Bolthole Index

Albany County, Wyoming

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Albany County, Wyoming

67Index Score / 100
#4 of 23 in Wyoming

Albany County, Wyoming has no building codes, but construction and placement of buildings on unincorporated land generally require a county zoning certificate1. The Albany County Planning Department also permits and inspects small wastewater facilities234.

At a glance

Building permit
No county building code; zoning certificate generally required1
Zoning
County zoning covers unincorporated land, except state and federal land5
Septic permit
Required from county Planning before covered work begins3
Septic installation
Use a licensed installer, or install your own system under county guidance6
RV living
A specific private-land occupancy rule could not be confirmed; ask county Planning7
Accessory dwelling
One per property where allowed; prohibited in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone8
Well permit
Get Wyoming approval before drilling a groundwater well9
APOZ septic
Extra engineering and treatment rules apply inside the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone10

Who to call

Zoning

Albany County Planning Department

Zoning certificates for new uses, expansions, conditional uses and changes of use in unincorporated Albany County

307-721-2568

1002 S 3rd Street, Laramie, WY 82070

Septic permits

Albany County Planning Department (Water & Wastewater)

Wastewater permits for small wastewater facilities, including septic tanks and leach fields

1002 S 3rd Street, Laramie, WY 82070

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Albany County, Wyoming?

Albany County, Wyoming states that it has no building codes, but construction or placement of buildings and structures in unincorporated Albany County generally requires a zoning certificate1. Exceptions include accessory buildings of 144 square feet or less, structures onsite no longer than six months, internal reconstruction that does not change the use, and qualifying nonconforming structures1. The county materials do not confirm a general building-inspection or certificate-of-occupancy requirement, so ask the Planning Department whether the specific project needs another review7. Incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning rules11.

Who issues permits in Albany County, and how do you reach them?

The Albany County Planning Department handles zoning certificates from its office at 1002 S 3rd Street in Laramie and asks applicants to call 307-721-2568 before beginning a project7. A zoning-certificate application calls for the form, fee, proof of ownership, site plan, and applicable easements or approach licenses; approval is generally issued in about 14 business days when requirements are met12. The same department administers small-wastewater permits and inspections24. Albany County publishes separate fees by application type, including $200 for a residential mobile-home zoning certificate and $400 for a small wastewater facility13.

Does Albany County have zoning?

Yes. Albany County zoning covers unincorporated land except state and federal land5. The county publishes zoning districts and district-specific rules for uses, lot sizes and setbacks, so a parcel's map designation matters14. Setbacks vary by district and use rather than following one countywide dimension15. One accessory dwelling is allowed per property where the land-use table permits it, but accessory dwellings are prohibited in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone and may need wastewater approval8. The county materials do not confirm a general minimum dwelling size, lot-coverage limit, or private-land RV rule; ask Planning about the parcel and proposed use7.

How do septic permits work in Albany County?

Albany County requires a wastewater permit to install, repair or modify a small wastewater facility; submit the application, correct fee, and design materials before construction begins16. The county must inspect and approve the installed system before it is covered or used4. A licensed installer normally performs the work, although an owner may install a system under county guidance6. Only 28.9% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so settle feasibility before buying17. Inside the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, installation or replacement requires Wyoming-licensed professional engineering, and new systems on lots under 35 acres require qualifying advanced treatment units10.

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

We could not confirm a specific Albany County rule allowing or prohibiting full-time RV or tiny-home occupancy on private rural land. Unincorporated Albany County regulates construction, placement and land use through zoning certificates, so ask Planning how the parcel's district treats the proposed dwelling before buying or moving it onsite17. Mobile homes in a mobile-home park must occupy approved spaces with water and sewer connections, and the park itself requires conditional-use approval18. Off-grid sanitation is not permit-free: a small wastewater facility needs county authorization and inspection, while well permits go through the Wyoming State Engineer's Office1920.

