Apply for a Building Permit

Before you begin

Understand the permit process

1

Permit application

Log in to the Citizen Access Portal and create and submit the application.
Receive a ProjectDox invitation by email or log in directly to ProjectDox.
Upload plans and complete the applicant task.
Plans are routed to the city.

2

Prescreening

The city checks whether the plans contain the minimum information for review.

If no: An email tells the applicant the review was sent back. Upload revised plans and complete the applicant task. Repeat as needed.
If yes: The plan review fee (40%) is invoiced. An email tells the applicant to pay through the Citizen Access Portal. After payment, the project is routed to plan review.

3

Plan review

The city conducts plan review.

If corrections are required: An email tells the applicant the review was sent back. Log in to the Citizen Access Portal or ProjectDox, respond to comments, revise plans, and complete the applicant task. Plans return to the city. Repeat as needed.
If no corrections are required: Plans are approved and an email explains the next steps.

4

Permit issuance

The remaining fees (60%) are invoiced. Log in to the Citizen Access Portal.
If the project involves mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work, apply and pay for subpermits in the Citizen Access Portal.
After contractor information is provided and all fees are paid, the permit is issued.
Stamped plans are available to download in ProjectDox. The applicant is responsible for scheduling inspections.

View the original permit process flowchart

Permit application workflow showing Permit Application, Prescreening, Plan Review, and Permit Issuance stages. — Original permit process flowchart. The same process is provided as accessible text above.

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Step 1

Log in to the Citizen Access Portal

1 Register for an account

Citizen Access Portal with the Register for an Account link highlighted in the top right. — Select “Register for an Account” if you do not already have an account.

Go to www.slcpermits.com and follow the steps to create an account. If you already have an account, skip this step.

2 Log in

Citizen Access Portal with the Email Address and Password fields and Login button highlighted. — Enter your account information and select “Login.”

Enter your account information and select “Login.”

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Step 2

Create and submit the application

1 Select the “Building” tab

Citizen Access Portal dashboard with the Building tab and logged-in user name highlighted. — Confirm your name appears after the page refreshes, then select “Building.”

Make sure your name is showing on the refreshed page. You must be logged in to access your account information and apply for a permit.

2 Select “Apply for a Permit”

Citizen Access Portal Building permits page with an arrow pointing to Apply for a Permit. — The page also shows previous permit records associated with the account.

The page also shows all previous permit records associated with the account.

3 Accept the user terms

Citizen Access Portal General Disclaimer with the acceptance checkbox highlighted above Continue Application. — Read the terms, check the acceptance box, and continue.

Read the terms, check the box, and select “Continue Application.”

4 Select a permit type

Permit selection screen with Commercial Building and Residential Building categories and permit options. — Select the correct permit type before continuing.

Select the permit type and choose “Continue Application.” Choosing the incorrect permit type will result in a voided permit.

Choosing the right permit type

Permits are separated into Residential or Commercial. Choose based on the proposed use.
“Accessory Dwelling Units” is for construction of secondary living units on a single-family property. For other accessory structures, choose “Detached Garage.”
“Demolition” is for demolition of an entire habitable principal structure. For partial or interior demolition, or demolition of accessory buildings, choose “Building Permit.”
“Site Development” is for site preparation only. It does not include new buildings, which should be submitted as a “Building Permit.”
“Electrical,” “Mechanical,” and “Plumbing” are for those specific trades and do not include building construction. They are also considered subpermits when required with an approved Building Permit.

Searching for the address

Search by the street address or the parcel number, not both.
For a street address, enter only the house number and street name; leave out the direction and city. For 321 E 200 S, enter “321” as the house number and “200 S” as the street name. For 830 E 11th Avenue, enter “830” as the house number and “11th” as the street name. Then select “Search.”
Do not spell out a street direction or ordinal number. Use N, S, E, W and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so forth. Do not include a street type such as “Street,” “Road,” or “Avenue” in the street name.
If the search returns no results, first confirm the property is within Salt Lake City’s jurisdiction, then call for assistance.

