Bluff officials declare building-permit gap an emergency after San Juan County stops issuing new permits

Town staff told the Bluff Town Council on March 4 that San Juan County will no longer administer building permits for the town, creating an emergency need for Bluff to adopt a local building code, set permit fees and secure inspection services.

Town Manager Erin Nelson said the county informed the town that it will not issue new building permits and that existing, accepted permit applications already paid for will be completed by the county. Staff described one active construction project proceeding without an acceptable building permit application in the county system; that application had been rejected by the county, Nelson said.

Council and staff discussed near-term stopgap options including: - Adopting the Utah building codes (based on the International Building Code) so contractors and applicants have an immediate regulatory reference; staff said the town could adopt the code and prepare forms to be effective quickly. - Amending the town's master fee schedule for building permits (the council directed staff to move the fee-schedule public hearing to the March 18 meeting). The council was told the master fee schedule must go to a public hearing with at least 10 days' public notice for fee changes. - Contracting a private building inspector or entering an interlocal agreement with nearby cities (Monticello and Blanding had been discussed). Staff reported private inspection rates in the region of roughly $90 to $120 per inspection, with one firm (Jones & DeMille) discussed at $180 per hour for some services; travel and administrative fees could raise the effective cost.

Staff said the town will need a dedicated administrative coordinator for permitting (to manage applications, time-sensitive statutory timelines and inspection coordination) and a plan to meet recent state timelines cited in the discussion: a three-day initial inspector assignment rule and a 14-day first-review deadline for complete permit applications. Council members described the situation as an emergency that requires staff to act quickly; staff said they will pursue temporary contracting options immediately and report back to council.

No formal ordinance was adopted at the March 4 meeting; council scheduled a public hearing for the master fee schedule at the March 18 regular meeting and directed staff to pursue interim inspection coverage and the building-code adoption process.

Key facts - County action: San Juan County informed the town it will not issue new building permits effective immediately; existing accepted applications will be completed by the county. - Inspector availability: Nearby jurisdictions (Blanding, Monticello) are recruiting inspectors; one nearby inspector left for a sheriff's deputy post, and another retired, limiting regional capacity. - Cost considerations: Staff reported contractor/inspector rates in the region around $90'00 per inspection or hour depending on services and travel; Jones & DeMille was cited as providing work at about $180 per hour for some services. - Required public process: Amendments to the master fee schedule require a public hearing with 10 days' notice; staff set that hearing for March 18.

Council and staff said they will treat the situation as an emergency, seek temporary contract inspection services, draft/adopt an appropriate building code and prepare forms to avoid a lapse in permitting oversight.