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
Grand County Building Department / inspection scheduling: 435-259-4134; Planning & Zoning: 435-259-1343; County Clerk payment office: 435-259-1321
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
Grand County Building Department 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 Grand County Building Department / inspection scheduling: 435-259-4134; Planning & Zoning: 435-259-1343; County Clerk payment office: 435-259-1321.
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.
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.
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.
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.