Building Inspection Amendments

5
10-20-909
15A-1-105
17-79-810
0
Building Inspection Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Raymond P. Ward
Senate Sponsor:
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill requires the approval of a plan review for certain owner-occupied home alterations.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
provides requirements for a plan review that a combination inspector completes;
requires a municipality or a county to approve an application for a plan review that a
combination inspector affirms under specified circumstances;
allows a building permit applicant for an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling to
engage a third-party inspection firm; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
10-20-909
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session,
Chapter 15
15A-1-105
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 15
17-79-810
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session,
Chapter 14
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section
10-20-909
is amended to read:
10-20-909
. Fees collected for construction approval -- Approval of plans.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Automated review" means a computerized process used to conduct a plan review,
including through the use of software and algorithms to assess compliance with an
applicable building code, regulation, or ordinance to ensure that a plan meets all of a
municipality's required criteria for approval.
(b)
"Business day" means the same as that term is defined in Section
10-20-908
.
(c)
"Construction project" means:
(i)
the same as that term is defined in Section
38-1a-102
; or
(ii)
any work requiring a permit for construction of or on a one- or two-family
dwelling, a townhome, or other residential structure built under the State
Construction Code and State Fire Code.
(d)
"Lodging establishment" means a place providing temporary sleeping
accommodations to the public, including
any of the following
:
(i)
a bed and breakfast establishment;
(ii)
a boarding house;
(iii)
a dormitory;
(iv)
a hotel;
(v)
an inn;
(vi)
a lodging house;
(vii)
a motel;
(viii)
a resort; or
(ix)
a rooming house.
(e)
(i)
"Plan review" means all of the reviews and approvals of a plan that a
municipality, including all relevant divisions or departments within a
municipality, requires before issuing a building permit, with a scope that may not
exceed a review to verify:
(A)
that the construction project complies with
the provisions of
the State
Construction Code;
(B)
that the construction project complies with the energy code adopted under
Section
15A-2-103
;
(C)
that the construction project complies with local ordinances;
(D)
that the applicant paid
any
the
required fees;
(E)
that the applicant obtained final approvals from
any other
the
required
reviewing agencies;
(F)
that the construction project received a structural review;
(G)
the total square footage for each building level of finished, garage, and
unfinished space; and
(H)
that the plans include a printed statement indicating that, before the
disturbance of land and during the actual construction, the applicant will
comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, including
any storm water protection laws and ordinances.
(ii)
"Plan review" does not mean a review of:
(A)
a document required to be re-submitted
a document that an applicant is
required by the municipality to resubmit
for a construction project other than a
construction project for a one-or two-family dwelling or townhome if
the plan
review identifies
additional modifications or substantive changes
are
identified by the plan review
;
(B)
a document submitted
a document that an applicant submits
as part of a
deferred submittal when requested by the applicant and approved by the
building official;
(C)
a document that,
a document that a third party reviews
due to the document's
technical nature or on the
request of the applicant, is reviewed by a third party
applicant's request
; or
(D)
a storm water permit.
(f)
"Screening period" means the three business days following the day on which an
applicant submits an application.
(g)
"State Construction Code" means the same as that term is defined in Section
15A-1-102
.
(h)
"State Fire Code" means the same as that term is defined in Section
15A-1-102
.
(i)
"Storm water permit" means the same as that term is defined in Section
19-5-108.5
.
(j)
"Structural review" means:
(i)
a review that verifies that a construction project complies with the following:
(A)
footing size and bar placement;
(B)
foundation thickness and bar placement;
(C)
beam and header sizes;
(D)
nailing patterns;
(E)
bearing points;
(F)
structural member size and span; and
(G)
sheathing; or
(ii)
if the review exceeds the scope of the review described in Subsection
(1)(j)(i)
, a
review that a licensed engineer conducts.
(k)
"Technical nature" means a characteristic that places an item outside the training and
expertise of an individual who regularly performs plan reviews.
(2)
(a)
If a municipality collects a fee for the inspection of a construction project, the
municipality shall ensure that the construction project receives a prompt inspection as
described in Subsection
(2)(b)
.
