Bolthole Index

Davis County, Utah

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Kaysville, Utah

Kaysville, Utah requires a building permit for new construction, remodels and repairs, including sheds over 200 square feet, and the city's own building department issues it1. Kaysville also runs its own zoning under the city's Planning and Zoning Ordinance, Title 172. Septic permits come from the Davis County Health Department, which requires them in both incorporated and unincorporated Davis County3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction, remodels and repairs; issued by Kaysville's building department1
Zoning
Kaysville's own zoning, Title 17; rules vary by district2
Septic
Davis County Health Department permit, city or not3
Minimum lot (R-1-8)
8,000 sq ft, 60 ft wide4
Minimum lot (R-A)
21,780 sq ft, 100 ft wide5
Permit application deposit
$25 for residential types; remaining fees due at issuance6
Typical plan review
About two weeks7

Who to call

Building permits

Kaysville City Building Department

Building permits, plan review and building inspections inside Kaysville city limits

801-544-1363

23 E Center Street, Kaysville, UT 84037

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Kaysville City Community Development

Planning and zoning, building permits, business licenses and code enforcement inside Kaysville city limits

801-546-1241

23 E Center Street, Kaysville, UT 84037

Septic permits

Davis County Health Department — Environmental Health Division

Onsite wastewater (septic) feasibility determinations, permits, plan review and inspections in Davis County

(801) 525-5000

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

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Kaysville, Utah have zoning, and what does it allow?

Yes. Kaysville administers its own Planning and Zoning Ordinance, Title 17, and the city's zoning applies only inside city limits2. The city's schedule of zoning district regulations lists agricultural and residential districts (R-A, A-1, A-5, R-1-20, R-1-14, R-1-10, R-1-8 and others), plus multi-family, commercial and industrial districts8. What you can build depends on the district, so find the parcel's district first.

Two districts show how far the numbers swing. In R-1-8, a single-family lot needs at least 8,000 square feet and 60 feet of width, with a 30-foot height limit and setbacks of 25 feet in front, 8 feet on the side and 15 feet in back4910. In R-A (residential agriculture), the minimum is 21,780 square feet and 100 feet of width, with 30 feet in front, 8 feet on the side and 30 feet in back511. Corner lots need 20 feet on the street side9.

The city's schedule is undated, so confirm the current figures with Kaysville Community Development before you design anything12. We could not confirm minimum dwelling size, lot coverage or accessory-building rules.

Do you need a building permit in Kaysville, and who issues it?

Yes. Kaysville requires building permits for new construction, remodels and repairs, including single and multiple family dwellings, detached garages and sheds over 200 square feet, decks, and any electrical or plumbing work1. The Kaysville City Building Department issues them and does the inspections13. Kaysville sits inside Davis County, but the county's building permit office serves only unincorporated land, so a Kaysville address does not go through the county14.

Applications go through the city's online building portal, which requires an account first. Most permits take about two weeks for review, and the application deposit is $25 for residential work, with the remaining fees due when the permit is issued76. Impact fees can also apply under the city's 2019 facilities plan6.

Utah law lets a sole owner build one residential structure per year on their own property without a contractor license, but that exemption covers contractor licensing, not permits and inspections15. We could not confirm whether Kaysville has its own owner-builder permit exemption; ask the building department.

How do septic permits work inside Kaysville?

Septic permits for Kaysville addresses come from the Davis County Health Department, not the city. Davis County states that permits must be obtained from the health department to install an onsite wastewater system, in incorporated and unincorporated areas alike3. Utah sets the statewide onsite wastewater rule, and local health departments administer it16.

For raw undeveloped land, the county requires a Statement of Feasibility first, based on its soil, percolation and groundwater evaluations, then a Construction Permit before installation, with inspections along the way3. The excavation cannot be back-filled until the health inspector gives final approval17.

Many Kaysville lots will not need a septic system at all. Where a property sits within 300 feet of a public sewer, the city or county may require sewer connection for occupied buildings18. Ask the Kaysville building department whether sewer service reaches your parcel, then ask the health department's Environmental Health Division about any septic need19. Water wells are regulated by the Utah State Engineer, not the city20.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on a Kaysville lot?

