Skip to main content
PermitBase

Commercial Building Permit (New Construction & Additions) in Idaho City, Idaho

Required for new commercial construction and additions within Idaho City limits. Idaho City has no separate commercial-specific application or fee schedule — commercial projects are submitted on the same universal Building Permit Application (checked 'Commercial' under Type) and billed on the identical valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule used for residential work. What IS distinct: commercial projects are plan-reviewed against the City's separate 'Minimum Information for Commercial Structural Plan Review' checklist, based on the 2015 IBC and 2015 IECC (rather than the 2017 IRC used for residential), and construction documents must be prepared by a registered design professional.

Verified 2026-08-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Building permit required for any commercial building or structure erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered (Idaho City Code 8-1-4) — same statutory basis as residential
  • Submit the City's standard Building Permit Application (check 'Commercial' under Type; 'New' or 'Addition' under Structure) as a digital PDF plus 2 hard copies of plans
  • Application must include, at minimum, existing use, proposed use, a to-scale site plan, building height, and number of off-street parking spaces (Idaho City Code 8-1-5)
  • Construction documents must satisfy the City's 'Minimum Information for Commercial Structural Plan Review' checklist: energy compliance path (Com-Check, ASHRAE, or prescriptive) and details per the 2015 IECC; occupancy classification, occupancy load, and construction type; means of egress plan per chapter 10 of the 2015 IBC; accessibility per chapter 11 of the 2015 IBC and ICC A117.1 (2009 ed.); fire/smoke-rated assemblies per chapter 7 and fire protection systems (alarm, sprinkler, standpipe) per chapter 9 of the 2015 IBC; stamped engineering for lateral force-resisting systems per chapter 16
  • Construction documents must be prepared by a registered (Idaho-licensed) design professional — the commercial checklist does not offer the informal/owner-drawn path that some smaller residential projects use
  • The City shall approve or disapprove a submitted application within thirty (30) days of receipt (Idaho City Code 8-1-7)
  • Properties within the Idaho City Historic District must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission BEFORE the building permit can be issued for any exterior change — much of downtown Idaho City's commercial Main Street frontage sits within the district
  • Properties served by City water and/or sewer must complete a Water and/or Sewer Services Application & Contract and pay connection fees in full before the City issues the building permit
  • A Certificate of Occupancy is required before occupying a newly constructed or newly converted commercial building (Idaho City Code 8-1-9); all plan review, permit, and inspection fees must be paid in full before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued (Idaho City Code 8-1-6)
  • Separate trade permits (electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation/air conditioning) are required in addition to the building permit — these are issued by the State of Idaho (DOPL), not the City
  • Building inspections (footing, foundation, sheathing, framing, energy, final) are conducted through the Boise County Building Department's Building Inspection Line, (208) 781-8565 — the same phone number Idaho City's own Building Permit Application lists as its inspection/plan-review contact (Jon Watkins); call at least 48 hours in advance and have your permit number ready

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 3 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →

Fee schedule

Building Permit — total valuation $1.00 to $500.00Same City of Idaho City Building Permit Fee Schedule used for residential — no separate commercial fee table exists; the fee sheet itself is titled 'For New Construction Or Additions To Existing Buildings' with no residential/commercial split
$23.50
Building Permit — total valuation $501.00 to $2,000.00
$23.50 for the first $500.00, plus $3.00 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.00
Building Permit — total valuation $2,001.00 to $25,000.00
$69.25 for the first $2,000.00, plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00
Building Permit — total valuation $25,001.00 to $50,000.00
$391.75 for the first $25,000.00, plus $10.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00
Building Permit — total valuation $50,000.00 to $100,000.00
$643.75 for the first $50,000.00, plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00
Building Permit — total valuation $100,001.00 to $500,000.00
$993.75 for the first $100,000.00, plus $5.50 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00
Building Permit — total valuation $500,000.00 to $1,000,000.00
$3,233.75 for the first $500,000.00, plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000.00
Building Permit — total valuation $1,000,000.00 and up
$5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000.00, plus $3.50 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof
Plan ReviewCity of Idaho City Building Permit Fee Schedule: 'Plan Review is an additional 65% of building permit fee'
65% of the building permit fee
Re-inspection FeeCharged by the Boise County Building Department 'after multiple visits of same inspection type,' per the Boise County Building Department's Inspection Requirements brochure — not listed on the City's own fee schedule
$150.00
Water Connection Fee (new connection)Building Permit Application: required in full before the City issues a building permit for any property connecting to City water
$3,785.25
Sewer Connection Fee (new connection)Building Permit Application: required in full before the City issues a building permit for any property connecting to City sewer
$3,785.25

Review timeline

Plan reviewIdaho City’s published plan-review target
1–30 business days

How long did your Commercial Building Permit (New Construction & Additions) permit actually take in Idaho City?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footing / Holes / Columns / Pads

    After forms are set, reinforcing is tied in place, and property lines are clearly marked — before concrete is placed. Conducted by the Boise County Building Department per its published Inspection Requirements.