(b)
If a municipality cannot provide a building inspection within three business days
after the day on which the municipality receives the request for the inspection, the
building permit applicant may engage a third-party inspection firm from the
third-party inspection firm list described in Section
15A-1-105
.
(c)
Notwithstanding Subsection
(2)(b)
, if an applicant requests that an inspection take
place on a date that is more than three days from the day on which the applicant
requests the inspection, the municipality shall conduct the inspection on the date
requested.
(d)
If an inspector identifies one or more violations of the State Construction Code or
State Fire Code during an inspection, the inspector shall give the permit holder
written notification that:
(i)
identifies each violation;
(ii)
upon request by the permit holder, includes a reference to each applicable
provision of the State Construction Code or
the
State Fire Code; and
(iii)
is delivered:
(A)
in hardcopy or by electronic means; and
(B)
on
the day on which the inspection occurs.
(3)
(a)
(i)
A municipality that receives an application for a plan review shall determine
if the application is complete, as described in Subsection
(12)
, within the
screening period.
(ii)
If the municipality determines an application for a plan review is complete as
described in Subsection
(12)
within the screening period, the municipality shall
begin the plan review process described in Subsection
(4)
.
(b)
If the municipality determines that an application for a plan review is not complete
as described in Subsection
(12)
, and if the municipality notifies the applicant of the
municipality's determination:
(i)
before 5 p.m. on the last day of the screening period, the municipality may:
(A)
pause the screening period until the applicant ensures the application meets
the requirements of Subsection
(12)
; or
(B)
reject the incomplete application; or
(ii)
after 5 p.m. on the last day of the screening period, the municipality may not
pause the screening period and shall begin the plan review process described in
Subsection
(4)
.
(c)
If an application is rejected as described in Subsection
(3)(b)(i)(B)
and an applicant
resubmits the application, the resubmission begins a new screening period in which
the municipality shall review the resubmitted application
to
and
determine if the
application is complete as described in Subsection
(12)
.
(d)
If the municipality gives notice of an incomplete application after 5 p.m. on the last
day of the screening period, the municipality:
(i)
shall immediately notify the applicant that the municipality has determined the
application is not complete and the basis for the determination;
(ii)
may not, except as provided in Subsection
(3)(d)(iii)
, pause the relevant time
period described in Subsection
(4)
; and
(iii)
may pause the relevant time period described in Subsection
(4)(a)
or
(4)
(b)
as
described in Subsection
(4)(c)
.
(4)
(a)
Except as provided in Subsection
(7)
, once a municipality determines an
application is complete, or proceeds to review an incomplete application for plan
review under Subsection
(3)(b)(ii)
, the municipality shall complete a plan review of a
construction project for a one-or two-family dwelling or townhome by no later than
14 business days after the day on which the screening period for the application ends.
(b)
Except as provided in Subsection
(7)
, once a municipality determines an application
is complete, or proceeds to review an incomplete application for plan review under
Subsection
(3)(b)(ii)
, the municipality shall complete a plan review of a construction
project for a residential structure built under the State Construction Code that is not a
one- or two-family dwelling, townhome, or a lodging establishment, by no later than
21 business days after the day on which the screening period for the application ends.
(c)
If a municipality gives notice of an incomplete application as described in Subsection
(3)(d)
, the municipality:
(i)
may pause the time period described in Subsection
(4)(a)
or
(4)
(b)
:
(A)
within the last five days of the relevant time period; and
(B)
until the applicant provides the municipality with the information necessary to
consider the application complete under Subsection
(12)
; and
(ii)
shall resume the relevant time period upon receipt of the information necessary to
consider the application complete; and
(iii)
may, if necessary, use five additional days beginning the day on which the
municipality receives the information described in Subsection
(4)(c)(ii)
to
consider whether the application meets the requirements for a building permit,
even if the five additional days extend beyond the relevant time period described
in Subsection
4(a)
(4)(a)
or
(b)
.
(d)
If, at the conclusion of plan review, the municipality determines the application
meets the requirements for a building permit, the municipality shall approve the
application and, subject to Subsection
(10)(b)
, issue the building permit to the
applicant.
(5)
(a)
A municipality may utilize another government entity to determine if an
application is complete or perform a plan review, in whole or in part.
