Bolthole Index

Wasatch County, Utah

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Wasatch County, Utah

48Index Score / 100
#17 of 29 in Utah

Unincorporated Wasatch County, Utah requires a building permit for structures larger than 200 square feet, and every parcel is assigned to a zoning district12. The Wasatch County Building Department accepts permit applications, while the county Health Department permits qualifying domestic septic systems34. Confirm the parcel's zoning and utility district before designing a home56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for structures larger than 200 square feet in unincorporated Wasatch County1
Zoning
Yes; every parcel or subdivision lot is assigned to a zoning district2
Septic permit
Wasatch County Health Department permits domestic onsite systems at or below 5,000 gallons per day4
Owner-builder
Available subject to ownership, personal-use and construction-history conditions7
RV or tiny home
Private-land residential occupancy could not be confirmed; ask Planning about the parcel and proposed use58
Agricultural buildings
A conditional code exemption may apply only to qualifying nonresidential agricultural structures9
Private well
A valid water right and state Start Card are required before well construction10
Septic soils
Only 6% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field11

Who to call

Building permits

Wasatch County Building Department

Building permit applications and inspections for Wasatch County projects

435-657-3200

[email protected]

1891 W 3000 S, Heber City, UT 84032

Zoning

Wasatch County Planning and Zoning Department

Land-use planning, zoning, development applications and floodplain permit questions

435-657-3205

[email protected]

35 S 500 E, Heber City, UT 84032

Septic permits

Wasatch County Health Department - Wastewater

Wastewater permits for qualifying domestic onsite wastewater systems in Wasatch County

435-657-3307

55 South 500 East, Heber City, UT 84032

Roads & driveways

Wasatch County Public Works Department

County road information, road maintenance, snow removal and flood control

435-654-1661

1891 W 3000 S, Heber City, UT 84032

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Unincorporated Wasatch County requires a building permit for structures larger than 200 square feet1. Applications are submitted online, and the county requires PDF documents such as the applicable plan set, engineering calculations, energy documentation, septic approval letter, owner-builder agreement, slope analysis and wildland-interface materials3. Permit fees vary by project and square footage, so request a current project estimate rather than relying on the county FAQ's dated average12. County-permitted work also proceeds through inspections, with at least 24 hours' notice for a request and approval of earlier inspections before the final inspection13. A qualifying structure used solely for agriculture and not for human occupancy may receive a conditional State Construction Code exemption, but electrical, plumbing or mechanical work can still require permits9.

Who is the Wasatch County building department, and how do you reach it?

The Wasatch County Building Department handles building permit applications and inspection requests from its office at 1891 W 3000 S, Heber City, UT 8403214. Call 435-657-3200 or email [email protected] for building-permit questions14. The Building Department accepts applications online and checks each submission for completeness before review begins3. Planning and zoning are handled separately by the Wasatch County Planning and Zoning Department at 35 S 500 E, Heber City, UT 84032; call 435-657-3205 or email [email protected]8. Contact Planning first when the question is whether a use is allowed, which zoning standards apply, or whether grading near a FEMA floodplain needs a Floodplain Permit515.

Does Wasatch County have zoning?

Every parcel of land or subdivision lot in Wasatch County is within a zoning district2. The county zoning map identifies the assigned district, and that district controls which code sections and land-use rights apply to the property16. That makes parcel identification the starting point for a rural purchase: ask Planning to confirm the district and proposed use before relying on a listing description85. Wasatch County could not confirm a single countywide numeric rule for minimum dwelling size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height; ask Planning for the standards tied to the parcel's district8. Subdivision applications also go through the county's online plan-review process and may require completeness review, fees, and action by the Planning Commission or County Council17.

How do septic permits work in Wasatch County?

The Wasatch County Health Department requires a county wastewater permit for an onsite system receiving no more than 5,000 gallons per day of domestic wastewater4. Larger flows and nondomestic wastewater projects go to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality instead18. Call the Health Department at 435-657-3307 or visit 55 South 500 East, Heber City, UT 84032 for the county process19. Only 6% of Wasatch County soils lack severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so obtain site-specific wastewater approval before treating a parcel as buildable11. A new residence in unincorporated Wasatch County must connect when a sewer collection line is within 300 feet, while the Building Department directs applicants to the special service district serving the property for water and sewer connections206.

