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Building Inspections

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1. Why are building permits needed?

The people of a city move on or pass away. The buildings make up the permanent city. Only by having knowledgeable, qualified inspectors look at the buildings while they are under construction can the City be assured the buildings are durable and safe.

2. When is a building permit required?

If the structure is changed a permit is required. This includes if the floor, walls, roof, windows, or doors are added, removed, or changed. If a system such as the electrical system is added to, the furnace is replaced, etc., a permit is needed.

3. What does a permit cost?

The permit fees are based on the cost (valuation) of the construction. A deposit fee of $500 is charged for all new residential and commercial plan submissions. This fee is payable upon submission of construction plans to the Building Department for review and is applied to the cost of the final building permit. Sheds, garages, remodels, additions, and basements need a $45 deposit. Pools require a $100 deposit. A state fee of 1% of the building permit fee is charged and sent to the state.

The fees are all different in Highland, depending upon what was paid at development stage. These fees are fixed for new single family residential permits and are as follows:

• Sewer: $2,125.98


• Timp. Sewer District: $1,708


• Pressurized Irrigation: Determined by the permeable surface x .21


• Parks: $4,378


• Road: $2,843


• Bond: $1,000


• Public Safety: $1,115.67


• Culinary Water Meter Hook-up: $536


• PI Water Meter Hook-up: $372


• Storm Water: $750

4. Who can prepare the plans?

For all commercial uses including apartments a state licensed architect or engineer must prepare the plans. For single family houses and garages anyone can draw the plans. If we are presented a really poor set of plans we can require them to be redone by a professional.

Generally, with a single family dwelling, an engineer may have to size the beams and some of the connections. Generally for basement construction projects, you can draw your own plans. For anything else we may require that a licensed engineer review these plans and stamp them prior to submission to ensure structural integrity. All plans must be drawn to scale and should be no smaller than ¼" = 1'. Plans must include all construction details, including but not limited to electrical layout, window size and location, doors, smoke detectors, framing detail, beam size, engineering, etc.

5. How do I schedule inspections?

Inspections are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm by calling (801) 772-4516. All inspections are scheduled no less than 24 hours in advance of the inspection time. Please make certain that all work is complete and you are ready for your inspection prior to calling.

The standard inspections are, but are not limited to, footings, foundations, temporary power, underground plumbing, four-way (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and framing), permanent power, stucco, weather barrier, flashing, sheetrock, shower pan, and final inspection. However, depending upon the complexity of your construction there may be other inspections required. Check with anyone from the Building Department at (801) 772-4516 if you have questions concerning what inspections you need.

6. What information is required on the plans?

See the checklists under Applications and Fees.

7. What are the building codes?

View Highland's adopted codes.