Sheridan County, Wyoming Building Permit Guide

Sheridan County Public Works in Sheridan issues a $150 zoning permit for new buildings, additions and changes of use across the unincorporated county, and a building permit with plan review and inspections where the county’s Building Standards apply: the mapped area around the City of Sheridan, subdivisions approved since December 5, 2006 and projects under a conditional use permit. Permits can take up to 30 days once an application is complete.

What needs a permit in Sheridan County?

Before building, rebuilding, altering or changing the use of a structure or lot in the unincorporated county, you need a zoning permit, a building permit or both. Each new building, structure or addition needs its own permit.

Work under $5,000 needs no county building permit but must still meet the adopted codes. Outside the Building Standards area and those subdivisions, the county issues a zoning permit only and does no building code inspection. Some structures and uses are exempt from the zoning permit too; Public Works confirms which.

Who issues permits in Sheridan County?

The Sheridan County Public Works Department takes building, zoning, septic and floodplain applications, and the county Building Official enforces the Building Standards. The Planning office (307-674-2920) handles zoning districts, rezoning, conditional use permits, variances and land divisions with the monthly Planning and Zoning Commission.

Cities and towns

• Sheridan: the City Building Division (55 Grinnell Plaza, 307-674-5941) issues building and trade permits through its online Permits & Licensing Portal and does its own building and electrical inspections.
• Dayton: any new structure or exterior remodel needs a Town building permit; the code sets a $25 application fee ($5 refunded if the permit is denied or the project dropped), and the permit is void after 12 months without substantial construction. Demolishing or removing a structure originally worth $2,500 or more needs a permit from the town clerk and the building official’s approval. Town office 307-655-2217.
• Ranchester: the Town Building Inspector issues permits, including for fences. The code sets $15 for work up to $2,000 and $25 plus a $25 inspection fee above that, and applications need a plat in duplicate with the lot corners marked. The Planning Commission, meeting on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., recommends to the Council whether permits for new buildings and subdivisions should be granted. Town Hall, 145 Coffeen Street (307-655-2283).
• Clearmont: the Town’s zoning code requires a building permit before any new structure, addition or remodeling. File the Application for Review with scaled plans for the zoning administrator (the Town Council acts in that role until one is appointed), who must grant or deny it within 20 days; the permit is void after 6 months without substantial construction. The Council meets on the third Monday at 6 p.m. and falls back on Sheridan County rules where the Town’s ordinances are silent. Town Hall, 1605 Pennsylvania Ave. (307-758-4465).

Sheridan County permit applications

• Building & Zoning Permit with the Plan Submittal Requirements (revised May 2026): one combined application with building and zoning fees, used for new construction, alterations, additions, demolition, repairs, moved buildings and manufactured homes.
• Zoning Permit Application (revised August 3, 2026): for zoning-only projects and changes of use, with a plot plan, floor plan and an Affidavit of Occupancy for accessory dwellings.
• Septic permit applications, including PRESBY systems, holding tanks, privy vaults and a supplemental design form for the Story area.
• Flood Plain Development Permit for work in a mapped floodplain.
• Driveway/approach and right-of-way permits for county roads.

Some forms are legal size and must be printed at that size, and a form whose printed text has been changed is not valid. The applicant must own the property or have notarized authorization from the owner, with a recorded deed as proof.

Sheridan County permit fees

Fees come from the Sheridan County Land Use Fee Schedule adopted June 6, 2023. Building permit fees are based on valuation, and the plan review fee of 47% of the building permit fee is charged in addition to it.

For example, a house valued at $300,000 in the Building Standards area pays $1,027 plus 200 × $7 = $2,427 for the building permit, $1,140.69 for plan review (47%) and $150 for zoning, or $3,717.69 before septic and state fees.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire

The county’s Building Standards adopt the plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical and fire codes but state that no county permit is required for that work. Electrical work is permitted and inspected by the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety, whose $50 wiring permit is issued through its online portal, and the state’s authority on fire protection and electrical safety overrides the county’s. Plans for commercial and public buildings within the State Fire Marshal’s jurisdiction are reviewed by the state before work starts. New wells are permitted by the State Engineer’s Office, and driveways onto state highways by WYDOT’s Sheridan office at 10 E. Brundage Lane.