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

Wasatch County could not confirm a general rule allowing long-term residential occupancy of an RV or tiny home on a private parcel8. Every parcel is zoned, and the assigned district determines the applicable code sections and land-use rights5. Ask the Planning and Zoning Department for a parcel-specific answer before buying land, installing utilities or moving an RV or tiny home onto the site8. Utah's statewide RV-park rules do not answer the private-lot question: they cover temporary living quarters in qualifying RV parks and require compliance with local zoning and other codes21. The state's tiny-house provision likewise concerns tiny houses in RV parks and says permission outside that setting depends on local land-use treatment22.

What are the steps to build a home in Wasatch County?

  1. Identify the parcel and have Planning confirm its zoning district and whether a dwelling is an allowed use168.
  1. Identify the special service district supplying water and sewer, and confirm whether the new residence must connect to a nearby sewer line620.
  1. If sewer is unavailable, obtain the required Wasatch County wastewater approval and septic letter43.
  1. Resolve access: qualifying work in a county right-of-way needs a driveway or encroachment permit, while access to a state highway needs UDOT's conditional access permit2324.
  1. Submit the building application and required PDF plan documents online3.
  1. Schedule county inspections as construction proceeds, allowing the required notice and closing earlier inspections before final approval13.

What should you check before buying land in Wasatch County?

Start with zoning and legal use because every Wasatch County parcel is assigned to a district with its own land-use rights2. Check wastewater feasibility early because only 6% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and a nearby sewer line can change the required approach1120. Verify water rights before counting on a private well: Utah requires a valid water right and a Start Card before well construction10. Confirm whether grading is in or near a FEMA floodplain and whether the driveway touches a county right-of-way or state highway152324. Wasatch County averages 24.4 inches of annual precipitation and has experienced severe drought in 29.5% of years, so verify a dependable legal water supply2526. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, with a median annual bill near $3,2302728.

Watch-outs

  • A building permit application on septic must include a septic approval letter, so wastewater review belongs early in the schedule3.
  • Road cuts and paving on county roads are not allowed between October 15 and April 1523.
  • Wasatch County could not confirm parcel-wide rules for RV living, tiny homes, minimum dwelling size or setbacks; get the applicable standards from Planning before committing to a design8.

Sources

  1. Wasatch County - Building Permit Application (2026 county census)
  2. Zone Information, quoted and re-checked
  3. Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  4. Permits & Inspections | Wasatch County Health Department, UT, quoted and re-checked
  5. Zone Information, quoted and re-checked
  6. FAQs - Wasatch County Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  8. Wasatch County Planning and Zoning Department (wasatchcounty.gov)
  9. Agricultural Exemption Acknowledgment, quoted and re-checked
  10. Water Well Drilling Information - Utah Division of Water Rights, quoted and re-checked
  11. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  12. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  13. Request an Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  14. Wasatch County Building Department (wasatchcounty.gov)
  15. Driveway/Encroachment Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  16. Zone Information, quoted and re-checked
  17. Development Process Forms & Applications, quoted and re-checked
  18. Permits & Inspections | Wasatch County Health Department, UT, quoted and re-checked
  19. Wasatch County Health Department - Wastewater (wasatchcountyhealth.gov)
  20. Chapter Four - Wasatch County General Plan, 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. Driveway/Encroachment Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  24. Conditional Access Permit (Utah statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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

Wasatch County in Utah

48
County map
Wasatch County highlighted among the Utah counties · colored by Index score

How Wasatch County scores

Seclusion37100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency3695% ev.
Admin Boringness40100% ev.
Durability50100% ev.
Property Autonomy60100% ev.
Carry Cost55100% ev.

Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$952kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$8,960Land / acre
24.4"Annual rain
29.5% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
23.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.31" (+5.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.17×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,583Home insurance / yr
5.1% / yrInsurance growth
1.28%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
2,349,595People within 2 hr
34,422Radius comparison (15 mi)
31.6People / sq mi
57.7%Federal land
36.8%Land at 15% slope or less
6%Septic soil without severe limits
22,264 acWorkable land screen
64%Wooded land
19.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Wasatch County

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

Wasatch County rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-builders submitting building permit applications through the Wasatch County Building Department.

    • The County building permit application identifies the Owner-Builder Agreement as a document that may be required for a complete submittal.
    • For new residential construction, the applicant 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.
    • For new residential and remodel construction, the improvements must be for personal, non-commercial, non-public use.
    • Work may be performed by the sole owner, a licensed contractor, covered employees, or another person under the owner's supervision receiving no compensation or only token compensation.
    • Using or compensating an unlicensed contractor or unlicensed person outside the stated exceptions may constitute a Class A misdemeanor and may result in an administrative fine of up to $2,000 per day.
    • The Owner / Builder Certification Agreement must be filed with the city or county building department where the work is performed, and that department forwards it to the Utah Division of Professional Licensing.

    maximum residential structures built in prior five years: <= 3 structures (The owner must not have built more than three residential structures in the past five years) · maximum administrative fine: <= 2000 USD per day (For violations of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act)

    “For New Residential Construction Only: I am the sole owner of the property and construction project at the above-described location”
  • InspectionsRequired

    County-permitted building projects requiring building inspections and final inspection approval.