5 Search for the address

Location step with Address fields and Parcel fields, each with a Search button. — Search by either address or parcel number.

Enter the address or the parcel number and select “Search.” The other information populates automatically. Select “Continue Application.”

6 Select the applicant and licensed professional

Contacts step with account and add-new options for Applicant and lookup options for Licensed Professional. — Add the applicant and licensed professional contacts.

The “Applicant” is the primary permit contact—the person who should be contacted about this application. After adding both contacts, select “Continue Application.”

7 Add permit details

Building Permit Detail form with use type, expedited review choices, and additional project information fields. — Complete every required field marked with an asterisk.

Follow the instructions to select the review type and add information about the permit application. Complete all required fields marked with an asterisk (*) and select “Continue Application.”

8 Review the application

Review page showing Record Type, Address, Parcel, Owner, Applicant, and Licensed Professional sections. — Review each application section before submitting.

Make sure all information is correct. Select “Edit” on any section that needs a change, then select “Continue Application.”

9 Confirm the application was submitted

Citizen Access Portal receipt page with a green message confirming the application was successfully submitted. — The green confirmation box shows that the application was submitted.

The green box confirms the application was submitted. The payment workflow shows: 1. Select item to pay; 2. Payment information; 3. Receipt/Record issuance.

For an eCheck payment, select the “Receipt/Reports” link in the top-right corner, then select “Online EFT Receipt” to print the receipt.

Select the permit number and then the “Plan Review” tab to submit construction drawings for plan review.

Watch for the ProjectDox invitation

ProjectDox Applicant Upload Task Assignment email with project access details and plan-review file instructions. — ProjectDox sends the invitation to the email entered for the applicant.

The invitation is sent within minutes to the email entered for the “Applicant” in the permit application. If it is not in the inbox, check the junk folder first, then call for assistance.

Native text version of the email

Applicant Upload Task Assignment

Attention [UserFirstName]:

You have been assigned a task on Project: [Project.Name]. Please log in to ProjectDox to begin your task.

Project: [Project.Name]
Task: [Activity.Name]

Important upload instructions

Each project should include an index.
All submissions must be in PDF format to be accepted into ProjectDox for plan review.
Orient each sheet so no document rotation is required for plan review.
Break all drawing sheets into individual PDF files. Load specifications, calculations, reports, and similar documents as individual packages.
Name each drawing PDF sheet with a discipline designator, sheet number, and sheet name. Follow industry-standard naming conventions.
Do not include special characters in file names.

Example drawings folder:

Index
T.1 Title Sheet
A.1 Floor Plan
S.1 Structural Floor Plan
E.1 Electrical Floor Plan

Find additional submission instructions on the Building Services self-help instructions page.

Many permit types require checklists and additional forms. See the Building Services applications and forms page.

After the project is uploaded and the project team is created, complete the applicant submit task to start the plan review process.

A building permit is not accepted for plan review until prescreening staff approve it and the plan check fee is paid.

For further assistance, contact Permit Processing Staff at 801-535-7968 or slcpermits@slc.gov. Do not reply to the notification email.

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Step 3

Upload plans in ProjectDox

Before uploading

There are two ways to upload plans for plan review. It is up to the applicant which option to use.

Option A: Access ProjectDox through the Citizen Access Portal. This option does not require a ProjectDox login and password.
Option B: Log in to ProjectDox and use it separately from the Citizen Access Portal.

Regardless of the method, permit communication is sent by ProjectDox email. Check the inbox and junk folder, and add DoNotReplySLC@avolvecloud.com to the safe sender list.

Read the instructions in each email. The invitation includes upload requirements that must be followed. Ignoring them will result in rejected plans or additional review time.

Option A

Through the Citizen Access Portal

1 Select the permit number

Citizen Access Portal receipt screen with an arrow pointing to the permit record number. — After the application submission is confirmed, select the record number.

