8000 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: (801) 569-5050 · Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Cityworks Portal: permit.westjordan.utah.gov →
Utah DOPL contractor licensing: dopl.utah.gov →
West Jordan fence permit rules — the basics
The City of West Jordan Building & Safety Division administers all building permits through the Cityworks Public Portal at permit.westjordan.utah.gov. In-person submissions are accepted at 8000 South Redwood Road. Phone: (801) 569-5050. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. The 2021 International Residential Code with Utah State Construction Code amendments governs. Utah DOPL-licensed contractors perform permitted work (verify at dopl.utah.gov); homeowners may pull owner-builder permits for their own residence under Utah law.
Call 811 at least 3 business days before post-hole drilling. Rocky Mountain Power electric lines, Enbridge natural gas distribution, City of West Jordan water/sewer, and other utilities must be located. Required by Utah law before any excavation.
West Jordan's frost depth of 30 inches requires fence posts to extend at least 30 inches below grade in concrete footings — similar to Asheville's requirement but less demanding than Michigan or Cheyenne (42 inches).
Zoning governs fence height limits in West Jordan. Standard residential limits: typically 4 feet in front yard, 6 feet in rear and side yards. Contact the Building & Safety Division at (801) 569-5050 or the Planning Division at (801) 569-5060 to confirm limits for your specific zoning district.
West Jordan's SDC D2 seismic requirement and masonry fence walls
For standard wood or vinyl privacy fences, SDC D2 does not materially change the permit scope compared to lower-seismic markets. The primary effect is for masonry block walls, which are common in the Salt Lake Valley as permanent fencing solutions.
Block walls in West Jordan's SDC D2 environment must include appropriate vertical and horizontal reinforcement per the 2021 IRC masonry provisions for seismic zones. In practical terms: CMU block walls in West Jordan require closer rebar spacing and more robust reinforcement than comparable walls in lower-seismic markets. Engineer-stamped plans are required for masonry block walls over 4 feet in height in West Jordan's SDC D2 classification. A structural engineer familiar with Utah's Wasatch Front seismic requirements is necessary for block wall design.
| Variable | How it affects your West Jordan fence permit |
|---|---|
| SDC D2 seismic — block walls | Block walls over 4 feet require engineer-stamped plans per SDC D2 masonry seismic provisions. Rebar spacing, cell fill, and connection requirements exceed lower-seismic markets. Structural engineer with Wasatch Front experience recommended. |
| 30-inch frost depth | Post holes must extend 30+ inches below grade in concrete footings. Total hole depth: ~36–42 inches for a 6-foot fence. Less demanding than Cheyenne or Michigan (42 inches), but still requires adequate depth to prevent frost heaving in Utah winters. |
| Call 811 before drilling | Utah law requires 811 notification before excavation. Rocky Mountain Power electric, Enbridge gas, and city water/sewer must be located at least 3 business days before drilling. |
| Utah DOPL contractor licensing | Utah DOPL-licensed contractors for permitted work (dopl.utah.gov). Homeowners may pull owner-builder permits for their own residence. Verify contractor license at dopl.utah.gov before hiring. |
| Cityworks portal for permit application | Apply at permit.westjordan.utah.gov or in-person at 8000 South Redwood Road. Phone (801) 569-5050. |
What fence installation costs in West Jordan
Wood privacy fence (150 LF): $5,500–$11,500. Vinyl (UV-stable): $6,000–$12,000. Aluminum ornamental: $5,000–$10,500. CMU block wall (6-foot, 150 LF): $18,000–$35,000 + engineering. Permit fees: contact (801) 569-5050 for current schedule.
Common questions about West Jordan UT fence permits
How do I apply for a fence permit in West Jordan?
Apply through the Cityworks portal at permit.westjordan.utah.gov or in-person at 8000 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84088. Phone (801) 569-5050. Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM. Utah DOPL-licensed contractor or homeowner owner-builder. Call 811 before post-hole drilling.
What is Seismic Design Category D2 and why does it matter for fences?
West Jordan's official building design criteria classify all residential construction at SDC D2 — the same seismic design requirement as coastal California. This is due to the Wasatch Fault, which runs along the eastern edge of the Salt Lake Valley and is one of the most hazardous fault systems in the United States. For standard wood or vinyl fences, SDC D2 does not materially change the permit scope. For masonry block walls over 4 feet high, SDC D2 requires engineer-stamped plans with reinforcement per IRC seismic masonry provisions.
How deep do fence posts need to be in West Jordan?
West Jordan's frost depth is 30 inches. Posts must extend at least 30 inches below grade in concrete footings. Total post hole depth: approximately 36–42 inches for a 6-foot fence. Less demanding than Michigan or Cheyenne (42 inches), but still requires adequate depth to prevent frost heaving in Utah winters.
Can a homeowner pull their own fence permit in West Jordan?
Yes. Utah law allows homeowners to pull owner-builder permits for work on their own residence. Contact the Building & Safety Division at (801) 569-5050 to confirm current owner-builder requirements for fence permits in West Jordan.
Does Utah require contractor licensing for fence permits?
Utah DOPL-licensed contractors are required for permitted work in West Jordan (verify at dopl.utah.gov). Homeowners may pull owner-builder permits. For masonry block walls requiring engineering, both the structural engineer and the masonry contractor must be properly licensed.
City of West Jordan Building & Safety Division. Utah contractor licensing: dopl.utah.gov. Contact (801) 569-5050 for current permit fee schedule. Not engineering advice.