Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel) in Garden City, Idaho
Required for residential new construction, additions, remodels, re-roofs, and other projects that require a building permit in Garden City. Building permits are submitted to Garden City; plan review is performed by SAFEbuilt and IDOPL under contract. Work exempt from permit is listed in Garden City Code 7-2-3 F (Section R105.2). Garden City's valuation-based fee table is established by Resolution 1239-26 (effective February 23, 2025).
Verified 2026-06-29 · Source
When you need this permit
- Submit Building Permit Application — Residential to Garden City Development Services
- Permit fee must be paid prior to plan review (structure plan review fees are separate from permit issuance fee)
- Plans reviewed by SAFEbuilt and/or IDOPL for code compliance; Garden City P&Z conducts design compliance review
- Design Professional Building Plans Certification Form required for projects that have gone through Design Review, P&Z, or City Council hearings
- Resubmittal Form required with any plan changes or resubmitted documents ($40 fee per resubmittal)
- ACHD impact fee receipt required prior to permit issuance
- Permit must be posted on site; inspections will not be conducted without posted permit
- Work exempt from permit: one-story detached accessory structures ≤120 sq ft, fences ≤7 ft, retaining walls ≤4 ft (without surcharge), minor repair/maintenance (see GCC 7-2-3 F, Section R105.2)
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application — Residential
Required for residential new construction, addition, remodel, re-roof, and other permitted projects
- Opt
Design Professional Building Plans Certification Form
Required for projects approved through Design Review, Planning & Zoning, or City Council
- Opt
Resubmittal Form
Required with any plan changes or resubmitted documents after initial submittal
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit — $0.01 to $2,000 valuation | $150.00 | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (effective 2/23/2025). Valuation determined by ICC BVD table or actual project cost, whichever is greater. |
| Building Permit — $2,000.01 to $25,000 valuation | $150.00 for the first $2,000 + $17.08 per each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (effective 2/23/2025) |
| Building Permit — $25,000.01 to $100,000 valuation | $542.84 for the first $25,000 + $12.32 per each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (effective 2/23/2025) |
| Building Permit — $100,000.01 to $1,000,000 valuation | $1,466.84 for the first $100,000 + $7.97 per each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (effective 2/23/2025) |
| Building Permit — $1,000,000.01 to $10,000,000 valuation | $8,639.84 for the first $1,000,000 + $7.32 per each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (effective 2/23/2025) |
| Structure Plan Review — Residential (value > $20,000) | 50% of Building Permit fee | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A. Must be paid prior to review. Projects with value < $20,000 billed at $155/hour. |
| Design Compliance Review — Single Family / Two Family | $160.00 | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (planning review for residential) |
| Administrative Set Up (all permits) | $80.00 | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A — initial administrative set up fee for all permits |
| Resubmittal Filing (each resubmittal) | $40.00 | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A |
| Re-inspection or additional inspections | $80.00/hour minimum 1 hour | Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule, Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A |
Review timeline
~10–30 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Garden City building department
Inspection process
- 1
Footing / Foundation
Before concrete pour — schedule by 4:00 PM prior day via Inspection Hotline (208) 472-2920 or online Inspection Request Form. Inspections will not be conducted if fees have not been paid or permit is not posted on site.
- 2
Framing
After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover — building inspection by SAFEbuilt/IDOPL
- 3
Final
All work complete per approved plans; Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing all required inspections
Tips
- Garden City contracts building plan review and inspections to SAFEbuilt (structural) and IDOPL — permits are still submitted to Garden City.
- M/E/P permits (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) are obtained DIRECTLY through the Idaho Division of Building Safety (DOPL) — not through Garden City.
- Schedule all building inspections by 4:00 PM the prior day via the Inspection Hotline (208) 472-2920 or the online Inspection Request Form at gardencityidaho.org/inspections/. Same-day inspections are not available.
- Plan review fees (50% of permit fee for residential > $20,000) must be paid prior to review, in addition to the permit fee.
- A Resubmittal Form ($40 fee) is required for any plan changes or re-submitted documents.
- ACHD impact fees must be paid and receipt provided to Garden City before a permit is issued.
- Fees may be paid by cash, credit card, ACH, or check. Purchase orders are not accepted.
- Valuation is the greater of the ICC Building Valuation Data (BVD) table or actual project cost — submit Building Valuation Calculator (Excel) or document actual costs.
Frequently asked questions
- Who reviews my building plans in Garden City?
- Garden City contracts building plan review and structural inspections to SAFEbuilt (Alan Chambers, achambers@safebuilt.com, 208-550-0520) and IDOPL (Russ Gardina, Russ.Gardina@dopl.idaho.gov, 208-606-5915). Permits are submitted to Garden City Development Services but reviewed by these contractors. Planning & Zoning also reviews plans for design compliance.
- Do I need separate mechanical, electrical, or plumbing permits?
- Yes, and they are obtained separately from Garden City. M/E/P permits are issued directly by the Idaho Division of Building Safety (DOPL). Contact DOPL for all trade permits. Garden City only issues the structural building permit.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
- City of Garden City Development Services — Building Division — official building department
- Building Services | City of Garden City
- Building Permit Application — Residential (PDF)
- Garden City Development Services Fee Schedule — Resolution 1239-26 Exhibit A (effective 2/23/2025) (PDF)
- Building Valuation Data Feb 2026 (BVD-BSJ) (PDF)
- Applications and Forms | City of Garden City
- Inspections | City of Garden City
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 Garden City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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