Bolthole Index

Davis County, Utah

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Davis County, Utah

35Index Score / 100
#28 of 29 in Utah

Unincorporated Davis County, Utah requires a written building permit before you start new construction, an addition, a basement finish, or an accessory structure over 200 square feet12. Davis County handles permits and inspections only outside city boundaries; each city has its own jurisdiction34. The county also zones unincorporated land, and onsite wastewater systems require a Davis County Health Department permit56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in unincorporated Davis County for new construction, additions, remodels, pools, carports and accessory structures over 200 sq ft12
Zoning
Varies by jurisdiction: Davis County zones unincorporated land, while each city maintains its own zoning35
Septic permits
Required before installing an onsite wastewater system and issued by Davis County Environmental Health76
Owner-builder
Allowed with an Owner-Builder Form, capped at 1 residential structure per year and 3 per five years89
Minimum lot size (R-1)
9,000 sq ft with 75 feet of lot width in the R-1 Residential Single-Family zone10
Setbacks (R-1)
25 feet front, 25 feet rear, 8 feet on each side11
RV or tiny home on your land
Not addressed in the county material we could confirm; check with Davis County Planning before living in one long-term12
Septic-suitable soil
Only 6.2% of Davis County's soil is rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field13

Who to call

Building permits

Davis County Community & Economic Development — Building Permits

Building permits, inspections scheduling and certificates of occupancy for unincorporated Davis County

(801) 451-3279

Davis County Admin Building, Suite 304, 61 South Main Street, Farmington, Utah 84025

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Davis County Planning Department

Zoning maps and land-use applications (rezoning, conditional use, subdivision, variance) for unincorporated Davis County

(801) 451-3278

Davis County Admin Building, 61 South Main Street, Farmington, Utah 84025

Septic permits

Davis County Health Department — Environmental Health Division

Onsite wastewater (septic) feasibility determinations, permits, plan review and inspections countywide, including unincorporated Davis County

(801) 525-5000

Clearfield Main Campus, 22 South State Street, Clearfield, Utah 84015

Also useful

Shums Coda Associates (Davis County's contracted building inspector)

Schedules and performs building inspections for Davis County building permits, and is the county's authorized third-party inspection option when the county cannot inspect within three business days

800-286-0374

[email protected]

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

Yes, if your parcel is unincorporated: Davis County requires a written building permit before you start new construction, a home addition or remodel, a basement finish, an accessory structure over 200 square feet, a pool, a carport, or gas, electrical, mechanical or plumbing work, and the permit must be signed by the county's Enforcement Officer or a designee before work begins114. Check the county's jurisdiction map first — if your property sits inside one of the shaded municipal areas, the city, not the county, issues the permit2. The permit itself is reviewed against Utah's statewide State Construction Code, currently the 2024 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code and related 2023-2024 editions, so Davis County isn't writing its own construction standards from scratch1516. One exception: a structure used solely for agricultural purposes and not for human occupancy is exempt from the State Construction Code's permit requirement, though a plumbing, electrical or mechanical permit can still apply to work inside it17.

Who is the Davis County building department, and how do you reach them?

Davis County's Community & Economic Development office handles building permits for unincorporated land, at the Davis County Admin Building, Suite 304, 61 South Main Street, Farmington, Utah 84025, at (801) 451-327914. Applications and plans go in online through the county's building permit portal, using the single-family or non-single-family checklist depending on the project18. Fees scale with square footage or the project's valuation, and the simplest permits — those needing no plan review, no bond and a single inspection — have a $202 minimum, plus a 2.5% surcharge if you pay by card19. Shums Coda Associates performs inspections for construction under Davis County jurisdiction; schedule at 800-286-0374 or [email protected] with at least 24 hours' notice420. A Certificate of Occupancy — issued only after the final building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections all pass — is what actually lets you move in; a power-to-panel permit alone only authorizes construction power and testing, not occupancy21.

Does Davis County have zoning?

Davis County zoning varies by jurisdiction: the county publishes zoning districts and maps only for unincorporated land, while each city maintains its own zoning information35. In the county's R-1 Residential Single-Family zone, a lot needs at least 9,000 square feet with 75 feet of width, and a house must sit at least 25 feet back from the front and rear property lines and 8 feet from each side, with a maximum height of two stories or 30 feet101122. Those dimensions are specific to R-1, so verify the parcel's actual district before using them in a site plan1011. Splitting land in unincorporated Davis County is regulated, with only limited agricultural-parcel exceptions23. We could not confirm county rules for RV or tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home placement, accessory dwellings, minimum dwelling size, or lot coverage; ask Davis County Planning at (801) 451-3278 about the parcel's district12.

