Frequently Asked Questions

Building permits provide the minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health and general welfare and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment. No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building, structure or premises, or make any installation or improvement to the electrical, plumbing or mechanical system in a building, structure or premises, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining the prescribed permits for each such building or structure or premises from the building official.

The permit fees are based on the cost (valuation) of the construction. A deposit fee of $500 is charged for all new residential and commercial plan submissions. This fee is payable upon submission of construction plans to the Building Department for review and is applied to the cost of the final building permit. Sheds, garages, remodels, additions, and basements need a $45 deposit. Pools require a $100 deposit. A state fee of 1% of the building permit fee is charged and sent to the state. The fees are all different in Highland, depending upon what was paid at development stage. These fees are fixed for new single family residential permits and are as follows:

• Central Sewer Impact Fee: $1,581
• Southeast Sewer Impact Fee: $2,773.00 
• Timp. Sewer District Impact Fee: $1785.55
• Pressurized Irrigation Impact Fee: Determined by the permeable surface x .51
• Park Impact Fee: $5854.00
• Roads Impact Fee: $538.00
• Police Impact Fee: $515.67
• Fire Impact Fee: $245.02
• South East Culinary Water Impact Fee: $603.00
• Bond: $4,000.00
• Culinary Water Meter Hook-up: $546.18
• PI Water Meter Hook-up: $607.51
• Storm Water Review Fee: $1500.00

Inspections are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 6:00pm by scheduling through our online portal in My City Inspector or by calling (801) 772-4516. All inspections are scheduled no less than 24 hours in advance of the inspection time. Please make certain that all work is complete and you are ready for your inspection prior to calling. The standard inspections are, but are not limited to, footings, foundations, temporary power, underground plumbing, four-way (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and framing), permanent power, stucco, weather barrier, flashing, sheetrock, shower pan, and final inspection. However, depending upon the complexity of your construction there may be other inspections required. 

See the checklists under Building

You can find out the zoning on your property by calling the Community Development Department at (801) 772-4506. Typically, just a street address is needed. You can also look at the Zoning Map (PDF) or online through Highland City Zoning Map Viewer ; however, we recommend you call the Community Development Department at (801) 772-4506 to verify that the information is correct.

All accessory buildings within Highland City shall conform to the following standards, setbacks and conditions:

(1) An accessory building is any building or structure which is not attached to the main dwelling on the lot that is: 

(a) Greater than 200 square feet, or 

(b) That is attached to a permanent foundation as defined by the building code.

(2) Size. Accessory buildings shall not cover more than five percent (5%) of the total gross lot area. 

(3) Height. No accessory building shall be erected to a height greater than twenty-five feet (25’) from grade. 

(4) Setbacks. All accessory buildings shall comply with the following setbacks: 

(a) All accessory buildings shall be set back from the front property line a minimum of thirty feet (30') or consistent with the primary dwelling, whichever is less. 

(b) An accessory building shall be set back from the rear property line a minimum of ten feet (10').

(c) All accessory buildings shall be set back from the side property line a minimum of ten feet (10'). 

(i) All accessory buildings shall be set back at minimum an amount of ten feet (10') from the side lot line which abuts a street or ten feet (10’) from the Parkway Detail. 

(d) All accessory buildings shall be placed no closer than six (6) feet from the main building. Said six feet shall be measured to the closest part of the structures including any roof overhang.

(5) Materials. Accessory buildings shall be constructed out of exterior materials consistent with the primary dwelling if the lot is 1/2 acre or less. 

For a visual representation of the setbacks, please see the Accessory Structure (PDF).

To qualify for a variance, the Utah State Code requires that the applicant fulfill 5 requirements:

1. Literal enforcement of the land use ordinance would cause an unreasonable hardship for the applicant that is not necessary to carry out the general purpose of the ordinance.
2. There are special circumstances attached to the property that do not generally apply to other properties in the same district.

3. Granting the variance is essential to the enjoyment of a substantial property right possessed by other property in the same zone.

4. The variance will not substantially affect the general plan and will not be contrary to the public interest.

5. The spirit of the zoning ordinance is observed and substantial justice is done.

An Appeal Authority will determine if all 5 of these requirements are meant.

Whether or not a property is eligible for subdivision requires the analysis of several factors, including road frontage and access, infrastructure analysis, etc. The Planning Division staff would be happy to provide you with more information on the subdivision process. Please contact the Community Development Department at (801) 772-4506 to obtain additional information.

Any fence that is 3 feet or higher needs a fence permit from the City. Fences less than 3 feet in height are not regulated by the City and can be located anywhere on your property. This Fence Help Sheet describes where a regulated fence can be, how tall it can be, etc. A fence permit application is submitted online through this link: Fence Permit Application Online Submittal. 

