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Residential Electrical Permit in Boise, Idaho

Required for electrical work in existing single-family dwellings and duplexes in Boise, including panel upgrades, new circuits, wiring for additions, and service changes. All work must comply with the 2023 NEC (effective April 26, 2024).

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Installation, change, or repair of any hard-wired electrical system
  • Panel upgrades and service entrance changes
  • New circuits or rewiring for additions and alterations
  • Generator and solar panel electrical connections
  • Electric vehicle charger (EVSE) outlet installation
  • Homeowner may self-permit electrical work on their own primary or secondary residence per Idaho statute (no contractor license required for homeowner work) Contractor

Required documents

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Fee schedule

New SFD / Duplex electrical — up to 2,500 sq ftBoise Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 1-a (Apr 2019)
$135 per dwelling unit
New SFD / Duplex electrical — 2,501 to 3,500 sq ftBoise Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 1-a (Apr 2019), between 2,501-3,500 sq. ft. row
$155 per dwelling unit
New SFD / Duplex electrical — 3,501 to 4,500 sq ftBoise Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 1-a (Apr 2019), between 3,501-4,500 sq. ft. row
$175 per dwelling unit
New SFD / Duplex electrical — 4,501 sq ft or moreBoise Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 1-a (Apr 2019), 4,501 sq. ft. or higher row
$210 per dwelling unit, plus $65 per each additional 1,000 sq ft over 4,501 sq ft
Single branch circuit supplying fixtures or appliances (existing residence)
Boise City Electrical Code Fee Schedule (Oct. Show full citationBoise City Electrical Code Fee Schedule (Oct. 2019), section 2 and Table 2-b — a single branch circuit supplying fixtures is charged a flat $55.00, and the schedule states that no additional base fee shall be charged. This supersedes the April 2019 edition, which added a $14.00 base permit fee; the City's fees page now links the October edition.
$55.00 flat per branch circuit
Service equipment / panel change — up to 200 ampTable 5-a — new service entrance equipment or panel change/subpanel
$55
Service equipment / panel change — over 200 ampTable 5-a
$65
Multiple fixtures / addition, alteration, or repairMore than one fixture installed under one permit — Table 3-a
$110 flat fee
Solar panel installation (electrical, existing residence)Table 3-a — separate from the building/structural solar permit fee
$110 (up to two inspections)
Reinspection FeeBoise Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 7-a (Apr 2019), re-inspection fee
$55

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Boise building department
~1–10 business days

How long did your Residential Electrical Permit permit actually take in Boise?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Preliminary Conference

    Mandatory for homeowner-pulled permits — troubleshooting session with inspector before work begins

  2. 2

    Rough-In / Permanent Service

    After wiring installed, before walls closed — verify conductor sizing, box placement, and service connections

  3. 3

    Final

    All devices installed, panel labeled, GFCI/AFCI protection verified

See the full Boise inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Idaho state law allows homeowners to pull their own electrical permit for their primary or secondary residence — no contractor license required. Contractor
  • A Preliminary Conference inspection is mandatory for homeowners performing their own electrical work in Boise.
  • All work must comply with the 2023 NEC, which has been effective in Boise since April 26, 2024.
  • Schedule inspections by calling (208) 608-7070 before 7:30 a.m.
  • A Homeowner Electrical Permit Guide (April 2026) is available on the 424 permit page.
  • Heads up on fees: the electrical fee amounts here come from Boise's most recently posted electrical fee schedule, dated April 2019 (the other trades were updated in 2021–2023) — re-confirmed still the live/current schedule as of 2026-07-16 (a 'Proposed FY27 Electrical Code Fee Schedule,' effective 10-1-26, is posted on the City's site but not yet adopted). Confirm current electrical fees with Planning & Development Services at (208) 608-7070 before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

Boise requires a residential electrical permit for: Installation, change, or repair of any hard-wired electrical system; Panel upgrades and service entrance changes; New circuits or rewiring for additions and alterations; Generator and solar panel electrical connections; Electric vehicle charger (EVSE) outlet installation; Homeowner may self-permit electrical work on their own primary or secondary residence per Idaho statute (no contractor license required for homeowner work). If your project isn't listed, confirm with Boise Planning and Development Services — Building Division at (208) 608-7070 before starting work.

For a service equipment upgrade or panel change up to 200 amps, the permit fee is $55. For over 200 amps, it is $65. These fees are set by the Boise City Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 5-a.

Plan review for a residential electrical permit in Boise typically runs 1–10 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Boise Planning and Development Services — Building Division at (208) 608-7070.

You'll need: Electrical Permit Application. Depending on your project, Boise may also ask for: Homeowner Electrical Permit Guide. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Boise requires 3 inspection(s) for a residential electrical permit, in order: Preliminary Conference, Rough-In / Permanent Service, Final. Schedule each through Boise Planning and Development Services — Building Division ((208) 608-7070).

Apply through Boise Planning and Development Services — Building Division at 150 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702. Phone: (208) 608-7070, email: permits@cityofboise.org. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed holidays). Official information: https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/planning-and-development-services/building/.

Boise, Idaho has adopted: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — with Appendices H (Signs) and J (Grading); Mass Timber provisions only of the 2021 IBC; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC); 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), Parts I–IV and IX — with Appendices Q (Tiny Houses) and S (Strawbale Construction); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (based on the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code, including Chapter 13 – Medical Gas); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — effective April 26, 2024; 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) — with Appendices B, C, D, F and L; 2019 NFPA 13; 2019 NFPA 72; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — commercial and residential projects with 3+ units; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — commercial and residential projects with 3+ units; 2018 IRC Parts V and VI — single- and two-family residential mechanical and fuel gas. Local amendments apply — see the Boise overview page for the full list.

Yes. Idaho state law permits homeowners to perform electrical work on their own primary or secondary residence without a contractor license. You must still obtain a permit (424 – Residential Electrical) and pass all required inspections. A preliminary conference inspection is mandatory.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-16.

Fee schedules

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Boise building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Other permits in Boise

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Residential Electrical Permit in other cities

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