Bolthole Index

Juab County, Utah

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Juab County, Utah

36Index Score / 100
#26 of 29 in Utah

Unincorporated Juab County, Utah requires building permits for construction activity, with a narrow exemption for qualifying agriculture-only structures not used for human occupancy12. Juab County Planning and Zoning handles county building permits and zoning; Central Utah Public Health Department issues septic permits345. Occupancy of a permitted structure requires final inspection and a certificate of occupancy6.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction activity, with a narrow exemption for a building used entirely for agriculture1
Zoning
County zoning applies to unincorporated land; confirm the district in the Land Use Code and zoning map47
Septic
Central Utah Public Health Department requires a permit before construction and inspection before backfilling89
RV living
Long-term occupancy on private land is unconfirmed; ask Juab County Planning and Zoning3
Manufactured home
Allowed where a single-family residence is permitted, with a compliant permanent foundation and applicable local approvals10
Owner-builder
A conditional contractor-licensing exemption is available; file the certification with the county building department11
Private well
A valid water right and state Start Card are required before regulated well construction12
Agricultural building
A qualifying agriculture-only, non-occupied structure can be exempt, but power or another use triggers county permitting12

Who to call

Building permits

Juab County Planning and Zoning Department

Building permits and inspections, planning, zoning, land-use applications and county zoning-map questions

435-623-3400

160 N Main Street, Office #117 Nephi, UT 84648

Septic permits

Central Utah Public Health Department – Nephi Office

Onsite wastewater permitting and environmental-health questions for Juab County

(435) 623-0696

160 North Main Nephi, UT

Roads & driveways

Juab County Road Department

County roads and questions about access within county rights-of-way

435-623-1593

75 N 500 W Nephi, UT 84648

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Juab County, Utah?

Juab County Planning and Zoning issues building permits and inspects construction in unincorporated Juab County; Mona and Levan administer their own building permits inside their boundaries3131415. Septic permits remain with Central Utah Public Health Department5. Utah’s State Construction Code applies to new construction and qualifying repairs, alterations and changes of use in Juab County; current editions include the 2024 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code and 2023 National Electrical Code, with applicable amendments1617. A building used entirely for agriculture can be exempt from county building permitting, but another use or power requires a permit and inspection1. The state agricultural exemption does not cover a dwelling; plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits may still be required2. Unless another exemption applies, the state exemption is unavailable below 5 contiguous acres inside a city or town or below 2 contiguous acres in a county-approved subdivision; those acreage restrictions do not apply in an agricultural protection area2.

Who is the Juab County building department, and how do you reach it?

Juab County Planning and Zoning is the county building-permit and inspection office3. The office is at 160 N Main Street, Office #117, Nephi, UT 84648, and its phone number is 435-623-34003. The same department administers county planning and zoning, so it is the first call for permit applicability, parcel zoning, setbacks, allowed uses and application forms3. The county's published application checks acreage, frontage, plans, zoning, water, wastewater, addressing and encroachment approvals, and an issued permit expires if work does not start or remains suspended or abandoned for 180 days18.

Does Juab County have zoning?

Juab County has local zoning administered by Planning and Zoning for unincorporated land; use the county Land Use Code and zoning map to identify the parcel’s district4719. Mona and Rocky Ridge have their own zoning; Santaquin, which reaches into Juab County, also administers its own zoning202122. Central Utah Public Health Department remains the septic authority for Juab County addresses5. Planning Commission minutes identify 50-acre and 160-acre housing requirements in different A1 districts; confirm the current codified requirement with Planning and Zoning233. One internal accessory dwelling unit within a primary dwelling is permitted in an area zoned primarily for residential use, subject to building, health and fire codes and the local controls Utah law allows24. We could not confirm current minimum dwelling size, setbacks, lot coverage or height limits; ask Planning and Zoning for the parcel’s district standards3.

How do septic permits work in Juab County?

Central Utah Public Health Department is the septic authority for Juab County85. No part of an onsite wastewater system may be built until the health department issues a construction permit; the application package includes soil classification, a site plan, system design and the applicable fee25. The listed permit fees are $600 for a conventional system, $900 for an alternative system and $200 for repair or replacement25. The installed system must be inspected before it is backfilled9. Only 17% of county soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency rather than assuming a standard system will work26.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Juab County?

