Bolthole Index

Park County, Wyoming

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Park County, Wyoming

62Index Score / 100
#7 of 23 in Wyoming

Unincorporated Park County, Wyoming requires a Building/Zoning Permit before locating, erecting, or constructing a building or structure, but the county has not adopted a general building code12. Park County also administers zoning and small-wastewater permits34. Residential RV use is generally limited to 90 days per calendar year unless the unit qualifies for a county permit exception and has approved sewage disposal5.

At a glance

Building permit
Building/Zoning Permit required; no general county building code adopted12
Zoning
Yes in unincorporated Park County — county Development Standards and Regulations apply3
Septic
County permit required before work on conventional systems below 2,000 gallons/day6
RV living
Generally limited to 90 days per calendar year without the county's permit exception5
Certificate of occupancy
Not required by Park County7
Water well
Permit required from the State Engineer's Office before drilling, $50 filing fee8
Agricultural land division
Conditional exemption requires county filing documents and a recorded covenant9

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Park County Planning & Zoning Department

Building/zoning permits, small wastewater (septic) system permits, subdivisions, exempt subdivisions, and floodplain development permits for unincorporated Park County

307-527-8540

[email protected]

1002 Sheridan Ave., Suite 109, Cody, WY 82414

Septic permits

Park County Planning & Zoning Department — Small Wastewater Systems

Small wastewater (septic) system permits, design review, and pre-backfill inspection for unincorporated Park County

307-527-8540

[email protected]

1002 Sheridan Ave., Suite 109, Cody, WY 82414

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 Park County, Wyoming?

Unincorporated Park County requires a Building/Zoning Permit before you locate, erect, or construct a building or structure1. The permit is also required for an enlargement, reconstruction in a designated floodplain, a change of use, or an occupancy change that increases sewage design flow1. This is a non-discretionary zoning-compliance permit for uses and structures allowed by right, and site-plan review may also apply1. Park County has not adopted a general building code, although the county encourages builders to consult the International Building Code2. State fire-prevention plan review for covered development uses the applicable state-adopted codes, with new submissions subject to the 2021 International Codes until further notice10. Park County does not require a county Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion7. Ask Planning and Zoning whether state review or a separate inspection applies to the proposed project.

Who is the Park County Planning and Zoning Department, and how do you reach them?

The Park County Planning and Zoning Department issues Building/Zoning Permits and administers small-wastewater permits for unincorporated land114. The office is at 1002 Sheridan Ave., Suite 109, Cody, WY 82414; call Cody at (307) 527-8540 or Powell at (307) 754-8540, or email [email protected]11. Park County publishes applications for Building/Zoning, floodplain development, small and non-standard wastewater systems, site-plan review, special uses, variances, zoning amendments, and subdivisions12. Start with Planning and Zoning to identify the applications and current published fees that fit the parcel and project1311. Incorporated cities and towns may use separate rules; the applicable municipal process could not be confirmed here, so land inside municipal limits should begin with the city or town.

Does Park County have zoning?

Park County's Development Standards and Regulations require structures and land uses in unincorporated Park County to comply with county zoning3. Accessory housing units are permitted by right with a Building/Zoning Permit across the listed districts when the unit shares a parcel with a principal dwelling and has less living area14. A separate tiny-home classification, general minimum dwelling size, and general setback schedule could not be confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning how the parcel's district treats the proposed design. Park County also regulates simple, minor, major, preliminary-plat, final-plat, amended-plat, and manufactured-home-park subdivisions15. The agricultural exemption is a conditional land-division route, not a blanket exemption from building or zoning permits: it requires a Certificate of Filing and an agricultural-purpose covenant presented for recording9.

How do septic permits work in Park County?

Park County exercises delegated Wyoming DEQ authority over small wastewater facilities in unincorporated areas4. A county permit is required before construction of a new, replacement, or repaired conventional septic-tank and leach-field system with flow below 2,000 gallons per day6. Submit the design and obtain the Permit to Construct before installation begins616. Do not backfill until the county has inspected the system and allowed backfilling1716. Only 7.7% of Park County soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field, so investigate soils early and allow for a site-specific design18. Outhouses, privies, greywater systems, and similar human-waste proposals still require county and/or Wyoming DEQ review; off-grid does not mean review-free sanitation19.

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

In unincorporated Park County, an RV or camper generally may not be used as a residence for more than 90 days in a calendar year unless it can receive a Building/Zoning Permit as a principal or accessory housing unit or construction home and has approved sewage disposal5. Commercial campgrounds are outside that countywide restriction5. The Sunlight, Upper South Fork, and North Fork Planning Areas prohibit permanent RV living, defined as occupancy exceeding 90 days in a year20. In those planning areas, an RV or camper may serve as a construction home beyond 90 days only with a Building/Zoning Permit, a variance, and approved sewage disposal21. A separate tiny-home occupancy rule could not be confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning whether the design qualifies as a principal or accessory dwelling and what wastewater approval it needs.

