Bolthole Index

Wasatch County, Utah

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

48Index Score / 100
#17 of 29 in Utah

Unincorporated Wasatch County, Utah requires a building permit for structures larger than 200 square feet, with narrow exceptions for small detached accessory buildings and qualifying agricultural buildings12. The Planning and Zoning Department administers zoning, because every parcel sits in a zoning district34. Septic permits come from the Wasatch County Health Department, not the Building Department5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for structures larger than 200 square feet, subject to stated exceptions1
Zoning
Yes; every parcel or subdivision lot is assigned to a zoning district3
Septic permit
County permit required for domestic onsite systems at or below 5,000 gallons per day6
Owner-builder
Available subject to ownership, personal-use and construction-history conditions7
RV or tiny home
An RV or camping shelter on land with no main structure is limited to 20 days per calendar year; tiny homes are not addressed by name8
Accessory dwelling
Wasatch County has a conditional-use application process for accessory dwelling units9
Private well
Shallow wells need a water right, state Start Card and licensed constructor10
Septic soils
Only 6% of county soils are rated not limited for a conventional drain field; site evaluation matters11

Who to call

Building permits

Wasatch County Building Department

Building permit applications and inspections for Wasatch County projects

435-657-3200

Bldinfo@wasatch.utah.gov

1891 W 3000 S, Heber City, UT 84032

Zoning

Wasatch County Planning and Zoning Department

Land-use planning, zoning, development applications and floodplain permit questions

435-657-3205

Planning@wasatch.utah.gov

35 S 500 E, Heber City, UT 84032

Septic permits

Wasatch County Health Department - Wastewater

Wastewater permits for qualifying domestic onsite wastewater systems in Wasatch County

435-657-3307

55 South 500 East, Heber City, UT 84032

Roads & driveways

Wasatch County Public Works Department

County road information, road maintenance, snow removal and flood control

435-654-1661

1891 W 3000 S, Heber City, UT 84032

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

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Wasatch County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Unincorporated Wasatch County requires a building permit for any structure larger than 200 square feet; a single-story detached accessory structure under 200 square feet is exempt, but a deck 30 inches or more above ground still needs a permit12. Building permit fees vary by project and square footage, so request a current estimate from the Building Department13.

A structure used solely for agriculture and not for human occupancy may qualify for a building-permit exemption; in a county-approved platted subdivision, the exemption generally requires at least 2 contiguous acres unless the structure lies wholly or partly in an agricultural protection area2. Submit the county acknowledgement form, site plan, floor plan and elevations; electrical, plumbing and mechanical work remains subject to code requirements2. An exempt building must meet its zone's setbacks and height limits and cannot become a residence without a building permit1415.

The county building rules apply to unincorporated land; Midway, Town of Hideout and Park City, which reaches into Wasatch County but lies mainly in Summit County, issue their own building permits16171819. Septic approval in Wasatch County stays with the Wasatch County Health Department for qualifying domestic systems, or Utah DEQ for larger or nondomestic flows2021.

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

The Wasatch County Building Department handles building permit applications and inspection requests from its office at 1891 W 3000 S, Heber City, UT 8403222. Call 435-657-3200 or email Bldinfo@wasatch.utah.gov for building-permit questions22. The Building Department accepts applications online and checks each submission for completeness before review begins23. Planning and zoning are handled separately by the Wasatch County Planning and Zoning Department at 35 S 500 E, Heber City, UT 84032; call 435-657-3205 or email Planning@wasatch.utah.gov4. Contact Planning first when the question is whether a use is allowed, which zoning standards apply, or whether grading near a FEMA floodplain needs a Floodplain Permit2425.

Does Wasatch County have zoning?

Every parcel or subdivision lot in unincorporated Wasatch County is within a zoning district, and the assigned district controls the applicable code and land-use rights326. The county's Zoning Map shows what each property is zoned26. Subdivision applications in unincorporated Wasatch County go through the online portal and county development review27. Setbacks and building-height limits depend on the parcel's district2829.

County zoning applies to unincorporated land; Heber and Midway administer their own zoning, as does Park City, a city mainly in Summit County that reaches into Wasatch County30313233. Municipal zoning does not transfer Wasatch County's domestic septic permitting to a city: qualifying systems remain with the Wasatch County Health Department20. We could not confirm a countywide minimum dwelling size; ask Planning and Zoning for the parcel's district standards4.

How do septic permits work in Wasatch County?

