In unincorporated Park County, the Planning and Zoning Department issues a Building/Zoning Permit ($75) before any building is placed, built or enlarged, but the county has adopted no building code, inspects no framing and issues no certificate of occupancy. It also issues septic (small wastewater) and floodplain permits, while the cities of Cody and Powell and the towns of Meeteetse and Frannie handle work inside their own limits.
What needs a permit in unincorporated Park County?
The county’s 2025 Development Standards and Regulations (in force since October 1, 2025) set out which county permits apply. The Building/Zoning Permit is an administrative check that a use or structure allowed by right meets zoning rules such as setbacks and parking.
County permit needed
- Building/Zoning Permit: locating, relocating, erecting or building any structure; enlarging its outside dimensions; rebuilding a structure in the designated floodplain; changing a building’s use or raising its sewage design flow; living in an RV or camper more than 90 days a year
- Small wastewater (septic) permit: any new, replacement or repaired system component, including emergency repairs
- Floodplain development permit: construction in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area
- Special use permit or site plan review: uses listed in the county’s schedule of uses
- Subdivision permit: simple, minor, major and non-exempt large-acre (35+ acre) divisions
Not done by the county
- Building code plan review and footing, framing or final inspections
- Certificates of Occupancy or Completion
- Electrical permits (state)
- Plan review of commercial and public buildings (State Fire Marshal)
The county encourages builders to follow the International Building Code even though it enforces none. Human waste disposal of any kind, including outhouses, privies and greywater systems, needs county or DEQ review.
Who issues permits in Park County?
The Park County Planning and Zoning Department administers the Development Standards and Regulations, the septic program delegated by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and floodplain management. Joy Hill is the Director and Floodplain Administrator. Address and county road right-of-way permits come from Park County Public Works.
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Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 1002 Sheridan Ave., Suite 109, Cody, WY 82414 |
| Phone | Cody 307-527-8540; Powell 307-754-8540 |
| planning@parkcounty-wy.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; appointments strongly encouraged |
Cities and towns in Park County
- Cody: the City Building Division issues building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits through the Cityworks Public Portal (Building Official 307-527-3476).
- Powell: the City issues building permits; applications are picked up at City Hall, 270 N. Clark St. (307-754-5106), which also publishes a building permit fee schedule and a contractor registration form. The state’s jurisdiction chart lists Powell as doing its own building and electrical inspections.
- Meeteetse: the Town requires a building permit for any new fence, addition, house, garage, shed, porch or deck. The application and a drawing that shows the setbacks go to Town Hall, 2044 State Street (307-868-2278, weekdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), for review by the Town Council and Mayor; the fee is $10 for projects valued up to $5,000, and larger projects are priced on the Town’s fee schedule, available from Town Hall.
- Frannie (partly in Big Horn County): the Town’s Development Code requires a compliance permit from the Town Council for new subdivisions, mobile home courts and extensions of town water, sewer or streets, filed with the Town Clerk at least 10 days before the regular meeting on the first Monday of the month. Mobile and manufactured homes need their own utility connections, paid tap fees and a Town inspection before placement. The code sets no general building permit, but new or altered water piping or plumbing in a building needs a permit from the Town water commissioner (leak repairs excepted), and extending or altering a sewer service line needs a Town permit. Town Hall 307-664-2323.
Park County applications and forms
New applications under the 2025 regulations are posted on the Planning and Zoning Applications and Fees page. The main ones for a building project are:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →- Building/Zoning Permit Application (two pages): one per use or structure. It expires if construction or the use has not begun within 365 days of approval.
- Small Wastewater System Permit Application for conventional septic systems under 2,000 gallons a day, and a separate Non-Standard Wastewater System application.
- Affidavit of (As-Built) SWW System for a system installed without a permit, which the county’s delegated official may allow.
- Floodplain Development Permit Application; every floodplain application goes to the Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing.
- Site Plan Review, Special Use Permit and Variance Request applications for uses and sites that need them.
Park County permit fees
Fees come from the county’s fee schedule (Exhibit E, last amended by resolution on March 4, 2025). There is no valuation-based building fee.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Building/Zoning Permit | $75 |
| Small wastewater permit, new or replacement system | $250 |
| Small wastewater permit, repair or modification | $125 |
| Small wastewater re-inspection | $100 |
| Non-standard wastewater system application | $75 |
| Permit for an as-built small wastewater system | $1,000, plus the investigation fee and septic permit fee |
| Floodplain development permit | $350 |
| Floodplain determination site visit | $125 |
| Special use permit and/or site plan review | $350 plus mailing and publication costs |
| Variance request | $400 plus mailing and publication costs |
| Investigation fee, building or septic installed without a permit | $150 |
| Investigation fee, other violations | $300 |
A new home with a new septic system therefore pays $75 plus $250 in county fees, before the state electrical permit. Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits pay half the application fee when the permit is for fundraising purposes.
