Bolthole Index

Crook County, Wyoming

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Town of Sundance, Wyoming

Town of Sundance, Wyoming requires a building-permit application before construction or alteration, and administers its own zoning inside town limits.12 In Crook County, small septic systems go through County Planning; Sundance also requires town inspection of private wastewater installations.34 RV occupancy outside an RV park is prohibited except for a limited visitor or local-event stay.5

At a glance

Building permits
Apply to the town before construction or alteration1
Zoning
Town zoning applies inside Sundance limits2
Septic
County Planning handles small systems; town inspection also applies34
RV living
Outside an RV park, only qualifying visits or local events up to 2 continuous weeks5
Residential lot size
Low Density Residential single-family lots: 6,500 square feet6
Water wells
Town building application plus State Engineer groundwater permit78

Who to call

Building permits

City of Sundance — Building Permit Applications / Public Works

Building-permit application guidance and Land Use Planning Commission review; ask City Hall about zoning, floodplain review and inspection requirements.

(307) 283-3451

213 E Main St, Sundance, WY 82729

Septic permits

Crook County Planning — Small Wastewater Program

Small wastewater application review, Permit to Construct and inspection before backfilling.

(307) 283-4548

[email protected]

309 E Cleveland Street

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

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Do you need a building permit in Town of Sundance, WY?

Town of Sundance requires an application before constructing, altering, erecting or wrecking a building, accessory structure, fence, sidewalk, curb, gutter or pavement.1 Submit the application to the town clerk; planning commission approval is required, and variance matters go to the town council.1 Sundance construction must meet the adopted 2012 International Building Code.9

For land outside town limits, Crook County’s guide explains the county-administered area, where county building permits are not required.10 Sundance’s building-permit requirement still applies inside town limits.1

Who handles Sundance building-permit applications?

Start with City of Sundance’s building-permit page, which directs applicants to print and mail the application and describes Land Use Planning Commission review.11 The town application calls for applicant and owner information, lot identification, a sketch, location, materials, dimensions, estimated cost and completion date.12

Sundance requires the building permit to be posted visibly, and the permit becomes invalid if construction is not substantially completed within a year.12 Contractors hired to perform the work must purchase a contractor’s license.11 Ask City Hall for the current building-permit fee and the inspection schedule before committing to a construction timetable.

Does Town of Sundance have zoning and minimum lot sizes?

Town of Sundance administers its own zoning, including agricultural, residential, business and mobile-home/travel-trailer-park provisions.2 In Sundance’s Low Density Residential district, a single-family lot requires 6,500 square feet, and all structures together may cover no more than 50% of the lot.613

Sundance’s Agricultural district allows a dwelling density of one unit per 20 acres; minimum front yards are 50 feet and side and rear yards are 25 feet.1415 Ask City Hall to confirm the parcel’s zoning district and applicable dimensional rules before drawing the house footprint; the agricultural standards should not be treated as townwide setbacks.15

How do septic permits work inside Town of Sundance?

Crook County Planning administers small wastewater systems treating 2,000 gallons per day or less, while larger systems or non-domestic wastewater are directed to Wyoming DEQ’s Underground Injection Control Program.3 Submit the county application before construction; the small wastewater Permit to Construct or As-Built Permit and inspection fee is $200.16

Sundance’s private-wastewater provisions apply where public sanitary sewer is unavailable, require state approval, prohibit subsurface soil absorption on lots under 22,000 square feet, and require sewer connection within 60 days after public sewer becomes available.17 Sundance requires notification for final inspection before underground work is covered; County Planning also inspects before backfilling.418 Confirm the approval route with both offices before choosing septic for a town lot.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Town of Sundance?

Sundance prohibits living, sleeping or business occupancy in an RV on private land outside an RV park, except for qualifying visits to family or friends or participation in locally sponsored meetings, events or activities lasting no more than 2 continuous weeks.5 The visitor or event exception requires a self-contained RV or lawful sanitary facilities, and placement on private property requires express landowner permission.5

Sundance allows RV storage without living occupancy subject to setbacks and no sidewalk encroachment.5 Camping facilities are permitted only in the Mobile Home and Travel Trailer District and require compliance with applicable licensing, zoning and safety rules.19 We could not confirm a Sundance provision specifically allowing tiny-home occupancy or RV living while building; ask City Hall about the proposed structure and use.

Building a home in Town of Sundance: what are the steps?