The Wasatch County Health Department requires a county wastewater permit for an onsite system receiving no more than 5,000 gallons per day of domestic wastewater206. Projects above 5,000 gallons per day or involving nondomestic wastewater go to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality21. Call the Health Department at 435-657-3307 or visit 55 South 500 East, Heber City, UT 84032 for the county process34. Only 6% of Wasatch County soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field; that does not mean septic is impossible, but site evaluation and possibly an engineered system are needed11. A new residence in unincorporated Wasatch County must connect when a sewer collection line is within 300 feet35. The Building Department does not run utilities; contact the special service district serving the property for water and sewer36. If the wastewater application uses a private well for culinary water, include a well permit or well application37.

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

On unincorporated land with no main structure, Wasatch County allows a recreational vehicle or camping shelter to be used for human habitation for no more than 20 days in any calendar year, unless the property is an established legal camping area, RV park or recreational resort park8. Year-round RV living on unincorporated bare land outside those exceptions exceeds the county occupancy limit8.

During construction, a recreational vehicle may be placed on a lot only after a dwelling or project permit has been issued and a $2,500 cash bond is posted with the county auditor; the bond is limited to one year during construction8. In a recreational resort park, permanent year-round occupancy of an RV space, small rental cabin or glamping site is not allowed38.

The county rule does not use the term tiny home, so ask the Planning and Zoning Department how a tiny home on a permanent foundation would be treated in the parcel's district before you buy84. Utah's statewide RV-park rules do not answer the private-lot question: they cover RV parks and require compliance with local zoning and other codes39. Incorporated cities and towns may have separate rules, so check with the municipality for any address inside one8.

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

  1. Identify the parcel and have Planning confirm its zoning district, setbacks, height limits and whether a dwelling is an allowed use2628294.
  1. Contact the special service district supplying the property for water and sewer, confirm whether the new residence must connect to a nearby sewer line, and obtain public-water approval or include a well permit or well application with the wastewater application36354037.
  1. If sewer is unavailable, obtain the required Wasatch County wastewater approval and septic letter523.
  1. Resolve access: qualifying work in a county right-of-way needs a driveway or encroachment permit, while access to a state highway needs UDOT's conditional access permit4142.
  1. Submit the building application and required PDF plan documents online, including fire sprinkler plans if the dwelling triggers them2343.
  1. Schedule county inspections as construction proceeds, then allow for county signatures and recording after the final inspection passes before the certificate of occupancy is issued4445.

What should you check before buying land in Wasatch County?

Start with zoning and legal use because every Wasatch County parcel is assigned to a district with its own land-use rights3. Check wastewater feasibility early because only 6% of county soils are rated not limited for a conventional drain field, and a nearby sewer line can change the required approach1135. For a shallow well in Wasatch County, secure a valid water right and Start Card, and use a licensed well driller or shallow water well constructor who files the card before work begins4610. Confirm whether grading is in or near a FEMA floodplain and whether the driveway touches a county right-of-way or state highway254142. Wasatch County averages 24.4 inches of annual precipitation and has experienced severe drought in 29.5% of years, so verify a dependable legal water supply4748. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, with a median annual bill near $3,2304950.

Watch-outs

  • A building permit application on septic must include a septic approval letter, so wastewater review belongs early in the schedule23. Off-grid sanitation still requires wastewater approval, and proximity to sewer can require a new unincorporated residence to connect51.
  • Road cuts and paving on county roads are not allowed between October 15 and April 1541.
  • Staying in an RV on bare land for more than 20 days in a calendar year is limited by county code, so plan temporary housing before you buy8.
  • We could not confirm a countywide minimum dwelling size; setbacks and building-height limits depend on the zoning district, so get the applicable standards from Planning and Zoning before committing to a design28294.
  • A short-term rental business in unincorporated Wasatch County needs a business license, but the license process does not establish that every parcel or zoning district allows the use52.

