Midvale residents are demanding accountability and answers following a devastating apartment fire that occurred on Aug. 21, 2026. As the community seeks clarity regarding the building's safety history, the City of Salt Lake City has provided guidance on how citizens can research historical building permits through official digital portals.
Community Demands Accountability
The push for transparency follows the intense devastation caused by the Aug. 21, 2026, apartment fire. In the wake of the incident, community members have expressed a growing need to understand the regulatory and inspection history of the structure involved.
Accessing Public Records
To address these concerns, the City of Salt Lake City provides several digital avenues for the public to research construction and safety documentation. According to the City of Salt Lake City's Building Services, residents can utilize the SLC Permits website to check current and historical building permits. The city advises that for the most effective search results, users should enter minimal information into the search fields, such as only the street number and street name.
Digital Permit Research
For more recent records, the city directs users to the Citizens Access Portal. According to the city's Building Services, all building permit records submitted after 2007 can be found online through this specific portal. Users can navigate to the site, select the Building category, and click on the option to research permits. Once a specific address or permit number is entered, the system provides record details that can be expanded to view attachments, such as inspection reports, invoices, and certificates of occupancies.
Scope of Available Data
The research process via the Citizens Access Portal allows users to view various permit types, including residential and commercial building permits, electrical, plumbing, and fire alarm systems. The city's system enables users to research historical building permits dating back to 1980. Users can search by address, permit number, or licensed professional information to find specific documentation related to a property's construction and maintenance history.
Limitations on Online Access
However, there are limitations to what is available through immediate online searching. The City of Salt Lake City notes that if a resident cannot find specific records online, it may be because the documents date before 2007. In such instances, the city maintains that per state law, records are kept for seven years, and users may need to take further steps to access older documentation.
The GRAMA Request Process
For residents seeking historical records that are not appearing in digital searches, the city requires a formal request. The City of Salt Lake City states that if a user is certain that historical records exist but cannot locate them through the provided web tools, they must submit a Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) request. This request must be submitted to the City Recorder to have the city research and provide the necessary information.
Potential Research Fees
The city cautions that while many records are available for free, certain requests may incur costs. According to the City of Salt Lake City, fees may be charged for the research, copying, and mailing of requested public information. This administrative process remains the primary method for citizens to obtain detailed historical data that falls outside the scope of the automated online portals.