Plans to submit for a county building permit

Submit two sets of plans (they may be emailed to publicworks@sheridancountywy.gov) showing that the work meets the International Codes. Business, commercial and industrial buildings must be designed and certified by a Wyoming-licensed engineer or architect.

• Site plan (no larger than 11 × 17): lot size and lines, the structure and its setbacks, other buildings within 100 ft, the driveway, water within 200 ft and north arrow; on lots over 20 acres, distant lines can be shown by arrows
• Foundation plan with footing and wall sections, rebar and anchor bolt sizes and spacing
• Floor framing plan, with a crawl space access of at least 18 × 24 inches
• Floor plans for every level, with smoke detectors and plumbing fixtures
• Roof framing plan; truss shop drawings are needed before trusses go up, and the attic access must be at least 22 × 30 inches
• Typical cross section from roof to footing, and elevations of all four sides

County amendments to note: footings at least 8 × 16 inches with two No. 4 bars and foundation walls at least 8 inches unless engineered from a soils study; 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board instead of 1/2-inch board in the garage separation sections; insulation of R-49 in ceilings and R-21 (or R-13 plus R-5 continuous) in wood-frame walls; and no residential fire sprinkler requirement.

How to get a Sheridan County permit

Inspections and occupancy

After a zoning permit is approved, county staff inspect the staked site. Where the Building Standards apply, the county Building Official inspects the construction, and occupancy is not allowed until the final inspection is passed and a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Starting without a permit adds an inspection fee, and each day a Building Standards violation continues counts as a separate offense with a $750 fine.

Local Sheridan County details

Building Standards area: the county’s planning map shows the Building Standards area as a large area surrounding the City of Sheridan; check it before assuming a rural lot is zoning-only.

Airport overlays: the county has airport influence area, height and noise zoning resolutions, and the building permit form records airport height, noise and aviation easement checks.

Commercial solar: commercial solar energy facilities need a $2,400 county solar energy permit under separate rules.

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 Sheridan County permit resources

• Sheridan County: building in the county
• Sheridan County Building & Zoning Permit and plan submittal requirements
• Sheridan County Zoning Permit Application (August 2026)
• Building Standards, Sheridan County (effective May 30, 2023)
• Sheridan County Building Standards area map
• Sheridan County Land Use Fee Schedule (June 6, 2023)
• Sheridan County cities, towns and communities
• City of Sheridan Building Division
• Town of Dayton building permits, code 17.12.030
• Town of Ranchester building code, Title 13
• Town of Clearmont government and Application for Review
• Town of Clearmont Title 8, zoning and building permits
• Wyoming electrical wiring permits

Sheridan County permit FAQs

Does Sheridan County, Wyoming require a building permit?

Inside the county’s Building Standards area, in subdivisions approved after December 5, 2006 and for conditional use projects, yes: any work valued over $5,000 needs a county building permit. Everywhere else outside the towns, new buildings, additions and changes of use need a $150 zoning permit.

How much is a building permit in Sheridan County?

It follows a valuation table plus a 47% plan review fee. A $300,000 house pays $2,427 plus $1,140.69 for plan review and $150 for zoning.

How long does a Sheridan County permit take?

The county checks completeness within 10 business days and may take up to 30 days to issue the permit after the application is complete.

Who issues building permits in Sheridan, Dayton and Ranchester?

Each town issues its own: the City of Sheridan Building Division, the Town of Dayton and the Ranchester Building Inspector. In Clearmont, permits go to the zoning administrator, a role the Town Council fills until one is appointed.

Who issues electrical permits in Sheridan County?

The Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety, for the county and all towns except the City of Sheridan, which inspects electrical work itself.

What happens if I build without a permit?

The building fee rises by 33% and other permit fees double (the zoning permit becomes $300), and each day a Building Standards violation continues can bring a $750 fine.

Simplify Sheridan County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Wyoming. 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 Sheridan County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.