(b)
A municipality that utilizes another government entity to determine if an application
is complete or perform a plan review, as described in Subsection
(5)(a)
, shall:
(i)
notify any other government entities, including water providers, within 24 hours
of receiving any building permit application; and
(ii)
provide the government entity
all
the
documents necessary to determine if an
application is complete or perform a plan review, in whole or in part, as requested
by the municipality.
(6)
A government entity determining if an application is complete or performing a plan
review, in whole or in part, as requested by a municipality, shall:
(a)
comply with the requirements of this chapter; and
(b)
notify the municipality within the screening period whether the application, or a
portion of the application, is complete.
(7)
An applicant may:
(a)
waive the plan review time requirements described in Subsection
(4)
; or
(b)
with the municipality's written consent, establish an alternative plan review time
requirement.
(8)
(a)
A municipality may not enforce a requirement to have a plan review if:
(i)
the municipality does not complete the plan review within the relevant time period
described in Subsection
(4)
; and
(ii)
a licensed architect or structural engineer, or both when required by law, stamps
the plan.
(b)
If a municipality is prohibited from enforcing a requirement to have a plan review
under Subsection
(8)(a)
, the municipality shall return to the applicant the plan review
fee.
(9)
(a)
A municipality may attach to a reviewed plan a list that includes:
(i)
items with which the municipality is concerned and may enforce during
construction; and
(ii)
building code violations found in the plan.
(b)
A municipality may not require an applicant to redraft a plan if the
city
municipality

requests minor changes to the plan that the list described in Subsection
(9)(a)

identifies.
(c)
A municipality may only require a single resubmittal of plans for a one- or
two-family dwelling or townhome if deficiencies in the plan would affect the site
plan interaction or footprint of the design.
(10)
(a)
If a municipality charges a fee for a building permit, the municipality may not
refuse payment of the fee at the time the applicant submits an application under
Subsection
(3)
.
(b)
If a municipality charges a fee for a building permit and does not require the fee for a
building permit
to
be included in an application for plan review, upon approval of an
application for plan review under Subsection
(4)(d)
, the municipality may require the
applicant to pay the fee for the building permit before the municipality issues the
building permit.
(11)
A municipality may not limit the number of applications submitted under Subsection
(3)
.
(12)
For purposes of Subsection
(3)
, an application for plan review is complete if the
application contains:
(a)
the name, address, and contact information of:
(i)
the applicant; and
(ii)
the construction manager/general contractor, as defined in Section
63G-6a-103
,
for the construction project;
(b)
a site plan for the construction project that:
(i)
is drawn to scale;
(ii)
includes a north arrow and legend; and
(iii)
provides specifications for the following:
(A)
lot size and dimensions;
(B)
setbacks and overhangs for setbacks;
(C)
easements;
(D)
property lines;
(E)
topographical details, if the slope of the lot is greater than 10%;
(F)
retaining walls;
(G)
hard surface areas;
(H)
curb and gutter elevations as indicated in the subdivision documents;
(I)
existing and proposed utilities, including water, sewer, and subsurface drainage
facilities;
(J)
street names;
(K)
driveway locations;
(L)
defensible space provisions and elevations, if required by the Utah Wildland
Urban Interface Code adopted under Section
15A-2-103
; and
(M)
the location of the nearest hydrant;
(c)
construction plans and drawings, including:
(i)
elevations, only if the construction project is new construction;
(ii)
floor plans for each level, including the location and size of doors, windows, and
egress;
(iii)
foundation, structural, and framing detail;
(iv)
electrical, mechanical, and plumbing design;
(v)
a licensed architect's or structural engineer's stamp, when
required by law
the
law requires
; and
(vi)
fire suppression details, when
required by fire code
the State Fire Code requires
;
(d)
documentation of energy code compliance;
(e)
structural calculations, except for trusses;
(f)
a geotechnical report, including a slope stability evaluation and retaining wall design,
if:
(i)
the slope of the lot is greater than 15%; and
(ii)
required by the
city
municipality
;
(g)
a statement indicating:
(i)
before land disturbance occurs on the subject property, the applicant will obtain a
storm water permit; and
(ii)
during actual construction, the applicant shall comply with applicable local
ordinances and building codes; and
(h)
the fees, if any, established by ordinance for the municipality to perform a plan
review.