Building a home in Park County, Wyoming: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Park County Planning and Zoning to identify the parcel's zoning requirements and required applications before fixing the site plan312.
  1. Apply for the Building/Zoning Permit before locating, erecting, or constructing the structure; ask whether site-plan or state fire review also applies110.
  1. If the site is in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, complete the discretionary floodplain process before construction; the application goes to a public hearing22.
  1. For onsite wastewater, obtain the county Permit to Construct before work and arrange inspection before backfill617.
  1. For a well, receive the Wyoming groundwater permit before drilling; the domestic filing fee is $508.
  1. If the project divides land, use the applicable county subdivision or exempt-division process before recording the new parcel159.

What to check before you buy land in Park County

Federal land covers about 79.2% of Park County, reflecting its location next to Yellowstone National Park, so confirm exactly where your parcel's boundaries sit relative to public land before you buy23. Septic soils are a real constraint here too: only 7.7% of the county's soils have no severe limits for a conventional drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system18. Park County sees severe drought in about 10.9% of years and gets only 22.3 inches of precipitation annually, so water rights and well yield are worth investigating before you commit to a well2425. The county is sparsely populated, with roughly 105 miles to the nearest city of 100,000 or more, so factor in the drive for supplies, work, and emergencies26. Typical home values here run around $458,012, well above many rural counties, and the effective property tax rate is about 0.6% with a median tax bill near $2,115 a year, so budget accordingly272829.

Watch-outs

  • Park County has countywide zoning, so confirm the parcel's zoning requirements with Planning and Zoning before choosing a use or siting a structure3011.
  • Residential RV use in unincorporated Park County is generally capped at 90 days per calendar year unless the county's permit and sewage-disposal exception applies5.
  • An agricultural land-division exemption does not waive Park County's building and zoning requirements; it requires county filing documents and a recorded agricultural-purpose covenant91.

Sources

  1. Development Overview - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning and Zoning - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  3. Development Overview - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  4. Small Wastewater Systems - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  5. Park County 2025 DSR - ADOPTED, quoted and re-checked
  6. Small Wastewater Systems - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning and Zoning - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  8. General Processes (Wyoming statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Exempt Subdivisions - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  10. Development Overview - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  11. Park County Planning & Zoning Department (parkcounty-wy.gov)
  12. Applications and Fees - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  13. Applications and Fees - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  14. Park County 2025 DSR - ADOPTED, quoted and re-checked
  15. Applications and Fees - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  16. Park County Planning & Zoning Department — Small Wastewater Systems (parkcounty-wy.gov)
  17. Small Wastewater Systems - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Planning and Zoning - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  20. Park County 2025 DSR - ADOPTED, quoted and re-checked
  21. Park County 2025 DSR - ADOPTED, quoted and re-checked
  22. Planning and Zoning - Park County Wyoming, quoted and re-checked
  23. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Development Overview - Park County Wyoming (2026 county census)

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.

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County locator

Park County in Wyoming

62
County map
Park County highlighted among the Wyoming counties · colored by Index score

How Park County scores

Seclusion86100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency35100% ev.
Admin Boringness4490% ev.
Durability50100% ev.
Property Autonomy74100% ev.
Carry Cost82100% 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 →

$458kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$2,842Land / acre
22.3"Annual rain
10.9% of yrsSevere drought
0.7 / yr (+0.7)Mid-century 100°F days
18.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.26" (+7.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.25×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,341Home insurance / yr
2% / yrInsurance growth
0.43%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
3,305Radius comparison (15 mi)
4.4People / sq mi
79.2%Federal land
48.9%Land at 15% slope or less
7.7%Septic soil without severe limits
289,550 acWorkable land screen
43.7%Wooded land
19.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
39.1°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Park County

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

Park County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures, enlargements, floodplain reconstruction, use changes, and occupancy changes increasing sewage design flow in unincorporated Park County.

    • The permit is a non-discretionary administrative permit for uses and structures permitted by right.
    • Site Plan Review may also be required.
    • A permit is required for RV/camper occupancy exceeding 90 days per annum.

    RV/camper residential occupancy threshold: > 90 days per annum (Except as otherwise authorized by the regulations.)