We could not confirm whether unincorporated Juab County allows residential RV occupancy, temporary private-land camping or tiny-home occupancy; ask Planning and Zoning before buying or moving onto the land3. Utah’s RV-park sanitation rule covers RVs and qualifying tiny houses in RV parks, so it does not establish permission to live in one on a private parcel2728. A manufactured home in Juab County may not be excluded where a single-family residence is permitted, but needs a code-compliant permanent foundation and must meet applicable land-use rules, building codes and restrictive covenants10. Manufactured-home additions, garages, carports and storage buildings also must comply with the applicable building code10.

What are the steps to build a home in Juab County?

  1. call Juab County Planning and Zoning to confirm jurisdiction, zoning, allowed use, dimensional standards and the building-permit submittal for the parcel319.
  1. secure culinary water. Unincorporated-county projects generally need county-approved culinary water before the building permit, although a signed release can allow earlier permit issuance; occupancy still waits until county and state water requirements are satisfied29. A private well also requires a valid water right and a state Start Card before construction12.
  1. obtain the onsite wastewater construction permit from Central Utah Public Health Department before septic work begins3025.
  1. resolve driveway access: county roads follow Juab County spacing standards, while a new connection to a state highway requires a UDOT conditional access permit3132.
  1. obtain the county building permit, complete required inspections, and do not occupy the structure until final inspection and issuance of the certificate of occupancy16.

What should you check before buying land in Juab County?

Water comes first in this dry county: annual precipitation averages 11.7 inches, and severe drought has occurred in 37.9% of years3334. A private well needs a valid water right and a Start Card, and unincorporated-county projects cannot receive occupancy approval until county and state water requirements are satisfied1229. Septic feasibility also deserves an early site review because only 17% of soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field26. If land will be divided, expect county feasibility review of water, wastewater, drainage, floodplain conditions and soil testing for the proposed lots35. Confirm legal access and driveway geometry because the county limits access to county roads, while state-highway connections require separate UDOT approval3132.

Watch-outs

  • Do not move into a permitted structure before Juab County completes the final inspection and issues the certificate of occupancy6.
  • The owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing, not building permits or inspections; qualifying owners must file the certification with the county building department11.
  • Juab County may issue a building permit under a signed water release, but the property cannot be occupied until county and state water requirements are met29.
  • County building-permit fees and a current floodplain-development process were not confirmed; ask Juab County Planning and Zoning about both before finalizing a construction budget3.

Sources

  1. Planning and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  2. Utah State Construction Code, quoted and re-checked
  3. Juab County Planning and Zoning Department (juabcounty.gov)
  4. Planning and Zoning – JuabCounty.Gov, quoted and re-checked
  5. Local Health Departments and District Engineers, quoted and re-checked
  6. Juab County Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning and Zoning – JuabCounty.Gov, quoted and re-checked
  8. Central Utah Public Health Department Onsite Wastewater Program (2026 county census)
  9. Waste Water System Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  10. Utah Code § 17-27a-513, Manufactured homes, quoted and re-checked
  11. Owner/Builder Certification Agreement to Comply with the Construction Trades Licensing Act, quoted and re-checked
  12. Water Well Drilling Information, quoted and re-checked
  13. Utah Code Section 17-60-204, County safety and welfare regulations (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Mona: Building Permit Requirements (Juab County), quoted and re-checked
  15. Town of Levan: Levan Town building permit packet (Juab County), quoted and re-checked
  16. Utah HB0532 — Building Code Revisions, quoted and re-checked
  17. Utah Code 15A-2-103, Specific editions adopted of construction code, quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning and Zoning – JuabCounty.Gov, quoted and re-checked
  19. Planning and Zoning – JuabCounty.Gov, quoted and re-checked
  20. Mona: Mona City home page (Juab County), quoted and re-checked
  21. Town of Rocky Ridge: Rocky Ridge Town public-hearing and town-meeting minutes (Juab County), quoted and re-checked
  22. Santaquin: Planning & Zoning (Juab County), quoted and re-checked
  23. Juab County Planning Commission Minutes, August 18, 2021, quoted and re-checked
  24. Utah Code Title 17, Counties, quoted and re-checked
  25. Onsite Wastewater Permit Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  26. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Utah Administrative Code Rule R392-301, Recreational Vehicle Parks (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. OPRO Accessory Dwellings (ADU's) and other dwelling types (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Unconditional and Full General Release of Liability, quoted and re-checked
  30. Central Utah Public Health Department – Nephi Office (centralutahhealth.gov)
  31. Juab County Manual of Roadway Design & Construction Standards, quoted and re-checked
  32. Conditional Access Permit (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Planning and Zoning, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike all 6 of its neighbors, Juab County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleJuab CountyMillard CountyTooele CountyUtah CountySanpete CountySevier CountyBeaver County
Building permitLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCentral Utah Public Health Dept.Central Utah Public Health Dept.County Health Dept.UT County Health Dept.Central Utah Public Health Dept.Central Utah Public Health Dept.Southwest Utah Public Health Dept.