Building a home in Albany County: the steps, in order

  1. Call the Albany County Planning Department at 307-721-2568 with the parcel, zoning district, dwelling and intended use7.
  1. Submit the zoning-certificate form, fee, ownership evidence, site plan, and applicable access documents; wait for approval before construction12.
  1. Apply to county Planning for wastewater approval before installing, repairing or modifying a small wastewater facility16.
  1. Leave the completed septic system uncovered until the required inspection and final approval21.
  1. Apply through the Wyoming State Engineer's Office before drilling a well209.
  1. If dividing the property, take even an exempt division to Planning for approval before filing it with the County Clerk22.

What should you check before buying land in Albany County?

Start with zoning, legal access, water and septic feasibility rather than assuming rural land is ready to build. Only 28.9% of Albany County soils are rated without severe limitations for conventional drain fields, while annual precipitation averages about 15 inches and severe drought occurs in about 13.9% of years172324. Ask Planning whether the parcel is inside the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone because that location can trigger engineered septic design and advanced treatment requirements10. For a division involving parcels of at least 35 acres, Wyoming law generally requires binding, recordable access and utility easements at least 40 feet wide to a public road unless properly waived25. About 24.3% of Albany County is federal land, so verify boundaries and recorded access where a parcel adjoins public ground26. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual bill near $1,8462728.

Watch-outs

  • No county building code does not mean no county approval: construction on unincorporated land generally needs a zoning certificate1.
  • Septic work requires county authorization, and the completed installation must remain uncovered until inspection and approval34.
  • Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone parcels can require professional engineering, advanced treatment and continuing inspection obligations10.
  • Albany County's reviewed sources did not confirm a specific RV-living or tiny-home occupancy rule; ask Planning about the parcel and intended use before relying on either option7.

Sources

  1. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  2. Water & Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  3. Water & Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  4. Regulations for Permit to Construct, Install or Modify Small Wastewater Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  5. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning - Wastewater FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  7. Albany County Planning Department (albanycountywy.gov)
  8. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  9. General Processes (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Albany County Wastewater Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  12. Planning Zoning Certificates Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  13. Albany County Land Use Permit Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  14. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  15. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  16. Planning - Wastewater FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Albany County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  19. Water & Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  20. Water & Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  21. Planning - Wastewater FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  22. Albany County Platting & Subdivision Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  23. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Wyoming Statutes, Title 18 (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Albany County in Wyoming

67
County map
Albany County highlighted among the Wyoming counties · colored by Index score

How Albany County scores

Seclusion81100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency31100% ev.
Admin Boringness6790% ev.
Durability60100% ev.
Property Autonomy74100% ev.
Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$380kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$1,040Land / acre
15"Annual rain
13.9% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
18.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.02" (+6.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.34×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,719Home insurance / yr
2.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.46%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
384Radius comparison (15 mi)
9People / sq mi
24.3%Federal land
80%Land at 15% slope or less
28.9%Septic soil without severe limits
578,191 acWorkable land screen
11.1%Wooded land
15.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.3°FAvg temp

Scout Albany County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Albany County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Albany County

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

Albany County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    County land-use approval for construction and use of buildings and structures in unincorporated Albany County.

    • The county source describes the zoning certificate as the applicable approval; this claim does not establish a separate building-code permit requirement.
    • Accessory buildings 144 square feet or smaller are excepted.
    • Structures not located on a property for longer than six months are excepted.
    “a zoning certificate must be obtained [...] prior to [...] constructing [...] a building or structure”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction and placement of buildings and structures in unincorporated Albany County.
      “In accordance with W.S. 18-5-203, a zoning certificate must be obtained from the Board of County Commissioners or the Planning Director prior to locating, erecting, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, changing, or maintaining a building or structure; using a building, structure, or land; or changing the use of a building, structure, or land; excepting the following:”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Buildings, structures, land uses, and changes of use within Albany County zoning districts in unincorporated Albany County.