How do septic permits work in Davis County?

Davis County requires a Health Department permit before installing an onsite wastewater system; the application, fees, location approval, and intermediate and final inspections all come before the system can be completed6. Reach the Environmental Health Division at (801) 525-5000 or at the Clearfield Main Campus, 22 South State Street, Clearfield, Utah 8401524. Raw land also needs a Statement of Feasibility based on the county's records and GIS review, site and soil evaluations, any percolation testing, and groundwater monitoring needed for the site6. Only 6.2% of Davis County's soil is rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so settle feasibility before fixing the house location or budget13. Off-grid sanitation is not unrestricted: alternative systems, holding tanks, temporary systems, and vault privies remain regulated, and specified systems need operating permits25. The excavation cannot be backfilled before final health approval, and an occupied building within 300 feet of public sewer may be required to connect6.

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

We couldn't confirm a Davis County rule that answers this directly. The county's zoning and building-permit pages establish that zoning and permits apply in unincorporated areas, but neither states whether long-term RV or tiny-home occupancy is allowed, limited or barred on a residential lot26. Utah's recreational-vehicle-park sanitation rule sets conditions for RVs and tiny houses inside licensed RV parks — data-plate or certification requirements, and compliance with local codes — but that rule governs RV parks, not living in an RV on your own unincorporated parcel, so it doesn't settle this question either27. Call Davis County Planning at (801) 451-3278 before you buy with this plan in mind, and ask specifically about your parcel's zone12.

Building a home in Davis County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm jurisdiction first: check the county's property-jurisdiction map to see whether your parcel is unincorporated (Davis County permits it) or inside a shaded city area (the city permits it)2.
  2. If you'll do the work yourself rather than hire a licensed contractor, file the county's Owner-Builder Form; you're capped at one residential structure a year and three in five years for your own noncommercial use98.
  3. For raw land that will use onsite wastewater, obtain the Health Department's Statement of Feasibility and then the required installation permit before construction6.
  4. Submit your building permit application and plans online through Davis County's building permit portal, using the correct checklist for a single-family home18.
  5. Pay the permit fee — based on square footage or project valuation, minimum $202 for the simplest permits — and add 2.5% if paying by card19.
  6. Schedule required inspections with Shums Coda Associates at least 24 hours ahead as work proceeds420.
  7. Pass final building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections to get your Certificate of Occupancy before moving in21.

What to check before you buy land in Davis County, Utah

Soil is the biggest constraint: with only 6.2% of the county's soil rated free of severe limits for a standard septic drain field, get the Health Department's feasibility review before committing to a house site136. If the land fronts a state highway, a driveway or new access point needs a UDOT conditional access permit28. Confirm local access rules separately because unincorporated-county driveway requirements remain unconfirmed. Federal land covers 23.5% of Davis County, and the county averages about 1,248 people per square mile; the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 17 miles from the county center293031. Typical property tax runs about 0.5% of assessed value, with a median bill near $2,546 a year3233. Annual precipitation averages 25.6 inches, while severe drought occurs in roughly 28.4% of years3435.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether long-term RV or tiny-home occupancy is allowed on unincorporated residential land; confirm the parcel's district and proposed use with Davis County Planning at (801) 451-327812.
  • Davis County rules cover unincorporated land, while a parcel inside a city follows that city's building and zoning jurisdiction32.
  • Off-grid sanitation still needs county approval; vault privies, holding tanks, and temporary or alternative onsite systems are regulated rather than automatic substitutes for septic25.

