American Fork Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Department Contact Information

Key contacts: Dan Loveland, Chief Building Official; Andrew Baxter, Plans Examiner; and Lori Faught, Permit Specialist. The city lists the department’s main telephone number for assistance with applications and inspections.

These are the Building Department’s published hours and location. They differ from the general City Hall address and hours. Confirm holiday schedules before visiting.

Which Projects Need a Building Permit?

American Fork requires permits for many construction, alteration, and building-system projects. Common examples from the city’s published guidance include:

For uncertain projects, call 801-763-3060 before purchasing materials or beginning construction.

How to Apply for a Building Permit

American Fork uses CityInspect for its online building-permit process. The city specifically directs applicants to complete zoning clearance first when their project requires it.

1. Confirm the property and project. Check that the address falls under American Fork City’s permitting authority. Identify whether the work is residential, commercial, accessory construction or a trade-specific project.
2. Review the required documents. Open the official building checklists and select the checklist for your project.
3. Complete zoning clearance if applicable. Review the Zoning Clearance Letter checklist. Sign in to CityInspect, select the Planning & Zoning module, and submit the Zoning Clearance Letter application with the required documents.
4. Start the building permit application. After receiving required zoning clearance, access the city’s building-permit workflow through CityInspect. New users can register for an account here.
5. Upload complete construction documents. Enter the property and project details, provide contractor or owner-builder information, and upload the required plans and documents. Check that all uploads are readable and complete.
6. Respond to plan-review comments. Monitor your application, submit corrections if requested, and complete the required payments.
7. Obtain approval before beginning work. Once the permit is issued, follow its conditions and schedule inspections at the required construction stages.

Documents to Prepare Before Applying

Incomplete submissions are not accepted by the Building Department. Requirements depend on the project, but applicants should prepare the following where applicable:

• Scaled site plan: Property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, dimensions, setbacks and utility easements.
• Construction drawings: Floor plans, elevations, foundations, framing and structural details.
• Trade layouts: Electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas-system details relevant to the work.
• Supporting engineering: Structural calculations or engineer-stamped plans where required.
• Contractor details: Contractor and subcontractor information, including applicable license numbers.
• Owner-builder documentation: Required owner-builder forms if the owner qualifies and intends to perform the work.
• Zoning approval: An issued Zoning Clearance Letter when required.

The city’s FAQ indicates that homeowners may generally draw plans for personal projects, but drawings must be to scale; it identifies a minimum plan scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot and notes that engineered plans may still be required.

Official Project Checklists

View the city’s downloadable residential, commercial, basement, shed, pool and solar checklists.

American Fork Building Permit Fees for 2026

Permit costs depend on construction valuation, project scope, plan review, applicable impact fees and additional services. American Fork’s adopted FY 2026–2027 fee schedule took effect July 1, 2026.

Important: The $1,000 new-residential charge is an upfront plan-review deposit, not the total construction permit price. The city’s online fee page also notes a 3% credit-card processing charge for permit, development and impact-fee payments over $300. Final charges depend on your application.

Impact Fees for New Residential Construction

New homes may have additional sewer, water, road, police, fire and other impact or connection fees. The city’s published new-single-family amounts include:

• TSSD sewer impact fee: $5,793 per applicable unit, effective January 1, 2026.
• Water impact fee: $2,502.45 for a 3/4-inch meter.
• Roadway impact fee: $3,548.30 for a non-TOD single-family unit.
• Fire impact fee: $429.30 per single-family unit.
• TSSD impact processing fee: $15.

These are selected published charges, not a universal total. Roadway fees differ for transit-oriented development (TOD), and water charges depend on meter size. Other impact fees and utility connection costs may apply.

How to Schedule Building Inspections

American Fork requires inspections at applicable construction stages. The city’s published Building Inspection Policies and Procedures document, dated July 22, 2024, provides the following scheduling rules.

1. Sign in to the CityInspect portal.
2. Open the relevant issued permit or project record.
3. Select the required inspection type or types and submit the inspection request.
4. Submit the request at least one working day in advance. The published policy does not allow same-day inspections.
5. Check for the confirmation email showing the scheduled date and AM or PM window. A requested date is not guaranteed until confirmed.
6. Have the approved plans, permit information and work area ready for inspection. Keep work accessible and exposed until inspected and approved.

Published Inspection Time Windows

The published policy describes inspection service Monday through Friday. These inspection windows are different from the department’s public-office hours. Confirm current availability and holidays through CityInspect.

Read the city’s Building Inspection Policies and Procedures (PDF).

Building Codes Adopted in 2026

American Fork announced that Utah’s updated construction codes became effective July 1, 2026. The current statewide adoption includes different editions for different building systems.

Residential distinction: Utah continues to use the 2021 IRC with applicable state amendments, including residential energy provisions. Do not automatically apply 2024 IBC rules to a project governed by the IRC.

Applicable state amendments, municipal zoning provisions and project-specific requirements must also be considered. Review Utah Code Title 15A and the American Fork municipal code when planning regulated work.

Local Rules That Can Affect Approval

Setbacks and Utility Easements

A permitted structure must also comply with zoning setbacks and easement restrictions. American Fork specifically warns that pools, detached garages and patio covers cannot encroach into public utility easements. Check the property’s plat, zoning designation and site plan before finalizing construction drawings.

Owner-Builder and Contractor Requirements

Qualifying homeowners may act as owner-builders for certain work, subject to Utah law and the city’s documentation requirements. The city publishes a property-owner affidavit and references the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act. For hired work, verify the contractor’s license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

Starting Without Approval

American Fork warns that construction without required permits, approvals or inspections may result in penalties. Its 2026 fee schedule lists additional unauthorized-construction penalties, including $1,500 for certain existing residential structures and $3,000 for new residential structures involving new footings. These penalties are in addition to applicable permit fees.

Official Resources and Direct Links

Frequently Asked Questions