    • A zoning certificate must be obtained before the listed activities.
    • Accessory buildings 144 square feet or smaller are excepted.
    • Structures not located on a property for longer than six months are excepted.
    • The cited passage continues with additional exceptions; this result does not resolve them.
    “all unincorporated areas within Albany County, Wyoming.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning regulation in unincorporated Albany County.
      “This resolution shall apply to all unincorporated areas within Albany County, Wyoming. State and Federal lands are exempt from this resolution.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning and land-use permit review in the unincorporated areas of Albany County, Wyoming.

    • The Albany County Planning Department reviews land-use permit applications in unincorporated areas.
    • State and Federal lands are exempt from the county zoning resolution.
    • If municipal, county, state, or federal law or regulations impose additional standards within unincorporated areas, the more restrictive standard of the entity with legal jurisdiction applies.
    • This claim does not establish zoning rules administered by incorporated municipalities.
    “Section 3. Jurisdiction. This resolution shall apply to all unincorporated areas within Albany County, Wyoming. State and Federal lands are exempt from this resolution.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County-administered zoning in unincorporated Albany County.
      “This resolution shall apply to all unincorporated areas within Albany County, Wyoming. State and Federal lands are exempt from this resolution.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Albany County zoning districts, associated standards, and official zoning maps for unincorporated Albany County.

    • The zoning resolution applies to unincorporated areas; state and federal lands are exempt.
    • Official zoning maps must display the date prepared, be maintained and made publicly available through the Planning Department, and be updated within 30 days after zoning-boundary amendments take effect.
    • The county Planning Department's online map is described as reference-only; the official-map rule is the cited resolution provision.

    published zoning district classifications: A, AR, RR, RA, SLR, UR, C, NB, I

    “The zoning districts within Albany County are: A. Agricultural (A) [...] B. Agricultural Residential (AR) [...] C. Rural Residential (RR) [...] D. Ranchette (RA) [...] E. Small Lot Residential (SLR) [...] F. Urban Residential (UR) [...] G. Neighborhood Business (NB) [...] H. Commercial (C) [...] I. Industrial (I)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Zoning districts and district-specific standards in unincorporated Albany County.
      “The UR zone is primarily for single-family uses on individual lots with centralized water and/or sewer systems, typically within water and sewer districts or in areas that are connected to the City of Laramie water and/or sewer systems.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures and uses in unincorporated Albany County zoning districts.

    • Setbacks vary by zoning district and by use; wastewater setbacks are governed by the county wastewater regulations.
    “Principal and accessory structures must be set back ten (10) feet from all property lines. Setbacks for water wells shall be fifty (50) feet from all property lines.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured/mobile-home occupancy in a mobile-home park.

    • A mobile-home park requires a special conditional-use permit.
    • Mobile homes outside approved spaces are prohibited.
    • Each mobile-home space requires water and sewer connections.

    minimum mobile-home park lot size: >= 2 acres · maximum mobile-home density: <= 5 spaces per acre

    “Mobile home parks shall obtain a mobile home park permit, a special conditional use permit, in compliance with the standards and requirements of this section.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwellings in zoning districts specified by the Albany County land-use table.

    • One accessory dwelling is allowed per property.
    • Accessory dwellings are prohibited in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone.
    • County wastewater approval is required before approval of the accessory-dwelling zoning certificate when applicable.

    detached accessory dwelling maximum: 1,200 or 75% of principal dwelling, whichever is less square feet · attached accessory dwelling maximum: <= 40 percent of principal dwelling area

    “Accessory dwellings are allowed in zoning districts specified in the Land Use Table. One Accessory Dwelling will be allowed per property.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Small wastewater facilities in Albany County.

    • The county FAQ states that the Assistant Planner - Environmental reviews the application and later schedules approval before backfill.
    • CAPZ septic fields must be designed by a qualified Wyoming-licensed Professional Engineer.
    • Wastewater systems must be installed by a licensed installer, although property owners may install their own system under the Assistant Planner - Environmental's guidance.
    “issued by the Assistant Planner - Environmental”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Small wastewater facilities in Albany County.
      ““Permitting authority” means Albany County.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, discharge, or modification of a small wastewater facility in Albany County.