Sources

  1. Building Permits (2026 county census)
  2. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning, quoted and re-checked
  4. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  5. Planning, quoted and re-checked
  6. Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  7. Davis County Health – Onsite Wastewater Systems (2026 county census)
  8. Building Permits (2026 county census)
  9. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  10. Zone Changes for Planning Commission, quoted and re-checked
  11. Zone Changes for Planning Commission, quoted and re-checked
  12. Davis County Planning Department (daviscountyutah.gov)
  13. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  14. Davis County Community & Economic Development — Building Permits (daviscountyutah.gov)
  15. 15A-2-103 Specific editions adopted of construction code of a nationally recognized code authority, quoted and re-checked
  16. Utah Code Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Utah Code § 15A-1-204 (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  20. Shums Coda Associates (Davis County's contracted building inspector) (daviscountyutah.gov)
  21. Power to Panel, quoted and re-checked
  22. Zone Changes for Planning Commission, quoted and re-checked
  23. Davis County Subdivision Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  24. Davis County Health Department — Environmental Health Division (daviscountyutah.gov)
  25. Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  26. Planning (2026 county census)
  27. Utah Administrative Code Rule R392-301, Recreational Vehicle Parks (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Conditional Access Permit (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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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County locator

Davis County in Utah

35
County map
Davis County highlighted among the Utah counties · colored by Index score

How Davis County scores

Seclusion13100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency4599% ev.
Admin Boringness40100% ev.
Durability55100% ev.
Property Autonomy60100% ev.
Carry Cost44100% 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 →

$564kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$14,480Land / acre
25.6"Annual rain
28.4% of yrsSevere drought
11.2 / yr (+10.1)Mid-century 100°F days
29.7 daysMid-century dry spell
0.98" (+7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.16×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,224Home insurance / yr
4.9% / yrInsurance growth
0.67%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
806,019People within 30 min
3,195,355People within 2 hr
514,255Radius comparison (15 mi)
1,247.9People / sq mi
23.5%Federal land
87.9%Land at 15% slope or less
6.2%Septic soil without severe limits
8,407 acWorkable land screen
19%Wooded land
32 tonsBiomass / forest ac
49.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Davis County

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

Davis County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building construction and related work on property in unincorporated Davis County under Davis County jurisdiction.

    • A written permit must be issued before covered work is commenced or proceeded with.
    • The permit must be approved and signed by the Davis County Enforcement Officer or the Enforcement Officer’s designee.
    • The county FAQ states permits are required for new construction, home additions/remodels, basement finishes, accessory structures exceeding 200 square feet, pools, carports, gas, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work, including furnace and air-conditioning installations, and any other item at the discretion of the Community & Economic Development Office.
    • If property is within a colored shaded municipal area on the county jurisdiction map, permitting is handled by that municipality instead of Davis County.
    • A 2.5% processing fee is added to credit-card transactions.
    “Yes. A building permit is required for any new construction [...] If your property is not shaded, the jurisdiction is with Davis County”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A property owner conducting permitted construction in unincorporated Davis County instead of using a contractor.

    • The county states that when a property owner conducts the work themselves in place of a contractor, an Owner-Builder Form is required.
    • 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, and the owner must not have built more than three residential structures in the previous five years.
    • The improvements must be for the owner's personal, non-commercial, non-public use.
    • Work may be performed by the sole property owner, a licensed contractor, covered employees, or persons under the owner's supervision receiving no compensation or only token compensation.
    • Using an unlicensed contractor or compensating an unlicensed person beyond token compensation may result in a Class A misdemeanor and an administrative fine of up to $2,000 for each day of violation.
    • The owner-builder form does not eliminate the separate building-permit requirement.

    residential structures built by owner in current year: <= 1 structure per year · residential structures built by owner in prior five years: <= 3 structures per five years · administrative fine for violation: <= 2000 USD per day

    “work performed on the project must be performed by the following: a. myself as the sole property owner; or b. a licensed contractor”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building inspections for construction under Davis County jurisdiction.

    • Inspections must be scheduled with Shums Coda Associates with a minimum 24-hour notice.
    • The county lists typical inspections including plan check, setback, excavation and forms, footings, foundation, rough framing, rough mechanical, rough electrical, rough plumbing and test, insulation, final electrical, final plumbing, final mechanical, and final construction.
    • Third-party inspections may be used only when the County confirms it cannot complete a requested inspection within three business days, and after the applicant notifies the County of the intent to use the third-party service.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours · county inspection completion period for third-party option: > 3 business days (The county must be unable to complete the requested inspection within this period.)

    “Final Electrical Final Plumbing Final Mechanical Final Final Construction”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of a building, home, condominium, or portion thereof under Davis County building jurisdiction.

