Idaho City building permits

Building department

Address

511 Main St., PO Box 130, Idaho City, ID 83631

Phone

(208) 392-4584

Email

idahocityclerk@cityofic.org

Office hours

Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM); Fri by appointment

Website

Official site

Inspection guide

See how inspections work in Idaho City — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.

Codes adopted

Idaho adopts a statewide baseline building code set under the Idaho Building Code Act (Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 41) and IDAPA rules administered by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Effective January 1, 2021, the statewide baseline includes the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2020 Idaho Residential Code (based on the 2018 IRC Parts I–III and IX with Idaho amendments), 2020 Idaho Energy Conservation Code (based on the 2018 IECC with Idaho amendments), 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), and 2018 International Fire Code (IFC). The National Electrical Code is adopted separately by the Idaho Electrical Board (IDAPA 24.39.10), not bundled with the building code: Idaho enforces the 2023 NEC, effective July 1, 2024 (the state used the 2017 NEC with amendments before that and skipped the 2020 edition). Local jurisdictions must enforce the state baseline and may adopt amendments only where those amendments are at least as stringent as the state-adopted editions; local amendments may not be less restrictive. Enforcement is local — each city or county issues permits and performs inspections. Always confirm the current adopted edition and any local amendments with your specific jurisdiction before submitting plans.

• 2015 International Building Code (IBC), including rules for ADA and Federal Fair Housing Act accessibility equivalency, as adopted per Idaho City Code 8-1-2 and Idaho Code section 39-4116(1)
• 2017 Idaho Residential Code (IRC), Parts I-IV and IX
• 2017 Idaho Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• Per Idaho City Code 8-1-2, adopted codes are automatically superseded by successive versions as approved by the Idaho Building Code Board — confirm current statewide-mandated edition with the City or the Idaho Building Code Board before relying on a specific year
• Idaho City Code Title 8 — Building Regulations

Permit types & fees

• Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions & Alterations)

  Required for all new residential construction, additions, remodels, and structural alterations within Idaho City limits. One application form and one valuation-based fee schedule cover new construction, remodels, additions, repairs, and renewals. Issued by the City Building Permits and Inspections Department / City Zoning Administrator.

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• Demolition Permit

  Required for demolition of any commercial or residential structure within Idaho City limits, including a required checklist covering utility disconnection, historic district status, asbestos/lead paint certification, and traffic control planning.

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• Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness

  Required BEFORE a building permit can be issued for any exterior change, new signage, or demolition on a structure located within the Idaho City Historic District. Issued by the Idaho City Historic Preservation Commission (a five-member advisory commission), governed by City Ordinance No. 270 and the Idaho City Design Guide (updated September 2011).

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• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

  Required for rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations within Idaho City limits. The structural/mounting portion is billed under the City's own valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule (same table used for other construction and additions); the electrical interconnection portion is handled by the State of Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), not the City, consistent with Idaho City's standing arrangement for all electrical/plumbing/mechanical trade permits. No dedicated flat solar fee or standalone solar application was found published by the City.

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• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE Permit

  Idaho City does not issue electrical permits at all — electrical work, including EV charger/EVSE circuit installation, is issued and inspected by the State of Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL, Bureau of Building and Construction Safety), the same statewide arrangement covering all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC trade work in the city. No dedicated EV charger/EVSE fee category exists in IDAPA 24.39.10 (Rules of the Idaho Electrical Board) — an EV charger circuit added to an existing residence is billed under the flat $65 Existing Residential Dwelling Unit Permit fee, while a commercial or multi-family installation is billed under the Other Installation (Including Industrial and Commercial) Permit's wiring-cost-tiered schedule, both confirmed directly against DOPL's own published electrical board rules.

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