Sources

  1. wasatchcounty.gov, quoted and re-checked
  2. Agricultural Exemption Acknowledgement, quoted and re-checked
  3. Zone Information, quoted and re-checked
  4. Wasatch County Planning and Zoning Department (wasatchcounty.gov)
  5. Permits & Applications, quoted and re-checked
  6. Permits & Applications, quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  8. s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com, quoted and re-checked
  9. Plan Submission Requirements - Conditional Use Permit - Accessory Dwelling Unit, quoted and re-checked
  10. Water Well Drilling Information, quoted and re-checked
  11. 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
  12. wasatchcounty.gov, quoted and re-checked
  13. wasatchcounty.gov, quoted and re-checked
  14. Agricultural Exemption Acknowledgement, quoted and re-checked
  15. Agricultural Exemption Acknowledgement, quoted and re-checked
  16. Utah Code Section 17-60-204, County safety and welfare regulations (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Midway: Building Permits & Inspections - City of Midway (Wasatch County), quoted and re-checked
  18. Town of Hideout: official source (Wasatch County), quoted and re-checked
  19. Park City: Building Permit Frequently Asked Questions (Wasatch County), quoted and re-checked
  20. Permits & Applications, quoted and re-checked
  21. Permits & Applications, quoted and re-checked
  22. Wasatch County Building Department (wasatchcounty.gov)
  23. Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  24. Zone Information, quoted and re-checked
  25. Driveway/Encroachment Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  26. Zone Information, quoted and re-checked
  27. Development Process Forms & Applications, quoted and re-checked
  28. Agricultural Exemption Acknowledgment, quoted and re-checked
  29. Agricultural Exemption Acknowledgment, quoted and re-checked
  30. Utah Code, Title 17, Chapter 79, Section 17-79-101 (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. Heber: Codes & Policies (Wasatch County), quoted and re-checked
  32. Midway: Planning & Zoning - City of Midway (Wasatch County), quoted and re-checked
  33. Park City: Municipal Codes, Ordinances, Resolutions, Policies and Fees (Wasatch County), quoted and re-checked
  34. Wasatch County Health Department - Wastewater (wasatchcountyhealth.gov)
  35. Chapter Four - Wasatch County General Plan, quoted and re-checked
  36. FAQs - Wasatch County Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  37. Application for Wastewater Permit, quoted and re-checked
  38. s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com, quoted and re-checked
  39. Utah Administrative Code Rule R392-301, Recreational Vehicle Parks (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  40. wasatchcounty.gov, quoted and re-checked
  41. Driveway/Encroachment Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  42. Conditional Access Permit (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  43. Residential Fire Sprinkler Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  44. Request an Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  45. wasatchcounty.gov, quoted and re-checked
  46. Water Well Drilling, quoted and re-checked
  47. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  48. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  49. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  50. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  51. Permits & Inspections | Wasatch County Health Department, UT, quoted and re-checked
  52. County Business Licenses, 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

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Wasatch County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleWasatch CountyUtah CountyDuchesne CountySalt Lake CountySummit CountyCarbon CountyMorgan County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.UT County Health Dept.TriCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.Southeast Utah Health DistrictWeber-Morgan Health Dept.

County locator

Wasatch County in Utah

48
County map
Wasatch County highlighted among the Utah counties · colored by Index score

How Wasatch County scores

Seclusion37100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency3695% ev.
Admin Boringness40100% ev.
Durability50100% ev.
Property Autonomy60100% ev.
Carry Cost55100% ev.

Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$952kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$8,960Land / acre
24.4"Annual rain
29.5% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
23.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.31" (+5.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.17×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,583Home insurance / yr
5.1% / yrInsurance growth
1.28%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
2,349,595People within 2 hr
34,422Radius comparison (15 mi)
31.6People / sq mi
57.7%Federal land
36.8%Land at 15% slope or less
6%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
22,264 acWorkable land screen
64%Wooded land
19.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.6°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Wasatch 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: Town of Charleston · Town of Daniel · Town of Independence · Town of Interlaken · Town of Wallsburg

Answers from the rulebook for Wasatch County

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

Wasatch County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Structures constructed in Wasatch County under the County Building Department's permitting jurisdiction.

    • All structures exceeding 200 square feet require a permit.
    • Single-story, detached accessory structures under 200 square feet do not require a permit.
    • Decks under the minimum square-footage threshold require a permit when they are 30 inches or more off the ground.
    • Agricultural buildings still require a permit, although different requirements apply.
    • Structures below the square-footage threshold should still be checked with the Wasatch County Planning Office for setback compliance.

    permit threshold: > 200 square feet (Single-story, detached accessory structures under 200 square feet do not require a permit.) · deck elevation threshold: >= 30 inches above ground (Decks meeting or exceeding this elevation require a permit even if below the minimum square-footage threshold.)