County locator

Juab County in Utah

36
County map
Juab County highlighted among the Utah counties · colored by Index score

How Juab County scores

Seclusion73100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency17100% ev.
Admin Boringness39100% ev.
Durability25100% ev.
Property Autonomy60100% ev.
Carry Cost79100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$460kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$2,646Land / acre
11.7"Annual rain
37.9% of yrsSevere drought
13.1 / yr (+11.2)Mid-century 100°F days
32.6 daysMid-century dry spell
0.78" (+7.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.13×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$998Home insurance / yr
3.6% / yrInsurance growth
1.11%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
4,851Radius comparison (15 mi)
3.8People / sq mi
72.7%Federal land
66.3%Land at 15% slope or less
17%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
342,522 acWorkable land screen
11.4%Wooded land
11.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
50.5°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Juab County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Eureka · Nephi

Answers from the rulebook for Juab County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Juab County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction activity in Juab County administered by the Juab County Planning and Zoning Department.

    • The county states that its Planning and Zoning Department permits and inspects construction activity in Juab County.
    • A building that is 100% for agriculture is exempt from the building permit process.
    • If the building is used for any other purpose, a permit is required.
    • If power is put in the building, a permit and inspection are required.
    “Colby said that if the building is 100% for agriculture they don’t need a permit for it, it is exempt from the building permit process. However, if they use it for any other purpose they will have to get a permit. If they put power in the building, they need to get a permit and get it inspected.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction activity and occupied structures subject to the Juab County building permit process.

    • The county Planning and Zoning Department performs construction inspections.
    • Occupancy is prohibited until after final inspection and issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
    “OCCUPANCY OF STRUCTURE IS PROHIBITED UNTIL AFTER FINAL INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of structures covered by the Juab County building permit application.

    • Occupancy is prohibited until after final inspection and issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
    “OCCUPANCY OF STRUCTURE IS PROHIBITED UNTIL AFTER FINAL INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Planning and zoning administered by Juab County within the county's jurisdiction; the official page does not separately identify incorporated-municipality exclusions.

    • Specific zoning districts, dimensional standards, and use permissions require review of the current Land Use Code and zoning map.
    • Municipal rules may apply within incorporated municipalities.
    “Our department is also responsible for the planning and zoning in Juab County.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Aggregate county conclusion that land-use planning and zoning exists in Juab County; the source identifies county planning and zoning but does not enumerate municipal or township boundaries.

    • This is an aggregate conclusion about county-level planning and zoning and does not falsely attribute municipal ordinances to Juab County.
    • Specific local rules, districts, and dimensional standards require review of the applicable current ordinance and zoning map.
    “Our department is also responsible for the planning and zoning in Juab County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Land use and zoning in Juab County areas administered by Juab County Planning and Zoning.
      “The Planning and Zoning Department permits and inspects construction activity in Juab County to protect the life, health, and property of our community. Our department is also responsible for the planning and zoning in Juab County.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Juab County land-use regulations and zoning-map information for county-administered areas; incorporated municipalities may administer their own land-use rules.