    • Inspection requests are submitted online.
    • A 24-hour notice is required when requesting an inspection.
    • Concrete inspection requests must be received by 2 p.m. the business day before the pour.
    • If the requested date is unavailable, the inspection is scheduled for the first available spot.
    • In a Wildland Urban Interface area, a Wasatch County Fire District landscaping inspection is required before requesting the final building inspection.
    • All previous inspections must be approved before final inspection.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours (Concrete inspections must be requested by 2 p.m. the business day before the pour)

    “All previous inspections need to be approved (no partial pass or failed open reports)”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    All parcels of land and subdivision lots in Wasatch County, subject to the applicable zoning district and Wasatch County Code provisions.

    • Each parcel or subdivision lot is assigned to a zoning district.
    • The applicable zoning district determines which Wasatch County Code sections apply and establishes the property's land use rights.
    “Every parcel of land [...] in Wasatch County is within a zoning district.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning controls across Wasatch County; parcel-specific controls vary by the zoning district assigned to each parcel or subdivision lot.

    • The Wasatch County Zoning Map identifies the zoning district for each property.
    • Each zoning district determines the applicable Wasatch County Code sections and land use rights.
    • The county Planning and Zoning Department administers the Land Use and Development Code.
    “Each zoning district determines which sections of the Wasatch County Code apply”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Wasatch County zoning districts and the county zoning map.

    • The county states that every parcel or subdivision lot in Wasatch County is within a zoning district.
    • The county zoning map identifies the zoning designation for each property.
    • The county page lists districts and overlays including P-160, A-20, RA-5, RA-1, M, C, HS, OBP, I, PF, JBOZ, NVOZ, GHOZ, TROZ, AOZ, and SRZ.
    • Each zoning district determines which sections of the Wasatch County Code apply and establishes land-use rights.
    “The Wasatch County Zoning Map identifies what each property is zoned.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Onsite wastewater systems in Wasatch County with daily flow of 5,000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices.

    • A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required for the covered onsite systems.
    • Projects with daily flow greater than 5,000 gallons per day or nondomestic wastewater flows are permitted by Utah DEQ instead.

    maximum daily domestic wastewater flow: <= 5000 gallons per day (Greater-than-5,000-gallon-per-day or nondomestic projects are handled by Utah DEQ.)

    “is required for onsite wastewater systems”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using an onsite wastewater system in Wasatch County for domestic wastewater flows of 5,000 gallons per day or less.

    • A Wasatch County Wastewater Permit is required.
    • The covered domestic wastewater includes wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, laundry, and kitchens in homes, small businesses, and offices.
    • Projects over 5,000 gallons per day or involving nondomestic wastewater flows are handled by Utah DEQ.
    • Where a sewer collection line is within 300 feet of a new residence in the unincorporated area, the County General Plan states that the residence shall connect to sewer.

    maximum daily domestic wastewater flow: <= 5000 gallons per day (Higher-flow or nondomestic projects are handled by Utah DEQ.)

    “5000 gallons or less of domestic wastewater”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water and sewer utility connections for property being built in Wasatch County.

    • The County Building Department does not run utilities.
    • Applicants must contact the Special Service District supplying the property for water and sewer.
    • Power and gas are handled by the providers identified by the County FAQ, not by the County Building Department.
    “For water and sewer, you will want to contact the Special Service District that supplies the piece of property you are building on.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — New residences in unincorporated Wasatch County where a sewer collection line is within 300 feet.
      “When there is a sewer collection line within 300 feet of a new residence, it shall connect to the sewer system.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    State Construction Code permit exemption for qualifying agricultural structures in Wasatch County.

