The building permits were issued only in the unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County. Salt Lake City and the incorporated cities within Salt Lake County issued their own building permits after their incorporation.

The building permit files begin in 1970 and continue to accrue. Permits are transferred from Salt Lake County Planning and Development to the Archives one year after the permit has closed.

Permits contain the following information: application; application date; permit number; zoning; proposed structure; address; type of building; square footage; property owner; architect; general contractor; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors; previous land use; and plan check. Also included in the applications are special approvals as related to the Board of Adjustment; Health Department; Fire Department; soil report; water or well permit; Traffic Engineer; Flood Control; sewer or septic tank; and gas.

Included in the building permit file are electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits. They contain: permit numbers; building address; building owner; date; contractor; contractor business address and phone; contractor state license number and business license number; fees and other details related to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical installation.

Compliance reports document property address; lot number; date; contractor; permit number and date; type of inspection; reason for inspection; work approved or works in violation. Files sometimes contain certificates of occupancy and building plans.