Bolthole Index

Iron County, Utah

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Cedar City, Utah

Cedar City, Utah requires building permits for new homes and specified structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work inside city limits.1 Cedar City administers its own zoning, while Southwest Utah Public Health Department handles septic-system review and permitting for Iron County.23

At a glance

Building permits
Required for new homes and listed construction work1
Zoning
City zoning applies inside Cedar City limits2
Septic
Southwest Utah Public Health Department administers onsite wastewater for Iron County3
Owner-builder
Residential certificate available; owner remains responsible for code compliance4
Minimum home size
R-1: 1,000 square feet of ground-floor area, excluding open porches and carports5
Minimum lot size
R-1: 10,000 square feet and 90 feet of lot width6
Accessory dwelling
External R-1 ADUs allowed subject to size, location, parking and design conditions7

Who to call

Building permits

Cedar City Building & Zoning Department

City building permit applications, plan review and inspections

(435) 865-4519

Online permits →

Zoning

Cedar City City Planner

Questions about city zoning and proposed residential uses

435-383-2330

Septic permits

Southwest Utah Public Health Department Environmental Health

Onsite wastewater plan review, septic permits, inspections and records in Iron County

(435) 865-5155

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 Cedar City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Cedar City, UT?

Cedar City requires a building permit for new residential buildings and generally for structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, wall or floor changes and occupancy changes.1 Cedar City also lists accessory structures over 200 square feet, structures with more than one story, and structures with footings, foundations or utility fixtures among work requiring a building permit.1 Nonstructural cement flat work does not require a building permit under the city FAQ.1 Retaining walls over 4 feet require a building permit and engineered plans, with height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.1

Who issues Cedar City building permits, and how do you apply?

Contact Cedar City Building & Zoning Department at (435) 865-4519 for city building permit questions; the City Planner can be reached at 435-383-2330 for zoning questions.89 Cedar City accepts building permit applications through its permit portal and proceeds with plan review after a complete submittal.10 Residential submittals include the property address, digital architectural plans, stamped structural plans, a site plan, geotechnical datasheet, prairie-dog clearance and signed energy-code documentation, plus water acquisition or impact-fee documentation when applicable.10 Cedar City offers an owner-builder certificate for residential permits; the owner takes responsibility for code compliance even when hiring contractors.4

Does Cedar City have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Cedar City administers its own zoning inside city limits, so identify the parcel’s district before designing a home.2 In Cedar City’s R-1 Residential Zone, each dwelling and accessory uses require at least 10,000 square feet of lot area, and a dwelling lot must be at least 90 feet wide.6 An R-1 one-family dwelling needs at least 1,000 square feet of ground-floor area, excluding open porches and carports.5 R-1 main-building setbacks include an 8-foot minimum side yard, combined side yards totaling at least 20 feet, a 25-foot front yard and a 30-foot rear yard; corner lots and accessory buildings have specific exceptions.11 Cedar City’s R-E Residential Estate Zone adopts the R-1 front, side and rear setbacks.12

How do septic permits work inside Cedar City?

Southwest Utah Public Health Department reviews septic plans, issues septic permits, conducts inspections and maintains system records for Iron County within its district.3 A permit and approved design are required before installing, replacing or modifying a septic system, and soil and percolation testing must be completed by a Utah-certified onsite professional before design or installation.13 Utah requires connection to public sewer when available and practicable; otherwise, wastewater must go to an adequate onsite system or another acceptable wastewater system.14 Before budgeting for septic on a Cedar City lot, ask the city about sewer availability and Environmental Health about the proposed system.1413

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Cedar City?