We could not confirm Kaysville's rules for living in an RV, camping on a residential lot, or placing a tiny home. Kaysville's use tables in Title 17 decide this district by district, so ask Kaysville Community Development before you buy or park anything212.

Utah's statewide RV rule covers RV parks with two or more recreational vehicles, and it does not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own lot21. For tiny homes, the state says that outside RV parks, permission depends on local land-use regulations and on how the structure is classified: primary dwelling, accessory dwelling, modular unit or manufactured home22. A tiny home built to a standard dwelling's rules would also need a building permit like any other house1.

Building a home in Kaysville: the steps, in order

  1. Find the parcel's zoning district and check lot size, width, setbacks and height against the city's zoning schedule with Community Development812.
  2. Ask the building department whether public sewer reaches the lot; if not, start a Statement of Feasibility with the Davis County Health Department3.
  3. Create an account on the city's online building portal and submit the application with the $25 residential deposit6.
  4. Wait for plan review, which takes about two weeks for most permits7.
  5. Pay the remaining fees and start work only after the permit is issued1.
  6. Call the building department to schedule inspections with at least 24 hours' notice; the permit number is required, and same-day inspections are not offered23. Required inspections include footings, foundation, framing, insulation and a final23.

What stays with Davis County, and what should you check before buying in Kaysville?

Septic permits and the health department's feasibility review stay with Davis County, as does well permitting through the state320. Work that affects a drainage channel or canal may need a Davis County Flood Control permit, which does not replace city floodplain approvals or other agency approvals24. A driveway onto a state highway needs a UDOT conditional access permit25.

For land outside city limits, the county has its own rules; see the Davis County page. Davis County's effective property tax rate is 0.5% and the median bill is $2,546 per year2627. Typical home value in the county is about $564,40928, and the county's population density is about 1,248 people per square mile29. These are county-level figures, not Kaysville's alone.

Watch-outs

  • Kaysville's zoning schedule is undated, so confirm lot size, setback and height figures with Kaysville Community Development before relying on them4.
  • Davis County's building permit office serves only unincorporated land; inside Kaysville, building permits come from the city's own building department1.
  • We could not confirm Kaysville's rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units or short-term rentals; call Community Development before you buy12.
  • Septic permits are county-level even inside city limits, and the county or city may require sewer connection within 300 feet of a public sewer18.

Sources

  1. Kaysville City Building Permits (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Kaysville Municipal Code Title 17 Chapter 1 (General Provisions) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Kaysville City Schedule of Zoning District Regulations (undated PDF) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Kaysville City Schedule of Zoning District Regulations (undated PDF) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Kaysville City Building Permits (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Kaysville City Building Permits (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Kaysville City Schedule of Zoning District Regulations (undated PDF) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Kaysville City Schedule of Zoning District Regulations (undated PDF) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Kaysville City Schedule of Zoning District Regulations (undated PDF) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  11. Kaysville City Schedule of Zoning District Regulations (undated PDF) (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  12. Kaysville City Community Development (kaysville.gov)
  13. Kaysville City Building Department (kaysville.gov)
  14. Building Permits (2026 county census)
  15. Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. DAR File No. 39821, Rule R317-4, Onsite Wastewater Systems (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  18. Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  19. Davis County Health Department — Environmental Health Division (daviscountyutah.gov)
  20. Water Well Drilling Information, quoted and re-checked
  21. Utah Administrative Code Rule R392-301, Recreational Vehicle Parks (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. OPRO Accessory Dwellings (ADU's) and other dwelling types (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Kaysville City Building Permits (Kaysville), quoted and re-checked
  24. Davis County Flood Control – Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  25. Conditional Access Permit (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  29. Population density: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Kaysville

Kaysville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, remodels and repairs inside Kaysville city limits, including single and multiple family dwellings, detached garages and sheds over 200 square feet, decks, and any electrical or plumbing.