    • District-specific uses, dimensional standards, and approvals must be checked in the Land Use Code and applicable zoning map.
    • The county planning page provides links to the Land Use Code and Zoning Map but does not reproduce all district standards on the page.
    “Our department is also responsible for the planning and zoning in Juab County. Land use code and Zoning Map:”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential and subdivision development subject to Juab County zoning districts and subdivision classifications.

    • Official Planning Commission minutes state that the A1 district has either 50-acre or 160-acre single-family housing acreage requirements, depending on the A1 district.
    • For subdivisions, the March 16, 2022 minutes describe a proposed one-acre minimum area and 125-foot minimum frontage for lots shown on a subdivision plat; the minutes state that this change applied to subdivision lots only.
    • The same minutes describe a 2.5-acre minimum lot size and 50-lot minimum for a PUD, with its own water source.
    • The current codified text and adoption status of the 2022 subdivision amendment were not accessible from the JavaScript-only code host.

    A1-50 single-family housing acreage requirement: 50 acres (The minutes also identify an A1-160 district with a 160-acre requirement.) · A1-160 single-family housing acreage requirement: 160 acres (The minutes state that 160 acres per lot must be pledged in the A1-160 district.) · subdivision lot minimum area: >= 1 acre (Described as a proposed change applying to subdivision lots.) · subdivision lot minimum frontage: >= 125 feet (Described as a proposed change applying to subdivision lots.) · PUD minimum lot size: >= 2.5 acres (The minutes also state a 50-lot minimum and own-water-source requirement.)

    “In the A1 district that is either 50 acres or 160 acres. The dedicated property is in the A1-160 district so the 160 acres per lot must be pledged.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Onsite wastewater systems in Juab County, which is served by the Central Utah Public Health Department/Central Utah Health District.

    • The Utah Department of Environmental Quality identifies the Central Utah Public Health Department as the local health department for Juab County.
    • The construction permit packet identifies CUHD as the issuing authority under UAC R317-4.
    “Your Local Health Department (LHD) is your primary contact for issues like septic systems (onsite wastewater), private wells (not part of a public water system), food safety, and general sanitation. [...] Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne [...] Central Utah Public Health Department”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of onsite wastewater systems in Juab County.

    • Construction of any portion of the wastewater system may not begin until CUHD issues a construction permit.
    • The application must include the completed application, soil classification form, site plan, system design, operation and maintenance plan/contract for alternative systems, and a non-refundable permit fee.
    • The 2026 packet lists permit fees of $600 for conventional systems, $900 for alternative systems, and $200 for repair/replacement.
    • Once submitted materials are deemed acceptable for code compliance, the permit is issued and construction may begin.

    conventional permit fee: 600 USD · alternative permit fee: 900 USD · repair/replacement permit fee: 200 USD

    “Construction of any portion of the wastewater system may not begin until a construction permit has been issued by CUHD (UAC R317-4).”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Wastewater systems constructed in Juab County under the Central Utah Public Health Department permit process.

    • The system must be inspected before backfilling.
    • The permit application and fee must be submitted and the permit issued before construction.
    • The system must meet the minimum requirements of the Central Utah Public Health Department as constructed and proposed.
    “Permit application and fee must be submitted and a permit issued prior to any construction. Also, system must be inspected prior to backfilling.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    Building projects subject to the Juab County Land Use Code in unincorporated Juab County.

    • The Land Use Code requires installation, approval, and acceptance by Juab County of culinary water before a building permit is issued.
    • Juab County may issue a building permit before culinary water is installed, approved, and accepted if the homeowner or builder executes the release form.
    • The homeowner or builder must seek required Utah permits and approval to drill a well and obtain the required water.
    • Juab County will not issue an occupancy permit until all County and State water requirements are satisfied.
    • If the required water cannot be obtained, Juab County will not issue an occupancy permit and the property may not be occupied.
    • The cited county source does not establish applicability inside incorporated municipalities and does not state a sanitary-sewer connection requirement.
    “WHEREAS the Juab County Land Use Code requires the installation, approval, and acceptance by the County of culinary water prior to issuance of a building permit; and”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision feasibility review and subdivision platting in unincorporated Juab County.