    “All structures exceeding 200 square feet require a permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Structures exceeding 200 square feet in Wasatch County, subject to applicable State Construction Code exemptions and separate municipal jurisdiction where applicable.
      “All structures exceeding 200 square feet require a permit.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-builders submitting building permit applications through the Wasatch County Building Department.

    • The County building permit application identifies the Owner-Builder Agreement as a document that may be required for a complete submittal.
    • For new residential construction, the applicant 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, and the owner must not have built more than three residential structures in the previous five years.
    • For new residential and remodel construction, the improvements must be for personal, non-commercial, non-public use.
    • Work may be performed by the sole owner, a licensed contractor, covered employees, or another person under the owner's supervision receiving no compensation or only token compensation.
    • Using or compensating an unlicensed contractor or unlicensed person outside the stated exceptions may constitute a Class A misdemeanor and may result in an administrative fine of up to $2,000 per day.
    • The Owner / Builder Certification Agreement must be filed with the city or county building department where the work is performed, and that department forwards it to the Utah Division of Professional Licensing.

    maximum residential structures built in prior five years: <= 3 structures (The owner must not have built more than three residential structures in the past five years) · maximum administrative fine: <= 2000 USD per day (For violations of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act)

    “For New Residential Construction Only: I am the sole owner of the property and construction project at the above-described location”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    One- and two-family dwellings and town homes in Wasatch County subject to the county's residential fire-sprinkler building-code amendment.

    • Wasatch County Ordinance 17-04 enacts Wasatch County Code Section 14.01.04 A (6) and Section 15.03.01.
    • Automatic sprinklers are required when the structure lacks a public water distribution system with fire hydrants, subject to the stated rural and suburban water-supply alternative.
    • The building code official may use NFPA 1142 or the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code as amended by the State of Utah and Wasatch County when adequate and reliable water supplies do not exist.
    • Sprinklers are required when the only fire-apparatus access road exceeds a 10% grade for more than 500 continuous feet.
    • Sprinklers are required when total dwelling floor area exceeds 10,000 square feet.
    • Sprinklers are required when total dwelling floor area is double the average floor area of unsprinkled homes in the subdivision that are no larger than 10,000 square feet.
    • If sprinklers are required, plans and calculations must be submitted with the residential building permit application; the application is incomplete without them.

    fire apparatus access road grade: > 10 percent (The threshold applies for more than 500 continuous feet.) · fire apparatus access road length at grade threshold: > 500 feet (The road grade must be greater than 10 percent.) · dwelling total floor area: > 10000 square feet (All floor levels within the exterior walls are included.)

    “Wasatch County Ordinance 17-04 states: [...] The only fire apparatus access road has a grade greater than 10% for more than 500 continuous feet.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    County-permitted building projects requiring building inspections and final inspection approval.

    • Inspection requests are submitted online.
    • A 24-hour notice is required when requesting an inspection.
    • Concrete inspection requests must be received by 2 p.m. the business day before the pour.
    • If the requested date is unavailable, the inspection is scheduled for the first available spot.
    • In a Wildland Urban Interface area, a Wasatch County Fire District landscaping inspection is required before requesting the final building inspection.
    • All previous inspections must be approved before final inspection.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours (Concrete inspections must be requested by 2 p.m. the business day before the pour)

    “All previous inspections need to be approved (no partial pass or failed open reports)”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    County building-permit projects for which the final inspection has passed and the Building Inspector has notified the County that it has passed.

    • The final inspection must have passed.
    • The Building Inspector must notify the County that the inspection passed.
    • The certificate receives necessary County signatures before recording.
    • The County FAQ states this usually takes at least 7 to 10 business days.
    • The source describes issuance and processing for qualifying projects but does not state that a certificate of occupancy is legally required for every project in Wasatch County.

    certificate processing time: 7 to 10 business days (the source says 'at least 7 to 10 business days')

    “Once you have passed your final inspection”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    All parcels of land and subdivision lots in Wasatch County, subject to the applicable zoning district and Wasatch County Code provisions.

    • Each parcel or subdivision lot is assigned to a zoning district.
    • The applicable zoning district determines which Wasatch County Code sections apply and establishes the property's land use rights.
    “Every parcel of land [...] in Wasatch County is within a zoning district.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning controls across Wasatch County; parcel-specific controls vary by the zoning district assigned to each parcel or subdivision lot.

