Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Pocatello, Idaho

Pocatello requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: Accessory Dwelling Unit land-use application processed by Planning & Development Services (208-234-6184), separate from the Building Department's construction permit; Accessory Dwelling Unit Restrictive Covenant must be executed and recorded; Building permit still required for ADU construction, subject to all adopted building codes (2018 IBC/IRC as amended); Apply for the land-use component through eTRAKiT's Land Use Permits category; apply for the construction permit through eTRAKiT's Building Permits category. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Pocatello Building Department (Development Services Center) at (208) 234-6158 before starting work.

In Pocatello, the published ADU Construction — Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, same schedule as new residential construction) is: $23.50 minimum ($1-$500 valuation), scaling per the Building Permit Fees table (e.g., $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000 up to $25,000; see Residential Building Permit fee schedule for full table). Additional published fees: Plan Review Fee — Residential — 35% of the building permit fee; Land-Use Application Fee — Administrative Review (staff level review), AAA/ADU — $50. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Pocatello's published plan-review target for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit is 10–10 business days.

You'll need: Accessory Dwelling Unit Restrictive Covenant (PDF); Land Use Permit Application (ADU); Building Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Apply through City of Pocatello Building Department (Development Services Center) at 911 N 7th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83201 (mailing: PO Box 4169, Pocatello, ID 83205-4169). Phone: (208) 234-6158. Office hours: Building Official: Marc Howell. Inspection scheduling hotline: (208) 234-6275 / (208) 234-6580 (erosion & sediment control inspections). Permits and Licensing Division: (208) 234-6285. Planning & Development Services (land use, ADUs, zoning): (208) 234-6184.. Official information: https://pocatello.gov/163/Building.

Pocatello, Idaho has adopted: Idaho has a mandatory statewide building code framework under the Idaho Building Code Act (Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 41), administered by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses' Building Safety Program, which sets the statewide-adopted editions of the IBC, IRC, IECC, and related codes; local jurisdictions administer and enforce permitting and inspections within their boundaries and may adopt local amendments. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page (pocatello.gov/164/General-Building-Information).; The City of Pocatello operates its own Building Department and Development Services Center — it is not a DOPL-administered jurisdiction for permit issuance. The Building Department 'ensures the safety of all buildings and structures in the city of Pocatello through the administration and enforcement of codes and ordinances regarding new construction, remodeling, and the abatement of dangerous buildings,' and 'coordinates plan checks and issues building permits for all construction including electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas installation; building demolitions; excavations; signs and sidewalks.' Source: City of Pocatello Building Department page (pocatello.gov/163/Building).; 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (Idaho's state-amended plumbing code, administered locally) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 Idaho Fire Code — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted by City of Pocatello. Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) — referenced on the City's Residential Plan Checklist for fire access/turnaround review. Source: City of Pocatello Residential Development Application & Plan Checklist (PDF), pocatello.gov/DocumentCenter/View/81.; All codes amended per the 2018 Idaho Administrative Code (IDAPA rules). Source: City of Pocatello General Building Information page.; Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) administers statewide contractor/tradesperson licensing (electrical, plumbing, mechanical contractors and journeymen) — DOPL issues the underlying trade licenses, but the City of Pocatello Building Department issues the construction permits and performs inspections within city limits. Source: City of Pocatello Contractor Licenses page (pocatello.gov/166/Contractor-Licenses), which requires electrical/mechanical/plumbing contractors to hold and present 'a copy of State of Idaho license' (DOPL) rather than issuing a separate city trade license for those disciplines.. Local amendments apply — see the Pocatello overview page for the full list.

Yes. ADUs require a Planning & Development Services land-use approval (including a recorded Accessory Dwelling Unit Restrictive Covenant) in addition to the standard Building Department construction permit for the structure itself. The construction permit is valued and fee-scheduled the same as new residential construction and follows the same minimum 10-working-day plan review timeline.