    • A subdivision feasibility review application is used.
    • The plat must show lot layout, lot sizes and dimensions, utilities, drainage, floodplain areas, wetlands, waterways, drinking-water systems, existing onsite wastewater systems, and proposed wastewater dispersal and replacement areas.
    • Each proposed lot must have at least one soil exploration pit, and soil-test and percolation results must be recorded on or with the final plat.
    • The county planning page states that subdivision plats must be submitted at least 12 days before a regular or special Planning Commission meeting.

    minimum advance submission period: >= 12 days (for subdivision plats submitted to a regular or special Planning Commission meeting)

    “Subdivision plats need to be submitted at least 12 days prior to any regular or special meeting.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Access from adjoining properties to Juab County roadways, including residential, farm, commercial, and industrial access.

    • Access is managed by roadway category and minimum spacing standards.
    • Minimum spacing from an intersection is 80 feet.
    • Residential/farm access spacing is 350 feet on arterials, 200 feet on collectors, and 101 feet on local, rural, and mountain roads.
    • Commercial access is not permitted on rural or mountain roads under Table 5.1.
    • Juab County may limit access beyond Table 5.1 when access creates a significant safety or operational problem or fails acceptable design standards.
    • Driveway standards apply only to the portion within County right-of-way and do not impose requirements on driveways connecting to private roads or portions outside County right-of-way.
    • All driveways must meet the most current adopted International Fire Code.

    arterial residential/farm access minimum spacing: 350 feet · collector residential/farm access minimum spacing: 200 feet · local residential/farm access minimum spacing: 101 feet · rural residential/farm access minimum spacing: 101 feet · mountain residential/farm access minimum spacing: 101 feet · minimum spacing from intersection: 80 feet

    “To maintain safe and effective transportation corridors, Juab County limits the access of roads (private or public), homes, and businesses to all roadways. Table 5.1 designates the spacing requirements for all County roads.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Construction activity requiring county planning, zoning, permitting, and inspection in Juab County.

    • The county building-permit application includes department checks for acreage, frontage, building plans, zoning, water, wastewater, addressing, and encroachment permits.
    • The permit becomes null and void if authorized construction does not commence within 180 days, or if construction is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.
    • The official application states that occupancy is prohibited until final inspection and issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

    construction commencement deadline: 180 days · construction suspension or abandonment deadline: 180 days

    “This permit becomes null and void if work on construction authorized is not commenced within 180 days, or if construction or work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days at any time after work is commenced.”

Utah rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-builders performing qualifying residential construction or remodeling in Utah, including Juab County.

    • For new residential construction, the owner must be the sole owner of the property and construction project.
    • The project must be the only residential structure the owner has built that year.
    • The owner must not have built more than three residential structures in the preceding five years.
    • The improvements must be for the owner's personal, noncommercial, non-public use.
    • Work may be performed by the sole owner, a licensed contractor, an employee covered by workers compensation insurance with required payroll taxes and applicable employment-law compliance, or another person working under the owner's supervision for no compensation or only token compensation.
    • Retaining an unlicensed contractor or compensating an unlicensed person beyond token compensation or employee wages may constitute a Class A misdemeanor and may result in an administrative fine of up to $2,000 per day.
    • The owner-builder certification is filed with the city or county building department where the work is performed, which forwards it to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

    new residential structures per year: 1 structure (The county-hosted certification states the project must be the only residential structure the owner has built that year.) · residential structures in prior five years: <= 3 structures (The owner must not have built more than three.) · administrative fine for violation: <= 2000 USD per day (The certification states the owner may be subject to an administrative fine in the maximum amount of $2,000 for each day of violation.)

    “For New Residential Construction Only. I am the sole owner of the property and construction project at the above described location; the project described is the only residential structure I have built this year; I have not built more than three residential structures in the past five years.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act; this does not by itself eliminate applicable building-permit, inspection, or code requirements.
      “a sole owner of property engaged in building: (i) no more than one residential structure per year on the sole owner's property and no more than three residential structures per five years on the sole owner's property for the sole owner's noncommercial, nonpublic use”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair, and regulation of those activities throughout Utah, subject to the State Construction Code's statewide and local amendments and statutory exceptions.