  1. Ask City Hall to confirm the parcel’s Sundance zoning district and check the proposed use and building footprint against district rules.2
  2. Prepare the town building-permit application with the lot sketch, materials, dimensions, cost estimate and completion date, then submit it for town review before work begins.121
  3. Confirm sewer availability with the town; if private wastewater is proposed, coordinate County Planning approval and both county and town inspections before covering the installation.17204
  4. For a new or deepened well, submit the town building application with proof of receipt of the State Engineer application, and receive the state groundwater permit before construction.78
  5. Ask City Hall whether floodplain requirements affect the project; Sundance requires residential construction and substantial improvements in special flood-hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor to or above base flood elevation where data is provided.21

Watch-outs

  • Sundance’s limited visitor/event RV exception does not authorize general residential RV occupancy outside an RV park.5
  • A Sundance Low Density Residential single-family lot can meet the 6,500-square-foot zoning minimum yet fall below the 22,000-square-foot minimum for subsurface soil absorption; confirm sewer service before buying.617

Sources

  1. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 8-23. Permit required (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  2. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Appendix C, Section 504. Bulk Regulations (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  3. Small Wastewater (Septic Systems 2000 gallons or less per day), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 34-68. Private wastewater disposal (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 32-64. Placement and occupancy of recreational vehicles (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Appendix C, Section 504. Bulk Regulations (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 12-21. Building permit applications (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  8. Water Well Construction (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 8-30. Compliance with building code (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  10. Land Use Zoning Building Permit Information, quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Sundance — Building Permit Applications / Public Works (cityofsundancewy.com)
  12. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 8-23. Permit required (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  13. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Appendix C, Section 504. Bulk Regulations (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  14. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 403. Bulk Regulations (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 403. Bulk Regulations (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  16. Small Wastewater (Septic Systems 2000 gallons or less per day), quoted and re-checked
  17. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 34-68. Private wastewater disposal (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  18. Small Wastewater (Septic Systems 2000 gallons or less per day), quoted and re-checked
  19. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 904. Camping facilities (Town of Sundance), quoted and re-checked
  20. Small Wastewater (Septic Systems 2000 gallons or less per day), quoted and re-checked
  21. Sundance Code of Ordinances, Section 16-79. Specific standards (Town of Sundance), 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 Town of Sundance

Town of Sundance’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, erection, or wrecking of buildings and listed site improvements inside Sundance town.

    • Application must be made before work.
    • Applications are submitted to the town clerk and reviewed by town officials.
    • Planning commission approval is required; variance matters go to the town council.
    • Construction must be substantially completed within one year or the permit becomes invalid.
    “Any person desiring to construct, alter, erect or wreck any building, accessory structure, fence, sidewalk, curb, gutter or pavement upon real or personal property within the town shall first make application for a building permit to the town council.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Sundance town.

    • Construction must comply with the 2012 edition of the International Building Code.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or commence construction of any dwelling or other improvement within the town which does not comply with minimum requirements of the 2012 edition of the International Building Code.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Sundance town adopts and administers its own zoning code inside the town limits.

    • The supplied zoning code contains agricultural, residential, business, mobile-home/travel-trailer-park, and special-regulation provisions.
    “The minimum area, setbacks, density and maximum height shall be as prescribed in Table 504.1.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural district inside Sundance town.

    • Maximum density is one dwelling unit per 20 acres.
    • Building area may not exceed 25 percent of the lot.
    • Minimum lot width is 300 feet and minimum lot depth is 600 feet.

    minimum lot area: 20 acres

    “A 20 1 dwelling unit/20 acres; bldg. area not to exceed 25% of lot 300 600 50 25 25 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural district inside Sundance town.

    • Minimum front yard is 50 feet; minimum side and rear yards are 25 feet.

    front yard: >= 50 feet · side and rear yards: >= 25 feet

    “A 20 1 dwelling unit/20 acres; bldg. area not to exceed 25% of lot 300 600 50 25 25 35 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Agricultural district inside Sundance town.

    • Building area may not exceed 25 percent of the lot.

    maximum building area: <= 25 percent

    “A 20 1 dwelling unit/20 acres; bldg. area not to exceed 25% of lot 300 600 50 25 25 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Agricultural district inside Sundance town.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet

    “A 20 1 dwelling unit/20 acres; bldg. area not to exceed 25% of lot 300 600 50 25 25 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle placement and living occupancy on private property inside Sundance town.

