Bolthole Index

Salt Lake County, Utah

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Bluffdale, Utah

Bluffdale, Utah requires building permits for home construction, with applications handled by the city Building Department.12 Bluffdale sets its own zoning; for properties within Salt Lake County, septic review and permitting stay with Salt Lake County Health Department.34 Detached ADUs must be permanent foundation structures, so a tiny home on wheels does not qualify as a detached ADU.5

At a glance

Building permits
City Building Department; electronic applications26
Zoning
Bluffdale municipal land-use ordinances3
Septic permits
Salt Lake County Health for properties in Salt Lake County; larger or nondomestic systems go to Utah DEQ4
Detached ADUs
Permanent foundation structures; owner occupancy and ADU approval required5
ADU rentals
Occupancy of 30 days or greater; no short-term rentals5
Driveway approaches
City encroachment permit for a new approach7
Owner-builder
Conditional contractor-license exemption for qualifying owners8

Who to call

Building permits

Bluffdale Building Department

City building permits, inspections and certificate-of-occupancy requests

801-849-9425

Building permits

Bluffdale Building Permit Applications

Electronic building permit application submissions

801-849-9425

[email protected]

Zoning

Bluffdale Planning & Community Development

Municipal zoning, land-use and development questions

801-254-2200

Septic permits

Salt Lake County Health Department, Water Quality Bureau

Onsite wastewater review and permitting for properties within Salt Lake County

385-468-3862

788 East Woodoak Lane (5380 South) Murray, Utah 84107

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

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Do you need a building permit in Bluffdale, UT?

Home construction in Bluffdale requires a building permit from the local compliance agency, subject to State Construction Code exemptions; the city Building Department provides building permitting services for new homes, remodeling and garages.12 Bluffdale requires electronic applications with separate PDF files sent together in one email.6 Residential submissions include construction plans, structural calculations, a grading and drainage plan, a utility billing service agreement, RESCheck and Manuals J and D.6 Bluffdale requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) and Land Disturbance Permit before issuing the building permit.6

Who handles Bluffdale building permits and zoning questions?

For Bluffdale building permit submissions, email [email protected]; the city lists 801-849-9425 for application questions.9 Bluffdale Planning & Community Development can be reached through 801-254-2200 for parcel-specific land-use questions.10 Ask Planning to identify the parcel’s zoning district and confirm the proposed dwelling, lot size and setbacks before commissioning final plans.3 Salt Lake County Health Department’s Water Quality Bureau, at 385-468-3862, remains the septic contact for Bluffdale properties within Salt Lake County.11 For land outside city limits, use the Salt Lake County guide for the unincorporated-area building permit and zoning answers.1213

Does Bluffdale have zoning, and can you add an ADU?

Bluffdale has municipal zoning and directs property owners to its land-use ordinances.3 Internal ADUs are permitted within single-family dwellings on parcels greater than 6,000 square feet in primary residential, mixed-use and special district zones.5 Detached ADUs are permitted in those zones on parcels with no more than 1 single-family dwelling, subject to the city’s ADU conditions.5 An owner-occupant must live in the primary dwelling or ADU, and the project needs an ADU permit and applicable building permits.5 We could not confirm the primary-dwelling minimum size or district-specific lot and setback standards; ask Bluffdale Planning & Community Development for the standards applying to the parcel.10

How do septic permits work inside Bluffdale?

For Bluffdale properties within Salt Lake County, Salt Lake County Health Department permits new domestic onsite wastewater systems with daily flow of 5,000 gallons or less; larger systems and nondomestic wastewater go to Utah DEQ.4 County rules require an onsite wastewater permit before installing or modifying a septic system, and sewer connection is required when sewer is available within 300 feet of the property, subject to availability and practicability provisions.14 A septic application needs sewer-service and water-availability documentation, soil/percolation work and certified system plans.14 Systems must be inspected before backfilling, and changes to approved plans need Health Department approval.15

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Bluffdale?

We could not confirm a citywide rule allowing RV living, temporary camping or a tiny home as a primary dwelling on private land in Bluffdale; ask Bluffdale Planning & Community Development about the proposed use and parcel.10 Bluffdale expressly excludes trailers, mobile homes, tiny homes with wheels and portable or temporary structures from detached ADUs.5 A qualifying detached ADU must be a permanent structure anchored to a foundation.5 Bluffdale ADUs cannot be short-term rentals and require occupancy of 30 days or greater.5 Utah’s RV-park occupancy rules apply to RV parks and do not establish permission to live in an RV on an ordinary residential lot.16

Building a home in Bluffdale: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Bluffdale Planning & Community Development to confirm the parcel’s zoning and proposed use; a new subdivision also needs city review of its plats and plans, a development application and a bond.317
  2. Establish water and wastewater service; if septic is proposed on the Salt Lake County side, obtain the required service documentation and Health Department approval.14
  3. Assemble Bluffdale’s residential plan-review documents and secure the required SWPPP and Land Disturbance Permit before building permit issuance.6
  4. Obtain a city encroachment permit for a new driveway approach; excavation or cuts into city streets or sidewalks require a right-of-way permit.7
  5. Coordinate inspections and any required certificate of occupancy with the Bluffdale Building Department.2

