Permit Requirements

When You Need a Permit

A building permit must be purchased from the West Valley City Building Inspection Division. Inspections for installation approval will be required for the following activities that relate to single family dwellings:

  • Adding any electrical appliances that are considered a fixed installation, and are not replacing similar appliances
  • Adding or deleting sections of natural gas lines
  • Adding, deleting, or altering any ductwork for any heating or cooling system
  • Adding, deleting, or altering any electrical circuits
  • Adding, deleting, or altering existing plumbing fixtures to accommodate more (or less) plumbing fixtures
  • Altering the existing electrical service equipment (the meter) or any electrical panels
  • Altering the home by remodeling to include adding, altering, or deleting interior walls, finishing rooms or areas previously unfinished (including basements), changing the use of a room or area, and altering the slope of the roof through a roof conversion
  • Building any detached structures such as garages, barns, tool and storage sheds, playhouses, pool or hot tub enclosures, and similar uses where the structure exceeds 200 square feet in floor area
  • Building decks or permanent platforms that are more than 30 inches above the surrounding ground
  • Changing or lowering kitchen cabinets and countertops (creates plumbing and electrical concerns)
  • Constructing retaining walls that retain more than 4 feet of earth, measured on the low elevation side of the property line
  • Erecting window awnings that project more than 54 inches from the exterior walls
  • Expanding the home by additions to the building, including adding habitable space, garages, carports, and roof projections
  • Installing any in-ground swimming pool
  • Installing hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas, or spas
  • Installing or replacing any fireplace (wood or gas), or woodstove
  • Installing, replacing or repairing a furnace, water heater, boiler, air conditioner, evaporative cooler, heat pump, or baseboard heating equipment
  • Replacing or adding exterior windows