    • The Wasatch County Zoning Map identifies the zoning district for each property.
    • Each zoning district determines the applicable Wasatch County Code sections and land use rights.
    • The county Planning and Zoning Department administers the Land Use and Development Code.
    “Each zoning district determines which sections of the Wasatch County Code apply”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Wasatch County zoning districts and the county zoning map.

    • The county states that every parcel or subdivision lot in Wasatch County is within a zoning district.
    • The county zoning map identifies the zoning designation for each property.
    • The county page lists districts and overlays including P-160, A-20, RA-5, RA-1, M, C, HS, OBP, I, PF, JBOZ, NVOZ, GHOZ, TROZ, AOZ, and SRZ.
    • Each zoning district determines which sections of the Wasatch County Code apply and establishes land-use rights.
    “The Wasatch County Zoning Map identifies what each property is zoned.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in the Wasatch County North Village Overlay District, T1 Neighborhood Rural transect.

    • The North Village Overlay District contains multiple transect standards; the cited minimum applies only to T1 Neighborhood Rural.
    • Lot frontage and cul-de-sac or inside-corner frontage requirements also apply where stated in the ordinance.

    minimum lot area: >= 15000 sq ft · minimum lot frontage: >= 100 ft (Lots fronting a curvilinear property line must comply with frontage measured at the 20 feet offset behind the front property-line radius; cul-de-sac and inside-corner lots must comply with Exhibit 4.)

    “Lot Area 15,000 SF min. Lot Frontage 100 ft. min.*”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures claiming Wasatch County’s agricultural building-permit exemption

    • The structure must satisfy the applicable setback requirements for the zone in which it is located.
    • The exemption applies only to qualifying agricultural structures and does not authorize residential or other non-agricultural use.
    • The official form requires a detailed site plan identifying setbacks from the proposed agricultural structure to all property lines.
    “I understand that Wasatch County is authorized to inspect the site as necessary to ensure the structure is complying with the applicable setback and height requirements for the zone in which the structure is located.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Principal and outbuilding setbacks in the Wasatch County North Village Overlay District, T1 Neighborhood Rural transect.
      “(a) Front Setback Principal 30 ft. min. (b) Front Setback Secondary 20 ft. min. (c) Side Setback 10 ft. min. (d) Rear Setback 30 ft. min. [...] (e) Front Setback 20 ft. min. in addition to the principal building setback (f) Front Setback Secondary 20 ft. min. (g) Rear Setback 10 ft. min. (h) Side Setback 10 ft. min.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Agricultural-exemption structures in Wasatch County zoning districts.
      “setback and height requirements for the zone”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lot coverage in the Wasatch County North Village Overlay District, T1 Neighborhood Rural transect.

    • The cited maximum applies only to T1 Neighborhood Rural.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 40 percent

    “Height - Principal Building 35 ft. max. from natural grade Height - Outbuilding 20 ft. max. from natural grade Height - Structured Parking n/a Lot Coverage 40% max Lot Area 15,000 SF min.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures claiming Wasatch County’s agricultural building-permit exemption

    • The structure must satisfy the applicable height requirements for the zone in which it is located.
    • The official form requires building elevations with existing and finished grade lines for measuring height.
    • The exemption does not authorize conversion to residential or other non-agricultural use without a building permit.
    “I understand that Wasatch County is authorized to inspect the site as necessary to ensure the structure is complying with the applicable setback and height requirements for the zone in which the structure is located.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Building height in the Wasatch County North Village Overlay District, T1 Neighborhood Rural transect.
      “Height - Principal Building 35 ft. max. from natural grade Height - Outbuilding 20 ft. max. from natural grade Height - Structured Parking n/a”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Agricultural-exemption structures in Wasatch County zoning districts.
      “I understand that Wasatch County is authorized to inspect the site as necessary to ensure the structure is complying with the applicable setback and height requirements for the zone in which the structure is located.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Human habitation in camping shelters, recreational vehicles, and closely related small temporary structures on unincorporated Wasatch County land.

    • The provision does not expressly use the term tiny home; it expressly regulates camping shelters and recreational vehicles used for human habitation.
    • A recreational vehicle may be temporarily located on a lot only if a dwelling or project permit has been issued and a $2,500 cash bond is posted with the county auditor.
    • The bond guarantees removal of the mobile home or termination of recreational-vehicle occupancy once the home receives occupancy approval and is limited to one year during construction.
    • A recreational vehicle or camping shelter on a tract without a main structure may be used for human habitation for no more than 20 days in any calendar year, unless the property is an established legal camping area, recreational vehicle park, or recreational resort park.
    • The rule applies to Wasatch County land-use districts; incorporated municipalities may have separate rules.

    cash bond: 2500 USD (Required for temporary recreational-vehicle placement during permitted dwelling or project construction.) · construction occupancy period: <= 1 year (Bond limited to one year during construction.) · human habitation without a main structure: <= 20 days per calendar year (Exception for established legal camping areas, recreational vehicle parks, or recreational resort parks.)

