Ogden has some of the most specific metal building rules in Utah. Here is how to get a steel garage or shop approved, and what one costs in Weber County.
| Ogden at a glance | What it means for your building |
|---|---|
| Permit needed | 200 sq ft or less: Land Use permit only. Over 200 sq ft: residential accessory building permit. |
| Metal siding over 400 sq ft | Allowed if it is the only detached building over 400 sq ft on the lot, the color matches the house or is neutral gray, tan or brown, the finish is factory-applied, the roof is gable, shed or gambrel at 4:12 or steeper with 6 in eaves, a long side has a relief feature such as an awning, ribs are squared (not wavy), and there are windows on at least two sides. |
| Where | Metal buildings go in the rear yard. No detached building between the front of the house and the street. |
| Height | The lesser of 25 ft or 80% of the house's highest point. 12 ft 6 in if the house is 16 ft or less, or for a metal-sided building on a lot of half an acre or more. |
| Size | Lots of half an acre or less: the lesser of 80% of the house footprint or the zone's lot coverage. Over half an acre: no larger than the house footprint without a conditional use permit. Rear-yard coverage 25% (a lone garage up to 528 sq ft is allowed). |
| Rear setback | 10 ft (R-1-10), 8 ft (R-1-8, R-1-6), 5 ft (R-1-5); can drop to 1 ft if the building is 6 ft behind the house, 60 ft from the front line and 8 to 10 ft from the neighbor's home. |
| Elevation | About 4,340 ft, Weber County. |
From Ogden's published code and permit pages, checked October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the city before you build. Snow, wind and seismic values: see the Weber County guide.
Building package estimates for Weber County from our live estimator (October 2026, 3:12 roof, 10×10-class roll-up doors). Foundation, site prep and erection are separate.
| Building | Weber County estimate |
|---|---|
| 24×30×12 garage or small shop | $17,800 – $22,200 |
| 30×40×14 shop, 2 roll-up doors | $30,900 – $38,500 |
| 40×60×16 shop, 2 roll-up doors | $62,200 – $77,400 |
Your written quote is the firm number. More on steel shop pricing in Utah →
Ogden's metal rules line up well with a pre-engineered steel building: factory-applied paint, squared-rib panels and gable roofs are standard. The items to plan for are a 4:12 or steeper roof (our estimator assumes 3:12, so the price goes up a little), 6 in eaves, windows on two sides, and an awning or other feature on a long wall. Doors can take up no more than 80% of the front face.
Some zones allow no metal siding at all: R-1-5 in the East Central District, R-2EC, R-3EC and R-9. The city's older FAQ mentions a 400 sq ft cap on metal buildings; the current code does not. Check your zone with the city first.
2549 Washington Blvd, Suite 240, Ogden, UT 84401 · Permits 801-629-8950 · Planning 801-629-8922 · Apply online at onestop.ogdencity.com. City permit page →
Yes in most residential zones. Over 400 square feet, metal siding needs a factory finish in a color that matches the house or is neutral, a 4:12 or steeper gable, shed or gambrel roof with 6-inch eaves, squared ribs, windows on two sides and a relief feature on a long wall. Some East Central zones allow no metal siding.
The lesser of 25 feet or 80 percent of the house height. It drops to 12 feet 6 inches if the house is 16 feet or less, or for a metal-sided building on a lot of half an acre or more.
A detached accessory building of 200 square feet or less needs only a Land Use permit. Larger buildings need a residential accessory building permit.
A 30x40 shop with 14-foot walls and two roll-up doors estimates at about $30,900 to $38,500 for the building package in Weber County on our live estimator (October 2026), before the steeper roof Ogden requires for metal buildings. Foundation and erection are separate.
Get a live estimate now, then a firm quote with drawings engineered for your address.