Renovation permits and contractor licences in Wyoming

Trades that need a licence in Wyoming

• Electrical work

  Electricians hold a state licence, issued by the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety on the apprentice, journeyman and master pattern. An electrical wiring permit must be obtained before starting new construction or remodelling of any building, mobile home or premises where the work will need a public utility to connect, or disconnect and restore, electrical power.

  Sources:Wyoming State Fire Marshal – Electrical licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)Wyoming State Fire Marshal – Wiring permits and plan review⁠(opens in a new tab)

• General contracting and renovation

  Contractor licensing in Wyoming is municipal, so the answer depends on your city. Casper issues general and sub contractor licences through its Community Development Department, reviewed by the Chief Building Official, with proof of insurance required before issue. Cheyenne issues a company licence only together with a registered individual qualified supervisor.

  Sources:Casper – Contractor licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)Cheyenne – Building permitting and licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbing and mechanical contractors are licensed by the city too. Casper issues plumbing, mechanical and individual contractor licences, and the same department that issues the licence issues the permit and does the inspection, so it is one conversation rather than two.

  Sources:Casper – Contractor licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)Casper – Permit requirements⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  Some projects need state plan review before any work starts, under Wyoming statute: state or local government owned or leased buildings, buildings above a set area with public access, child care centres above a set size, places of assembly of any size, any installation or alteration of fire alarm, sprinkler or suppression systems, alternative energy installations such as solar or a generator, above ground storage tanks, and commercial kitchen exhaust hoods.

  Sources:Wyoming State Fire Marshal – Wiring permits and plan review⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  In Casper a permit is required before new construction, an addition, or the remodel, alteration or repair of any existing structure, with a short list of exceptions such as small unheated sheds, fences under a set height and finish work like painting and flooring. Permits are issued to a licensed contractor, to a homeowner working on their primary residence, or to a commercial owner or lessee, and lapse after a set period.

  Sources:Casper – Permit requirements⁠(opens in a new tab)Casper – Building and fire codes⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Wyoming

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   Ask your city whether the contractor holds its licence: Wyoming licenses contractors locally, and Casper and Cheyenne each run their own.

   Official lookup: Casper – Contractor licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   For electrical work, check the state licence and make sure the wiring permit is pulled before anyone starts.

   Official lookup: Wyoming State Fire Marshal – Electrical licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   Ask whether your project needs state plan review, which must be approved before work commences.

   Official lookup: Wyoming State Fire Marshal – Wiring permits and plan review⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Confirm which code edition your city enforces and where its local amendments sit.

   Official lookup: Casper – Building and fire codes⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Get the work, the materials, the completion date and the price in writing before you pay anything.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)