2 Select the “Plan Review” tab

Citizen Access Portal with the Plan Review tab highlighted by an arrow. — Open the “Plan Review” tab for the permit record.

3 Select “Applicant Upload Task”

Plan Review tab with the Applicant Upload Task button highlighted. — Open the pending Applicant Upload Task.

The page shows pending tasks and other review information. Selecting the task opens a new page that directs you to ProjectDox. Continue with the shared upload steps below.

Option B

By logging in to ProjectDox

ProjectDox first-time users

ProjectDox New Account Request email with account confirmation instructions, login email address, and a temporary verification code. — First-time users receive an account confirmation email with a temporary verification code.

If you are using ProjectDox for the first time, the invitation email includes a user login and temporary password. Select “Permit Access Link” to enter the account.

Read the New Account Request email example

Welcome to Online Submission — New Account Request

Before gaining access, you must confirm your account.

Tip: Set New Password Now. Your verification code expires quickly. If it has expired, select “Login” and request another code by email.

The example email shows the user login and a time-limited verification code, then directs the user to select “Login” to confirm the account and set a password. Do not reply to this email.

1 Log in through the Upload Task Assignment email

Applicant Upload Task Assignment

Attention [UserFirstName]: You have been assigned a task on Project: [Project.Name].

Please Login to ProjectDox to begin your task.

Project: [Project.Name]
Task: [Activity.Name]

Project Access | Login to ProjectDox

The email repeats the important upload instructions provided earlier in this guide.

An Upload Task Assignment email is sent with the ProjectDox invitation. Select “Login to ProjectDox.”

2 Log in to ProjectDox

Salt Lake City Building Services ProjectDox login screen with email and password fields and the Login button highlighted. — Confirm the email and password, then select “Login.”

3 Accept the task

ProjectDox Tasks table with the Tasks tab and Accept button for Applicant Upload Task highlighted. — Select the “Tasks” tab, then select “Accept.”

Both options

Upload the required plan files

4 Choose a folder

Applicant Upload interface with folders for Drawings, Specifications, Calculations, Soils SWPP and Drainage Reports, Energy Reports, City Required Forms, and Fire Submittals. — Select the appropriate folder for each plan file.

Select the appropriate folder for the plan files.

5 Select files to upload

Applicant Upload interface with the Select Files to Upload button highlighted. — Select “Select Files to Upload.”

6 Upload files

ProjectDox file upload interface with the Browse For Files area and Start Upload button highlighted. — Browse for files or drag files into the marked area, then start the upload.

A new page opens. Browse for files or drag them into the marked area. After the files appear on the page, select “Start Upload.”

7 Confirm the upload

ProjectDox uploaded drawings folder with the required Upload Task Complete checkbox. — After all files are uploaded, mark the Upload Task Complete checkbox.

Uploaded files appear on the page. To upload to other folders, select “View Folders.” After uploading all files, check the box that confirms the upload task is complete.

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Step 4

Complete the applicant task

1 Complete the task

ProjectDox interface with the confirmation checkbox checked and Upload Complete - Start Prescreen button highlighted. — Confirm the upload checkbox is marked before starting prescreen.

Confirm the upload checkbox is marked, then select “Upload Complete - Start Prescreen.”

2 Confirm

Confirmation dialog warning that completing the task cannot be undone, with the OK button highlighted. — Selecting “OK” completes the task and temporarily closes uploads.

A confirmation message appears. Uploads will not be possible after selecting “OK” and until prescreen review is complete.

3 Check the status in the Citizen Access Portal

Citizen Access Portal Plan Review tab with To do task set to None and Plan Review Status information. — Refresh the portal and confirm “To do task” shows “None.”

Refresh the Citizen Access Portal. “To do task” should show “None.” Plans are now routed to the city, and no further action is needed until prescreen review is complete.

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