Ramps in Wyoming: local codes, wiring rules and renter rights

Will a wheelchair ramp at a Wyoming house need a permit? In Wyoming, the answer depends mostly on where the house sits, because the state's own building review is aimed at public and government buildings.

Below we quote the statutes that set that up, add the state electrical rule that matters for automatic door openers, and cover the protection Wyoming's Fair Housing Act gives renters.

State review, local authority

The state fire marshal reviews plans before construction under W.S. 35-9-108(a), for "Buildings or structures owned or leased by the state or local governmental entities," public buildings over 5,000 square feet, multistory public buildings, child care centers for more than ten children, public meeting places such as restaurants, churches and theaters "regardless of size," and fuel dispensing facilities. A one-family house is not on the list. The state's plan review page lists the same categories, adding that "Alterations and remodeling of the above buildings" valued at $40,000 or more also need review.

For everything else, cities and counties can take the lead. W.S. 35-9-121(a) directs the fire marshal to "delegate complete authority to municipalities and counties which apply to enforce and interpret local or state fire, building, existing building standards or electrical safety standards," once the local government has adopted standards "by ordinance or resolution that are equivalent to or more stringent than" the state's. And W.S. 35-9-163(a) says that, apart from those delegated localities, no official "shall interpret or enforce any building codes or standards adopted by the state or local governmental entity in a way that is more stringent or burdensome than required by the standards or codes."

So for a ramp at home, ask your city or county building office whether it has adopted a residential code and requires a permit. In a church, a public meeting room or a government building, the state's plan review may apply. Either way, we could not find a single statewide rule for home ramps to quote, and we would rather say so than guess.

Door openers add wiring. W.S. 35-9-123(a) requires licensed electrical contractors and electricians to "install all electrical equipment," but waives that for a person installing equipment on property they own or lease "and the property is not for immediate resale." The same section creates a low voltage contractor license that covers "Control systems under ninety (90) volts." Ask the state electrical safety office or your installer which applies to your opener.

If you rent in Wyoming

Under the Wyoming Fair Housing Act, W.S. 40-26-107(c)(i), discrimination includes "A refusal to permit, at the expense of the individual having a disability, a reasonable modification of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the individual if the modification may be necessary to afford the individual full enjoyment of the premises." In a rental, the landlord may, when reasonable, require the renter to restore the interior at the end, "reasonable wear and tear excepted."

Wind, hail and fast snowmelt

NOAA's Wyoming climate summary describes Chinook winds that "often bring large temperature increases that lead to rapid snowmelt" along the eastern slope, summer thunderstorms with hail and strong winds, and "Hail Alley" in the southeast. A ramp here may go from snow-covered to wet in an afternoon, so slip resistance and drainage at the bottom of the ramp matter. A door that opens and closes by itself also saves a rider from holding a heavy door against the wind.

Products for a Wyoming doorway

• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp: non-slip rubber for thresholds up to 4 in, an 850 lb weight capacity, and puzzle-edge pieces that need no tools or hardware.
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener: it runs on a low voltage 24-volt wiring kit, opens up to 120 degrees, and keeps working on its internal battery in a power failure.
• Open Sesame Standard Transmitter (D): a remote that can mount below a wheelchair armrest or on a side panel, with a sensitivity paddle that makes it easier to press.
• Open Sesame Wireless Wall Touch Pad (FT): a wall-mounted transmitter by the door for anyone in the household, wireless so no cable runs to the operator.

Every figure in this list comes from the linked product listing.

Pairing them is common. The threshold ramp takes care of the lip at the door, the opener takes care of the door, and the transmitter or wall pad decides how the rider triggers it: from the chair, from a key ring or from a pad on the wall. A household with one rider and visiting caregivers may want both a chair-mounted remote and a wall pad. If the rise at your door is more than 4 in, a longer ramp or a lift is the next step, and that is when the local permit question above comes in.

Help through WATR

Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) answers questions about "identifying AT device options, providing strategies for working with agencies, or discussing funding avenues," at no cost. The AT3 Center lists device loan, demonstration, reutilization and a financial loan for the program.

Ordering for a Wyoming home

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, free on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Read shipping to Wyoming and start the ramp fit check.

Questions about ramps in Wyoming

Does Wyoming have a statewide permit rule for home ramps?

We did not find one. The state fire marshal's plan review under W.S. 35-9-108 covers government buildings, larger public buildings and public meeting places, not single-family homes. Under W.S. 35-9-121, cities and counties may take over enforcement of building standards they adopt, so ask your local building office.

Does a church ramp in Wyoming need state plan review?

Possibly. W.S. 35-9-108(a) lists churches and other public meeting places "regardless of size" for plan review before new construction or remodeling, and the state's plan review page applies review to alterations of those buildings valued at $40,000 or more. Contact the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety to confirm.

Can I wire an automatic door opener myself in Wyoming?

W.S. 35-9-123(a) requires licensed electricians for electrical installations but waives that for owners or lessees installing equipment on their own property that is not for immediate resale. Code requirements still apply. The section also has a low voltage license category for control systems under 90 volts.

Can a Wyoming landlord refuse a ramp for a tenant?

The Wyoming Fair Housing Act, W.S. 40-26-107(c)(i), treats refusing a reasonable modification, made at the tenant's expense and needed for full enjoyment of the premises, as discrimination. A landlord may reasonably require that the interior be restored at the end of the tenancy, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

Shop ramps and door openers, use the ramp fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Wyoming Statutes Title 35 (W.S. 35-9-108, 35-9-121, 35-9-123, 35-9-163)
• Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety: plan review
• Wyoming Statutes Title 40, Wyoming Fair Housing Act (W.S. 40-26-107)
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Wyoming (2022)
• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp product page
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener product page
• Open Sesame Standard Transmitter (D) product page
• Open Sesame Wireless Wall Touch Pad (FT) product page
• Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR)
• AT3 Center: Wyoming