Bolthole Index

Summit County, Utah

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

Park City, Utah generally requires a building permit for building work inside city limits, with exemptions for specified work.1 Park City administers its own zoning; septic construction and modifications require Summit County Health Department approval.23 For land outside city limits, use the Summit County guide for the county’s building and zoning rules.4

At a glance

Building permits
Generally required; specified work is exempt1
Zoning
Park City Land Management Code; district-specific standards2
Septic approval
Summit County Health Department permit before installation or modification3
Building permit application
City Inspect; completeness review and departmental approvals5
Building permit fees
Based on materials-and-labor valuation; impact fees may also apply6
Accessory apartments
Historic District allowed use subject to an Administrative Permit; detached apartments on lots of at least 3,750 square feet under the cited update7

Who to call

Building permits

Park City Building Department

City building permit applications, plan review and construction-start questions

435-615-5101

[email protected]

445 Marsac Avenue | PO Box 1480 Park City, UT 84060

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Park City Planning Department

City zoning, district standards and planning applications

(435) 615-5060

[email protected]

445 Marsac Avenue, Park City, Utah 84060

Septic permits

Environmental Health Division, Summit County Health Department

Onsite wastewater systems and septic complaints

435-336-3224

[email protected]

650 Round Valley Drive, Park City, Utah 84060

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 Park 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 Park City, Utah?

Park City requires a building permit unless the proposed work falls within the building-code exemptions; carpeting, painting, wallpapering, cabinets and countertops are examples the city lists as exempt.1 Drywall work generally requires a Park City building permit, so a renovation should not be treated as exempt simply because the work is indoors.1 Park City building permit fees depend on total construction valuation for materials and labor, and separate impact fees may apply.6 Ask the Building Department to confirm the permit scope and fee calculation before committing to a renovation budget.8

Who issues building permits in Park City, and where do you apply?

Park City’s building permit applications start in City Inspect, where applicants upload the documents required for the project’s permit type, scope and location.5 Park City checks the application for completeness before plan review; assigned reviews may include Building, Fire Safety, Community Code Compliance, Engineering and Planning.5 All assigned reviews must be approved before Park City issues the building permit.5 Contact the Park City Building Department for application and construction-start questions, and send separate planning applications to the Park City Planning Department by email or in person.89

Does Park City have zoning, and what about RVs or tiny homes?

Park City administers its own Land Management Code and zoning districts inside city limits; the applicable district determines the use and dimensional standards to check.2 Park City Planning reviews building plans for setbacks, building height, design and applicable building-pad limits.8 We could not confirm Park City’s residential RV, temporary-camping, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy rules; ask Park City Planning about the proposed use before buying a lot. Accessory apartments have a separate verified path: the cited city update allows them in Historic Districts subject to an Administrative Permit and allows detached accessory apartments on lots of at least 3,750 square feet.7 That accessory-apartment provision does not establish approval for a stand-alone tiny home.

How do septic permits work inside Park City?

Summit County Health Department requires a septic permit before installing, constructing, altering, replacing, enlarging, extending or otherwise modifying an onsite wastewater system in Summit County, including a system on land inside Park City.3 The county requires periodic septic inspections, maintenance and servicing, with more intensive care for complex systems.10 A change in property use, expansion of a dwelling or addition of an accessory structure exceeding 120 square feet triggers Health Department review of system adequacy.3 Ask the Health Department about an existing system’s capacity before designing an addition; ask Park City about sewer service because we could not confirm the city’s mandatory-connection rule.

Building a home in Park City: what are the steps in order?

  1. Ask Park City Planning to identify the parcel’s zoning district and the applicable use and dimensional requirements.2
  2. Resolve any accessory-apartment or subdivision review with Park City Planning before relying on that development concept.711
  3. Obtain Summit County Health Department approval before installing or modifying an onsite wastewater system.3
  4. Submit the building permit application and required documents in City Inspect; obtain all assigned departmental approvals.5
  5. Pay building permit fees through Finance, provide proof to Building and print the approved plans and permit.5
  6. Schedule the limits-of-disturbance inspection and pre-construction meeting with Building; construction can begin with a passing inspection.8

What should you check before buying land in Park City?

Park City subdivision and plat review is regulated, so a proposed lot split needs city review rather than an assumption that purchase acreage can be divided.11 A Park City nightly rental requires a license when rented for less than 30 days, and subdivision- and district-specific prohibitions or limits may restrict the use.12 Park City also identifies engineering permits for work in the public right-of-way, including utilities, drainage and grading.8 We could not confirm the complete city driveway-access or floodplain-development requirements; ask city Engineering about the parcel before finalizing a site plan. We also could not confirm Park City owner-builder, private-well or off-grid sanitation rules; resolve those questions with Building and the Health Department before assuming an off-grid design is feasible.