(13)
A municipality may, at the municipality's discretion, utilize automated review to fulfill,
in whole or in part, the municipality's obligation to conduct a plan review described in
this section.
(14)
(a)
The municipality shall automatically approve an application for a plan review if:
(i)
the application is for an alteration to an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling;
(ii)
the application is complete, as described in Subsection
(12)
;
(iii)
the applicant includes in the application a signed statement from an individual
who is licensed and certified as a combination building inspector under Title 58,
Chapter 56, Building Inspector and Factory Built Housing Licensing Act,
affirming that:
(A)
the construction project complies with the provisions of the State Construction
Code; and
(B)
the construction project complies with local ordinances; and
(iv)
the statement described in Subsection
(14)(a)(iii)
identifies the inspector's license
number.
(b)
Approval under this Subsection
(14)
does not:
(i)
relieve the owner or contractor of the obligation to comply with the State
Construction Code or other applicable laws;
(ii)
limit the authority of the municipality to conduct inspections during construction;
or
(iii)
impose liability on the municipality for errors or omissions in the plans or
documents.
Section 2. Section
15A-1-105
is amended to read:
15A-1-105
. Third-party inspection firms.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Building permit applicant" means an individual who applies to a local regulator for
a building permit.
(b)
"Inspection" means a physical examination of all aspects of a structure to ensure
compliance with the State Construction Code.
(c)
"Local regulator" means the same as that
terms
term
is defined in Section
15A-1-202
.
(d)
"Third-party inspection firm" means an entity that:
(i)
employs or contracts with licensed building inspectors to enforce building codes
adopted in this title;
(ii)
is independent, but may include a building inspector for an adjacent
city
municipality
or county; and
(iii)
is included on the local regulator's third-party inspection firm list.
(e)
"Third-party inspection firm list" means a list of:
(i)
for a first, second, third, or fourth class county, as classified under Section
17-60-104
, or a municipality located within a first, second, third, or fourth class
county, three or more third-party inspection firms approved by the local regulator;
or
(ii)
for a fifth or sixth class county, as classified under Section
17-60-104
, or a
municipality located within a fifth or sixth class county, one or more third-party
inspection firms approved by the local regulator.
(2)
(a)
(i)
Subject to the provisions of this section and Subsections
10-20-909(2)
and
17-79-810(2)
, after submitting a request for inspection, a building permit applicant
may engage a third-party inspection firm from the local regulator's third-party
inspection firm list to conduct or complete an inspection for the scope of work
identified under the original request for inspection.
(ii)
A building permit applicant for an alteration to an owner-occupied, single-family
dwelling may engage a third-party inspection firm to conduct or complete an
inspection for the scope of work identified.
(b)
If a building permit applicant wishes to engage a third-party inspection firm in
accordance with Subsection
(2)(a)
, the building permit applicant shall first notify the
local regulator of the third-party inspection firm the building permit applicant intends
to engage.
(c)
Upon completing the inspection, the third-party inspection firm shall submit the
inspection report to the local regulator.
(d)
(i)
The local regulator shall pay the cost of the inspection to the third-party
inspection firm after the local regulator receives the third-party inspection report
indicating the third-party inspection firm completed the inspection.
(ii)
This section does not require a local regulator to pay for an inspection that
exceeds the scope of work identified under the original request for inspection.
(3)
(a)
The local regulator shall issue a certificate of occupancy to the building permit
applicant if the third-party inspection firm:
(i)
completes the inspection; and
(ii)
submits the inspection report to the local regulator.
(b)
The local regulator shall promptly issue the certificate of occupancy or letter of
completion after the third-party inspection firm submits the final inspection report to
the local regulator as described in Subsection
(3)(a)(ii)
.
(4)
A local regulator is not liable for any inspection performed by a third-party inspection
firm.
Section 3. Section
17-79-810
is amended to read:
17-79-810
. Fees collected for construction approval -- Approval of plans.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Automated review" means a computerized process used to conduct a plan review,
including through the use of software and algorithms to assess compliance with an
applicable building code, regulation, or ordinance to ensure that a plan meets all of a
county's required criteria for approval.