    “A Building/Zoning Permit issued by the Planning and Zoning Department is required to:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Locating, erecting, constructing, enlarging, reconstructing, or changing the use or occupancy rating of buildings or structures in unincorporated Park County.
      “A Building/Zoning Permit issued by the Planning and Zoning Department is required to:”
    • Required — Buildings and structures in unincorporated Park County.
      “A Building/Zoning Permit issued by the Planning and Zoning Department is required to: A. Locate, erect, or construct any building or structure; B. Enlarge the outside dimensions of any building or structure; C. Reconstruct any building or structure within the designated floodplain D. Change the use of any building or structure; or E. Change the use or occupancy rating of a building so as to increase the building’s sewage design flow.”
  • Building code adoptedNot adopted (with conditions)

    County building-code adoption in unincorporated Park County.

    • The county encourages reference to the International Building Code but states it has not adopted building codes.
    • Separate state fire/electrical plan-review requirements may apply to specified developments.
    “Unincorporated Park County has not adopted building codes.”
  • Certificate of occupancyNot required

    Certificates of Occupancy and Certificates of Completion issued by Park County for unincorporated areas.

    “we do not issue Certificates of Occupancy”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County Development Standards and Regulations in unincorporated Park County.

    • The county page states zoning compliance is required for structures and land uses; incorporated municipalities may have separate rules.
    “No person shall locate, erect, construct, reconstruct, enlarge, maintain or use any structures or use any land without complying with zoning requirements.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Residential occupancy of RVs and campers in areas governed by Park County's 2025 Development Standards and Regulations, except commercial campgrounds.

    • RVs and campers may not be used for residential occupancy for more than 90 days in any calendar year unless the unit can be granted a Building/Zoning Permit as a principal or accessory housing unit or construction home.
    • An approved means of sewage disposal is required for the permit exception.
    • The county planning page states that a Building/Zoning Permit is required to occupy an RV/camper for more than 90 days per annum.
    • The 2025 Development Standards and Regulations are identified by the county as effective October 1, 2025.
    • The rule expressly excepts RVs and campers in a commercial campground.

    maximum residential occupancy without listed exception: <= 90 days per calendar year (Unless the unit can be granted a Building/Zoning Permit as a principal or accessory housing unit or construction home and has an approved means of sewage disposal.)

    “RVs and campers, except those in a commercial campground, shall not be used for residential occupancy for more than ninety (90) days in any calendar year unless the unit can be granted a Building/Zoning Permit as a principal or accessory housing unit or construction home and has an approved means of sewage disposal.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — RV and camper residential occupancy in the Sunlight, Upper South Fork, and North Fork Planning Areas of unincorporated Park County.
      “with a Building/Zoning Permit and variance.”
    • Prohibited — Permanent residential living in an RV, camper, house trailer, or motor home in the Sunlight, Upper South Fork, and North Fork Planning Areas.
      “RVs and campers are not permitted in the Sunlight, Upper South Fork, and North Fork Planning Areas when utilized for permanent living. Permanent means when any occupants reside or stay in the house trailer, camper or motor home exceeding ninety (90) days in any year;”
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Use of an RV or camper as a construction home for longer than 90 days in the Sunlight, Upper South Fork, and North Fork Planning Areas.
      “RVs/campers may be permitted in the Sunlight, Upper South Fork and North Fork Planning Areas as a construction home for longer than ninety (90) days with a Building/Zoning Permit and variance.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory housing units in unincorporated Park County zoning districts.

    • The use table marks accessory housing units as permitted by right with a Building/Zoning Permit across the listed districts.
    • The unit must be accessory to and on the same lot or parcel as a principal dwelling and smaller in living area.
    ““P” indicates uses permitted by right with a Building/Zoning Permit (Sec. 4a)”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Small wastewater facilities in unincorporated Park County under DEQ delegation.

    • Wyoming DEQ delegated authority and responsibility to Park County.
    • The county develops rules, reviews plans, conducts inspections, issues permits, and enforces violations.
    “delegated the authority and responsibility [...] to Park County.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Small wastewater facilities in unincorporated Park County under delegated Wyoming DEQ authority.
      “delegated the authority and responsibility [...] to Park County.”
    • County (with conditions) — Small wastewater facilities in unincorporated Park County.
      “The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality delegated the authority and responsibility to enforce and administer the provisions of W.S. 35-11-301(a)(iii) and (v) for small wastewater facilities to Park County.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Conventional small wastewater facilities with domestic sewage flow below 2,000 gallons per day in unincorporated Park County.

    • Applies to new construction/install, replacement, or repair.
    • The application package is for conventional septic tank and leach-field systems below 2,000 gallons per day.
    • A county Permit to Construct must be issued before construction starts.
    • Not all installations follow the exact published process; exceptions are possible.

    maximum domestic sewage flow: < 2000 gallons per day · new system application fee: 250 USD · modified/repaired system application fee: 125 USD · replacement system application fee: 250 USD

    “A septic permit must be issued by Park County before activity can commence.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — New construction/install, replacement, or repair of conventional small wastewater systems in unincorporated Park County.
      “A small wastewater permit is required before construction of a small wastewater treatment facility can commence.”
    • Required — New, replacement, or repaired small wastewater treatment facilities in unincorporated Park County.
      “A small wastewater permit is required before construction”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Small wastewater systems in unincorporated Park County.