To log into your account: 

1. Go to the library catalog  and click on "Sign In." 

2. Enter your bar-code number on the back of your library card. (no spaces)

3. Enter your password (The last four digits of your phone number on file if you have not changed it). If you don’t know your pin, contact the Library.

After you log into your account, you can see what items you have checked out, renew items, see your fines, place holds or check on the status of your holds, and turn on your check history (to help you keep track of what items have been checked out on your account). Be sure to log out of your account when finished.

All library cards are set up with a four digit pin number that you chose when you apply for a card. if you applied for a card before August 2023, and have not changed your pin, it will be the last four digits of your phone number on file. If you have forgotten your pin, you can call the library circulation desk (801-772-4528). Be prepared to give your library card number and confirm your identity. We can send you a link to change your pin. 

Highland Library is part of the Northern Utah County Library Cooperative (NUCLC). Highland Library card holders can register their cards to use at other NUCLC libraries for free. When you check out a book from any of the NUCLC libraries you must return it to that library. The NUCLC libraries are Highland, Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, and Eagle Mountain.

Items are due at the time the Library closes 3 weeks from the date they were checked out. If you renew something after the time the Library closes the day it is due, you may be assessed a fine. Fines are $1.00 per day for videos and Kits, and $.10 for other materials.

Yes, you may request materials from other libraries through us. Simply come into the library and complete an Inter-library Loan request form and we will see if we can find it. There is a fee of $5 Inter-library Loan requests. Please be aware of the following when submitting requests:

• Even if you find it in another library catalog, all our requests are managed by the State Library Division and they choose from which library to request the item.
• Libraries are often reluctant to loan new or popular items. They prefer to make them available for their own patrons first. 
• Most videos and audio items are easily damaged in the mail so most libraries will be reluctant to loan those types of items as well. *
• Items may take a few days to several weeks to get here.

You may. Come to the library to fill out a "Suggestion for Purchase" form, or you can request an item through our online catalog. All materials that are suggested are evaluated against our Collection Development Policy.

To request an item through our catalog:

1. Type the name of the item in the library catalog search bar. If it does not come up, scroll to the bottom of the page. There is a button there that says "Submit Request"

2. Enter your library card # and pin.  

3. Fill out the form and then click on the submit button.

The Library requires preregistration for some events.  This allows us to plan properly as we arrange space and purchase supplies. In most cases you must have a Highland Library card to register for a Highland Library program.

If the item is renewable, you can renew it up to 2 times as long as it is not on hold for someone else.  That should give you sufficient time to look for the item. If you still cannot find it 60 days after you last checked it out you will be charged the price of the item plus a $5 processing fee.

If the item is not renewable, contact the circulation desk in person or by calling 801-772-4528. 

In most cases, we do not accept donations to replace lost items.

If you live in Alpine or Cedar Hills you may apply for a non-resident card. The cost is $70/year which is approximately the amount the Highland residents pay in taxes to support the Library. Both Alpine and Cedar Hills will reimburse their residents part of the cost for a Highland Library card.

Study rooms can be reserved up to one week in advance.  A patron may reserve the study room for up to two hours, up to twice a week.  Contact the circulation desk to make a reservation (801-772-4528)

Yes! We have over 200,000 titles available through the Libby app. We also offer free access to a number of high quality informational databases. More information about using Libby can be found here. 

The Library thrives with the help of many volunteers. We have volunteers that help with story times and with maintaining the look and feel of the library. We also have volunteers that participate in our Friends of the Library group or on the Library Foundation or Library Board. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. The Library does not offer court ordered service opportunities. Contact the Library for more information.

Set up an account through Xpress bill pay by visiting our home page or clicking

Garbage collection is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Please see the route map for your specific pickup day.

Recycling collection is every other week. See the Recyclable Calendar and Acceptable Items (PDF) handout.

Highland City bills one month ahead except for culinary water. Culinary water meter readings are from the 15 through the 15. Utility bills should arrive around the 1 of the month for that month and are due on the 20. For more questions, please call us at 801-772-4523.

In 2012 the City explored the possibility of adding curbside green waste removal. At the time we needed about half of Highland’s homes to sign up to add the service and there wasn’t enough interest. In addition, right now there is not a good disposal location for green waste. In the past, Timpanogos Special Service District took green waste, however, that service ended in June of 2020. When an alternative green waste disposal avenue becomes available, the City is open to again looking into the possibility of adding the service. In the interim, if you need an extra garbage can to dispose of your green waste, contact Highland City at (801) 756-5751

In an effort to cut costs, the City Council voted to cancel dump passes.

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