(b)
"Business day" means the same as that term is defined in Section
17-79-809
.
(c)
"Construction project" means:
(i)
the same as that term is defined in Section
38-1a-102
; or
(ii)
any work requiring a permit for construction of or on a one- or two-family
dwelling, a townhome, or other residential structure built under the State
Construction Code and
the
State Fire Code.
(d)
"Lodging establishment" means a place providing temporary sleeping
accommodations to the public, including
any of the following
:
(i)
a bed and breakfast establishment;
(ii)
a boarding house;
(iii)
a dormitory;
(iv)
a hotel;
(v)
an inn;
(vi)
a lodging house;
(vii)
a motel;
(viii)
a resort; or
(ix)
a rooming house.
(e)
(i)
"Plan review" means all of the reviews and approvals of a plan that a county,
including all relevant divisions or departments within a county, requires before
issuing a building permit, with a scope that may not exceed a review to verify:
(A)
that the construction project complies with
the provisions of
the State
Construction Code
under Title
15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act
;
(B)
that the construction project complies with the energy code adopted under
Section
15A-2-103
;
(C)
that the construction project complies with local ordinances;
(D)
that the applicant paid
any
the
required fees;
(E)
that the applicant obtained final approvals from
any other
the
required
reviewing agencies;
(F)
that the construction project received a structural review;
(G)
the total square footage for each building level of finished, garage, and
unfinished space; and
(H)
that the plans include a printed statement indicating that, before the
disturbance of land and during the actual construction, the applicant will
comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, including
any storm water protection laws and ordinances.
(ii)
"Plan review" does not mean a review of:
(A)
a document required to be re-submitted
a document that an applicant is
required by the county to resubmit
for a construction project other than a
construction project for a one-or two-family dwelling or townhome if
the plan
review identifies
additional modifications or substantive changes
are
identified by the plan review
;
(B)
a document submitted
a document that an applicant submits
as part of a
deferred submittal when requested by the applicant and approved by the
building official;
(C)
a document that,
a document that an applicant submits
due to the document's
technical nature or on the
request of the applicant, is reviewed by a third party
applicant's request
; or
(D)
a storm water permit.
(f)
"Screening period" means the three business days following the day on which an
applicant submits an application.
(g)
"State Construction Code" means the same as that term is defined in Section
15A-1-102
.
(h)
"State Fire Code" means the same as that term is defined in Section
15A-1-102
.
(i)
"Storm water permit" means the same as that term is defined in Section
19-5-108.5
.
(j)
"Structural review" means:
(i)
a review that verifies that a construction project complies with the following:
(A)
footing size and bar placement;
(B)
foundation thickness and bar placement;
(C)
beam and header sizes;
(D)
nailing patterns;
(E)
bearing points;
(F)
structural member size and span; and
(G)
sheathing; or
(ii)
if the review exceeds the scope of the review described in Subsection
(1)(j)(i)
, a
review that a licensed engineer conducts.
(k)
"Technical nature" means a characteristic that places an item outside the training and
expertise of an individual who regularly performs plan reviews.
(2)
(a)
If a county collects a fee for the inspection of a construction project, the county
shall ensure that the construction project receives a prompt inspection.
(b)
If a county cannot provide a building inspection within three business days after the
day on which the county receives the request for the inspection, the applicant may
engage an inspection with a third-party inspection firm from the third-party
inspection firm list, as described in Section
15A-1-105
.
(c)
If an inspector identifies one or more violations of the State Construction Code or
the
State Fire Code during an inspection, the inspector shall give the permit holder
written notification that:
(i)
identifies each violation;
(ii)
upon request by the permit holder, includes a reference to each applicable
provision of the State Construction Code or
the
State Fire Code; and
(iii)
is delivered:
(A)
in hardcopy or by electronic means; and
(B)
on
the day on which the inspection occurs.
(3)
(a)
(i)
A county that receives an application for a plan review shall determine if the
application is complete, as described in Subsection
(12)
, within the screening
period.