  2. 2

    Foundation / Wall

    After forms and reinforcing materials are in place but before concrete is placed

  3. 3

    Wall and Roof Sheathing

    Before house wrap or siding is placed; wall and roof nailing pattern is checked

  4. 4

    Framing

    After roof/wall sheathing and all framing, fire blocking, bracing, and weather barrier are in place, and after electrical/plumbing/HVAC rough-ins are signed off by state (DOPL) inspectors — before insulation is placed

  5. 5

    Energy

    Before the interior is covered; insulation installer must certify type, manufacturer, and R-value installed per the adopted energy code

  6. 6

    Final

    Last inspection, done after all code-related work is complete and before occupancy; electrical, plumbing, and HVAC finals (DOPL) must already be approved. Required before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

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

Tips

  • There is no separate commercial building permit application or fee schedule in Idaho City — use the same Building Permit Application and fee sheet as any other project, and simply check 'Commercial' under Type.
  • Unlike residential submittals, commercial construction documents must be prepared by a registered design professional and must satisfy the City's 'Minimum Information for Commercial Structural Plan Review' checklist (2015 IBC/IECC) — pull this checklist before you submit to avoid a rejected/incomplete application.
  • Building inspections are handled through the Boise County Building Department's Building Inspection Line at (208) 781-8565 (48 hours' notice required) — this is the same contact number printed on the City's own Building Permit Application, not a separate city inspector.
  • If your commercial property is on or near Main Street, assume you're in the Historic District until you confirm otherwise — get your Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission (meets only once a month) before applying for the building permit.
  • A Certificate of Occupancy is required before you can occupy a new commercial building, and the City will not issue it until all plan review, permit, and inspection fees are paid in full.

Frequently asked questions

Idaho City requires a commercial building permit (new construction & additions) for: Building permit required for any commercial building or structure erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered (Idaho City Code 8-1-4) — same statutory basis as residential; Submit the City's standard Building Permit Application (check 'Commercial' under Type; 'New' or 'Addition' under Structure) as a digital PDF plus 2 hard copies of plans; Application must include, at minimum, existing use, proposed use, a to-scale site plan, building height, and number of off-street parking spaces (Idaho City Code 8-1-5); Construction documents must satisfy the City's 'Minimum Information for Commercial Structural Plan Review' checklist: energy compliance path (Com-Check, ASHRAE, or prescriptive) and details per the 2015 IECC; occupancy classification, occupancy load, and construction type; means of egress plan per chapter 10 of the 2015 IBC; accessibility per chapter 11 of the 2015 IBC and ICC A117.1 (2009 ed.); fire/smoke-rated assemblies per chapter 7 and fire protection systems (alarm, sprinkler, standpipe) per chapter 9 of the 2015 IBC; stamped engineering for lateral force-resisting systems per chapter 16; Construction documents must be prepared by a registered (Idaho-licensed) design professional — the commercial checklist does not offer the informal/owner-drawn path that some smaller residential projects use; The City shall approve or disapprove a submitted application within thirty (30) days of receipt (Idaho City Code 8-1-7); Properties within the Idaho City Historic District must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission BEFORE the building permit can be issued for any exterior change — much of downtown Idaho City's commercial Main Street frontage sits within the district; Properties served by City water and/or sewer must complete a Water and/or Sewer Services Application & Contract and pay connection fees in full before the City issues the building permit; A Certificate of Occupancy is required before occupying a newly constructed or newly converted commercial building (Idaho City Code 8-1-9); all plan review, permit, and inspection fees must be paid in full before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued (Idaho City Code 8-1-6); Separate trade permits (electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation/air conditioning) are required in addition to the building permit — these are issued by the State of Idaho (DOPL), not the City; Building inspections (footing, foundation, sheathing, framing, energy, final) are conducted through the Boise County Building Department's Building Inspection Line, (208) 781-8565 — the same phone number Idaho City's own Building Permit Application lists as its inspection/plan-review contact (Jon Watkins); call at least 48 hours in advance and have your permit number ready. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Idaho City — Building Permits and Inspections Department at (208) 392-4584 before starting work.

No. Commercial projects use the same universal Building Permit Application (checked 'Commercial') and the same valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule as residential construction. The difference is in plan review: commercial projects must meet the City's separate 'Minimum Information for Commercial Structural Plan Review' checklist, based on the 2015 IBC and 2015 IECC.

Idaho City Code 8-1-7 requires the City to approve or disapprove an application within 30 days of receipt. This is a statutory ceiling on the City's decision, not a guarantee of full plan review completion in 30 days — incomplete commercial submittals or resubmission cycles can extend the practical timeline.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (2025-26); Min Info Commercial Structural Plan Review Checklist; Construction Drawings (prepared by a registered design professional). Depending on your project, Idaho City may also ask for: Certificate of Appropriateness; Water and/or Sewer Services Application & Contract. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Idaho City requires 6 inspection(s) for a commercial building permit (new construction & additions), in order: Footing / Holes / Columns / Pads, Foundation / Wall, Wall and Roof Sheathing, Framing, Energy, Final. Schedule each through City of Idaho City — Building Permits and Inspections Department ((208) 392-4584).

Apply through City of Idaho City — Building Permits and Inspections Department at 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. Official information: https://idahocity.municipalimpact.com/building-permits-and-inspections.

Idaho City, Idaho has adopted: 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. Local amendments apply — see the Idaho City overview page for the full list.

Building inspections (footing, foundation, sheathing, framing, energy, final) are conducted through the Boise County Building Department's Building Inspection Line, (208) 781-8565 — the same number listed as the inspection contact on the City's own Building Permit Application. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are separately inspected by the State of Idaho (DOPL).

This one’s complicated · Get an expediter

Tell us about your project and we’ll connect you with a permit expediter who works in Idaho City.

PermitBase may receive a referral fee from the expediter. This is a service introduction, not verified permit data or legal advice.

Other permits in Idaho City

Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions & Alterations)Demolition PermitHistoric District Certificate of AppropriatenessSolar Photovoltaic (PV) PermitElectric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE PermitTenant Improvement / Commercial Remodel Permit

Commercial Building Permit (New Construction & Additions) in other cities

Ammon, IdahoBlackfoot, IdahoBoise, IdahoBuhl, IdahoCaldwell, IdahoCascade, IdahoChubbuck, IdahoCity of St. Maries, Idaho

Compare commercial building permit (new construction & additions) fees across Idaho →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Idaho City project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Idaho City — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

Get started →