Bolthole Index

Lincoln County, Wyoming

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

65Index Score / 100
#6 of 23 in Wyoming

Lincoln County, Wyoming requires a building permit for a new home, and the county Planning & Development Office provides the residential application1. The county also administers zoning, septic-system permitting and floodplain matters through the same office234. Permit applications can be submitted through the county's online portal5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; residential application available from county Planning & Development1
Zoning
Yes — administered by Lincoln County2
Septic
County Planning & Development handles permitting and inspection of small wastewater systems36
RV living
Not confirmed; county zoning makes a parcel-specific check necessary2
Tiny home
Not confirmed; zoning and dwelling standards must be checked for the parcel2
Owner-builder
No permit exemption confirmed7
Well permit
Wyoming approval is required before drilling or developing a qualifying spring8

Who to call

Building permits

Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development

Land use, zoning, subdivision, building permits, small wastewater systems and floodplain administration

(307) 877-9056

[email protected]

925 Sage Avenue, Suite 201 Kemmerer, WY 83101

Online permits →

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 Lincoln County, Wyoming?

Yes. Lincoln County requires a building permit for a new home, and its document center provides a residential building-permit application for new homes and additions1. The county's published material does not fully establish which other projects require permits, which building-code edition applies, or whether building inspections and a certificate of occupancy are required. Ask Lincoln County Planning & Development about the exact project before ordering materials; the office handles building and permitting questions9. No owner-builder exemption was confirmed, so building your own house should not be treated as an exemption from the county permit process7. Wyoming law allows county building-code enforcement only after the state fire marshal delegates authority to a county that maintains qualifying standards and inspectors10.

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

Lincoln County's Office of Planning & Development is the first stop for building, land-use, zoning, subdivision, septic and floodplain questions9. The Kemmerer office is at 925 Sage Avenue, Suite 201, Kemmerer, WY 83101; call (307) 877-9056 or email [email protected]9. The county accepts permit applications through its online portal59. The portal and document center are useful starting points, but the reviewed county pages do not establish complete submittal requirements or review times5. Send the parcel number, proposed use and a short project description when asking which forms are needed, because one office coordinates several different approvals9.

Does Lincoln County have zoning?

Yes. Lincoln County administers zoning and its Land Use Regulations through county planning processes2. Wyoming law authorizes county commissioners to regulate building locations, land uses and occupancy in unincorporated areas, without overriding an incorporated city or town's zoning authority11. That distinction matters: a parcel inside Kemmerer, Afton or another municipality may follow municipal rules rather than the county rules described here11. The available facts do not confirm a parcel's minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height or minimum dwelling size. Lincoln County Planning & Development should identify the zone and applicable dimensional standards before a buyer relies on a listing's claim that land is buildable9. County subdivision applications also vary by category, including major, minor, simple, amended-plat and phased processes12.

How do septic permits work in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County Planning & Development administers permitting and inspection for small wastewater and septic systems36. The reviewed facts do not establish every activity that needs a county septic permit or every exception, so confirm the scope with the office before installing, repairing or replacing a system. Wyoming DEQ directly permits small wastewater facilities in only specified jurisdictions and warns that other permitting authorities may use different forms or request more information13. Site conditions deserve early attention: only about 9.7% of Lincoln County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field14. That soil rating does not decide whether a particular lot will pass, but it makes a parcel-specific site evaluation a prudent early step. County Planning & Development handles the local septic and inspection questions at the same contact used for building permits9.

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

We could not confirm a county rule that generally allows or prohibits living in an RV on private land in Lincoln County, and the available material does not establish a rule for temporary camping. We also could not confirm county occupancy standards for a tiny home, manufactured home or accessory dwelling. Lincoln County does have zoning, so the answer may depend on the parcel's zone and the way the proposed unit is classified2. Before buying, ask Lincoln County Planning & Development in writing whether the proposed use is allowed, whether a temporary-use approval is needed, and which building and sanitation approvals apply9. A tiny home intended as a dwelling should not be assumed exempt from the residential building-permit process merely because it is small1.

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

  1. Ask Lincoln County Planning & Development to confirm the parcel's jurisdiction, zone, allowed residential use and dimensional standards29.
  2. Resolve access and subdivision issues early; regulated subdivisions need county approval, while qualifying parcels of 35 acres or more generally require recorded access and utility easements at least 40 feet wide to a public road unless properly waived1215.
  3. Apply to Wyoming for well approval before drilling; domestic and stock applications carry a $50 filing fee8.
  4. Have the site evaluated and coordinate the small-wastewater application and inspections with county Planning & Development36.
  5. Ask whether the site needs a floodplain development permit before moving dirt or placing a structure4.
  6. Submit the residential building-permit application through the county's online portal and confirm any required inspections directly with the office15.

What to check before you buy land in Lincoln County

Start with jurisdiction and zoning: county rules govern unincorporated land, while incorporated places can use their own zoning11. Check water before closing because Wyoming requires an approved groundwater permit before drilling a well or developing a qualifying spring8. Check soils early because only about 9.7% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field14. Check terrain and winter access on the actual parcel; about 55% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, but a countywide figure cannot describe one lot16. Confirm floodplain status and any development permit with Planning & Development49. Verify legal access, especially on large tracts subject to Wyoming's recorded-easement rule15. For carrying costs, the effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,4581718.

Watch-outs

  • Only about 9.7% of Lincoln County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so investigate the specific homesite before assuming a standard system will work14.
  • Lincoln County's reviewed material does not confirm the rules for RV living, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size or setbacks; ask Planning & Development about the parcel and proposed use9.
  • A parcel inside an incorporated city or town may be subject to municipal zoning rather than Lincoln County's unincorporated-area rules11.