    • A wastewater permit is required before the facility is constructed, installed, discharged, or modified.
    • An Authorization to Construct letter must be issued by the Albany County Planning Department before construction commences.
    • Construction may begin after the Authorization to Construct letter is issued.
    • Construction deviations from the submitted design require Planning Department approval before field changes are made.
    • The installed facility must be inspected after installation but before backfilling.
    • Failure to comply with the inspection protocol could result in exhumation of the septic system for inspection and/or a $200 late fee.
    • The application expires two years from the date of the Authorization to Construct letter; if installation and inspection do not occur before expiration, a new application must be submitted.
    • A permit may be renewed if a written request is received at least 30 days before expiration and there are no changes to the construction plans.

    small wastewater treatment facility application fee: 400 USD · late fee for construction before authorization: 200 USD · application validity period: 2 years (Measured from the date of the Authorization to Construct letter.) · renewal request deadline: >= 30 days (Written request must be received before application expiration, with no changes to construction plans.)

    “A wastewater permit is a written authorization issued by the County, which authorizes the applicant to construct, install, discharge, or modify the small wastewater facility.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction, installation, discharge, or modification of small wastewater facilities, including septic systems, in Albany County.
      “A wastewater permit is a written authorization issued by the County, which authorizes the applicant to construct, install, discharge, or modify the small wastewater facility.”
    • Required — Installation or replacement of septic systems within Albany County's Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone (APOZ).
      “The installation or replacement of septic systems within the APOZ must be designed and certified by a professional engineer, licensed in Wyoming.”
    • Required — Installing, repairing, or modifying a small wastewater facility in Albany County.
      “installing, repairing or modifying a small wastewater facility.”
    • Required — Installing, repairing, or modifying a small wastewater facility.
      “No construction, installation or modification of a small wastewater system shall be allowed unless a permit to construct, install or modify has been obtained from the permitting authority.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic tanks, leach fields, and other small wastewater facilities in Albany County.

    • Inspection must occur after installation but before covering.
    • The installation may not be covered or used until inspection and approval.
    • The inspecting official identified in the regulation is the Laramie City Sanitarian.
    “After installation of the septic tank and leach field or other small wastewater facility, but before covering, the applicant or installer shall call for a site inspection by the Laramie City Sanitarian. The installation may not be covered or used until after site inspection and approval.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Small wastewater systems in Albany County before backfill.
      “The installer cannot backfill until [...] final approval of the system.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using a small wastewater facility.

    • A small wastewater facility requires county authorization and inspection.
    • Wells are not permitted by Albany County and are handled by the State Engineer's Office.
    “A wastewater permit is a written authorization issued by the County, which authorizes the applicant to construct, install, discharge, or modify the small wastewater facility.”
  • Well permitNot required

    Albany County well permitting.

    • Well permits are handled through the Wyoming State Engineer's Office.
    “Albany County does not permit wells. Wells are permitted through the State Engineer's Office, who you can contact at 307-777-6163.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Utility connections for regulated mobile-home parks and residential zoning districts.

    • Mobile-home spaces require water and sewer connections.
    • Residential zoning districts may instead use centralized or on-site systems depending on district and parcel conditions.
    “Water and sewer connections shall be provided for each mobile home space.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Platting and subdivision of land in unincorporated Albany County.

    • Exempt divisions still require Planning Department approval before filing with the County Clerk and must comply with the Albany County Zoning Resolution.
    “This resolution shall apply to all unincorporated areas within Albany County.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Albany County land-use, zoning, wastewater, floodplain, energy, tower, and subdivision applications administered for unincorporated areas.

