Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Salt Lake County, Utah

Installing structured cabling systems in Salt Lake County involves understanding both local permit requirements and Utah state licensing rules. The Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (MSD) handles permits for unincorporated areas including Magna, Kearns, White City, Emigration Canyon, and other unincorporated regions of Salt Lake County.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit?

Generally yes for new installations involving electrical work. The Greater Salt Lake MSD requires building permits for any electrical work that involves adding, deleting, or altering electrical circuits. Structured cabling that runs through walls, ceilings, or involves new circuit installation typically requires a permit. Minor cabling work using existing pathways may be exempt.

What Structured Cabling Work Requires a Permit in Salt Lake County?

According to the Greater Salt Lake MSD, the following structured cabling work requires a building permit:

• Installing new telecommunications rooms or equipment closets
• Running backbone cabling between floors or buildings
• Installing horizontal cabling through walls, ceilings, or conduit
• Any cabling work that penetrates fire-rated walls or ceilings
• Installing new electrical circuits for network equipment
• Large-scale commercial data center or network infrastructure projects
• Fiber optic installations requiring conduit or pathway construction

When Is a Permit NOT Required?

Some minor structured cabling work may be exempt from permits:

• Replacing existing network cables with equivalent cables in existing pathways
• Adding patch cables or jumpers within existing infrastructure
• Installing surface-mounted raceway in limited quantities
• Terminating cables at existing patch panels or outlets
• Minor moves, adds, and changes using existing infrastructure

When in doubt, contact the MSD Building Services department to confirm whether your specific project requires a permit.

Do You Need a License to Install Structured Cabling in Utah?

Yes. Utah requires contractors performing structured cabling work to hold a Low Voltage License from the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Requirements include:

• Age requirement: Must be at least 18 years old
• Experience: Four years of experience in the low voltage field
• Examination: Pass a written exam covering fire alarms, access control, video surveillance, security systems, and structured cabling
• Renewal: Licenses must be renewed every two years

The Low Voltage License covers systems operating up to 95 volts, which includes most structured cabling installations.

For complete licensing requirements, see our Utah Low Voltage License Guide.

How to Apply for a Structured Cabling Permit in Salt Lake County

The Greater Salt Lake MSD uses an online portal for permit applications:

1. Create an account on the CityWorks public portal at msd.utah.gov
2. New contractors: Fill out the new contractor form to be added to the system
3. Submit application with project details and scope of work
4. Provide documentation: Floor plans, riser diagrams, and cable pathway specifications
5. Pay permit fees (see fee schedule below)
6. Schedule inspections after installation is complete

Required Documentation

• Floor plans showing cable pathways and outlet locations
• Riser diagrams for backbone cabling
• Equipment room layouts
• Fire stopping details for penetrations
• Contractor license verification
• For large commercial projects: Stamped drawings by a licensed engineer

What Are the Permit Fees for Structured Cabling in Salt Lake County?

Permit Type	Estimated Fee
Residential low-voltage permit	$50-$100
Commercial electrical permit	$100-$300+
Plan review (commercial)	Additional 65% of permit fee
Re-inspection fee	$50+

Fees vary based on project scope and valuation. Contact the MSD Building Services department for exact fee quotes for your specific project.

How Long Does the Permit Process Take?

Stage	Typical Timeline
Residential permit approval	1-3 business days
Commercial plan review	5-10 business days
Inspection scheduling	Next business day (call before 3 PM)
Final inspection and sign-off	Same day if passed

Residential vs Commercial Structured Cabling Permits

Residential Projects

Home network cabling installations are generally straightforward:

• Simpler permit process with faster approval
• Lower fees than commercial projects
• Basic inspection requirements
• Typical projects include whole-home networking, home office setups, and smart home infrastructure

Commercial Projects

Commercial structured cabling installations have additional requirements:

• More detailed plan review process
• Fire code compliance for cable pathways and penetrations
• ANSI/TIA and BICSI standards compliance
• Plenum-rated cable requirements in air handling spaces
• Telecommunications room ventilation and power requirements
• ADA accessibility considerations for equipment rooms

Fire Code and Pathway Requirements

Structured cabling must comply with fire and life safety codes:

• Plenum-rated cables: Required in air handling spaces (CMP or plenum jacket)
• Fire stopping: All penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors must be properly sealed
• Riser-rated cables: Required for vertical runs between floors (CMR rating)
• Pathway fill ratios: Cannot exceed maximum fill percentages in conduit
• Equipment room requirements: Proper ventilation and fire suppression considerations

The Utah State Fire Marshal's office has jurisdiction over fire code compliance. Coordinate with both MSD building inspectors and fire officials for commercial projects.

Industry Standards for Structured Cabling

Salt Lake County inspectors expect installations to meet industry standards:

• ANSI/TIA-568: Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard
• ANSI/TIA-569: Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces
• ANSI/TIA-606: Administration Standard for Telecommunications Infrastructure
• BICSI standards: Best practices for installation and testing
• NEC Article 800: Communications circuits requirements

Pro Tips from Contractors

• Register as a contractor first: New contractors must complete the MSD registration before submitting permit applications
• Document existing conditions: Photos of existing pathways and equipment rooms help during plan review
• Plan fire stopping early: Coordinate penetration locations with fire stopping requirements
• Call before 3 PM: Inspections must be scheduled by 3 PM for next-business-day service
• Test before inspection: Have certification test results ready for the inspector
• Label everything: Proper labeling per TIA-606 helps pass inspections faster

MSD Contact Information

• Physical Address: 860 W. Levoy Dr., Suite 300, Taylorsville, UT 84123
• Mailing Address: Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District, PO Box 147700, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-7700
• Inspection Hotline: (385) 910-5830
• Email: inspections@msd.utah.gov
• Online Portal: msd.utah.gov

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Salt Lake County before they reach bid boards?

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