Sources

  1. Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development (2026 county census)
  2. Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development (2026 county census)
  3. Planning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  4. Planning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  5. Planning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. General Processes (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development (lincolncountywy.gov)
  10. Wyoming Statutes, Title 35, W.S. 35-9-121 (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Wyoming Statutes, Title 18, W.S. 18-5-201 (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Planning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  13. Small Wastewater Systems (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  15. Wyoming Statutes, Title 18 (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  18. 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

Lincoln County in Wyoming

65
County map
Lincoln County highlighted among the Wyoming counties · colored by Index score

How Lincoln County scores

Seclusion86100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency44100% ev.
Admin Boringness4490% ev.
Durability42100% ev.
Property Autonomy74100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% 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 →

$507kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$3,963Land / acre
20.1"Annual rain
16.2% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
23.2 daysMid-century dry spell
0.98" (+5.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.19×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,499Home insurance / yr
2.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.6%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
1,776Radius comparison (15 mi)
5.1People / sq mi
74.1%Federal land
55%Land at 15% slope or less
9.7%Septic soil without severe limits
224,820 acWorkable land screen
33.3%Wooded land
36.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
38.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Lincoln County

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

Lincoln County rules

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Small wastewater and septic-system permitting and inspection administered through Lincoln County Planning and Development.

    • The page specifically describes small wastewater (septic) systems.
    • Other state or local wastewater requirements may also apply.
    “The Office of Planning and Development deals with Land Use, Zoning, Subdividing, Building, Permitting and Inspecting Small Wastewater (Septic) Systems, Floodplain Administration, and Other Matters.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection of small wastewater (septic) systems administered by Lincoln County Planning and Development.

    • The official page limits the statement to small wastewater (septic) systems.
    • The page does not state that every septic-related activity requires an inspection.
    “The Office of Planning and Development deals with Land Use, Zoning, Subdividing, Building, Permitting and Inspecting Small Wastewater (Septic) Systems, Floodplain Administration, and Other Matters.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision activity administered through Lincoln County Planning and Development.

    • The document center lists major, minor, simple, amended-plat, and phased subdivision applications.
    • Specific application type and requirements depend on the subdivision category.
    “Subdivision, Major Final Plat Application Updated 8-2026”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development subject to Lincoln County floodplain administration.

    • The county page identifies floodplain administration as an office function.
    • The document center lists a Floodplain Development Permit updated 1-2025.
    • The reviewed text does not state the complete set of floodplain thresholds or exemptions.
    “Floodplain Development Permit Updated 1-2025”
  • Permit processPartial

    Lincoln County planning and development permit applications.

    • The county states that the planning office accepts permit applications through an online portal.
    • The document center provides access to public documents and lists multiple land-use application forms.
    • The reviewed pages do not establish complete review timelines or all submission requirements.
    “LINCOLN COUNTY PLANNING OFFICE IS NOW ACCEPTING PERMIT APPLICATIONS VIA OUR ONLINE PORTAL”
  • Building permitRequired

    The county Planning & Development Office handles building permitting and provides a Building Permit Application for new residential 1 & 2 family dwellings.

    Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    The county administers zoning and Land Use Regulations (LUR) through its Planning & Zoning Commission.

    Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Wyoming rules that apply here

  • Septic permitLimited

    Installation, repair, or replacement of individual or commercial sewage disposal systems treating less than 2,000 gallons of domestic sewage per day in Wyoming DEQ permitting jurisdictions.

    • The cited DEQ page identifies DEQ jurisdiction in Campbell County for commercial systems only and in Carbon, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
    • The permitting authority for other jurisdictions may require different forms or additional information.
    • Construction may not commence until the permitting authority issues authorization.
    • A Certificate of Completion must be submitted to DEQ when installation is complete.

    daily domestic sewage treatment capacity: < 2000 gallons per day

    “Step 1: Review the Small Wastewater Facility General Permit, which covers the installation, repair or replacement of individual or commercial sewage disposal systems that treat less than 2,000 gallons of domestic sewage per day. See “Permitting Forms and Information” tab.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of a groundwater well or development of a spring in Wyoming, including domestic and stock wells or springs flowing at most 25 gallons per minute.

    • An approved permit must be received before drilling or spring-development activities begin.
    • Springs flowing more than 25 gallons per minute, or springs used for purposes other than domestic or stock watering, must be permitted through the Surface Water Division.
    • Wells must be drilled by a Wyoming licensed water-well drilling contractor and pumps must be installed by a Wyoming licensed pump-installation contractor.
    • The U.W. 5 application must be complete and accurate and accompanied by the appropriate filing fee.
    • Domestic and stock applications are listed with a $50 filing fee.

    spring flow threshold: <= 25 gallons per minute (Higher-flow springs or non-domestic/non-stock use are handled through the Surface Water Division.) · domestic permit filing fee: 50 USD · stock permit filing fee: 50 USD

    “Wells and Springs - Before you drill a well, or develop a spring* (that flows less than or equal to 25 gallons per minute (gpm) and will be used f or D omestic and/or Stock W atering use only), you must submit an "Application for Permit to Appropriate Ground Water", or U.W. 5 Form, to the Ground Water Division and receive an approved permit prior to commencement of any drilling or spring development activities.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 from construction permitting or inspection requirements.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable in Lincoln County.
  • Inspections — Building inspections in Lincoln County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Lincoln County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across incorporated municipalities and other subordinate jurisdictions in Lincoln County.
13 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Lincoln County, Wyoming

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

Lincoln County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,776 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost.

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

Lincoln County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Lincoln County Office of Planning & Development. 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 Lincoln County, Wyoming?

Land in Lincoln County runs about $3,963 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County gets about 20.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 16.2% of years.

How remote is Lincoln County?

A typical private-land location has about 1,776 people within 15 miles and 452,227 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Lincoln compares in Wyoming

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