    • The schedule states that a $200 late fee applies to construction before permit approval and separately states a $200 late fee for Small Wastewater Treatment Facility construction before permit approval.
    • All applications must include applicable fees set by the Board of County Commissioners.
    • Fees are based on estimated processing cost and may be revised periodically by the Board of County Commissioners.
    • The schedule was approved April 7, 2026.

    residential zoning certificate - mobile home: 200 USD · zoning district amendment: 750 USD · conditional use: 750 USD · variance: 500 USD · small wastewater treatment facility: 400 USD · floodplain development: 400 USD · late fee for construction before permit approval: 200 USD (The schedule separately lists the same late-fee amount for Small Wastewater Treatment Facility construction before permit approval)

    “Zoning District Amendment $750.00 Conditional Use $750.00 Variance $500.00 [...] Floodplain Development $400.00 [...] Small Wastewater Treatment Facility $400.00”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published — County-administered land-use, zoning, and water/wastewater permit applications reviewed by the Albany County Planning Department in unincorporated Albany County.
      “Albany County Land Use Permit Fee Schedule”
    • Variable (with conditions) — Albany County Planning Department land-use permit applications in unincorporated areas, including zoning and water/wastewater applications.
      “Wastewater Installer & Hauler Licensure $100.00 Small Wastewater Treatment Facility $350.00$400.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Albany County zoning-certificate and related land-use permit process.

    • Applications require a completed form, correct fees, easements or approach licenses, proof of ownership, and a site plan.
    • The Planning Department reviews applications; approval is generally issued within approximately 14 business days when requirements are satisfied.
    • Construction may begin after zoning-certificate approval; dirt work may begin earlier.
    “In order to have your zoning certificate processed, you must mail or bring in the: Completed application Correct fees (cash/check only) Easements and/or approach licenses Proof of ownership (deed) Site plan”

Wyoming rules that apply here

  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Certain land divisions for agricultural purposes under Wyoming's Real Estate Subdivisions Act, primarily in unincorporated areas subject to county administration.

    • The exemption applies unless the method of sale or other disposition is adopted for the purpose of evading the Act.
    • The division must be a sale or other disposition of land for agricultural purposes or affect the alignment of property lines for agricultural purposes.
    • The exempt divisions remain subject to county-board requirements regarding documentation of proper use and implementation of the exemption.
    • A division for an immediate family member has separate conditions, including qualifying family relationship, housing, business, or agricultural purpose, ownership and titling periods, and a five-acre further-division restriction; that family exemption is distinct from the agricultural-purpose exemption.
    • For parcels 35 acres or larger, ingress, egress, and utility easements of at least 40 feet to a public road are required unless specifically waived by the grantee or transferee in a binding and recordable document.

    large-parcel threshold: >= 35 acres (Subject to W.S. 18-5-316 and required easements.) · large-parcel easement width: >= 40 feet (To a public road; waiver must be binding and recordable.)

    “A division which is a sale or other disposition of land for agricultural purposes or affects the alignment of property lines for agricultural purposes;”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Sale or other disposition of parcels 35 acres or larger subject to Wyoming subdivision law.

    • The rule is subject to W.S. 18-5-316.
    • Ingress, egress, and utility easements must be provided to each parcel by binding and recordable easements to a public road.
    • The easements must be at least 40 feet wide unless specifically waived by the grantee or transferee in a binding and recordable document.

    parcel area: >= 35 acres (subject to W.S. 18-5-316) · easement width: >= 40 feet (may be specifically waived by the grantee or transferee in a binding and recordable document)

    “Except as provided in W.S. 18-5-316, this article shall not apply to the sale or other disposition of land where the parcels involved are thirty-five (35) acres or larger, subject to the requirement that ingress and egress and utility easements shall be provided to each parcel by binding and recordable easements of not less than forty (40) feet in width to a public road unless specifically waived by the grantee or transferee in a binding and recordable document.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Building within the floodplain in Wyoming communities participating in the state-supported National Flood Insurance Program floodplain-management program.

    • The source states that Wyoming currently has 19 participating counties and 66 participating municipalities.
    • Enrollment and participation require a community letter of resolution, an application form, a permitting process, and a compliant ordinance adopted.
    • The permit must meet minimum standards set forth in the applicable local ordinance.
    • The source describes state technical assistance and oversight, while the local ordinance supplies the applicable minimum standards.

    participating counties: 19 counties · participating municipalities: 66 municipalities

    “Currently in Wyoming, there are 19 participating counties and 66 participating municipalities. Enrollment and participation in the program requires a letter of resolution by the community, an application form, a permitting process, and a compliant ordinance adopted. Building within the floodplain requires a permit, and must meet minimum standards set forth in the local ordinance.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    County regulation of the location and use of buildings and structures and the use, condition of use or occupancy of land in unincorporated areas of Wyoming.