    • The code version cited is effective July 1, 2026 and is superseded January 1, 2027.
    • The adopted codes operate together with Chapter 3 statewide amendments and Chapter 4 local amendments incorporated into the State Construction Code.
    • Compliance is required when new construction is involved.
    • For an existing building, compliance is required when the owner or agent voluntarily undertakes repair, renovation, remodeling, alteration, enlargement, rehabilitation, conservation, or reconstruction, or changes the character or use in a way that increases occupancy loads, other demands, or safety risks.
    • The 2006 Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code may be adopted by a local compliance agency by local ordinance or similar action as a local amendment.
    • Historic-property plaster standards apply only when the owner receives a government tax subsidy based on historic status, the property is wholly or partially funded by public money, or the property is owned by a government entity.

    International Building Code edition: 2024, including Appendices C and J · International Residential Code edition: 2021, including Appendix AQ · International Plumbing Code edition: 2024 · International Mechanical Code edition: 2024 · International Fuel Gas Code edition: 2024 · National Electrical Code edition: 2023 · International Energy Conservation Code edition: 2024 · International Existing Building Code edition: 2024 · effective date: 2026-07-01 · superseded date: 2027-01-01

    “the following construction codes are incorporated by reference [...] (a) the 2024 edition of the International Building Code, including Appendices C and J”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building construction, alteration, remodeling, repair, and related regulation in Juab County through Utah's statewide State Construction Code.
      “Effective 7/1/2026 Superseded 1/1/2027 15A-2-103 Specific editions adopted of construction code of a nationally recognized code authority. (1) Subject to the other provisions of this part, the following construction codes are incorporated by reference, and together with the amendments specified in Chapter 3, Statewide Amendments Incorporated as Part of State Construction Code, and Chapter 4, Local Amendments Incorporated as Part of State Construction Code, are the construction standards to be applied to building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair, and in the regulation of building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair in the state:”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair in Juab County under Utah's State Construction Code.
      “The State Construction Code is the construction codes adopted with any modifications in accordance with this section that the state and each political subdivision of the state shall follow.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes used as residences in Juab County, including unincorporated areas, where a single-family residence would be permitted.

    • The manufactured home must be attached to a permanent foundation in accordance with plans providing for vertical loads, uplift, lateral forces, and frost protection in compliance with the applicable building code.
    • Carports, garages, storage buildings, additions, and alterations must comply with the applicable building code.
    • The manufactured home must comply with all local land use ordinances, building codes, and restrictive covenants applicable to a single-family residence in that zone or area.
    • A county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation treating a proposed development that includes manufactured homes differently from one that does not, or reject a development plan because it is expected to contain manufactured homes.
    “A manufactured home may not be excluded from any land use zone or area in which a single-family residence would be permitted”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Manufactured homes in Utah land-use zones or areas where a single-family residence would be permitted, including unincorporated Juab County, subject to the stated conditions.
      “A manufactured home may not be excluded from any land use zone or area in which a single-family residence would be permitted, provided the manufactured home complies with all local land use ordinances, building codes, and any restrictive covenants, applicable to a single-family residence within that zone or area.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    One internal accessory dwelling unit within a primary dwelling in county areas of Utah zoned primarily for residential use.

    • The unit must be an internal accessory dwelling unit within a primary dwelling and the area must be zoned primarily for residential use.
    • The unit must comply with all applicable building, health, and fire codes.
    • A county may prohibit a separate utility meter; require the unit not to change the appearance of the primary dwelling as a single-family dwelling; and require one additional on-site parking space, except when the county land use ordinance requires four off-street parking spaces. Garage or carport parking spaces converted to habitable space must be replaced.
    • A county may prohibit an internal accessory dwelling unit within a mobile home; require a permit or license for renting it; prohibit units in a zoning district covering an area equivalent to 25% or less of the total unincorporated area zoned primarily for residential use, except that newly constructed units with final plat approval dated on or after October 1, 2021, and complying with applicable land use regulations may not be prohibited; prohibit units served by a failing septic tank; prohibit units on lots of 6,000 square feet or less; prohibit rental for fewer than 30 consecutive days; and prohibit rental when the dwelling is not occupied as the owner's primary residence.
    • A county may hold a lien and record an accessory-dwelling-unit notice under the procedures in § 17-80-303(4)-(5).
    • This claim does not determine additional municipality-specific ordinances under Utah's municipal land-use statute.