We could not confirm Cedar City’s rules for residential RV occupancy or temporary camping on private land; ask the City Planner about the proposed parcel and use before arranging an RV stay.9 A small primary dwelling in Cedar City’s R-1 zone still faces the 1,000-square-foot minimum ground-floor area, excluding open porches and carports.5 Cedar City allows external R-1 accessory dwelling units up to 800 square feet, with no more than 2 bedrooms and a maximum of one story or 16 feet.7 External ADUs must be behind the primary dwelling, meet its setbacks, match its color and roof design, provide the required rear parking driveway and comply with adopted building and fire codes.7

Building a home in Cedar City: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm the Cedar City zoning district and the proposed dwelling’s lot area, size and setbacks with the City Planner.29
  2. Resolve sewer availability and, if proposing septic, obtain Environmental Health’s design and septic permit approval before installation.1413
  3. Assemble the city’s residential building permit documents, including structural plans, site plan, geotechnical information, prairie-dog clearance and energy-code documentation, then submit through the city portal.10
  4. Schedule building inspections through the portal with an active building permit; requests must be made by 5:00 PM the business day before the requested inspection.15

For land outside Cedar City limits, use the Iron County guide: county building authority applies outside cities and towns.16

Watch-outs

  • Cedar City’s owner-builder certificate changes the contractor-of-record requirement for residential permits; the owner still takes responsibility for work meeting code.4
  • R-1 accessory-dwelling permission comes with location, parking, design and building-code conditions, so a small structure’s floor area alone does not establish approval.7
  • We could not confirm current Cedar City building permit fee amounts or private-land RV occupancy rules; ask Building & Zoning about fees and the City Planner about the proposed RV use.89

Sources

  1. Building & Zoning FAQs (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 26, Article III — Zones (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Cedar City Permit Document List (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 26, Article III — Zones (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 26, Article III — Zones (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 26, Article III — Zones (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Cedar City Building & Zoning Department (cedarcityut.gov)
  9. Cedar City City Planner (cedarcityut.gov)
  10. Building & Zoning (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 26, Article III — Zones (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 26, Article III — Zones (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  13. Southwest Utah Public Health Department Environmental Health (swuhealth.gov)
  14. DAR File No. 37575, Rule R317-4, Onsite Wastewater Systems (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Building & Zoning FAQs (Cedar City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Utah Code Section 17-60-204, County safety and welfare regulations (Utah statewide rule), 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Cedar City

Cedar City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, wall/floor changes, occupancy changes, qualifying accessory structures, retaining walls over four feet, solar PV, meter work, and new commercial or residential buildings inside Cedar City.

    • A permit is generally needed for the listed work.
    • The city FAQ says nonstructural cement flat work does not require a permit.
    • Accessory structures over 200 square feet, with more than one story, or with footings, foundations, electricity, plumbing, or mechanical fixtures are included.
    • Retaining walls over four feet require a permit and engineered plans.
    • The FAQ cross-references IRC 2021 R105.1 and R105.2 and IBC 2021 section A105.1 and A105.2 for required and exempt work.

    retaining-wall height threshold: > 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footings to the top of the wall)

    “If the retaining wall is over four (4) foot high, you will need a permit and engineered plans.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Residential permits inside Cedar City city limits when the owner-builder process is used.

    • The owner-builder certificate is applicable to residential permits only.
    • It negates the requirement to have DOPL-licensed contractors and subcontractors of record for the permit.
    • The owner may still hire contractors.
    • The owner takes ultimate responsibility for ensuring all work is done to code.
    “Applicable to residential permits only. This negates the requirement to have DOPL-licensed contractors and subcontractors of record for the permit.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building work inside Cedar City city limits.

    • An active building permit is required to request inspections.
    • Inspection requests must be made by 5:00 PM the business day before the requested inspection.
    • Inspections are scheduled through the permit portal.
    • The Building & Zoning page states inspections require minimum one-business-day prior notice.

    inspection-request deadline: 5:00 PM the business day before inspection

    “Inspections are scheduled online through the permit portal. An active building permit is required to request inspections.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Cedar City city limits; Cedar City administers its own Chapter 26 zoning ordinance.

    “In order to carry out the purpose of this Ordinance, Cedar City, Utah, is hereby divided into zones as set forth herein.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Cedar City city limits.

    • The official Chapter 26 Article III PDF lists R-1, R-2 single-unit and two-unit, R-3 single-unit and multiple-unit, R-E, RDO, development agreements, commercial, industrial, AT, SHD, and RNZ sections.
    • The current zoning map is separately linked by the city, but parcel-specific zoning was not determined here.
    “Section 26-III-9 RE Residential Estate Zone”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in the R-1 Residential Zone inside Cedar City city limits.

