Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
Planning & Zoning / building permits: 801-451-3278; Community & Economic Development: 801-451-3279; Shums Coda inspection scheduling: 800-286-0374; fax: 801-451-3281
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Davis County Community & Economic Development, Planning and Building Permits is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Planning & Zoning / building permits: 801-451-3278; Community & Economic Development: 801-451-3279; Shums Coda inspection scheduling: 800-286-0374; fax: 801-451-3281.
N/A for permit plan review; the county publishes no standard approval time. Inspections require at least 24 hours' notice, and the statutory alternate-inspector process becomes relevant only after the county confirms it cannot complete the requested inspection within three business days. The permit becomes void if work does not start within 180 days or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.
Schedule through Shums Coda Associates at ut@shumscoda.com or 800-286-0374 with at least 24 hours' notice. Typical stages include plan check; setbacks/excavation/forms and footing; foundation reinforcing; underground plumbing, ducts, and conduit; temporary power; bond beams and fireplace work; rough framing plus four-way rough mechanical, electrical, and plumbing; gas-line air test; insulation; lath or drywall nailing; garage firewall; final trade and construction inspections; and rough grading. If the county cannot complete an inspection within three business days after the request, the applicant must first notify the county and obtain confirmation before using the separately listed Farmington, Kaysville, or Syracuse third-party inspection option.
Davis County enforces the current Utah State Construction Code for county-jurisdiction projects: 2024 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2024 International Plumbing Code, 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, 2023 National Electrical Code, and applicable Utah amendments and accessibility standards. The county portal is only for unincorporated Davis County. A parcel shaded as municipal on the county jurisdiction map is permitted by that municipality; an unshaded parcel is handled by Davis County. The county expressly requires permits for new construction, additions and remodels, basement finishes, pools, carports, accessory structures over 200 square feet, and all regulated gas, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work, including furnace and air-conditioning installations even in a smaller accessory structure. A detached accessory structure no larger than 200 square feet with no regulated trade work is the only locally stated size-based exemption. The county does not publish a complete cosmetic-work exemption list and directs applicants to Community & Economic Development for discretionary determinations.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.