Finishing a Basement in Clearfield

Clearfield homes and households

Clearfield calls itself Utah's Military City and is home to Hill Air Force Base. Census estimates put the median Clearfield home at about 1989, with roughly a third built in 2000 or later. It has a larger share of renters than its neighbors, with a little under six in ten homes owner-occupied, and households average about 3 people.

Median year built

1989

Built 2000 or later

About 33%

Owner-occupied

About 59%

Households with children

About 43%

For homeowners, that often means updating an older basement: a remodel, a bedroom brought up to current egress rules, or a basement unit set up and registered properly.

Figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024 estimates via Census Reporter, and Clearfield City economic development.

Clearfield's basement permit

Clearfield's building permit handout lists basement finishes under work that requires a permit. Residential submittals go through the city's online portal, and its checklist for remodels, additions and basement finishes asks for:

• two sets of floor plans showing the space before and after;
• the location of any new electrical, plumbing or mechanical work;
• framing details where applicable, and wall details where walls are added or removed.

The before-and-after requirement makes a clear layout even more useful: the drawing that shows what changes is the same one the contractor prices. For an older basement, the "before" plan is also a good place to note what stays, such as existing walls, a bathroom or the stair, and what gets removed.

Fees

Clearfield's fee schedule, adopted June 23, 2026, sets the permit fee from project valuation (for example $391.75 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000 for valuations from $25,001 to $50,000). Residential plan check is 20% of the permit fee, lower than several neighboring cities, a 1% state surcharge may apply, and re-inspections are $47 an hour.

Basement apartments: registration and licensing

Clearfield amended its accessory dwelling unit rules in November 2025. The ordinance allows an internal ADU in the basement and says:

• Owner occupancyThe property owner must live on the property full time, with a declaration recorded as a deed restriction.
• RegistrationEvery ADU registers with Community Development, with photos of smoke and CO detectors and water heater strapping. A rental unit also needs a business license.
• EntranceOn the side or rear, or at the front if it's below grade.
• Parking and utilitiesOne additional off-street space (gravel doesn't count), one meter per utility, and the same address as the house with "Unit B."

ADUs are allowed in single-family and agricultural zones, one per lot. The city's fee schedule lists a $125 ADU fee and a rental dwelling license of $208 for a new license. An unregistered ADU isn't considered legal under the ordinance, so register before renting. See basement apartments and ADUs.

How it works in Clearfield

A screened local basement contractor whose Utah license and insurance we've checked contacts you within 24 to 48 hours for a free in-home walkthrough, then provides a layout sketch, written scope and itemized estimate. Syracuse Basement Co. doesn't have an office in Clearfield.

Common questions