Watch-outs

  • Utah’s owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing under specified conditions; it does not establish a Bluffdale building permit exemption.81
  • Work within 20 feet of the top of bank or right of way of a Salt Lake County Flood Control Facility requires a county Flood Control Permit, including qualifying work inside municipal boundaries.18
  • We could not confirm the complete current Bluffdale building permit fee schedule; ask the city Building Department for a project-specific fee estimate.2
  • For a shallow well in Utah, a valid groundwater water right precedes construction, and the approved water right leads to a Start Card; use a licensed well driller or shallow water well constructor.19

Sources

  1. Utah Code Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Bluffdale Building Department (bluffdale.gov)
  3. Land Use Ordinances (Bluffdale), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic & Onsite Wastewater Systems (Bluffdale), quoted and re-checked
  5. Accessory Dwelling Unit FAQs (Bluffdale), quoted and re-checked
  6. Building Permits (Bluffdale), quoted and re-checked
  7. Encroachment Permits (Bluffdale), quoted and re-checked
  8. Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55, Construction Trades Licensing Act exemptions (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Bluffdale Building Permit Applications (bluffdale.gov)
  10. Bluffdale Planning & Community Development (bluffdale.gov)
  11. Salt Lake County Health Department, Water Quality Bureau (saltlakecounty.gov)
  12. Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District - Building Services (2026 county census)
  13. Title 19 Comprehensive Zoning Update (2026 county census)
  14. Salt Lake County Health Regulation #13: Onsite Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  15. Septic & Onsite Wastewater Systems - Waste | Salt Lake County, quoted and re-checked
  16. Utah Administrative Code Rule R392-301, Recreational Vehicle Parks (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Development & Subdivisions (Bluffdale), quoted and re-checked
  18. Permits - Flood Control, quoted and re-checked
  19. Water Well Drilling Information (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 Bluffdale

Bluffdale’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Bluffdale city limits.

    • Bluffdale's official site directs users to Title 11 for the complete list of land-use ordinances; the municipal code is maintained as Bluffdale's governing code.
    “Internal ADUs (I-ADUs) shall be a permitted use in all primary residential zoning districts, mixed-use zones, and special district zones within single-family dwellings on parcels greater than 6,000 square feet.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Internal and detached accessory dwelling units inside Bluffdale city limits.

    • Internal ADUs are permitted in primary residential, mixed-use, and special district zones within single-family dwellings on parcels greater than 6,000 square feet.
    • Detached ADUs are permitted in those zones on lots or parcels containing no more than one single-family dwelling.
    • An owner-occupant must reside in the primary dwelling or ADU.
    • ADUs require an ADU permit and applicable building permits.
    • ADUs may not be used as short-term rentals and require occupancy of 30 days or greater.
    • Detached ADUs must be permanent structures anchored to a foundation; trailers, mobile homes, tiny homes with wheels, and portable or temporary structures are not permitted as detached ADUs.

    minimum parcel size for internal ADU: > 6000 square feet · minimum occupancy period: >= 30 consecutive days (ADUs are not allowed to be used as short-term rentals) · detached ADU limit: <= 1 single-family dwelling per lot or parcel

    “Internal ADUs (I-ADUs) shall be a permitted use in all primary residential zoning districts, mixed-use zones, and special district zones within single-family dwellings on parcels greater than 6,000 square feet.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    New developments and subdivisions inside Bluffdale city limits.

    • All plats and plans must be reviewed and approved by the City.
    • A development application is required to generate the review process.
    • Developers are required to post a bond.
    “All plats and plans submitted for new developments and/or subdivisions throughout the City must be reviewed and approved. A development application is required to generate the review process for all proposed development. As part of the application process, developers are required to post a bond.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New driveway approaches connecting to city streets inside Bluffdale city limits.

    • A right-of-way permit is required before excavation or cuts into a city street or sidewalk.
    • New driveway approaches require an encroachment permit.
    • The city states permit review should be allowed 10-14 working days.

    permit review time: 10-14 working days

    “A right-of-way permit is required before any excavation or cut is made into any city street, sidewalk. New driveway approaches must also apply for an encroachment permit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications inside Bluffdale city limits.

    • Applications must be submitted electronically.
    • Documents must be PDF files, kept separate, organized, and sent in one email.
    • Residential submissions include plans, utility billing service agreement, grading and drainage plan, RESCheck, Manuals J and D, structural calculations, and construction plans.
    • A SWPPP and Land Disturbance Permit are required before building permit issuance.
    “Applications for building permits must now be submitted electronically.”

Rules another office applies inside Bluffdale

Bluffdale does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite wastewater systems inside Bluffdale city limits that are within Salt Lake County.

    • The Health Department page states it handles systems in Salt Lake County.
    • Projects over 5,000 gallons per day or with nondomestic wastewater are handled by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

    daily domestic wastewater flow threshold: <= 5000 gallons per day (Utah Department of Environmental Quality permits projects with greater flow or nondomestic wastewater.)

    “Salt Lake County Health Department is responsible for reviewing and permitting new onsite wastewater system construction in Salt Lake County. We also inspect new systems to ensure they are installed to meet standards and will function properly to protect public and environmental health.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bluffdale or Salt Lake County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Bluffdale city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Bluffdale city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Primary residential districts inside Bluffdale city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Primary residential and agricultural districts inside Bluffdale city limits.
  • Setbacks — Primary residential and agricultural districts inside Bluffdale city limits.
11 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Bluffdale publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Salt Lake County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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