Building permits in Cache County, Utah
Find the right authority before you build. Cache County permitting follows Utah law — here is exactly who issues the permit and where to start.
County + cities (mixed)
Cache County Building Division issues permits for unincorporated areas and many contract towns; Logan City and a few others issue their own
Cache County Building Division issues permits for unincorporated Cache County and for contract towns (Amalga, Hyrum, Mendon-area towns, Providence, Richmond, Smithfield, Wellsville, etc.). Logan City and several other incorporated cities run their own building departments.
Open the official permit portal →
Before building in Cache County, call Development Services (435-755-1640) to confirm what permits are required; a zoning clearance from the relevant town is usually required before the county issues a permit.
Permit cheat-sheet (Utah rules)
| Project | Permit? | Authority | Typical fee | Timeline | Go / No-Go | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Conditional | city | Valuation-based; set by the city under the statewide code. | Plan review through the city (SLC first review ~14 business days). | Generally allowed | Utah follows the statewide Utah Construction Code (IRC-based). ADU allowances are set by local zoning; construction must meet all IRC standards. Local jurisdictions cannot enforce rules more restrictive than the state code (Utah Code Title 15A). Exempt: Local zoning sets size, setback, and parking limits; state law supports ADU by right in many cases. |
| 🪵 Deck / Porch | Conditional | city | Valuation-based; set by the city. | Over-the-counter or 1–3 weeks depending on complexity. | Generally allowed | Utah amendments emphasize proper ledger-board attachment, flashing, and lateral-load connections for decks. Exempt: Decks ≤30 in above adjacent grade are exempt under IRC R105.2. |
| 🧱 Fence / Wall | Conditional | city | Set by the city; often low or over-the-counter for standard fences. | Often same-day/over-the-counter for non-corner lots. | Generally allowed | Pool-enclosure fences must meet barrier requirements regardless of height. Exempt: IRC R105.2 exempts fences ≤6 ft; local fences commonly exempt under this threshold. |
| 🛖 Shed / Outbuilding | Conditional | city | Valuation-based; set by the city. | Small sheds often over-the-counter. | Generally allowed | Anchoring and snow/wind load requirements apply; verify setback compliance with the city. Exempt: IRC R105.2 exempts detached accessory structures ≤120 sq ft. |
| 🪜 Basement Finish | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | Standard plan review 2–4 weeks. | Generally allowed | Utah’s energy code (amended IECC) applies to basement finishes; egress and smoke/CO alarms required. Exempt: Cosmetic finishing (paint, flooring) is exempt. |
| 🚗 Garage / Carport | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | New-structure plan review; varies by city. | Generally allowed | Attached and detached garages require a full building permit and plan review under the Utah Construction Code. Exempt: New detached structures over the IRC threshold require a permit. |
| ☀️ Rooftop Solar PV | Permit required | city | Building + electrical permits; fee set by city. | Issued with the building/electrical plan review. | Generally allowed | Utah exempts residential solar equipment from property tax (Utah Code § 59-2-106); provide racking designed for local wind/snow loads. Exempt: No size exemption; all rooftop PV requires permits. |
| 🌡️ HVAC Replacement | Conditional | city | Mechanical permit; fee set by city. | Trade permits often issued same-day. | Generally allowed | Equipment must meet Utah’s amended energy-code efficiency rules; heat-pump electrification is incentivized. Exempt: In-kind replacement in the same location may be exempt. |
| 🍳 Kitchen Remodel | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when structural/plumbing/electrical work is included. | Standard review for permitted scopes. | Generally allowed | Utah’s amended energy code applies to alterations that trigger it (insulation, window U-factor, HVAC). Exempt: Cabinet/countertop swap in the same layout is exempt. |
| 🛁 Bathroom Remodel | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when plumbing is relocated. | Standard review for permitted scopes. | Generally allowed | Ventilation to the exterior and GFCI protection are required; Utah energy code may apply to alterations. Exempt: Fixture-for-fixture swap in place is often exempt. |
| 🏗️ Room Addition | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | SLC first review ~14 business days; multiple inspections. | Generally allowed | Lot-coverage and Utah amended energy-code compliance are reviewed. Exempt: No exemption — any new conditioned footprint requires a permit. |