(ii)
If the county determines an application for a plan review is complete, as
described in Subsection
(12)
, within the screening period, the county shall begin
the plan review process described in Subsection
(4)
.
(b)
If the county determines that an application for a plan review is not complete as
described in Subsection
(12)
, and if the county notifies the applicant of the county's
determination:
(i)
before 5 p.m. on the last day of the screening period, the county may:
(A)
pause the screening period until the applicant ensures the application meets
the requirements of Subsection
(12)
; or
(B)
reject the incomplete application; or
(ii)
after 5 p.m. on the last day of the screening period, the county may not pause the
screening period and shall begin the plan review process described in Subsection
(4)
.
(c)
If an application is rejected as described in Subsection
(3)(b)(i)(B)
and an applicant
resubmits the application, the resubmission begins a new screening period in which
the county shall review the resubmitted application
to
and
determine if the
application is complete as described in Subsection
(12)
.
(d)
If the county gives notice of an incomplete application after 5 p.m. on the last day of
the screening period, the county:
(i)
shall immediately notify the applicant that the county has determined the
application is not complete and the basis for the determination;
(ii)
may not, except as provided in Subsection
(3)(d)(iii)
, pause the relevant time
period described in Subsection
(4)
; and
(iii)
may pause the relevant time period described in Subsection
(4)(a)
or (b) as
described in Subsection
(4)(c)
.
(4)
(a)
Except as provided in Subsection
(7)
, once a county determines an application for
plan review is complete, or proceeds to review an incomplete application for plan
review under Subsection
(3)(b)(ii)
, the county shall complete a plan review of a
construction project for a one- or two-family dwelling or townhome by no later than
14 business days after the day on which the screening period for the application ends.
(b)
Except as provided in Subsection
(7)
, once a county determines an application for
plan review is complete, or proceeds to review an incomplete application for plan
review under Subsection
(3)(b)(ii)
, the county shall complete a plan review of a
construction project for a residential structure built under the State Construction Code
that is not a one- or two-family dwelling, townhome, or a lodging establishment, by
no later than 21 business days after the day on which the screening period for the
application ends.
(c)
If a county gives notice of an incomplete application as described in Subsection
(3)(d)
,
the county:
(i)
may pause the time period described in Subsection
(4)(a)
or
(b)
:
(A)
within the last five days of the relevant time period; and
(B)
until the applicant provides the county with the information necessary to
consider the application complete under Subsection
(12)
;
(ii)
shall resume the relevant time period upon receipt of the information necessary to
consider the application complete; and
(iii)
may, if necessary, use five additional days beginning the day on which the
county receives the information described in Subsection
(4)(c)(ii)
to consider
whether the application meets the requirements for a building permit, even if the
five additional days extend beyond the relevant time period described in
Subsection
4(a)
(4)(a
)
or
(b)
.
(d)
If, at the conclusion of plan review, the county determines the application meets the
requirements for a building permit, the county shall approve the application and,
subject to Subsection
(10)(b)
, issue the building permit to the applicant.
(5)
(a)
A county may utilize another government entity to determine if an application is
complete or perform a plan review, in whole or in part.
(b)
A county that utilizes another government entity to determine if an application is
complete or perform a plan review, as described in Subsection
(5)(a)
, shall:
(i)
notify any other government entities, including water providers, within 24 hours
of receiving any building permit application; and
(ii)
provide the government entity
all
the
documents necessary to determine if an
application is complete or perform a plan review, in whole or in part, as requested
by the county.
(6)
A government entity determining if an application is complete or performing a plan
review, in whole or in part, as requested by a county, shall:
(a)
comply with the requirements of this chapter; and
(b)
notify the county within the screening period whether the application, or a portion of
the application, is complete.
(7)
An applicant may:
(a)
waive the plan review time requirements described in Subsection
(4)
; or
(b)
with the county's written consent, establish an alternative plan review time
requirement.
(8)
(a)
A county may not enforce a requirement to have a plan review if:
(i)
the county does not complete the plan review within the relevant time period
described in Subsection
(4)
; and
(ii)
a licensed architect or structural engineer, or both when required by law, stamps
the plan.
(b)
If a county is prohibited from enforcing a requirement to have a plan review under
Subsection
(8)(a)
, the county shall return to the applicant the plan review fee.
