed; check the guide before you pour a pad.

ADUs and short-term rentals: both need a City land use approval through CivicReview; the fee schedule lists the ADU or short-term rental permit at $0.

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 West Haven permitting resources

City and state sources:

• Utah State Construction Code, Title 15A
• West Haven Building Department
• West Haven CityInspect registration
• West Haven forms and CivicReview land use applications
• West Haven Shed & Detached Garage Guide
• West Haven Residential Basement Finish handout
• May 6, 2026 council packet with Resolution 18-2026 fee schedule
• West Haven Consolidated Fee Schedule (September 2025 version)
• West Haven code § 151.15, building codes and permit fees
• West Haven code § 157.690, building permit required
• West Haven code of ordinances
• West Haven City Hall contact and hours

West Haven building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in West Haven?

The West Haven City Building Department, part of Community Development at City Hall (4150 S 3900 W, 801-731-4519). Land in unincorporated Weber County is permitted by the County.

How much is a building permit in West Haven?

The permit fee is calculated from the IBC valuation tables and fee formulas in force when you apply. Residential plan review adds 20% of the permit fee and commercial plan review 65%; a single-item trade inspection is $75 and a re-roof $100.

Do I need a permit for a shed in West Haven?

Not for a storage shed of 200 sq ft or less with no electrical, mechanical or plumbing work, if it meets the setbacks. Larger sheds and garages, and any detached building used for a business or other non-storage use, need a building permit.

Do I need a permit to finish my basement?

Yes. The City requires a building permit for every single-family basement finish, and homeowners may draw the plans themselves.

How long does plan review take?

The City’s goal is 7–14 working days for a first review of residential plans and 14–21 days for commercial buildings.

How do I request an inspection?

Through the City’s CityInspect account or by emailing buildinginspections@westhavencity.com.

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