| 🪟 Window / Door Replacement | Conditional | city | Usually no fee for in-kind swap; permit needed if opening is enlarged. | In-kind swaps typically need no review. | Generally allowed | Replacement products should meet Utah’s amended energy-code U-factor when the code is triggered. Exempt: Same-size, in-kind replacement is generally exempt. |
| 🏘️ Roof Replacement | Conditional | city | Often over-the-counter or exempt for same-footprint re-roof. | Re-roof can be same-day/next-business-day. | Generally allowed | Snow-load and ice-shield requirements apply; verify locally. Exempt: Same-material, same-slope re-roof often exempt/over-the-counter. |
| 🅿️ Driveway / Parking Pad | Conditional | city | Building permit often not required; curb-cut/right-of-way work is separate. | Right-of-way permits reviewed by the city/utility. | Generally allowed | A separate right-of-way permit is usually needed to cut the curb or connect to the street. Exempt: Replacing a driveway in the same footprint (no new curb cut) is generally exempt. |
| 🏊 Swimming Pool / Spa | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes barrier/fencing and electrical bonding review. | Plan review; barrier inspection required before filling. | Generally allowed | Utah follows the IRC swimming-pool barrier requirements (ISPSC where adopted); verify with the building department. Exempt: No exemption — all permanent pools/spas require a permit. |
| 🧱 Retaining Wall | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the height threshold. | Over-threshold walls need plan review. | Generally allowed | Walls in hillside or drainage-path areas have stricter rules; verify with the building department. Exempt: Walls ≤4 ft above grade and not supporting a surcharge are exempt under IRC R105.2. |
| 💥 Demolition / Teardown | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the city under the Utah Construction Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| 🚰 Septic System | Permit required | county | Onsite wastewater permit fee set by the local county health department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | New or replacement onsite wastewater (septic) systems require a construction permit from the local county health department under Utah Admin. Rule R317-4 (Utah DEQ Division of Water Quality). The Utah DEQ permits larger systems (daily flow over 5,000 gallons); counties issue the rest. A soil exploration and engineered design by a DWQ-certified professional are required. |
| 🔌 EV Charger | Conditional | city | Electrical permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A home EV charging station normally requires an electrical permit for a dedicated 240V circuit and wall unit, issued by the city under the Utah Construction Code / NEC. Plug-in (cord-and-plug) Level 1 charging from an existing outlet may be exempt where code allows; a new dedicated circuit or hardwired unit requires a permit. |
| ⚡ Standby Generator | Permit required | city | Electrical (and often mechanical/gas) permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A permanently installed standby generator with a transfer switch and fuel (natural gas/propane) line requires electrical and often mechanical/gas permits, plus inspection (NEC Art. 445/702 context). Setback, noise, and carbon-monoxide rules may apply, and HOAs may restrict installation. Verify with the city building department. |
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Cache County, Utah?
Cache County Building Division issues permits for unincorporated areas and many contract towns; Logan City and a few others issue their own is the permitting authority for Cache County. Permitting is split — cities issue for incorporated areas, the county for unincorporated areas. Start at the official portal linked above.
Do I go to the county or my city for a building permit in Cache County?
Permitting is split — cities issue for incorporated areas, the county for unincorporated areas.
What home projects need a permit in Cache County?
The same project types shown in the cheat-sheet above (ADU, deck, fence, shed, solar, and more) — rules follow Utah state law. Whether the county or your city issues it depends on your property's incorporation status.
How do I apply for a permit in Cache County?
Use the official permit portal linked above. Most offices accept online submissions; have your plans, site information, and contractor details ready before applying.
Sources: Cache County — Development Services · Utah Code Title 15A, Chapter 3 — State Construction Code · Salt Lake City — Building Permit Applications · Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (Uniform Building Code Commission) · Utah Code Title 15A, Chapter 3 — State Construction Code