    • Private-property placement requires express landowner permission.
    • Living, sleeping, or business occupancy is prohibited outside a recreational-vehicle park except for up to two continuous weeks while visiting family or friends or attending or participating in a locally sponsored meeting, event, or activity, if the vehicle is self-contained or lawful sanitary facilities are provided.
    • Storage without living occupancy is allowed subject to setbacks and no sidewalk encroachment.

    temporary occupancy limit: <= 2 continuous weeks (visitor/event exception)

    “Except as otherwise provided for in this article, it shall be unlawful for the owner or other person having charge or control of any lot or tract of land in the city, other than a recreational vehicle park, as defined in this article, to permit any person to occupy for living or sleeping quarters or business purposes any recreational vehicle parked thereon, provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the owner or other person having charge or control of a lot, from permitting anyone to park a recreational vehicle thereon, and live and sleep therein, for a period not to exceed two continuous weeks while visiting family or friends or while attending or participating in a locally sponsored meeting, event or activity, provided such recreational vehicle is self contained or that sanitary facilities required by law are provided on such lot or tract of land.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping facilities inside Sundance town.

    • Camping facilities are permitted only in the Mobile Home and Travel Trailer District.
    • Certification of compliance with applicable licensing, zoning, health, plumbing, electrical, building, and fire-prevention rules is required.
    • Camping spaces require defined areas and 20-foot-wide graveled or hard-surfaced driveways connected to streets or alleys.
    • Municipal water and sewer or compliant communal sanitary facilities are required.

    minimum driveway width: >= 20 feet

    “Camping facilities shall be permitted only in a Mobile Home and Travel Trailer District, and shall be in conformance with all the rules and regulations of this code.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private wastewater systems inside Sundance town.

    • The town may inspect at any stage.
    • The applicant must notify the town for final inspection before underground portions are covered.
    • Installation must be completed to the town's satisfaction.
    “The private wastewater disposal system will not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the town. The city will be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction, and in any event, the applicant for the permit will notify the city when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private wastewater disposal inside Sundance town where public sanitary sewer is unavailable.

    • State approval and permit are required.
    • The town may inspect the installation.
    • A subsurface soil-absorption system is not permitted on a lot under 22,000 square feet.
    • Connection to public sewer is required within 60 days after it becomes available.
    “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available, the building sewer will be connected to a private wastewater disposal system approved by the state department of environmental quality.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling or deepening a new or existing water well inside Sundance town.

    • A town building-permit application and proof of receipt of the state engineer's well application are required before issuance of the building permit.
    “All property owners desiring to drill or deepen a new or existing water well shall submit a building permit application to the city with an application to drill a water well with proof of receipt of the said application to the state engineer's office prior to the building permit being issued.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Temporary camping facilities inside Sundance town.

    • Each camping space must abut a continuous graveled or hard-surfaced driveway connected to a street or alley.
    • The driveway must be at least 20 feet wide and cannot be obstructed by parking.

    minimum driveway width: >= 20 feet

    “Every camping space shall abut upon continuous graveled or hard-surfaced driveway maintained in good condition, not less than twenty (20) feet wide, which is connected with a street or alley. No parking of any kind or other obstruction shall be permitted in such driveway.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development and construction in special flood-hazard areas inside Sundance town.

    • Residential construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor to or above base flood elevation where data is provided.
    • Nonresidential construction must elevate or be floodproofed.
    • Enclosed areas require flood-opening standards.
    • Manufactured homes require elevation and anchoring standards.
    • Recreational vehicles in specified flood zones must be present fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and highway-ready, or comply with permit, elevation, and anchoring requirements.

    RV temporary presence: < 180 consecutive days (or highway-ready or compliant with permit/elevation/anchoring rules)

    “Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM either: a. Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; b. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or c. Meet the permit requirements of section 16-80 (a), and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in subsection (4) of this section.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Sundance town building-permit application process.

    • The application must include applicant, owner, lot, sketch, location, materials, dimensions, estimated cost, and completion date.
    • Applications are mailed to City of Sundance, P.O. Box 542, Sundance, WY 82729.
    • Planning commission approval is required and variances go to the town council.
    • The permit must be posted visibly and expires if construction is not substantially completed within one year.
    “Please print and mail us your Building Permit Application - Legal Paper Length. Please mail the completed Building Permit to City of Sundance P.O. Box 542 Sundance, WY 82729”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Sundance or Crook County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Sundance town.
  • Inspections — General building inspections inside Sundance town.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Sundance town.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Sundance town.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Sundance town.
4 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Sundance publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Crook County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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