    • A power-to-panel permit is for construction and testing only and does not authorize occupancy.
    • Occupancy is allowed only after all final building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections are completed and a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
    • The source also states that unresolved building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler or fire, street, curb and gutter, zoning, or engineering requirements may result in electrical service disconnection.
    “Occupancy of a building is allowed only after all final [...] inspections are made and completed and a Certificate of Occupancy issued.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning in the unincorporated areas of Davis County.

    • The Davis County zoning map applies only to unincorporated areas.
    • Each city within Davis County maintains zoning information for its own jurisdiction.
    “Davis County provides mapping information on a county-wide basis. The Davis County zoning map shows only those areas in the unincorporated county. Each city within Davis County maintains zoning information for their jurisdiction.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Davis County, including county zoning in unincorporated areas and separate municipal zoning within city jurisdictions.

    • Davis County provides the zoning map for unincorporated areas only.
    • Each city within Davis County maintains zoning information for its own jurisdiction.
    • The county aggregate therefore varies by whether property is unincorporated or within a municipality.
    “Davis County provides mapping information on a county-wide basis. The Davis County zoning map shows only those areas in the unincorporated county. Each city within Davis County maintains zoning information for their jurisdiction.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts and zoning maps in unincorporated Davis County; incorporated cities maintain their own zoning information.

    • The Davis County zoning map shows only unincorporated areas.
    • Each city within Davis County maintains zoning information for its own jurisdiction.
    • The Davis County Planning Commission makes recommendations concerning land-use ordinances and zoning maps and decides applications under the County Land Use Development Management Ordinance, Title 15.
    “The Davis County zoning map shows only those areas in the unincorporated county.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 Residential Single-Family zoning in unincorporated Davis County.

    • The cited standard is specific to the R-1 Residential Single-Family zone.
    • Lot width is also required to be 75 feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 9000 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 75 feet

    “Section 15.20.1540 - Minimum lot standards. All lots shall be developed and all structures and uses shall be placed on lots in accordance with the following standards: A. Lot area: nine thousand (9,000) square feet. B. Lot width: seventy-five (75) feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 Residential Single-Family zoning in unincorporated Davis County.

    • The cited standards are specific to the R-1 Residential Single-Family zone.
    • The source states these are minimum yard standards.

    front yard: >= 25 feet · side yard: >= 8 feet each side · rear yard: >= 25 feet

    “C. Front yard: twenty-five (25) feet. D. Side yards: eight feet (each side.) E. Rear yard: twenty-five (25) feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Residential Single-Family zoning in unincorporated Davis County.

    • The cited standard is specific to the R-1 Residential Single-Family zone.
    • The source states a maximum of two stories and 30 feet.

    maximum building height: <= 30 feet (Two stories maximum)

    “F. Building height: Two stories not to exceed thirty (30) feet.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of an onsite wastewater system, including a septic tank and drain field, in Davis County, Utah.

    • A permit must be obtained from the Davis County office before installing an onsite wastewater system.
    • An application must be submitted and applicable fees must be paid.
    • The location must be approved, with intermediate and final inspections of the system.
    • For raw undeveloped property, a Statement of Feasibility is required; Davis County conducts a GIS assessment, records search, site assessment, soil evaluation, percolation tests, and groundwater monitoring, and issues the Statement of Feasibility only if the property meets legal requirements.
    • Construction must comply with the approved plan and Utah Rule R317-4; excavation may not be back-filled until the health inspector gives final approval.
    • If a property is within 300 feet of a public sewer, the city or county may require connection of occupied buildings to that sewer.

    initial site assessment fee: 200 USD · soil evaluation fee, one pit: 200 USD · maximum ground water determination fee: 600 USD · conventional plan review fee: 120 USD · septic tank only or vault privy construction permit fee: 550 USD · state new system fee: 40 USD · operating permit fee: 100 USD

    “Permits must be obtained from this office to install an OWS. In order to obtain a permit, an application must be submitted and fees must be paid corresponding to the approval of the location along with intermediate and final inspections of the system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Construction and operation of onsite wastewater systems in Davis County.

    • The inspector assesses excavation and installation for compliance with the approved plan and Rule R317-4.
    • The excavation cannot be back-filled until the health inspector gives final approval.
    • Owners must oversee inspections, maintenance, and servicing in compliance with UAC R317-4.
    • Alternative systems, wastewater holding tanks, and temporary onsite wastewater systems require operating permits and required inspection results until abandonment.
    • For a change of ownership, the new owner must submit proof of inspection, a completed application, and applicable fees.

    additional inspections fee: 30 USD · septic refinance inspection fee: 100 USD

    “The excavation cannot be back-filled until the health inspector has given final approval.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Non-public-sewer onsite sanitation systems, including septic systems, vault privies, wastewater holding tanks, and temporary onsite wastewater systems in Davis County.

