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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Boise, Idaho

Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems on residential properties in Boise. Requires both a building permit for structural mounting (flat $165 fee) and a separate electrical permit for wiring ($110 for the electrical portion on existing residences).

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Rooftop solar panel installation
  • Ground-mounted solar array installation
  • Battery storage system installation associated with solar
  • Building permit (406 — Residential Addition/Alteration with Photovoltaic Checklist) for structural mounting
  • Electrical permit (424 — Residential Electrical) for wiring and inverter connections

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Residential Solar PV — building permit (plan review/inspections)Boise Building Code Fee Schedule item 11 (Oct 2023): 'Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems plan review/inspections permit fee: $165'
$165 flat fee
Residential Solar PV — electrical permit (installation on existing residence)Boise Electrical Code Fee Schedule, Table 3-a: 'Installation of solar panels: (up to two inspections) $110'
$110 (up to two inspections)

Review timeline

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

How long did your Solar Photovoltaic (PV) 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

    Rough Electrical

    Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before energizing

  2. 2

    Final — Building / Structural

    Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing verified

  3. 3

    Final — Electrical

    Electrical connections, inverter installation, and interconnection point verified

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

Tips

  • Two separate permits are required in Boise for residential solar: a building permit ($165 flat) for structural mounting and an electrical permit ($110) for wiring.
  • The Residential Photovoltaic Systems Checklist (available from the 406 permit page) must accompany the building permit application.
  • Boise's roof snow load minimum is 25 PSF — structural calculations must account for both panel weight and snow load.
  • Idaho Power (Boise's utility) interconnection approval is required before the system can be energized.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. You need a building permit (406 with PV checklist, $165 flat fee) for the structural mounting and a separate electrical permit (424, $110) for the wiring. Both are required before work begins.

Boise charges a flat $165 building permit fee for residential solar PV systems (covers plan review and inspections). A separate electrical permit costs $110 for the wiring portion. Total minimum permit cost is $275.

Plan review for a solar photovoltaic (pv) 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: Permit Application (406); Residential Photovoltaic Systems Checklist; Electrical Permit Application (424); Solar Site Plan; Electrical Single-Line Diagram; Structural Analysis / Roof Load Calculation; Equipment Specifications. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Boise requires 3 inspection(s) for a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit, in order: Rough Electrical, Final — Building / Structural, Final — Electrical. 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.

Sources & verification

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

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.

Other permits in Boise

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Alteration PermitResidential Electrical PermitEV Charger / EVSE Installation PermitResidential Plumbing PermitResidential Mechanical / HVAC PermitResidential Roofing PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) PermitWater Heater PermitNew Commercial Building and Commercial Additions Permit (502)Tenant Improvement Permit — Minor (518) and Major (520)

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in other cities

American Falls, IdahoAmmon, IdahoBlackfoot, IdahoBuhl, IdahoBurley, IdahoCaldwell, IdahoCascade, IdahoChubbuck, Idaho

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