(9)
(a)
A county may attach to a reviewed plan a list that includes:
(i)
items with which the county is concerned and may enforce during construction;
and
(ii)
building code violations found in the plan.
(b)
A county may not require an applicant to redraft a plan if the county requests minor
changes to the plan that the list described in Subsection
(9)(a)
identifies.
(c)
A county may require a single resubmittal of plans for a one- or two-family dwelling
or townhome if deficiencies in the plan would affect the site plan interaction or
footprint of the design.
(10)
(a)
If a county charges a fee for a building permit, the county may not refuse
payment of the fee at the time the applicant submits an application under Subsection
(3)
.
(b)
If a county charges a fee for a building permit and does not require the fee for a
building permit to be included in an application for plan review, upon approval of an
application for plan review under Subsection
(4)(d)
, the county may require the
applicant to pay the fee for the building permit before the county issues the building
permit.
(11)
A county may not limit the number of applications submitted under Subsection
(3)
.
(12)
For purposes of Subsection
(3)
, an application for plan review is complete if the
application contains:
(a)
the name, address, and contact information of:
(i)
the applicant; and
(ii)
the construction manager/general contractor, as defined in Section
63G-6a-103
,
for the construction project;
(b)
a site plan for the construction project that:
(i)
is drawn to scale;
(ii)
includes a north arrow and legend; and
(iii)
provides specifications for the following:
(A)
lot size and dimensions;
(B)
setbacks and overhangs for setbacks;
(C)
easements;
(D)
property lines;
(E)
topographical details, if the slope of the lot is greater than 10%;
(F)
retaining walls;
(G)
hard surface areas;
(H)
curb and gutter elevations as indicated in the subdivision documents;
(I)
existing and proposed utilities, including water, sewer, and subsurface drainage
facilities;
(J)
street names;
(K)
driveway locations;
(L)
defensible space provisions and elevations, if required by the Utah Wildland
Urban Interface Code adopted under Section
15A-2-103
; and
(M)
the location of the nearest hydrant;
(c)
construction plans and drawings, including:
(i)
elevations, only if the construction project is new construction;
(ii)
floor plans for each level, including the location and size of doors, windows, and
egress;
(iii)
foundation, structural, and framing detail;
(iv)
electrical, mechanical, and plumbing design;
(v)
a licensed architect's or structural engineer's stamp, when
required by law
the
law requires
; and
(vi)
fire suppression details, when
required by fire code
the State Fire Code requires
;
(d)
documentation of energy code compliance;
(e)
structural calculations, except for trusses;
(f)
a geotechnical report, including a slope stability evaluation and retaining wall design,
if:
(i)
the slope of the lot is greater than 15%; and
(ii)
required by the county;
(g)
a statement indicating that:
(i)
before land disturbance occurs on the subject property, the applicant will obtain a
storm water permit; and
(ii)
during actual construction, the applicant shall comply with applicable local
ordinances and building codes; and
(h)
the fees, if any, established by ordinance for the county to perform a plan review.
(13)
A county may, at the county's discretion, utilize automated review to fulfill, in whole
or in part, the county's obligation to conduct a plan review described in this section.
(14)
(a)
The county shall automatically approve an application for a plan review if:
(i)
the application is for an alteration to an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling;
(ii)
the application is complete, as described in Subsection
(12)
;
(iii)
the applicant includes in the application a signed statement from an individual
who is licensed and certified as a combination building inspector under Title 58,
Chapter 56, Building Inspector and Factory Built Housing Licensing Act,
affirming that:
(A)
the construction project complies with the provisions of the State Construction
Code; and
(B)
the construction project complies with local ordinances; and
(iv)
the statement described in Subsection
(14)(a)(iii)
identifies the inspector's license
number.
(b)
Approval under this Subsection
(14)
does not:
(i)
relieve the owner or contractor of the obligation to comply with the State
Construction Code or other applicable laws;
(ii)
limit the authority of the county to conduct inspections during construction; or
(iii)
impose liability on the county for errors or omissions in the plans or documents.
Section 4.
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on
May 6, 2026
.
2-3-26 2:48 PM