    • The measurement excludes open porches and carports.

    minimum ground-floor area: >= 1000 square feet (open porches and carports excluded)

    “The ground floor area of any one-family dwelling shall not be less than one thousand (l,000) square feet, exclusive of open porches and carports.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Each dwelling and accessory use in the R-1 Residential Zone inside Cedar City city limits.

    • The R-1 minimum lot width is 90 linear feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet (for each dwelling and uses accessory thereto) · minimum lot width: >= 90 linear feet (for a dwelling)

    “An area of not less than Ten Thousand (l0,000) square feet shall be provided and maintained for each dwelling and uses accessory thereto.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings in the R-E Residential Estate Zone inside Cedar City city limits.

    • R-E adopts R-1 side, front, and rear setback requirements.
    • Central solar power generation structures and panels must be at least 20 feet from residential neighboring properties.
    • The R-E zone has a ten-acre minimum zone area and additional street/engineering conditions.

    central solar setback from residential neighboring properties: >= 20 feet

    “(F) Building Setback Requirements: (1) Side Setback: Same as R-1 Residential Zone. (2) Front Setbacks: Same as R-1 Residential Zone. (3) Rear Setbacks: Same as R-1 Residential Zone. (4) Solar Power Generation, Central: structures and panels shall be setback 20' minimum from residential neighboring properties.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Main buildings and accessory buildings in the R-1 Residential Zone inside Cedar City city limits.
      “The minimum rear yard for any main building shall be thirty (30) feet; however, minimum rear yard for main buildings on corner lots may be reduced to eight (8) feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the R-E Residential Estate Zone inside Cedar City city limits.

    • R-E adopts the R-1 height requirement.
    • Section 26-24 provides the stated exception.

    maximum building height: <= 20 feet (maximum two stories; by incorporation of R-1 requirements)

    “Building Height Requirements: Same as R-1 Residential Zone.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Buildings in the R-1 Residential Zone inside Cedar City city limits.
      “The maximum height of any building shall be two (2) stories, not to exceed twenty (20) feet, except as provided in Section 26-24 of this ordinance.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Internal and external accessory dwelling units in the R-1 Residential Zone inside Cedar City city limits.

    • Internal accessory dwelling units must have a separate address.
    • External units must have a separate address, be no greater than 800 square feet, have no more than two bedrooms, and be no more than one story or 16 feet.
    • External units must be behind the primary dwelling, meet the primary dwelling setbacks, match the primary dwelling color and roof design, have a rear parking driveway at least 12 feet wide, place parking behind the front setback, and comply with currently adopted building and fire codes.
    • Existing guest houses may be converted subject to these criteria.

    maximum external ADU area: <= 800 square feet · maximum external ADU bedrooms: <= 2 bedrooms · maximum external ADU height: <= 16 feet (one story)

    “External Accessory Dwelling Units with a separate address which are no greater than 800 square feet, encompass no more than 2 bedrooms, and do not exceed one story (16 feet).”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision approval inside Cedar City city limits.

    • The Planning Commission recommends on subdivision plats and the City provides a Subdivision Checklist and subdivision application materials.
    • Specific plat, engineering, zoning, floodplain, and infrastructure requirements depend on the subdivision type and location.
    “Among other items, they make recommendations to the City Council regarding the City's General Plan, land use ordinances, official maps, the approval of subdivisions, and the approval of Conditional Use Permits.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential and commercial building permit applications inside Cedar City city limits.

    • Applications are submitted through the permit portal.
    • Residential full submittals include address, digital architectural plans, stamped structural plans, site plan, geotechnical datasheet, prairie-dog clearance, signed energy-code documentation, water acquisition or impact-fee documentation when applicable, and an owner-builder form when applicable.
    • Commercial projects require a project-review meeting for new commercial buildings, pole signs, monument signs, and tenant-improvement permits changing building-use classification.
    • Cedar City proceeds with plan review upon complete submittal.
    “Cedar City Building Department will proceed with Plan Review upon complete Submittal.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Cedar City or Iron County directly.

  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Cedar City city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy on private land inside Cedar City city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Cedar City city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Cedar City city limits.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Cedar City city limits.
10 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Cedar City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Iron County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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