    • Do not backfill any component before inspection.
    • County permission to backfill must be obtained after inspection.
    “SWW Administrator inspects system before backfilling occurs.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Human-waste disposal methods, including outhouses, privies, greywater systems, and similar proposals in Park County.

    • County and/or Wyoming DEQ review is required.
    • A wastewater permit is required before construction of a small wastewater facility.
    “County and/or DEQ review is required for the disposal of human waste, by any means, in Park County. Outhouses, privvies, greywater systems and similar proposals require review.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural divisions of land under Park County subdivision procedures.

    • A Certificate of Filing is required.
    • A covenant conforming to Appendix J, Covenant for Agricultural Purposes Exemption, must be presented for recording.
    • The exemption is subject to the Wyoming Real Estate Subdivision Act and anti-evasion provisions.
    “covenant [...] that conforms to Appendix J, Covenant for Agricultural Purposes Exemption.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Agricultural divisions or exempt divisions under Wyoming subdivision law as administered through Park County filing procedures.
      “owners or agents of a property owner seeking to record deeds, records of survey, contract for deeds, or other types of instruments that divide land through agricultural exemption pursuant to W.S. 18-5-303(a)(vii) (Exemptions from Provisions), shall present to the County Clerk a covenant to be recorded with the instrument that conforms to Appendix J (Covenant for Agricultural Purposes Exemption).”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Simple, minor, major, preliminary-plat, final-plat, amended-plat, and manufactured-home-park subdivision activity in unincorporated Park County.

    • The county publishes separate application types for simple, minor, major, preliminary-plat, final-plat, and amended-plat actions.
    • Manufactured/mobile home parks are reviewed under minor or major subdivision procedures as appropriate.
    “This section applies to the following subdivision types, which require a permit pursuant to state statute and these regulations: simple, minor, major and non-exempt large-acreage subdivisions.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction proposed in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area in unincorporated Park County.

    • Floodplain permit applications go before the Board of County Commissioners in a public hearing.
    • A floodplain permit is discretionary and may be inspected periodically during construction.
    • A permit expires one year after issuance unless substantially begun and pursued to completion; a six-month administrative extension may be available for good cause.

    permit expiration: 1 year (Unless activity has substantially begun and is pursued to completion)

    “Construction proposed in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area in unincorporated Park County requires a permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Park County Planning and Zoning application and permit fees.

    • The fee schedule is identified as effective January 1, 2023 and amended March 4, 2025.
    • Credit-card processor fees apply: $1.50 for charges under $60; 2.49% for charges over $60; American Express 3.5% plus $1.50.

    fee schedule effective date: 2023-01-01 (Amended 2025-03-04)

    “Fee Schedule - Exhibits A and E (Effective 1/1/2023; amended 3/4/2025)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Planning and zoning permit and application fees published by Park County.
      “Fee Schedule - Exhibits A and E (Effective 1/1/2023; amended 3/4/2025)”
  • Permit processPublished

    Park County Planning and Zoning permit and application process.

    • The 2025 application set is identified as effective October 1, 2025.
    • Published applications include Building/Zoning, Floodplain Development, Small Wastewater, non-standard wastewater, site plan review, special use, variance, zoning map amendment, text amendment, and subdivision applications.
    “THE 2025 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ARE EFFECTIVE AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2025. NEW APPLICATIONS APPEAR BELOW OR ARE COMING SOON.”

Wyoming rules that apply here

  • 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.”
  • 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 in unincorporated Park County.
  • Inspections — Building inspections in unincorporated Park County.
  • Local zoning — Zoning administered by municipalities or other local authorities within Park County.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning-district map or schedule for unincorporated Park County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Park County.
9 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • 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 Park County, Wyoming

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

Park County scores 62/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 3,305 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (22.3″/yr rainfall).

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

Park County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Park County Planning & Zoning (Small Wastewater Systems Administrator). 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Park County is limited to specific cases: Residential occupancy of RVs and campers in areas governed by Park County's 2025 Development Standards and Regulations, except commercial campgrounds. RVs and campers may not be used for residential occupancy for more than 90 days in any calendar year unless the unit can be granted a Building/Zoning Permit as a principal or accessory housing unit or construction home. An approved means of sewage disposal is required for the permit exception. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Park County, Wyoming?

Land in Park County runs about $2,842 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Park County?

Park County gets about 22.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.9% of years.

How remote is Park County?

A typical private-land location has about 3,305 people within 15 miles and 207,809 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Park compares in Wyoming

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