    • A residence or other building must have a way to address wastewater generated on the premises.
    • Vault privies and wastewater holding tanks are listed as regulated permit categories, not unrestricted sanitation options.
    • Alternative onsite wastewater systems, wastewater holding tanks, and temporary onsite wastewater systems require Operating Permits until abandonment.
    • All systems require Department approval for operation and must comply with applicable state rules and county conditions.
    • If a property is within 300 feet of a public sewer, the city or county may require sewer connection of occupied buildings.

    operating permit validity: 1 year (Alternative systems, wastewater holding tanks, and temporary onsite wastewater systems until abandonment) · plan review fee for wastewater holding tank or vault privy: 90 USD · construction permit fee for septic tank only or vault privy: 550 USD · construction permit fee for wastewater holding tank: 750 USD

    “Alternative onsite wastewater systems, wastewater holding tanks, and temporary onsite wastewater systems are required to obtain an Operating Permit”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Occupied buildings on property in Davis County located within 300 feet of a public sewer.

    • Municipal and state laws apply.
    • The city or county may require sewer connection; the source does not state that connection is mandatory in every such case.
    • When connecting to sanitary sewer, the building sewer must bypass the septic tank and slope at 1/4 inch per foot to the municipal or district sewer main.
    • A cleanout within two feet of the foundation is generally required by the building code.

    distance to public sewer: <= 300 feet (The city or county may require sewer connection of occupied buildings.) · building sewer slope: 1/4 inch per foot (When connecting to the sanitary sewer.)

    “Municipal and state laws require that if a property is within 300 feet of a public sewer, the city or county may require sewer connection”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and division of land in unincorporated Davis County.

    • A qualifying agricultural parcel may be exempt from plat requirements only if it meets all listed conditions.
    • Agricultural parcels are not typically residential lots and are not subject to subdivision regulations unless residential development is requested.
    • If an exempt agricultural parcel is used for a nonagricultural purpose, the County may require compliance with all chapter requirements.
    • The ordinance states it takes effect on the earliest date possible after Davis County fulfills Utah Code §17-53-208; it was adopted January 30, 2024.
    “Each person who proposes to subdivide land in the unincorporated area of Davis County shall complete, sign, and submit to the Planning Manager or the Planning Manager’s designeeDepartment an application for approval of the proposed subdivision using application forms developed and approved by the Planning Manager or the Planning Manager’s designeeDepartment.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Davis County building permits for property in unincorporated Davis County.

    • Permit fees vary based on project square footage and/or project valuation.
    • Permits requiring no plan check review, construction bond, and only one inspection have a minimum fee of $202.
    • A 2.5% processing fee is added to all credit card transactions.
    • The page references a current fee schedule and February 2020 International Code Council building valuation data.

    minimum permit fee: 202 USD (Applies to permits requiring no plan check review, construction bond, and just one inspection.) · credit-card processing fee: 2.5 percent

    “Permit fees are based on the project square footage and/or the project valuation provided on the permit application.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Davis County building permit applications and inspections for property in unincorporated Davis County.

    • All building permit applications and plans must be submitted through the building permit application link.
    • A written permit must be issued before covered construction or site preparation begins or proceeds.
    • The permit must be approved and signed by the Davis County Enforcement Officer or designee.
    • A complete application uses the applicable single-family or non-single-family checklist.
    • Inspections require a minimum 24-hour notice.
    • Third-party inspections are authorized only after the County confirms it cannot complete the inspection within three business days and the applicant notifies the County of the intent to use the third-party service.
    • Properties in colored municipal areas use the respective municipality; unshaded properties are subject to Davis County's application.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours · third-party inspection county response period: > 3 business days (The County must first confirm it cannot conduct its own timely inspection and the applicant must notify the County.)

    “All building permit applications and plans must be submitted using the building permit application link below.”

Utah rules that apply here

  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair in Davis County under Utah's statewide construction code, subject to statewide and local amendments.
      “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:”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    Statewide onsite wastewater systems in Utah; the Utah Division of Water Quality establishes the statewide rule while local health departments administer it within their jurisdictions.

