Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-21
28 of Utah's 29 counties — 97% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 19th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Morgan County (67/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → Full Utah profile →
28 of 29 Utah counties · sorted by Index score
Morgan County's building permit packet includes an Owner/Builder Certification form, indicating owners may act as their own builder (Utah owner-builder allowance) while still ob…
Morgan County Building Permits Process ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Owner-builders (do-it-yourselfers) may proceed but must submit a signed and notarized Owner/Builder Certification Form and still obtain the required permit.
Carbon County Building Department ↗Under Utah Code 58-55-305 a sole property owner building on their own property for their own non-commercial use (up to one residence per year) is exempt from contractor licensur…
Utah Code 58-55-305 - Exemptions from licensure ↗The Building Department provides an Owner/Builder Certification Form, indicating homeowners may act as their own builder (still subject to permit requirements).
Rich County Building Department ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Under statewide Utah Code 58-55-305, a property owner may build one residence per year on their own property for noncommercial use without a contractor license, though a buildin…
Utah Code 58-55-305 Exemptions from licensure ↗Property owners may build their own home; Uintah County requires an Owner/Builder certification and agreement form when the owner (rather than a licensed contractor) is the buil…
Uintah County Community Development - Building Permit Requirements ↗Utah County provides an Owner/Builder Certification & Agreement to Comply with CTLA form allowing a property owner to build their own residence without a contractor license (Uta…
Utah County Community Development - Building Forms & Applications ↗Owners may act as their own general contractor by filing an Owner Builder Agreement with the county Building Department, assuming liability for the work.
Wasatch County Building Forms & Checklists (Owner Builder Agreement) ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 lets a property owner act as their own contractor on a primary residence (not for resale/rent), with plumbing/electrical/HVAC still requiring licensed pros.
Utah Code 58-55-305 ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 grants an owner-builder exemption: an owner may act as their own general contractor on their own primary residence (not for sale or rent) without a contracto…
Utah Code 58-55-305 - Exemptions from licensure ↗Per the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act, an owner of a single-family residence for personal, non-commercial use may act as contractor/builder on their own residence.
San Juan County Building Department Checklists ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 exempts a sole property owner building a residence for their own noncommercial use from contractor licensure (with an owner-builder declaration).
Utah Code Section 58-55-305 ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 grants an owner-builder exemption: an owner may act as their own general contractor on their own primary residence (not for sale or rent) without a contracto…
Utah Code 58-55-305 - Exemptions from licensure ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 grants an owner-builder exemption: an owner may act as their own general contractor on their own primary residence (not for sale or rent) without a contracto…
Utah Code 58-55-305 - Exemptions from licensure ↗Kane County Building Department provides an Owner Builder Certificate form, reflecting Utah's owner-builder provision allowing a homeowner to build their own residence; a permit…
Kane County Building Department ↗Under statewide Utah Code 58-55-305, a property owner may build one residence per year on their own property for noncommercial use without a contractor license, though a buildin…
Utah Code 58-55-305 Exemptions from licensure ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 exempts an owner-builder constructing on their own property from contractor licensing; the owner is registered with DOPL at permit issuance.
Utah Code 58-55-305 - Construction Trades Licensing exemptions ↗Statewide rule. A sole owner acting as an owner-builder for residential construction on the owner's property, concerning exemption from contractor licensure under the Utah Const…
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions ↗Utah Code 58-55-305 lets a sole owner act as their own contractor on a primary residence (limits apply); a permit is still required.
Utah Code 58-55-305 – Construction Trades Licensing ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Utah state page for all 29 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
