Provo Building Permit Office
Provo
Provo City
801-852-6428
Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; building permits issued until 5:30 p.m.
445 W Center Street, Suite 200, Provo, Utah, 84601
Construction permits for property inside Provo city limits are handled by the Provo City Development Services Building Division. Building applications are submitted through the City’s online portal, while Planning, Public Works, Provo Power, Fire & Rescue, and other city divisions may participate when the project requires their review.
Utah County’s building department is not the permit authority for property within Provo City. The county building office serves unincorporated areas of Utah County, so confirming whether a site is inside Provo’s municipal boundary matters before starting an application.
Provo City Handles Building Permits Inside the City
Provo Development Services facilitates construction projects within the city. The Building Division administers building permits and inspections, while submitted plans may circulate through other city departments depending on the work proposed.
Utah County Community Development states that its Building Division serves only unincorporated areas of Utah County. A property with a Provo mailing address is therefore not enough by itself to determine the permitting authority; the municipal boundary controls.
Development Services acts as the starting point, but Provo Power reviews new development for electric-service layouts and conflicts, Public Works reviews matters such as streets and utility infrastructure, and Fire & Rescue participates in planning, plan review, and permitting where applicable.
From Planning Clearance to Building Permit Review
Check planning requirements first when the project changes the site or use
Provo directs applicants for many commercial, multifamily, subdivision, exterior alteration, and new-construction projects to Planning before the building permit stage. Some projects become eligible for Building and Public Works permits only after the required planning approval is complete.
Submit the building application online
Building permit applications are filed through the Provo City Online Portal. The application is screened for completeness before entering the applicable review process.
Upload the checklist items for the specific project
Provo publishes separate requirements for new residential construction, new commercial work, residential remodels, solar installations, signs, sheds, decks, pools, tenant finishes, and other project types. Required plans depend on the proposed work rather than a single citywide document list.
Complete plan review and respond through the portal
The online portal can be used to follow the application and plan-review status. When corrections or additional documents are requested, Provo directs applicants to review the permit correspondence and submit the requested material through the portal.
Schedule required inspections
After permitted work reaches an inspection stage, inspection requests are submitted through Provo City’s building inspection scheduling service. Final approval depends on completion of the inspections applicable to the permit.
Provo Uses Project-Specific Submittal Requirements
Document requirements vary substantially by permit type. Provo’s Building Division publishes dedicated checklists rather than treating every construction project alike.
Provo lists the Residential Remodel Checklist and residential site-plan information among the submittals for additions and remodels. Structural stamped plans and storm-water documentation may also apply to the project.
The City directs applicants to its New Residential Plan Review Checklist. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan documentation is also identified, along with an Owner-Builder Certification when the owner-builder exemption is being used.
New commercial and multifamily applications can require Provo’s commercial plan review checklist, storm-water documentation, and City-stamped Coordinators Review Committee plans following the required planning process.
A residential property owner may qualify to act as an owner-builder when Utah’s exemption requirements are met. Provo requires an Owner-Builder Certification for permits submitted under that exemption. Commercial construction requires an appropriately licensed contractor.
When the Building Permit Is Only One Part of the Approval
- Planning: New commercial or multifamily construction, many site changes, subdivisions, and some additions must pass the applicable planning process before or alongside building review.
- Historic properties: Exterior work affecting a property on the Provo Landmarks Register may require a Landmarks Commission Certificate of Appropriateness before renovation begins.
- Public Works: Development can involve separate review or permits for streets, water, sewer, storm drain, excavation, hillside conditions, utility infrastructure, and related improvements.
- Provo Power: New development is reviewed for site-specific electric service, existing facility conflicts, required service layouts, and applicable electric-system charges.
- Fire & Rescue: Fire review can begin during planning and continue through plan review and permit requirements depending on the project.
- Commercial pools: Provo directs commercial pool applicants to obtain Utah County Health Department approval before applying for the building permit.
- Restaurants: Restaurant projects can require a Utah County Health Department Food Service Plan Review in addition to Provo zoning and building approvals.