    minimum rental period: >= 30 consecutive days · small-lot threshold: <= 6000 square feet (A county may prohibit creation at or below this lot size) · restricted county residential zoning area: <= 25 percent of total unincorporated residentially zoned area (Newly constructed units with final plat approval dated on or after October 1, 2021 and compliance with applicable land use regulations may not be prohibited) · additional parking: 1 on-site space (Not permitted if the county land use ordinance requires four off-street parking spaces)

    “In any area zoned primarily for residential use: (a) the use of an internal accessory dwelling unit is a permitted use;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — One internal accessory dwelling unit within a primary dwelling in an area zoned primarily for residential use, including unincorporated Juab County, subject to state, building, health, fire, and permitted local requirements.
      “In any area zoned primarily for residential use: (a) the use of an internal accessory dwelling unit is a permitted use; (b) except as provided in Subsections (2) and (3), a county may not establish any restrictions or requirements for the construction or use of one internal accessory dwelling unit within a primary dwelling”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of shallow water wells in Utah.

    • The owner must have a valid water right to beneficially use groundwater before construction.
    • A Start Card is issued upon approval of the water right and is described as essentially the permit to construct the well.
    • Shallow water wells must be constructed by a licensed well driller or licensed shallow water well constructor.
    • The licensee must obtain the Start Card and file it with the Division before constructing or working on the shallow water well.
    • The source does not establish the same Start Card mechanism for every other regulated-well category.
    “A Start Card is issued upon approval of the water right, which is essentially the permit to construct the well.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Domestic and other water-production wells in Juab County under Utah statewide water-rights and well-construction rules.
      “A shallow water well owner must have a valid water right to beneficially use groundwater from a shallow water well prior to well construction. [...] A Start Card is issued upon approval of the water right, which is essentially the permit to construct the well.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Structures in Juab County used solely in conjunction with agriculture and not for human occupancy, and qualifying agricultural-sales structures.

    • A structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture and not for human occupancy, or a structure no more than 1,500 square feet used solely for the specified sales, is exempt from the requirements of the State Construction Code.
    • Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may still be required.
    • The exemption does not apply, unless another exemption applies, to land within a city or town of less than five contiguous acres, or land within a subdivision for which the county has approved a subdivision plat and less than two contiguous acres.
    • The city/town and subdivision-acreage exceptions do not apply when the structure is located in whole or in part in an agricultural protection area created under Utah Code Title 17, Chapter 81.
    • The provision concerns structures not used for human occupancy; it is not an exemption for an agricultural dwelling.

    maximum area for specified agricultural sales structure: <= 1500 sq ft (must be used solely for the type of sales described in Utah Code 59-12-104(20)) · minimum contiguous acreage inside city or town: < 5 acres (permit exemption unavailable below this threshold unless another exemption applies; agricultural protection area exception applies) · minimum contiguous acreage within county-approved subdivision: < 2 acres (permit exemption unavailable below this threshold unless another exemption applies; agricultural protection area exception applies)

    “a structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture use, and not for human occupancy [...] is exempt from the requirements of the State Construction Code.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Structures in Juab County used solely in conjunction with agricultural use and not for human occupancy, and certain sales structures no more than 1,500 square feet, under Utah's State Construction Code.
      “a structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture use, and not for human occupancy [...] is exempt from the requirements of the State Construction Code.”
    • Available (with conditions) — Structures used solely in conjunction with agricultural use and not for human occupancy, under Utah's State Construction Code.
      “a structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture use, and not for human occupancy, [...] is exempt from the requirements of the State Construction Code.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals operated within Utah municipalities.