    • Local health departments may adopt stricter requirements.
    • Local health departments may issue operating permits with terms not exceeding five years and may require inspection before renewal.
    • Local health departments may prohibit alternative systems, assess administrative fees, require servicing, and decide variances.
    • For large underground wastewater disposal systems, Utah DEQ states that only Weber-Morgan Health Department had formally applied for and been granted delegated operating-permit responsibility as of the cited page.
    “These rules are administered by the division authorized by Title 19 Chapter 5. [...] Local health departments have jurisdiction to administer this rule.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Structures used solely in conjunction with agricultural use and not for human occupancy, under Utah's State Construction Code.

    • A plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permit may still be required when that work is included in the structure.
    • The structure is not exempt from a permit requirement if it is within city or town boundaries and on less than five contiguous acres, unless located in whole or in part in an agricultural protection area.
    • The structure is not exempt from a permit requirement if it is within a subdivision for which the county approved a subdivision plat and on less than two contiguous acres, unless located in whole or in part in an agricultural protection area.

    maximum area for alternate sales-structure exemption: <= 1500 square feet (This threshold applies to the separate sales-structure category in § 15A-1-204(11)(a), not to the agricultural-use structure category.) · city or town land threshold: < 5 contiguous acres (The permit exception does not apply when the structure is within city or town boundaries and less than five contiguous acres, unless located in an agricultural protection area.) · subdivision land threshold: < 2 contiguous acres (The permit exception does not apply when the structure is within a county-approved subdivision and less than two contiguous acres, unless located in an agricultural protection area.)

    “a structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture use, and not for human occupancy, [...] is exempt from the requirements of the State Construction Code.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway or local-street connections to Utah state highways and changes in land use or access intensity along state highways.

    • The rule applies along a state highway.
    • A conditional access permit is required whenever a driveway or local street connection is requested.
    • A conditional access permit is also required for a change in land use or a change in the intensity of existing access.
    • The application process includes a pre-application meeting, a complete application packet, a non-refundable review fee, and UDOT technical review.
    “A conditional access permit is required when any of the following is true along a state highway: Whenever a driveway or local street connection is requested. When there is a change in land use (e.g. change in zoning, site plan, or conditional use). When there is a change in intensity of an existing access.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Temporary RV occupancy in Utah recreational vehicle parks providing temporary living quarters for two or more recreational vehicles.

    • The location must be an RV park as defined by Rule R392-301.
    • The operator must comply with all applicable building, zoning, electrical, health, fire codes and local ordinances.
    • Each RV must satisfy the required data-plate or permanent-label and certification or qualified third-party inspection requirements.
    • Wastewater must comply with the rule, applicable Utah Department of Environmental Quality requirements, local health department regulations, and the local sewer district having jurisdiction.

    minimum number of recreational vehicles: >= 2 vehicles

    “A recreational vehicle or a tiny house may be allowed in a recreational vehicle park only if:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — 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.
      “A recreational vehicle or a tiny house may be allowed in a recreational vehicle park only if:”
  • 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 Davis County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Davis County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land in unincorporated Davis County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Davis County.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home on private land in unincorporated Davis County.
3 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Short-term rentals

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 Davis 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 ↗
  • Groundwater Management Plan valleys (Cache, Tooele, Salt Lake, Utah, Juab, Pahvant, Snyderville, Sand Hollow, Weber Delta)majority of county

    Populated valleys managed under groundwater management plans that protect existing rights and cap withdrawals; new groundwater use requires acquiring and changing existing water rights rather than new appropriation.

    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 Davis County, Utah

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

Davis County scores 35/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 806,019 people within a 30-minute drive and more administrative friction around building and land use.

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

Davis County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Davis County Health Department – Environmental Health Division. 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 Davis County, Utah?

Land in Davis County runs about $14,480 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Davis County?

Davis County gets about 25.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 28.4% of years. On water rights, Davis County lies in the Groundwater Management Plan valleys (Cache, Tooele, Salt Lake, Utah, Juab, Pahvant, Snyderville, Sand Hollow, Weber Delta) — Populated valleys managed under groundwater management plans that protect existing rights and cap withdrawals; new groundwater use requires acquiring and changing existing water rights rather than new appropriation..

How remote is Davis County?

A representative private-land location has about 806,019 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,195,355 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Davis compares in Utah

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