Permitting Details That Depend on the Work
Provo lists a site plan with setbacks, structural plans, elevations, stair details, and floor plans for an attached deck. Plans must be drawn to scale.
The City identifies a building permit process for fences over seven feet. Submittals include a site plan and engineered stamped plans showing items such as height, footings or post size, and wind resistance.
Provo directs retaining-wall applicants to the Public Works permit process rather than presenting these projects solely as a Building Division application.
Demolition applications include a building permit process and may require an approved Utah Division of Air Quality 10-day notification, utilities site plan, demolition plan, storm-water documentation, and utility disconnection coordination.
Some Small Projects May Not Need a Building Permit
Provo states that most new construction, additions, remodels, repairs, demolitions, occupancy or use changes, and regulated electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work require permits. Limited exemptions exist.
- A detached, one-story residential accessory structure not exceeding 200 square feet may qualify for an exemption.
- A detached, one-story commercial accessory structure not exceeding 120 square feet may qualify for an exemption.
- Ordinary interior cosmetic work such as painting and carpeting generally does not require a building permit.
A project that does not require a building permit can still be subject to Provo zoning, setbacks, easements, property-line requirements, and other development standards. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas work may also require its own permit.
How Provo Building Permit Fees Are Structured
Provo calculates fees according to the type and scope of the permit, with valuation-based construction using the applicable tier in the City’s Consolidated Fee Schedule.
- A $12 permit processing fee is assessed on each permit application in addition to applicable permit and review charges.
- Qualifying standard electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and similar trade permits that do not need full construction plan review generally have a $75 base fee, subject to applicable additions or modifiers.
- When plan review applies, Provo lists the plan review charge as 65% of the building permit fee.
- Plan reviews beyond the second review are subject to a $240 review fee.
- A State fee equal to 1% of the building permit fee is collected.
- A canceled permit may be subject to a fee equal to 25% of the building permit fee.
Charges from Public Works, utilities, Fire, or other reviewing departments can apply separately, so the Building Division permit amount may not represent the entire development cost.
Published Review Periods for Complete Applications
Provo states that complete applications are generally reviewed within the periods established by Utah law, while corrections or missing information can extend the process.
Up to 3 business days.
Up to 14 business days for complete qualifying applications.
Up to 21 business days for applicable complete projects.
Deferred submittals are not automatic. Provo requires requests to be made in writing with the online permit application and approved in advance. Footing-and-foundation-only permit requests are considered case by case.
Requesting a Provo Building Inspection
Building inspections are requested online through the City’s inspection scheduling page. Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and specific appointment times generally are not provided except for qualifying concrete inspections.
- Complete the work that is ready for inspection before submitting the request.
- Keep the inspection area accessible.
- Have approved plans and required documentation available for the inspector.
- Requests received after 5:00 p.m. are processed on the following business day.
- Friday inspection availability is limited even though the Building Division office itself is closed on Fridays.
Property Conditions Can Trigger Additional Review
Provo identifies several site conditions that can lead to additional studies, engineering, approvals, or construction requirements. These include steep slopes or geologic hazards, high groundwater, floodplain or wetland conditions, Wildland-Urban Interface requirements, soil or foundation issues, easements, and utility conflicts.
These conditions are property-specific. Checking them before finalizing a building design can prevent a project from reaching building review with unresolved site constraints.
Provo Building Permit Links
Provo Building Division
Permit requirements, project guidelines, checklists, building resources, permit FAQs, and current City building information.
Provo City Online Portal
Submit building and planning applications, upload documents, review correspondence, and follow available application status information.
Schedule Building Inspection
Official Provo City page for requesting a building inspection.
Project Requirements
Access Provo’s residential, commercial, remodel, solar, sign, site-plan, owner-builder, and other building documents.
Provo Planning Division
Planning applications, handouts, land-use information, and planning resources for projects that require approval before or alongside building review.
Building Inspection Fees
Official Provo City Code fee schedule used for valuation-based building permit charges and related inspection fees.
Utah County Building Division
County building information for unincorporated Utah County. The county states that properties located within a city should use that city’s permitting services.