Administrative overview · FIPS 49019
Grand County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Grand County Building Department
For a project in or near Grand County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
Grand County Building Department / inspection scheduling: 435-259-4134; Planning & Zoning: 435-259-1343; County Clerk payment office: 435-259-1321
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Grand County Building Department, 59 North 200 East, Moab, UT 84532
Operating hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; closed on county-recognized holidays; appointments are requested and walk-ins are discouraged
Review expectation
Complete residential submittals are reviewed first-come, first-served and plan review may take up to two weeks depending on demand. Inspection scheduling requires at least 24 hours' notice. A permit expires 180 days after issuance or 180 days after the last inspection; a one-time six-month extension may be requested in writing before expiration, and an expired permit incurs a $65 renewal fee or more if a new code cycle has begun.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
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
Frequently asked questions for Grand County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Grand County Building Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Grand County Building Department / inspection scheduling: 435-259-4134; Planning & Zoning: 435-259-1343; County Clerk payment office: 435-259-1321.
How long might review take?
Complete residential submittals are reviewed first-come, first-served and plan review may take up to two weeks depending on demand. Inspection scheduling requires at least 24 hours' notice. A permit expires 180 days after issuance or 180 days after the last inspection; a one-time six-month extension may be requested in writing before expiration, and an expired permit incurs a $65 renewal fee or more if a new code cycle has begun.
How are inspections scheduled?
Call 435-259-4134 with at least 24 hours' notice; inspection requests, changes, or cancellations may not be made by voicemail, email, or text. Typical inspections include floodplain stages when applicable, sewer/water and electrical trenches, temporary power, footing, foundation, under-slab trades, four-way rough framing/electrical/plumbing/mechanical, gas-line pressure, weather barrier/lath/flashings, insulation, drywall, shower pan, permanent power, final mechanical, blower-door/duct testing when required, and final before occupancy. One reinspection per required stage is included; additional reinspections cost $65 and must be paid before further inspections. The completed building may not be occupied until a written certificate of occupancy is issued.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Grand County applies the current Utah State Construction Code and statewide amendments. Effective July 1, 2026, this includes the 2024 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code and Appendix AQ, 2024 International Plumbing Code, 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, 2023 National Electrical Code, 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, 2024 International Existing Building Code, residential provisions of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and applicable Utah amendments; the 2024 International Fire Code is the State Fire Code. The county department serves unincorporated Grand County and Castle Valley. Moab City operates its own Building Safety office and portal; Grand County no longer serves adjacent San Juan County areas. Residential exemptions published by Grand County include one-story detached accessory structures no larger than 200 square feet; fences no higher than 7 feet; qualifying retaining walls retaining less than 4 feet of unbalanced fill; qualifying grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons; sidewalks and driveways; painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finishes; prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep; playground equipment; qualifying wall-supported awnings; qualifying low decks; listed temporary decorative lighting and specified minor electrical repairs; portable gas, heating, cooling, and ventilation appliances; minor safe equipment-part replacement; small self-contained refrigeration; and specified leak, stoppage, and fixture repairs. A zoning development permit is still required for asterisked accessory structures, fences, water tanks, and low decks. Qualifying non-occupiable agricultural structures used solely for agriculture may be acknowledged as code-exempt, but regulated plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work still requires permits.