Guide
Do I need a permit to remodel in Salt Lake City?
In Salt Lake City, most remodels need a building permit. The city lists wall and layout changes, additions, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, and interior demolition as needing one, and painting, flooring, and similar cosmetic work as not. Kitchen and bathroom remodels that do not add plumbing fixtures can use the faster Permit by Inspector program.
What needs a permit
According to Salt Lake City Building Services, permits are generally required for:
- Changing walls or the floor plan
- Additions
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) work
- Interior demolition
- Roofing, decks, and fences
The city lists painting, flooring, and other cosmetic work as generally not needing a permit, and residential sheds under 200 square feet as exempt. When in doubt, ask the city before work starts. A permit costs far less than opening finished walls for an inspection later.
Permit by Inspector: the faster path
Salt Lake City's Permit by Inspector program lets eligible projects skip full plan review, with an inspector reviewing the work in the field. The city's applicant guide lists kitchen and bathroom remodels that do not increase the number of plumbing fixtures as eligible.
The same guide lists projects that are not eligible, including:
- Finishing a basement that includes a new bathroom
- Additions
- New garages, ADUs, and other accessory buildings
- Any exterior work in a local historic district
Remodeling a home built before 1970
In April 2026, Salt Lake City Building Services published the minimums that apply when remodeling owner-occupied homes built before 1970. These matter most in basements and attics, where ceilings and stairs in older homes are often below today's code. Key figures from the city's post:
| Item | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Stair headroom | 6 ft 4 in |
| Stair riser height | 8 in maximum |
| Stair tread depth | 9 in minimum |
| Stair width | 30 in minimum |
| Ceiling height, habitable rooms | 6 ft 4 in (hardwired smoke alarm required if under 7 ft 6 in) |
| Ceiling height, bathrooms | 6 ft 0 in |
| Hallway | 30 in wide, 6 ft 4 in headroom |
| Bedroom egress window | Opening at least 20 in wide by 24 in high and 3.5 sq ft net clear, sill no higher than 48 in |
Summarized from the city's published post; read the original for the full conditions before relying on any figure.
Historic districts
Salt Lake City has local historic districts, including much of the Avenues, Yalecrest, and Capitol Hill. Exterior changes in those districts need historic review in addition to a building permit, and they are excluded from Permit by Inspector. Interior remodels are generally not subject to historic review. If your home is in a district, plan for the extra review time on any window, porch, or exterior change.
Outside Salt Lake City
Each city in the valley runs its own building department: Sandy, Draper, Murray, South Jordan, and the rest. Unincorporated areas and the metro townships, including Magna and Kearns, are served by the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District. Fees, review times, and eligibility for fast-track programs differ, so check with the office that serves your address.
Who pulls the permit
When a project needs permits, we pull them and coordinate the inspections as part of the job. Utah law requires the contractor's license number on permit applications, so a contractor who asks you to pull the permit yourself as the owner is a reason to ask more questions.
Common questions
- What happens if I remodel without a permit?
- Unpermitted work can surface when you sell, refinance, or file an insurance claim, and a city can require walls to be opened for inspection. Permitting the work up front usually costs less.
- Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets?
- Replacing cabinets in the same layout without changing plumbing, electrical, or walls is often treated as cosmetic. Once a sink moves, a circuit is added, or a wall comes out, a permit is required. Confirm with your city for your specific scope.
- Does finishing a basement need a permit in Salt Lake City?
- Yes. Finishing a basement involves framing, electrical, and often plumbing and mechanical work. A basement finish that adds a bathroom is not eligible for Permit by Inspector and goes through standard review. Bedrooms need code-compliant egress windows.
Sources
- Salt Lake City Building Services, building permit FAQs. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Salt Lake City Building Services, Permit by Inspector applicant guide (07-23). Checked October 24, 2026.
- Salt Lake City Building Services, Remodel of owner-occupied pre-1970 buildings (April 23, 2026). Checked October 24, 2026.
- Salt Lake City Building Services, building permits. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District. Checked October 24, 2026.