Building Permits

Permit Application Process

Step 1: Determine if you need a permit

A building permit is required for all construction within the Cottonwood Heights, except for :

One-story detached accessory buildings less than 200 square feet that meet setback and height requirements
Floor coverings (i.e., carpet, hardwood, tile, etc.) for residential projects
Interior wall coverings (wallpaper, paint, paneling, etc.) for residential projects
Private fencing that meets city zoning requirements
- Fencing and clear zone standards

Step 2: Prepare appropriate plans

Plan requirements differ based on project nature. Some projects don’t require plans at all, while others may require extensively detailed plans. For specific plan requirements, click the option below that applies to your project:

Most building permits

Residential single family plans

Supplemental residential plans and standards

Commercial and multi-family plans

Step 3: Apply for a building permit

We only accept online applications.

Click the "Building Permit Application" at the top of this webpage
A tutorial of this application process can be accessed by clicking on "Building Permit Tutorial" in the top righthand section of this webpage.
Upload building plans to the online application. We cannot accept an application without accompanying plans.
If plans end up being too large for the iWorq system to accept, please email them to the permits team and include your project address
Submit building permit fees (see below)

Step 4: Pay for the building permit

Once your complete application has been submitted, our staff will email you a link to pay your initial fees online. If you prefer to pay over the phone, or in-person, you can disregard the emailed link and notify our staff of your preference.

Once you submit payment, it may take 5 to 7 business days to process the permit application and distribute it to permit reviewers (see Step 5)

Permit cost estimate

The permit fee is determined by the construction cost valuation. If you have any inquiries regarding permit costs, please feel free to contact us at 801-944-7062 to inquire about the building permit cost.

Note that additional fees, such as zoning review fees and impact fees, may apply, based on the city's fee schedule.

All direct costs associated with the review of geologic hazard reports shall be paid by the applicant through the application fee.

Step 5: Permit review

After you've paid for the permit and the city has processed and accepted it, we strive to complete the first plan review within 7 business days. If our team is experiencing a high volume of permits, reviews may take longer than this.
Utah state code allows for 14 business days per a review, as well as additional time if special reviews, such as a third-party reviewer, is required.
Once a review is complete, our staff will either send the applicant a corrections list of modifications that need to be made to the plans, or a link to pay final fees and issue the permit, if the plans were deemed to be fully code compliant.

Step 6: Submit corrected plans

If modifications to the project plans are required, the applicant will need to submit updated plans to staff via email.
Email the plans to the staff member who sent the corrections or use the form and select building permits from the dropdown menu.
Please include your permit number or project address in the subject line or form so that staff can ensure your corrected plans are filed with the right project.

Step 7: Pick up permit

Step 8: Getting inspections

To schedule an inspection, click the Inspection Requests/Details button at the top of this page. Do not include dashes; the scheduling system only accepts numeric values.

For next-day inspections, apply before 3 p.m. the day before. Please note that we do not offer same day inspections, or weekend inspections.

To view a full tutorial on the inspection request process, click "Inspection TUTORIAL" in the top righthand section of this webpage.

New Hours Starting March 2, 2026!