    “A recreational vehicle or camping shelter located on a tract of land without a main structure may not exceed twenty (20) days”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Small rental cabins and comparable small lodging units in a Wasatch County recreational resort park.
      “Permanent year round occupancy in a RV space, small rental cabin or glamping site is not allowed.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units requiring a Wasatch County Conditional Use Permit under the county Land Use and Development Code.

    • The application must be submitted through the Wasatch County Plan Review online portal.
    • The applicant must provide a detailed report addressing the required findings in Wasatch County Code 16.23.07 and compliance with applicable ADU requirements in Code 16.21.46.
    • A site plan must show buildings, setbacks, roads, parking, paving, utilities, and lighting.
    • Architectural drawings must include floorplans, dimensions, square footage, and exterior elevations, subject to the stated existing-building photograph exception.
    • A current recorded subdivision plat or, if not in a recorded subdivision, a Certificate of Zoning Verification is required.
    • Written homeowners-association approval and a draft deed restriction are required.
    • Noticing addresses for property owners of record within 500 feet are required.
    • Existing buildings require a building-department and fire-district inspection report or a report detailing required modifications.
    • Caretaker ADUs may require a County Water Board Action Report confirming feasibility and adequate water shares.
    • All required checklist items must be included for a complete application, and the required application fee must accompany the application.
    “Plan Submission Requirements - Conditional Use Permit – Accessory Dwelling Unit”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Onsite domestic wastewater systems in Wasatch County with daily flow of 5,000 gallons or less.

    • The Wasatch County Health Department administers the county wastewater permit for domestic onsite systems within the stated flow threshold.
    • Projects with daily flow greater than 5,000 gallons per day or nondomestic wastewater are handled by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

    maximum daily domestic wastewater flow: <= 5000 gallons/day (Projects above this threshold or with nondomestic wastewater are handled by Utah DEQ.)

    “A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required for onsite wastewater systems that have a daily flow of 5000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater (the wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices).”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Onsite domestic wastewater systems in Wasatch County with daily flow of 5,000 gallons or less.

    • A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required for the covered onsite systems.
    • Projects exceeding 5,000 gallons/day or involving nondomestic wastewater are permitted by Utah DEQ instead.

    maximum daily domestic wastewater flow: <= 5000 gallons/day (Greater flows or nondomestic wastewater are under Utah DEQ permitting.)

    “A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required for onsite wastewater systems that have a daily flow of 5000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater (the wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices).”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Onsite wastewater systems in Wasatch County with daily flow of 5,000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices.
      “is required for onsite wastewater systems”
    • Required — Onsite domestic wastewater systems in Wasatch County with daily flow of 5,000 gallons or less.
      “A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required for onsite wastewater systems that have a daily flow of 5000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater (the wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices).”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using an onsite wastewater system in Wasatch County for domestic wastewater flows of 5,000 gallons per day or less.

    • A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required.
    • The covered domestic wastewater includes wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices.
    • Projects over 5,000 gallons per day or involving nondomestic wastewater flows are handled by Utah DEQ.
    • Where a sewer collection line is within 300 feet of a new residence in the unincorporated area, the County General Plan states that the residence shall connect to sewer.

    maximum daily domestic wastewater flow: <= 5000 gallons per day (Higher-flow or nondomestic projects are handled by Utah DEQ.)

    “5000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater”
  • Well permitRequired

    A private well used as the culinary water supply for a wastewater-permit application in Wasatch County.

    • The county application requires either a well permit or well application when connecting to a private well.
    “If connecting to a private well, a well permit or well application is required.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water and sewer connections for property development in Wasatch County.

