Summary: Kitchen remodeling projects throughout Utah are generally subject to permitting. Permits are obtained from city or county government upon approval of a consumer’s remodeling plans. Permits aren’t required for some types of jobs, so be sure to check with your local building department before you start a project.
Taking on a kitchen remodeling project can be both exciting and terrifying. Take your typical Sandy, Utah remodel. The project represents an opportunity to breathe new life into the heart of your home. Gutting and starting over means opportunities for selecting new kitchen countertops and appliances, to designing the perfect layout. But should you go it alone?
Probably not.
Unless you actually do it for a living, home remodeling is fraught with pitfalls. Among them is the permitting issue. Anytime a remodeling project involves major modifications, permits are required. And depending on how complex the project is, there may be a ton of paperwork required by the city or county. Professional contractors know this stuff inside and out. Homeowners typically do not.
When a Permit Is Necessary
One of the questions we hear a lot about is whether a permit is truly necessary. The answer depends on the scope of the work being done. If you’re just looking to throw on a fresh coat of paint or put down a new floor, you probably won’t need a permit. But such small and limited jobs don’t really constitute a full kitchen remodel, anyway.
A common misunderstanding among homeowners is that they don’t need permits as long as the work will be confined to the interior of their homes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Building permits are not reserved only for large-scale additions and new builds. In the Beehive State, they extend to all sorts of projects.
Here’s the easiest way to explain it:
- No Permit – A remodeling project that is strictly cosmetic, such as painting existing cabinets or changing lighting fixtures, generally will not require a permit. Likewise for a straightforward countertop installation that doesn’t require moving plumbing lines or altering the electrical system.
- Permit – A project that involves altering the fundamental mechanics of the room become subject to mandatory approvals. Any kitchen remodeling project will require a permit if walls are removed or added, new electrical circuits are added, gas or plumbing lines are rerouted, etc.
If you are still confused by all of this, no worries. A competent home remodeling contractor with a good reputation knows the rules. Your contractor can tell you when permitting is necessary. In Utah, most contractors will even offer to obtain permits on behalf of their clients.
What Permits Accomplish
If you tend to view the permitting process as a bureaucratic obstacle and nothing more, you’re not alone. In reality, permitting is intended to be a quality assurance program. Permitting makes your town or county aware of your project and forces your contractor to ensure work meets all local and state regulations. Municipal inspectors check the work before it’s approved.
Permitting helps you, as the homeowner, in three distinct ways:
- Third-Party Expertise – Government inspectors are disinterested, third-party experts capable of looking at the finished work with an unbiased eye. They have no vested interest in the success or failure of your project. Their only goal is to make sure the work is done correctly.
- Formal Accountability – Permitting forces your contractor to be accountable to a higher authority. Through the inspection process, you get the benefit of knowing that your contractor hasn’t cut any corners that could jeopardize your safety or regulatory compliance.
- Value Protection – The combination of third-party expertise and formal accountability tells future buyers that any remodeling work you have done is up to spec. This protects the value of your home. If there’s any question about potentially non-permitted work, the value of your property will suffer.
Yes, getting the proper permits for a kitchen remodeling project involves a certain amount of annoying and time-consuming bureaucracy. But what you get in return is worthwhile. Likewise, what you might risk by having work done without permits isn’t worth it.
Who Issues Permits in Utah
Although the states often do things differently, building permits are handled in Utah at the local municipal level. So the specific office responsible for issuing permits would depend entirely on where you live. Let’s say you live in Sandy or Salt Lake City. Your primary point of contact is City Hall. More specifically, the city’s billing department or community development office would be the place to go.
Consumers living outside city limits – usually in unincorporated townships or rural areas – obtain their permits from county government. Rural Davis County is a good example. The county handles project review, approval, permitting, and inspections.
It’s important to know that all city and county offices operate under a unified statewide building safety standard. But local and county administrative processes may vary. Permitting fees also tend to differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Who Is Responsible for Obtaining Permits
As for who obtains the permits, it depends on the project. Property owners are legally responsible in the end. If you were handling a project entirely on your own, you would obtain all permits before demolition. But what if you’ve hired a contractor?
Although it is not a legal requirement, it is customary for home remodeling contractors to obtain permits on behalf of their customers. Contractors are already working in concert with interior designers and architects, so they have all the information necessary to file the required documents. If your contractor gives you a choice, let him handle the permitting for you. It will make your life easier and give you peace of mind that things have been done the right way.
A St. George, South Jordan, or Sandy kitchen remodeling project can be quite a challenge – especially if you’re gutting the space and starting over. But even replacing countertops can be more than you’re capable of. We invite you to visit the Sandy Bedrock Quartz showroom to learn more about our remodeling services. While you’re there, take a look at our granite, marble, quartzite, and quartz countertops.
FAQs
I don’t plan to tear down any walls; do I still need a permit?
You will need a permit if any work you plan on doing goes beyond the cosmetic. You’ll need a permit to do electrical work, alter your plumbing, make structural changes, etc.
What types of projects can I do without a permit?
Cosmetic projects generally don’t require permits in Utah. Think of things like painting, putting down a new linoleum floor, or changing a light fixture using an existing box.
Are permits needed for new countertops?
As long as the new countertop is being installed on existing cabinetry, a permit probably isn’t required. But adding new cabinetry and reinforcing a floor to support a heavy stone countertop will require one.
How much do building permits cost?
Permitting fees vary from one jurisdiction to the next. You will need to contact your local building department to get pricing information.
Can I legally pull my own permits?
Yes. State law allows homeowners to pull their own permits if they choose. But beware: if you get caught remodeling without the proper permits you could face fines, stop work orders, and more. You might even be forced to rip out all the work and start over.