Watch-outs

  • Park City’s accessory-apartment allowance is conditional and includes an Administrative Permit in Historic Districts; do not treat the lot-size threshold as the only approval requirement.7
  • A Park City building permit does not replace Summit County Health Department approval for septic installation or modification.53
  • We could not confirm residential RV or tiny-home occupancy in Park City; ask Park City Planning before arranging to live on a lot while building.9

Sources

  1. Building Permit Frequently Asked Questions (Park City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Municipal Codes, Ordinances, Resolutions, Policies and Fees (Park City), quoted and re-checked
  3. Summit County Code of Health, version 5.0 revised June 2026, quoted and re-checked
  4. Development Codes for Summit County, Utah (2026 county census)
  5. Building Permit Frequently Asked Questions (Park City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Building Permit Frequently Asked Questions (Park City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Land Management Code Updates and Amendments (Park City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Park City Building Department (parkcity.gov)
  9. Park City Planning Department (parkcity.gov)
  10. Summit County Code of Health, version 5.0 revised June 2026, quoted and re-checked
  11. Land Management Code Updates and Amendments (Park City), quoted and re-checked
  12. parkcity.gov (Park City), 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 Park City

Park City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building work inside Park City city limits.

    • A permit is generally required.
    • Exemptions are governed by International Building Code Section 105.2 or International Residential Code Section 105.2.
    • The city lists carpeting, painting, wallpapering, cabinets, and countertops as examples of exempt work.
    • The city states that, in general, drywall work requires a permit.
    “You will need a building permit unless the work is exempt in accordance with the International Building Code Sec. 105.2 or the International Residential Code Sec. 105.2.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Park City city limits; Park City administers its own Land Management Code and zoning districts.

    • The official city code page identifies Land Management Code Title 15, Chapters 1-15.
    • District-specific dimensional and use standards must be checked in the applicable zoning district and official zoning map.
    “Establish consistent maximum interior height regulations for the Historic Residential Low, Historic Residential – 1, and Historic Residential – 2 Zoning Districts.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Park City city zoning districts and official zoning map.

    • The city code page identifies Land Management Code Title 15, Chapters 1-15.
    • The city publishes amendments referring to multiple zoning districts and district-specific regulations.
    • The applicable district must be determined from the official zoning map.
    “You can reference our zoning map or submit a complaint to initiate an investigation.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory apartments and accessory dwelling units inside Park City city limits.

    • The city adopted Ordinance No. 2021-38 to update the Land Management Code for state internal-accessory-dwelling-unit requirements.
    • The city adopted Ordinance No. 2021-51 to shift accessory apartments from Conditional Use to Allowed Use in Historic Districts, subject to an Administrative Permit.
    • Detached accessory apartments are allowed on lots 3,750 square feet or greater under the cited update.

    minimum lot size for detached accessory apartment: >= 3750 square feet (The cited source describes the rule as allowing detached accessory apartments on lots 3,750 square feet or greater.)

    “On December 16, 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 2021-51 to shift Accessory Apartments from Conditional Use to Allowed Use in Historic Districts, subject to an Administrative Permit, and to update Accessory Apartment regulations to reduce restrictions and to allow for detached Accessory Apartments on lots 3,750 square feet or greater.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and plat review inside Park City city limits.

    • Single-family, duplex, and townhome subdivisions are limited to one public hearing with the Planning Commission.
    • Planning staff final action is required under the cited 2024 amendment.
    • The city provides a subdivision plat plan review checklist.
    “On February 1, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-03 to update the Land Management Code to reflect changes to state law wherein single-family, duplex, and townhome subdivisions are limited to one public hearing with the Planning Commission and require Planning staff final action.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Nightly rentals inside Park City city limits.

    • A nightly-rental license is required for property rented for less than 30 days.
    • The city defines a nightly rental as rental of a dwelling unit for less than 30 days to a single entity or person.
    • The city has adopted subdivision- and district-specific prohibitions and limits, including Fairway Meadows, Chatham Crossing, West Ridge, Hidden Oaks Phases 2 and 3, and a cap in Western Historic Residential Low-Density.

    maximum rental period for nightly-rental classification: < 30 days (The city page distinguishes long-term rentals as more than 30 days.)

    “Nightly Rental License - required for any property that rents for less than 30 days.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Park City building permits.

    • Fees are based on total building valuation for materials and labor.
    • Separate impact fees may apply under Municipal Code Title 11, Chapter 13.
    • Applicants must pay permit fees through the Finance Department and provide proof of payment to the Building Department.
    “Building Permit fees are based on the total building valuation of construction for materials and labor and are calculated in accordance with the Park City's Municipal Code, Fee Schedule.”
  • Permit processPublished

    Park City building permit applications.

    • Start the application through City Inspect.
    • Upload documents required for the permit type, scope of work, and project location.
    • The city reviews completeness before plan review.
    • Assigned reviews may include Building, Fire Safety, Community Code Compliance, Engineering, and Planning.
    • All reviews must be signed off and approved before permit issuance.
    • Pay permit fees and provide proof of payment before printing the approved plans and permit.
    “Start a permit application through City Inspect. [...] Upload documents required for your permit type, scope of work and project location, into the permit application you created in City Inspect. [...] We will review the submittal for completeness before beginning the plan review process.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders performing construction inside Park City city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building construction inside Park City city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Building occupancy inside Park City city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Park City city limits; applicable district not resolved.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Park City city limits; applicable district not resolved.
16 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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

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