    • Permit list is non-exhaustive ('including (but not limited to)').
    • Applications are submitted through the city online portal; account required.
    • Residential re-roofs requiring stripping of old roofing need a permit (from January 1, 2010).
    • Flat cement work does not need a permit unless in the city right-of-way.
    • Fences over 7 feet, retaining walls more than 4 feet from footing to top, and generators also listed.
    • Construction may proceed only after permit issuance.
    “building permits are required on any new construction, remodels and repairs including (but not limited to):”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Kaysville city limits.

    • Inspections are scheduled by calling the building department with at least a 24 hour notice; the permit number is required.
    • No same-day inspections.
    • If the city cannot inspect within three business days, listed third-party firms (Syracuse, Farmington, West Haven) may be used after written notice to the city building official under Utah Code 15a-1-105(2)(b).
    “the following inspections, not necessarily in this order, are required: water and sewer laterals, temporary power, footings, foundation, under ground plumbing, 4-way (framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical), flashing, gas line, insulation, permanent power, shower pan, final site inspection, and final.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Kaysville city limits. Kaysville administers its own Planning and Zoning Ordinance (Title 17).

    • Zoning districts, uses and dimensional limits are set by Title 17 and the zoning district schedule; use permission varies by district.
    • Rezonings and text amendments are discretionary council actions (Section 17-1-9).
    “this title shall be known as the planning and zoning ordinance of kaysville city, and may be so cited and pleaded.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Kaysville city zoning districts inside city limits.

    • Schedule lists single-family, two-family, multi-family, commercial and industrial districts (R-A, A-1, A-5, R-1-20, R-1-14, R-1-LD, R-1-10, R-1-8, R-T, R-D, R-2, R-4, R-M, PU, PB, GC, CC, HC, LI).
    • Schedule is undated; districts' map boundaries not opened.
    “kaysville city schedule of zoning district regulations zoning district use maximum height in feet minimum lot size in sq. ft.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwelling lots in the R-1-8 district inside Kaysville city.

    • Schedule is undated; confirm against current Title 17 text.
    • Lot area per dwelling for R-1-8 is also 8,000 sq ft.

    minimum lot size: 8000 sq ft · minimum lot width: 60 feet

    “r-1-8 single family dwellings 30 8,000 8,000 60 25 8 15 r-t single family dwellings”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the R-1-8 district inside Kaysville city.

    • Corner lots: 20 feet on side by the street per schedule footnote.
    • Measurements are from property line; front property line begins 10 feet back of curb (schedule footnote).

    minimum front yard: >= 25 feet · minimum side yard: >= 8 feet (corner lots: 20 feet on side by street) · minimum rear yard: >= 15 feet

    “r-1-8 single family dwellings 30 8,000 8,000 60 25 8 15 r-t single family dwellings”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the R-1-8 district inside Kaysville city.

    • Accessory buildings: a Kaysville Planning Commission record states 30 feet in residential zones (not verified in official text).

    maximum height: <= 30 feet

    “r-1-8 single family dwellings 30 8,000 8,000 60 25 8 15 r-t single family dwellings”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit application deposit for residential work inside Kaysville city.

    • Remaining fees minus the application deposit are paid at permit issuance.
    • Application deposit is non-refundable after plan review is completed.
    • Credit card payments carry a 3% convenience fee (policy stated as of August 2022).
    • Impact fees apply under a 2019 impact fee facilities plan (effective July 1, 2019).

    residential building application deposit: 25 USD (remaining fees due at issuance)

    “the building application deposit fees are as follows: all residential types $25”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit application process inside Kaysville city.

    • Online application through the city Inspect portal; account required first.
    • Applications reviewed in the order received.
    • Permit-required inspection scheduling is by phone during office hours.

    typical plan review time: approximately two weeks text

    “applications are reviewed in the order they were received. most permits take approximately two weeks for review.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kaysville or Davis County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption in Kaysville city.
  • Building code adopted — Building code edition adopted by Kaysville city.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Kaysville city.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Kaysville city residential districts.
  • Lot coverage — Maximum lot or building coverage in Kaysville city residential districts.
15 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Kaysville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Davis County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Davis County: county rules, score and offices