Utah, Emery County Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Emery County Building & Zoning Department

In Emery County, Utah, the Building & Zoning Department is responsible for overseeing building permits and ensuring compliance with adopted building codes. For any questions regarding specific projects, permit applications, or to verify zoning requirements, you should contact the department directly at 435-381-3555.

Roofing Permit Requirements in Unincorporated Areas

If your property is located in an unincorporated area of Emery County, you are required to obtain a building permit for re-roofing projects. The county adheres to the International Residential Code (IRC) and other state-adopted codes, which mandate that work be performed to code and inspected.

Permit Necessity: A permit is required for the installation, replacement, alteration, or repair of roof coverings on existing structures.
Homeowner Work: Homeowners are permitted to perform their own re-roofing work, provided they obtain the necessary permit and pass required inspections.
Inspection Requirements: A roof deck inspection is mandatory if new sheathing is applied or if the existing roofing material is stripped down to the roof sheathing. A safe, sturdy ladder must be provided for the inspector.
Plan Review: While some permits may be processed quickly, you must submit two sets of roof framing plans for review if you are installing a "heavy" roof (such as concrete or clay tile) to replace a lightweight one, or if you are altering/replacing the designed truss system.
Safety and Compliance: You must notify the building inspector when you are ready to begin applying roofing materials. Ensure that all work is inspected before covering or concealing it.
Specific Restrictions: No more than one overlay of asphalt shingles is allowed over an existing asphalt shingle roof. Additionally, if you are replacing 25% or more of the roof, or if you are using wood shakes or shingles, you must use Class B fire-rated material or better.

Resources to Learn More

Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Utah, including Emery County.

Utah Roofing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines

State Statutes and Adopted Building Codes

In Utah, building construction standards are governed by the State Construction and Fire Codes Act, found in Title 15A of the Utah Code. This legislation establishes the legal framework for the adoption and enforcement of construction codes statewide. As of July 1, 2023, Utah has adopted the 2021 editions of the "I-Codes" published by the International Code Council (ICC), including the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). These codes, which include specific provisions for roof assemblies, coverings, and underlayment, are applied with state-specific amendments to address local needs and conditions.

Primary State Board and Agencies

The Uniform Building Code Commission (UBCC) is the primary body responsible for reviewing and recommending building code adoptions and modifications to the Utah State Legislature. The commission is composed of appointed members representing various construction industry stakeholders, including contractors, architects, engineers, and building officials. The UBCC operates under the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) within the Utah Department of Commerce. While the state sets these uniform standards, enforcement is typically carried out by local compliance agencies (such as city or county building departments), except for state-owned, leased, or rented facilities, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM).

Resources to Learn More

Select a City in Emery County

If your project is located within incorporated city limits, you will likely need to follow municipal ordinances rather than county rules. Select your city below to view local regulations.

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