    • A municipality may require the owner or lessee to obtain a business license or other permit before operation.
    • A municipality may regulate short-term rentals through municipal ordinances and zoning requirements.
    • A municipality may not enact or enforce an ordinance prohibiting an individual from listing or offering a short-term rental on a short-term-rental website.
    • A municipality may not use an ordinance prohibiting the act of renting a short-term rental to punish an individual solely for listing or offering it on a short-term-rental website.
    • The statute does not establish that short-term rentals are allowed in every zone or municipality.
    “A municipality may adopt an ordinance requiring the owner or lessee of a short-term rental to obtain a business license or other permit from the municipality before operating a short-term rental within the municipality.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Tiny houses in Utah RV parks; the state source also states that tiny-home permission in a particular area depends on local land-use regulations.

    • The tiny house may be allowed in an RV park only with the required data plate or permanent label and either Recreational Vehicle Industry Association certification or qualified third-party inspection certification.
    • The RV park must comply with applicable building, zoning, electrical, health, fire codes and local ordinances.
    • Outside RV parks, whether a tiny home is permitted depends on local land-use regulations and whether the structure is treated as a primary dwelling, accessory dwelling, modular unit, or manufactured home.

    maximum floor area for tiny house under Rule R392-301: <= 400 square feet (The rule defines tiny house for purposes of the rule; this does not establish statewide land-use permission outside RV parks.)

    “A recreational vehicle or a tiny house may be allowed in a recreational vehicle park only if:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Utah counties may enact land-use controls, including zoning ordinances, for land in unincorporated areas statewide.

    • The authority is subject to Utah Code Section 17-79-101(4) and Section 11-41-103.
    • The statutory grant expressly covers the unincorporated area of a county and a designated mountainous planning district.
    • The quoted provision lists uses, density, open spaces, structures, and buildings among the subjects of permissible land-use controls.
    “Subject to Subsection (4) and Section 11-41-103, to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, a county may enact all ordinances, resolutions, and rules and may enter into other forms of land use controls and development agreements that the county considers necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land within the unincorporated area of the county or a designated mountainous planning district”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Utah counties may adopt and enforce building regulations and require building permits for construction in unincorporated areas statewide.

    • The general county building-regulation authority applies outside the limits of cities and towns.
    • Local regulations may not conflict with general laws.
    • Under Utah Code Section 17-79-901, erecting, constructing, reconstructing, altering, or changing the use of a building or other structure within a county requires approval of a building permit.
    • A county may not issue a building permit unless the plans fully conform to regulations then in effect.
    • The county permit authority is subject to the State Construction and Fire Codes Act and other statutory limitations.
    “A county may make and enforce within the limits of the county, outside the limits of cities and towns, all local, police, building, and sanitary regulations that are not in conflict with general laws.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Juab County.
  • Setbacks — Building or structure setbacks in unincorporated Juab County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in unincorporated Juab County.
  • Building height — Building height in unincorporated Juab County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land in unincorporated Juab County.
5 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Water rights & wells in Juab County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Utah’s water agency.

Closed to new supply

New water supply here generally requires a permit, an offset, or buying an existing right — a household well is not automatic.

Household wellPermit required — restricted

Utah has NO exempt domestic well — you must own a water right to drill any well, including a household well. In an open area you file a new appropriation, but because much of Utah is closed to new appropriation a newcomer typically must PURCHASE an existing water right and file a change application to move it to the new well.

Limit: ~0.45 acre-ft/yr indoor domestic (typical allocation); no statutory exempt-well quantity

Utah Division of Water Rights — FAQ ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Utah state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Juab County, Utah

Is Juab County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Juab County scores 36/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 4,851 people within 15 miles. Watch-outs: weak self-sufficiency basics: only 11.7″ of rain a year, in severe drought 37.9% of years and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

Do you need a building permit in Juab County, Utah?

Juab County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Central Utah Public Health Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Juab County, Utah?

Land in Juab County runs about $2,646 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Juab County?

Juab County gets about 11.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 37.9% of years. On water rights, Juab County lies in the Sevier River Basin (closed to new groundwater since 1997) — Large central-Utah basin closed to new groundwater appropriations since 1997 (surface water since 1946); new development must acquire and change existing valid rights..

How remote is Juab County?

A typical private-land location has about 4,851 people within 15 miles and 2,092,306 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Juab compares in Utah

Compare side-by-side →See all 29 Utah counties ranked →