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Electrical, plumbing and fire review
Electrical: outside Cody and Powell, electrical permits and inspections come from the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. A wiring permit costs $50 ($40 for temporary power) and is issued only through the department’s online portal; it is needed for new construction or remodeling that requires the utility to connect or disconnect power.
Plumbing and mechanical: the county issues no plumbing, gas or mechanical permits. Septic systems need the county small wastewater permit.
State Fire Marshal plan review: government buildings, schools, buildings over 5,000 sq ft with public access, child care centers for more than 10 children, multi-story buildings and places of assembly need state plan review, as do alterations to them valued at $40,000 or more, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, solar, wind and generator installations, above-ground fuel tanks, Type I kitchen hoods, spray finishing and RV or mobile home park site plans.
What to submit
For every Building/Zoning Permit, submit a detailed drawing (aerial photos and parcel maps are on the County MapServer) showing:
- Existing structures on the whole property and their current uses
- Where the new building, accessory building or use will go
- Distances to property lines, roads and nearby streams; buildings must sit at least 20 ft from a county road right-of-way
- Parking, for example two spaces per dwelling
The form also asks for bedrooms, maximum height, footprint, total floor area and whether more than an acre will be disturbed. Attach a copy of the WYDOT access permit for state highway access, check any subdivision covenants, and file a septic application with the permit if a new or larger system is needed.
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Get a free quote →How to get a Park County Building/Zoning Permit
Make sure the parcel is outside Cody, Powell, Meeteetse and Frannie, and check for a mapped floodplain on the County MapServer.
For a new or larger system, dig the groundwater exploration pit, run percolation tests and design the system before applying.
Show structures, setbacks, the 20 ft county road setback, streams and parking on the drawing.
Bring or send the Building/Zoning application, septic application and fees to the Planning and Zoning office in Cody; an appointment is recommended.
Order the state wiring permit online, apply to Public Works for any address or road approach, and file State Fire Marshal plan review for commercial or public buildings.
Begin construction within 365 days of approval, and call for the septic inspection before backfilling.
Inspections in unincorporated Park County
The county inspects septic systems, not buildings. Once the county issues the septic Permit to Construct, the system is installed to the approved design and left uncovered; the SWW Administrator inspects it, and backfilling may start only after the county gives permission. Electrical work is inspected by the state’s electrical inspector, and buildings under State Fire Marshal review are inspected by the state.
Local Park County details
Floodplain: about 1,300 private parcels in rural Park County are crossed by mapped flood zones. Unincorporated Park County, Cody, Powell and Meeteetse take part in the National Flood Insurance Program and each regulates its own floodplain; Frannie does not take part.
Snow load: the county points builders to U.S. Forest Service guidance of 20–30 psf, with case-study areas at higher elevations.
Subdivisions: even simple land divisions need a county subdivision permit unless an exemption applies.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Wyoming building code
Wyoming’s state-adopted codes are the 2024 International Fire, Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Existing Building Codes and the 2026 National Electrical Code, applied through the State Fire Marshal’s plan review and electrical program; cities and counties add their own building, zoning and floodplain rules. Wyoming’s state codes and review
Official Park County permit resources
- Park County Planning and Zoning Department
- Park County applications and fees (2025 regulations)
- Park County Building/Zoning Permit application
- Park County fee schedule, Exhibits A and E (amended March 4, 2025)
- Park County 2025 Development Standards and Regulations
- Park County small wastewater systems
- Park County floodplain development
- City of Cody Building Division
- Town of Meeteetse forms and building permits
- Town of Frannie
- Wyoming electrical wiring permits
- Wyoming State Fire Marshal plan review
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Park County permit FAQs
Does Park County, Wyoming require a building permit?
Outside the towns it requires a $75 Building/Zoning Permit before you place, build or enlarge a structure. It is a zoning check: the county has adopted no building code and does no building inspections.
Who issues building permits in Park County?
The Park County Planning and Zoning Department, 1002 Sheridan Ave., Suite 109, Cody (307-527-8540), for unincorporated land. Inside Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, the city or town issues building permits; in Frannie, the Town Council issues compliance permits.
How much does a septic permit cost in Park County?
$250 for a new or replacement system and $125 for a repair or modification. The county administers septic permits for the Wyoming DEQ and must inspect the system before it is backfilled.
Do I need a permit to live in an RV in Park County?
Yes, if the RV or camper is occupied for more than 90 days a year; that requires a Building/Zoning Permit.
Who issues electrical permits in Park County?
The Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety, through its online portal, for $50. Cody and Powell handle electrical inspections inside their city limits.
Does Park County issue certificates of occupancy?
No. The county issues neither Certificates of Occupancy nor Certificates of Completion.
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More Wyoming permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Park County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.