    • The authority is exercised by each board of county commissioners for the unincorporated area of the county.
    • County zoning may not contravene the zoning authority of an incorporated city or town.
    • A zoning resolution or plan may not prevent a use or occupancy reasonably necessary for extraction or production of mineral resources.
    • A board may not require land use or physical development to be consistent with a local land use plan unless the applicable plan provisions have been incorporated into local zoning regulations.
    • Minimum lot size requirements or other zoning measures may not prevent residential or agricultural uses authorized for land divisions exempt from subdivision requirements under W.S. 18-5-303(a)(i).
    • Private schools meeting the statutory requirements may not be regulated differently from public schools: certification by the professional engineer or architect of record, capacity for fifty (50) students or more, and ownership and operation by a not-for-profit entity.
    “To promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the county, each board of county commissioners may regulate and restrict the location and use of buildings and structures and the use, condition of use or occupancy of lands for residence, recreation, agriculture, industry, commerce, public use and other purposes in the unincorporated area of the county.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    County enforcement and interpretation of local or state fire, building, existing-building, and electrical safety standards, including residential construction in unincorporated areas, when the county obtains local enforcement authority under W.S. 35-9-121.

    • A county must apply for local enforcement authority and receive delegation from the state fire marshal by letter.
    • Before initial delegation, the state fire marshal must determine that the county has adopted minimum standards by ordinance or resolution equivalent to or more stringent than applicable department standards.
    • If the county fails to adopt new standards within six (6) months after department adoption, or fails to maintain standards at least meeting statewide standards, enforcement authority immediately reverts to the department.
    • For fire and building code enforcement, inspectors employed or contracted after July 1, 2010 must be certified by the International Code Council or the International Conference of Building Officials.
    • If electrical-code authority is requested, an electrical inspector must be certified by the International Code Council or International Association of Electrical Inspectors and licensed by Wyoming as a journeyman or master electrician.
    • If the county fails to maintain a required certified inspector, enforcement authority reverts to the department one hundred twenty (120) days after the inspector leaves.
    • A local governmental entity may assume sole plan-review authority and sole construction-inspection authority on approved plans, subject to the statutory certification requirements.
    • If local code provisions are more stringent than adopted state codes, the local code prevails.
    • The statute grants authority to enforce and interpret building standards; it does not establish that every Wyoming county universally requires a residential building permit without county-specific implementation.

    new standards adoption deadline: 6 months (following adoption of new standards by the department) · certification applicability date: July 1, 2010 (inspectors employed or contracted after this date) · authority reversion period after certified inspector leaves: 120 days

    “The state fire marshal shall delegate complete authority to municipalities and counties which apply to enforce and interpret local or state fire, building, existing building standards or electrical safety standards which meet the requirements of this section. The state fire marshal shall notify the governing body of the municipality or county of the minimum standards and requirements of this act and W.S. 16-6-501 and 16-6-502 and transfer jurisdiction and authority by letter.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions for structures other than wastewater systems in unincorporated Albany County.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for structures in unincorporated Albany County.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for structures other than wastewater systems in unincorporated Albany County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for county-regulated structures.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Albany County.
7 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Albany County, Wyoming

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

Albany County scores 67/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 384 people within 15 miles. Watch-outs: thin water margin (15″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Albany County, Wyoming?

Albany County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Albany County Planning Department (Small Wastewater / Water & Wastewater program, under WY DEQ Water Quality Division framework). 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 Albany County, Wyoming?

Land in Albany County runs about $1,040 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Albany County?

Albany County gets about 15" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 13.9% of years.

How remote is Albany County?

A typical private-land location has about 384 people within 15 miles and 828,265 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Albany compares in Wyoming

Compare side-by-side →See all 23 Wyoming counties ranked →