    • The structure must be used solely in conjunction with agriculture use and not for human occupancy, or must be no more than 1,500 square feet and used solely for the specified sales described in Utah Code 59-12-104(20).
    • Work subject to electrical, plumbing, or other mechanical-code inspections is not exempted.
    • Unless located wholly or partly in an agricultural protection area, the structure is not exempt from a permit requirement if it is within a city or town and on less than five contiguous acres, or within a county-approved platted subdivision and on less than two contiguous acres.
    • The county application requires a completed and signed owner application, owner authorization if applicable, a detailed site plan showing setbacks, a detailed floor plan, and building elevations showing existing and finished grade lines for measuring height.
    • The form states that an exempt structure may not be converted to residential, non-agricultural storage, or another non-agricultural use without obtaining a building permit.

    maximum floor area for specified sales structure: <= 1500 square feet (must be used solely for the type of sales described in Subsection 59-12-104(20)) · minimum contiguous acreage in city or town: >= 5 acres (unless located in an agricultural protection area) · minimum contiguous acreage in county-approved platted subdivision: >= 2 acres (unless located in an agricultural protection area)

    “Except as provided in Subsection (11)(b), a structure used solely in conjunction with agriculture use, and not for human occupancy”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision applications administered under the Wasatch County Land Use and Development Code.

    • Applications must be submitted through the Wasatch County plan-review online portal.
    • The county development-process page directs applicants to Wasatch County Code 16.27.05 for the general application process.
    • Application completeness, review, fees, and applicable Planning Commission or County Council action may be required.
    “All applications must be made using the online portal. A complete application must be uploaded to the site”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Connecting a driveway or installing landscaping within a public or private county right-of-way without an approved building permit.

    • The driveway/encroachment permit is required for the described county-right-of-way work.
    • The driveway must be 200 feet or less in length, 10% or less in grade, and have no structures or retaining walls.
    • Landscaping must not impact road maintenance or snow-removal operations and must be outside the clear zone.
    • Shared driveways connecting more than one lot must use the Subdivision Construction Permit Application.
    • Anything exceeding the 200-foot or 10%-grade limits requires the Grading Permit application.
    • Road cuts and paving on county roads are not allowed between October 15 and April 15.
    • A detailed drawing is required, including a vicinity map, grading dimensions, property lines, nearby structures within 15 feet, and drainage features.
    • Traffic Control Plan is required when traffic is impacted.
    • A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and NOI are required if more than one acre is disturbed.
    • Any grading within or near a FEMA floodplain requires a Floodplain Permit.
    • A Stream Alteration Permit is required for work within 30 feet of a stream bank or within a stream.
    • The county may require an engineer's estimate and bond; a certificate of liability insurance is required, with the cited instructions specifying minimum coverage amounts.

    maximum driveway length: <= 200 feet (Anything in excess requires the Grading Permit application) · maximum driveway grade: <= 10 percent (Anything in excess requires the Grading Permit application) · stream-bank distance threshold: < 30 feet (Within this distance or within a stream requires a Stream Alteration Permit) · stormwater disturbance threshold: > 1 acre (More than one acre requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and NOI)

    “This permit is required for those individuals connecting their driveways”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Grading within or near a FEMA floodplain in Wasatch County.

    • A Floodplain Permit is required for any grading within or near a FEMA floodplain.
    • The cited county instructions direct applicants to contact the Wasatch County Planning Department at 435-657-3205.
    • This source establishes a permit requirement for grading within or near a FEMA floodplain; it does not establish that every type of floodplain development requires the same permit or that development outside grading is exempt.
    “Any grading within or near a FEMA Floodplain will require a Floodplain Permit.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rental businesses in unincorporated Wasatch County.

    • A business license is required for businesses operating in unincorporated Wasatch County.
    • The county provides a specific Short Term Rental Application Form.
    • This claim does not determine whether a particular parcel or zoning district allows the rental, nor does it establish all transient-lodging or occupancy conditions.
    “Business licenses are needed for any business doing business in unincorporated Wasatch County.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permit fees administered by the Wasatch County Building Department.

    • Fees are based on square footage and vary from project to project.
    • The cited FAQ states that, as of June 13, 2016, the average Building Department portion was around $1.25 per square foot.
    • The cited FAQ states that the $1.25-per-square-foot calculation includes finished and unfinished square footage, garages, porches, decks, and roof coverings over decks.
    • A $3,085 County impact fee applies to new single-family residences.
    • Multi-family and commercial impact fee amounts require contacting the Wasatch County Planning Department.
    • Other fees may be collected by special service districts, including fire, water, sewer, power, and solid waste fees; the FAQ lists a $172.50 solid-waste fee for new residential construction and $345 for commercial construction, and an additional $4,170 charge from Heber Valley Special Service District for properties on sewer.
    • A $75 temporary power fee is listed.
    • Within Wallsburg Town, the County impact fee is listed as $278.

    average building department fee: per 1.25 USD per square foot (As of June 13, 2016; average only and project-dependent) · county impact fee for new single-family residence: 3085 USD (Wallsburg Town impact fee listed separately as $278) · temporary power fee: 75 USD · solid waste SSD fee for new residential construction: 172.5 USD · solid waste SSD fee for commercial construction: 345 USD · Heber Valley Special Service District sewer charge: 4170 USD (If property is on sewer)

    “Permit fees are based on square footage and vary from project to project.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Wasatch County building permit applications.

