Green River building department

The City of Green River Building Division issues all construction permits inside Green River city limits. It reviews plans and does field inspections for building, gas, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work. The division is part of Development Services at 50 E. 2nd N Street, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone is (307) 872-6140. Ken Yager is the Chief Building Official. The building rules are in Chapter 7 of the Green River Code of Ordinances, and contractor licensing is in Article IX of that chapter.

When a permit is required

A permit is required to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve or convert a building or structure. That includes plumbing, electrical and mechanical changes, not just building work. Permits may be issued to the property owner or the owner’s authorized agent. Inspections will not be performed on unpermitted work. Starting work without a permit brings an investigation fee of $100 or twice the permit fee, whichever is greater.

The city publishes residential and commercial lists of work that does not need a permit. The residential list is based on the IRC as adopted by city ordinance:

Residential work	Exempt when…
Detached accessory structure	One story, floor area 200 sq ft or less
Fence	Not over 7 ft high
Retaining wall	Not over 4 ft from bottom of footing to top of wall, and not supporting a surcharge
Deck	200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 in. above grade at any point, not attached to the house, and not serving the required exit door
Prefabricated pool	Less than 24 in. deep
Other	Sidewalks and driveways; painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops; playground equipment

The list also exempts minor electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing repairs. Emergency equipment replacements still need a permit application by the next working business day. Exempt work must still meet zoning rules. See the deck permit guide for general background.

Applying through MGO Connect

Green River takes building permit applications online through MGO Connect, the My Government Online portal. Planning and zoning forms are in the city’s Form & Document Center. They include conditional use permits for home daycares and taxidermy, home occupation permits, temporary use permits and a Development Review pre-application. Zoning requirements by district are posted with the zoning map, dated April 2026.

The Form & Document Center warns that some forms may not reflect newly adopted fees. It points to the city’s fee schedule as the authority. A permit is issued only after plans have been checked against the city’s zoning and building regulations and construction codes.

The Building Division also posts a monthly report of building permits issued.

Codes and local amendments

Chapter 7 adopts the International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire and Property Maintenance Codes. On January 21, 2025, the City Council agenda listed the third and final reading of an ordinance updating Chapter 7 to the 2024 editions. The State of Wyoming had already adopted those editions. The draft ordinance keeps these local residential rules:

• Footings for single-unit homes must be at least 8 x 16 inches with three #4 bars.
• Concrete foundation walls must be at least 8 inches thick, with #4 bars at 18 inches on center both ways, unless a registered design professional designs them.
• The frost line depth is 42 inches.
• Weathering is rated severe, and ice-shield underlayment is required.
• Exterior water supply piping must be at least 72 inches below grade. Building sewers must be at least 42 inches deep unless protected from freezing.
• Residential fire sprinklers are not required in one- and two-family homes and townhouses built under the IRC with a main floor area under 5,000 sq ft.
• Detached, factory-made membrane structures (fabric shelters) up to 250 sq ft are exempt from permits under conditions. Zoning approval is required, only one is allowed per residential lot, and those used for vehicles or storage must be anchored to a slab at least 3.5 inches thick.

The electrical article adopts the National Electrical Code edition adopted by the Wyoming State Fire Marshal’s Office. Electrical contractors must hold a Wyoming electrical contractor license, and workers must hold Wyoming journeyman or apprentice licenses. A homeowner may install electrical wiring in their own primary residence. If an electrical permit comes from the State of Wyoming, the city requires a copy of it in the project file before it will issue the building permit.

Inspections and occupancy

Request inspections only after the permit is issued and the work is ready and uncovered. The city requires inspections to be completed before it issues a certificate of occupancy, and a building may not legally be occupied until then. Under the licensing article, a contractor can lose their license for letting an owner occupy a building before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Contractor licensing and owner-builders

Contractors working in Green River need a city license, and permits will not be issued for work by an unlicensed contractor. Article IX sets these requirements:

• a completed application to the community development department
• liability insurance with at least $250,000 injury or death coverage
• proof of a company vehicle sign with the company name and a working phone number
• a $100 initial license fee, halved for licenses issued October 1 through January 31
• annual renewal in February for $50, with a 30-day grace period
• a designated master of record for each business

Owners may make non-structural repairs, alterations and additions to their own home or business without a license. A person building their own home without a licensed contractor may get a permit for only one residence in any one-year period. Building a second residence within that year is presumed to be for resale. Operating without a license is a misdemeanor with fines up to $250 per day.

Related offices

The city’s GIS maps show subdivisions, wards and zoning districts. Contractors must call One-Call of Wyoming before excavating. Under the licensing rules, failing to do so is grounds for license suspension. Property outside Green River city limits is not covered by this division.