Building Services & Business Licensing
451 South State Street, Room 215-218
Salt Lake City UT 84111
801.535.7752
FAX 801.535.7750

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Permits and Zoning office located?

The permits office is located at 451 South State Street, Salt Lake City.  This is the Old City and County Building located between 400 and 500 South and between State Street and 200 East.  You will find parking on State Street, 200 East and limited parking on 500 South.  There is also short term, 30 minute parking in the circle on 200 East.  Additionally there is parking under the Library.  The entrance is on 400 South between 200 and 300 East.

Why do I need a permit?

The purpose of building permits is provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health and general welfare and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.  No person, firm or corporation shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building, structure or premises, or make any installation, alteration or improvement to the electrical, plumbing or mechanical system in a building, structure or premises, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining the prescribed permits for each such building or structure or premises from the building official. 

When do I need a permit?

Basically, all work being done requires a permit.  The only exception to this is painting, laying flooring or other very cosmetic issues.  Please check with the Permits Office if you are not sure.  The permit staff can be reached at (801) 535-7752.  Other exemptions include; playhouses and similar uses under 200 square feet; oil derricks; movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet high; retaining walls which are not over two feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids; water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one; painting, papering and similar finish work; temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery; window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and Group M occupancies, when projecting not more than fifty-four inches.

Can I obtain the permit myself?

If the structure is YOUR primary residence (the one you reside in), you may take out the permits.  If this is a rental or commercial property, you will need to have a contractor obtain the permits and do the work required.  IF, the work being done can be considered general maintenance or repair under $1000 in valuation, an owner may obtain the permit.  General maintenance does include roofing, but does not include anything structural, i.e. cutting in a new window, putting up taking down a structural load bearing wall.  The best way to determine if the work is general repair/maintenance or goes beyond this scope is to call the office and speak to a plans examiner. 

How are permit fees decided?

Permit fees are based on the value of the project.  The value of the project is all material and a reasonable labor, or is based on the contractor’s bid.  There are fee tables and valuation tables on the web site for determining these figures.

Recent Salt Lake City policy has deemed that only cash, checks and echecks are accepted for payment.

When do I need a contractor?

Unless the work in considered non-structural maintenance, you will need a contractor for any work being done on a rental property, whether it is a single family dwelling or multiple tenant building.  You will also need a contactor on any commercial project.  See “Can I obtain the permit myself”

Who is responsible for getting the permit?

If there is a contactor on the job, it is his responsibility according to state law to obtain the permit and see to the inspections.  Be aware, if you hire a contractor and take out the permits yourself, you are liable for the work being done to code and not your contactor.  This means that if there are corrections to be made in the work, we come back to you, not your contactor.  If you hire a contactor, make sure that he takes out the permit and has the inspections done.  If you have any questions, call the Permits office at (801) 535-7752

Who is responsible for the inspections?

The person who obtained the permits, whether it be owner or contactor, is the person responsible for making sure the inspections are done and passed.

What happens when you don't obtain a permit?

If you do not take out the permit and the City is made aware of this, we issue what is called a Stop Work (RED TAG) on the address.  With this red tag, you could be charged a double fee on the job.  If a permit is still not obtained, a citation may be issued.  Payment of such increased fees shall not relieve any persons from fully complying with the requirements.  Eventually, if no permit is obtained, we can file a “Certificate of Non-Compliance” on the property, letting all interested partied know that work was done on the address without permits and inspections.  This can hold up the sale of the property until it is resolved.  Exception-Emergency Work. This provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the building official that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefore before the commencement of the work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, generally the next day, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining a permit, a double fee, as herein provided, shall be charged.

How do I find out if the contractor I've hired is a state licensed contractor?

To find out whether a contractor is licensed or if he is licensed to perform the work that is being done, you will need to contact the Utah State Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL) at (801) 530-4849.  Or you may find the information on their web site at: Welcome to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing 

What does zoning do for me?

The purpose of zoning is to promote the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Salt Lake City, to implement the adopted plans of the City, and to carry out the purposes of the Municipal Land Use Development and Management Act, which is intended to: lessen congestion in the streets or roads; secure safety from fire and other dangers; provide adequate light and air; classify land uses and distribute land development and utilization; foster the City's industrial, business and residential development; and protect the environment

What is my zoning?