    • Applications are submitted online through CityInspect.
    • New CityInspect users must register for an account.
    • All uploaded documents must be PDFs; other formats cause the application to be returned as incomplete.
    • The county lists complete plan sets, structural engineering calculations, ResCheck, wildland-urban-interface forms and landscape plans when applicable, septic letters for properties on septic systems, owner-builder agreements, slope analyses when required, and other structure-specific documents.
    • After submission, the application is reviewed for completeness and missing items are communicated by email.
    • The county FAQ states that missing submittal items or incorrectly named documents cause the application to be returned and the permitting process will not begin until all items are submitted correctly.
    • Permit processing times vary based on completeness and receipt of corrected items.
    “Apply for a building permit online at any time of the day.”

Utah rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction regulated by Utah's State Construction Code statewide, including new construction and specified voluntary alterations, renovations, remodeling, enlargement, rehabilitation, conservation, reconstruction, or changes of use that increase occupancy loads, other demands, or safety risks.

    • A local compliance agency issues the construction permit on the standardized form approved by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
    • The State Construction Code may contain exemptions and may include provisions applicable statewide or only within a county, city, or town.
    • The state division administers the codes but does not itself issue permits or conduct compliance inspections.

    building permit surcharge: 1 percent (A compliance agency must transmit 85% of the amount collected to the division.)

    “The State Construction Code is the construction codes adopted with any modifications in accordance with this section that the state and each political subdivision of the state shall follow.”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Large Underground Wastewater Disposal Systems subject to Utah operating permits, including any such system in Wasatch County.

    • The system must be inspected by a certified individual.
    • The owner must mail the annual report by August 1 after the July 1 through June 30 reporting period, or follow the permit requirements.
    • The source does not establish a general inspection requirement for ordinary small residential septic systems.

    reporting period: July 1 to June 30 · annual report deadline: August 1 (Or according to the permit requirements.)

    “After system is inspected by certified individual, owner mails in report by August 1, 2012 and repeats for each year thereafter”
  • Well permitRequired

    Water-well construction and regulated well activity in Wasatch County.

    • A valid water right must be in place before constructing a shallow water well and beneficially using groundwater.
    • A Start Card is issued upon approval of the water right and is essentially the permit to construct the well.
    • Shallow water wells must be constructed by a licensed well driller or licensed shallow water well constructor.
    • The State Engineer regulates all water wells regardless of depth; the prior exemption for wells 30 feet deep or less was removed.
    • A well owner may drill their own shallow well only if they have a valid water right and obtain a shallow water well constructor license.

    well depth exemption: none (The source states that all water wells are regulated regardless of depth.) · effective date of statutory change: 2022-05-10 (The administrative rules were revised effective 2022-07-22.)

    “A Start Card is issued upon approval of the water right, which is essentially the permit to construct the well.”
  • 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 requirements in Wasatch County zoning districts.
  • Setbacks — Setback requirements for development in Wasatch County zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage requirements for development in Wasatch County zoning districts.
  • Building height — Building-height requirements for development in Wasatch County zoning districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land in Wasatch County.
3 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes

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 Wasatch 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 ↗
  • Upper Provo River Valleys / Heber Valley Ground-Water Policypartial of county

    Alluvial valleys tributary to the Provo River above Provo Canyon (Heber, Round, upper Provo/Kamas valleys) are closed to new groundwater appropriations; new withdrawals must transfer existing rights.

    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 Wasatch County, Utah

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

Wasatch County scores 48/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: thin water margin (24.4″/yr rainfall) and about 34,422 people within 15 miles.

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

Wasatch County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Wasatch County Health Department, Onsite Wastewater Program. 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 Wasatch County, Utah?

Land in Wasatch County runs about $8,960 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Wasatch County?

Wasatch County gets about 24.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 29.5% of years. On water rights, Wasatch County lies in the Upper Provo River Valleys / Heber Valley Ground-Water Policy — Alluvial valleys tributary to the Provo River above Provo Canyon (Heber, Round, upper Provo/Kamas valleys) are closed to new groundwater appropriations; new withdrawals must transfer existing rights..

How remote is Wasatch County?

A typical private-land location has about 34,422 people within 15 miles and 3,122,882 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Wasatch compares in Utah

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