    • The Building Department does not run utilities.
    • Applicants must contact the Special Service District serving the property for water and sewer service.
    • For a wastewater permit application, a public water connection requires a letter of approval from the public system; a private well requires a well permit or well application.
    “If connecting to a private well, a well permit or well application is required. If connecting to a public system, a letter of approval from the system stating that they will provide culinary water to the lot.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — New residences in unincorporated Wasatch County where a sewer collection line is within 300 feet.
      “When there is a sewer collection line within 300 feet of a new residence, it shall connect to the sewer system.”
    • Conditional — Water and sewer utility connections for property being built in Wasatch County.
      “For water and sewer, you will want to contact the Special Service District that supplies the piece of property you are building on.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Building-permit exemption for qualifying agricultural structures in Wasatch County

    • The structure must be used solely in conjunction with agricultural use and not for human occupancy, or must be no more than 1,500 square feet and used solely for the specified sales described in Utah Code section 59-12-104(20).
    • Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical code-related work is not exempted.
    • Unless located wholly or partly in an agricultural protection area, the exemption does not apply when the structure is within a city or town on less than five contiguous acres, or within a county-approved platted subdivision on less than two contiguous acres.
    • The owner must submit the county acknowledgement form and required site, floor-plan, and elevation materials.
    • The structure may not be converted to residential or another non-agricultural use without obtaining a building permit.
    • The form states it was revised January 13, 2026.

    maximum area for specified agricultural sales structure: <= 1500 square feet (must be used solely for the type of sales described in Utah Code Annotated section 59-12-104(20)) · minimum contiguous acreage in city or town unless agricultural protection area applies: >= 5 acres (structures on less than five contiguous acres are not exempt) · minimum contiguous acreage in county-approved subdivision unless agricultural protection area applies: >= 2 acres (structures on less than two contiguous acres are not exempt)

    “Except as provided in Subsection (11)(b), a structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture use, and not for human occupancy, or a structure that is no more than 1500 square feet and used solely for the type of sales described in Subsection 59-12-104(20), is exempt from the permit requirements of the State Construction Code.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Small- and large-scale subdivision applications in unincorporated Wasatch County

    • Applications must be submitted through the county plan-review online portal.
    • A complete application requires the proposed plat to meet Wasatch County Code section 16.27.12, Final Plat Requirements.
    • The small-scale checklist requires a surveyor’s stamp on the plat.
    • Large-scale applications may require a record of survey filed with the Wasatch County surveyor’s office.
    • Applications are reviewed after required materials and fees are submitted.

    application review prerequisite: complete application and application fee

    “PDF version of all pages of the proposed plat meeting the standards outlined in section 16.27.12, Final Plat Requirements. Include surveyor’s stamp on plat.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Connecting a driveway or installing landscaping within a public or private county right-of-way without an approved building permit.

    • The driveway/encroachment permit is required for the described county-right-of-way work.
    • The driveway must be 200 feet or less in length, 10% or less in grade, and have no structures or retaining walls.
    • Landscaping must not impact road maintenance or snow-removal operations and must be outside the clear zone.
    • Shared driveways connecting more than one lot must use the Subdivision Construction Permit Application.
    • Anything exceeding the 200-foot or 10%-grade limits requires the Grading Permit application.
    • Road cuts and paving on county roads are not allowed between October 15 and April 15.
    • A detailed drawing is required, including a vicinity map, grading dimensions, property lines, nearby structures within 15 feet, and drainage features.
    • Traffic Control Plan is required when traffic is impacted.
    • A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and NOI are required if more than one acre is disturbed.
    • Any grading within or near a FEMA floodplain requires a Floodplain Permit.
    • A Stream Alteration Permit is required for work within 30 feet of a stream bank or within a stream.
    • The county may require an engineer's estimate and bond; a certificate of liability insurance is required, with the cited instructions specifying minimum coverage amounts.

    maximum driveway length: <= 200 feet (Anything in excess requires the Grading Permit application) · maximum driveway grade: <= 10 percent (Anything in excess requires the Grading Permit application) · stream-bank distance threshold: < 30 feet (Within this distance or within a stream requires a Stream Alteration Permit) · stormwater disturbance threshold: > 1 acre (More than one acre requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and NOI)

    “This permit is required for those individuals connecting their driveways”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Grading within or near a FEMA floodplain in Wasatch County.

    • A Floodplain Permit is required for any grading within or near a FEMA floodplain.
    • The cited county instructions direct applicants to contact the Wasatch County Planning Department at 435-657-3205.
    • This source establishes a permit requirement for grading within or near a FEMA floodplain; it does not establish that every type of floodplain development requires the same permit or that development outside grading is exempt.
    “Any grading within or near a FEMA Floodplain will require a Floodplain Permit.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rental businesses in unincorporated Wasatch County.