To determine the zoning of your property, check the website at:

http://apps1.slcgov.com/General/AddressInformation/zoning_search.asp

What can I do in this zone?

The use allowed in the zone if determined by the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance, Title 21A.  Follow this link to get to the zoning ordinance to determine the use.  http://66.113.195.234/UT/Salt%20Lake%20City/index.htm  and go to Title 21A.

If my home is in a historic district, what is my first step in taking out a permit?

If your home is in an historic district, or in fact a historic structure, you will need to contact Salt Lake City Planning.  From there you can determine what can or cannot be done to this structure.  

What is a site plan?

A site plan is a drawing comprised of the verified property line location, dimensions, direction from back of curb or sidewalk to property line, dimension of parkway strip, lot square footage, scale and north arrow direction; streets, alleys, affected easements and right-of-ways; location and dimensions of all hard surfaced areas including curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveways, parking spaces, loading areas, garbage areas and access points to public streets or alleys; the size, shape and location of all existing and proposed structures including overhang projections, garages, carports, sheds and the distance to the nearest point of any dwelling or garage on abutting properties.  Front, side and rear yard setback dimensions from property line to all existing and proposed structures; parking strip layout, including lawn areas, location of existing and proposed street trees, sprinkler system and curb cuts.  To see a sample site plan, go to http://www.slcgov.com/CED/buildzone/siteplan.pdf.

What comprises a set of plans?

A set of plans necessary to obtain a permit could contain a number of items including:

• a site plan

• a floor plan

• cross sections

• elevations

• engineered truss details

• existing/proposed topography

• soils reports,

• joist layouts

• footing/foundation details

• heat loss calculations,

• drainage plans

• parking calculations

• any other pertinent information

What design criteria is required?

Design criteria is the basic information required to draw or construct plans.  To find a complete listing go to: Design criteria

What codes are currently being used?

To find a complete listing of the current codes being used within the corporate limits of SLC, go to:  Design criteria

What do you look for on a tenant finish?

The following is what is looked at for a tenant finish:  the path of egress travel; elevator lobbies; ADA compliance; glazing; emergency lighting and exiting; smoke detectors, alarms, horns; seismic bracing; penetrations; wood used in fire-penetrated walls, etc. 

How long does it take to get my plans approved and permit issued?

Minor plan reviews can be done over the counter.  Plans that are logged in are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.  The size of the plans are not taken into consideration when reviewing.  Plans requiring a more complete review can take anywhere from three to six weeks for first review.  After the first review is completed, the next review depends on when the corrections or additional information come in.  When the corrections or additional information come in they are done as soon as possible and do not go back into the system to wait for another review. For plan check information and status you can call the office with your plan review number that is given to you at the time you log the plans in and pay the plan review fee.

How do I schedule an inspection?

You may schedule an inspection one of two ways.  You may call the automated interactive voice response system at (801) 535-6436.  To use this system you only need to know you permit number and the code for the type of inspection being requested.  You receive this list of codes at the time your permit is issued or you can find it on our web site at Inspection codes. 

You may also schedule inspections over the internet at bhs_permits_start. 

How many pets can I have in my home? 

The zoning ordinance does not deal with animals.  Please call Salt Lake County Animal Services. 

Do I need a permit for a garage? what do I need?

Yes a permit is required to tear down and/or build a garage.  To find information on this please go to http://www.slcgov.com/CED/buildzone/garage.pdf.

Do I need a permit for a fence? what do I need?

Fences that exceed the height allowance in the zoning ordinance do require a permit.  Also fences in the Foothill Districts and Historic Districts require a permit.  "Fence" means a structure erected to provide privacy or security which defines a private space and may enhance the design of individual sites. A wall or similar barrier shall be deemed a fence.  Generally a fence can be 4 foot high in the front and 6 feet in side and rear yards.  For additional information regarding the safety of fences, locations, plans, see:  http://www.slcgov.com/CED/buildzone/fences.pdf.

Do I need a permit to replace doors or windows? what do I need? 

Yes, permits are needed to replace exterior doors and/or windows.  We normally require a window schedule to replace windows.  The window schedule includes a listing of the size and type of window being added/replaced and the room that the window is in, i.e. bedroom, living room, etc. 

What are the requirements for a boiler operator/steam engineer?

To find the requirements of obtaining a boiler operator or steam engineer certificate, please check our web site at http://www.slcgov.com/CED/buildzone/boilerop.pdf.