    • A business license is required for businesses operating in unincorporated Wasatch County.
    • The county provides a specific Short Term Rental Application Form.
    • This claim does not determine whether a particular parcel or zoning district allows the rental, nor does it establish all transient-lodging or occupancy conditions.
    “Business licenses are needed for any business doing business in unincorporated Wasatch County.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permit fees administered by the Wasatch County Building Department.

    • Fees are based on square footage and vary from project to project.
    • The cited FAQ states that, as of June 13, 2016, the average Building Department portion was around $1.25 per square foot.
    • The cited FAQ states that the $1.25-per-square-foot calculation includes finished and unfinished square footage, garages, porches, decks, and roof coverings over decks.
    • A $3,085 County impact fee applies to new single-family residences.
    • Multi-family and commercial impact fee amounts require contacting the Wasatch County Planning Department.
    • Other fees may be collected by special service districts, including fire, water, sewer, power, and solid waste fees; the FAQ lists a $172.50 solid-waste fee for new residential construction and $345 for commercial construction, and an additional $4,170 charge from Heber Valley Special Service District for properties on sewer.
    • A $75 temporary power fee is listed.
    • Within Wallsburg Town, the County impact fee is listed as $278.

    average building department fee: per 1.25 USD per square foot (As of June 13, 2016; average only and project-dependent) · county impact fee for new single-family residence: 3085 USD (Wallsburg Town impact fee listed separately as $278) · temporary power fee: 75 USD · solid waste SSD fee for new residential construction: 172.5 USD · solid waste SSD fee for commercial construction: 345 USD · Heber Valley Special Service District sewer charge: 4170 USD (If property is on sewer)

    “Permit fees are based on square footage and vary from project to project.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Wasatch County building permit applications.

    • Applications are submitted online through CityInspect.
    • New CityInspect users must register for an account.
    • All uploaded documents must be PDFs; other formats cause the application to be returned as incomplete.
    • The county lists complete plan sets, structural engineering calculations, ResCheck, wildland-urban-interface forms and landscape plans when applicable, septic letters for properties on septic systems, owner-builder agreements, slope analyses when required, and other structure-specific documents.
    • After submission, the application is reviewed for completeness and missing items are communicated by email.
    • The county FAQ states that missing submittal items or incorrectly named documents cause the application to be returned and the permitting process will not begin until all items are submitted correctly.
    • Permit processing times vary based on completeness and receipt of corrected items.
    “Apply for a building permit online at any time of the day.”

Utah rules that apply here

  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Large Underground Wastewater Systems (LUWDS) operating under Utah operating permits.

    • The annual inspection-report requirement applies to LUWDS operating permits.
    • The report is due August 1st of every year.
    • The source does not establish that the same annual inspection requirement applies to every residential or small onsite wastewater system.

    inspection report frequency: annual · annual inspection report due date: August 1

    “All Large Underground Wastewater Systems (LUWDS) have a responsibility under their Operating Permits to submit an Annual Inspection Report, due August 1st of every year.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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 Wasatch County
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land in Wasatch County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Wasatch County.
  • Manufactured homes — Placement or residential occupancy of a manufactured home in Wasatch County.

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 Wasatch 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 ↗
  • Upper Provo River Valleys / Heber Valley Ground-Water Policypartial of county

    Alluvial valleys tributary to the Provo River above Provo Canyon (Heber, Round, upper Provo/Kamas valleys) are closed to new groundwater appropriations; new withdrawals must transfer existing rights.

    Utah Division of Water Rights — Groundwater Management Plans ↗

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 Wasatch County, Utah

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

Wasatch County scores 48/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: thin water margin (24.4″/yr rainfall) and about 34,422 people within 15 miles.

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

Wasatch County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Wasatch County Health Department, Onsite Wastewater Program. 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 Wasatch County, Utah?

Land in Wasatch County runs about $8,960 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Wasatch County?

Wasatch County gets about 24.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 29.5% of years. On water rights, Wasatch County lies in the Upper Provo River Valleys / Heber Valley Ground-Water Policy — Alluvial valleys tributary to the Provo River above Provo Canyon (Heber, Round, upper Provo/Kamas valleys) are closed to new groundwater appropriations; new withdrawals must transfer existing rights..

How remote is Wasatch County?

A typical private-land location has about 34,422 people within 15 miles and 3,122,882 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Wasatch compares in Utah

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