You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Priest River building permits
VerifiedPriest River, Idaho — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Codes adopted
2018 International Building Code (IBC), with Idaho amendments2018 International Residential Code (IRC), Parts I, II, III and IX, with Idaho amendments — collectively named the Idaho Residential Code (2020 Edition)2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Idaho amendments — collectively named the Idaho Energy Conservation Code (2020 Edition)2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — state-administered via Idaho DOPL2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — state-administered via Idaho DOPL2018 International Residential Code Parts V & VI (mechanical/fuel gas) — state-administered via Idaho DOPL2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code, based on the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code — state-administered via Idaho DOPL2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), with amendments — state-administered via Idaho DOPL2018 International Fire Code (IFC) — administered by the Idaho State Fire MarshalPriest River City Code Title 9 (Building Codes and Regulations), adopting the above codes for city-administered building permits
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
VerifiedRequired for all new single-family residential construction in the City of Priest River. Building plan review and inspections are performed by James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC under contract as the City's Building Official; the permit itself is issued by the City.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- Recorded copy of warranty deed or lease agreement showing name and legal description
- Compliance with zoning, subdivision, stormwater, and floodplain regulations
- Completed plot plan showing all setbacks from structure to property lines (survey may be required)
- Stormwater plan required if building site is within 300 feet of surface water or on a slope of 15% or greater
- Water and sewer approval signature from the City of Priest River obtained before application is accepted
- TWO (2) 11x17 complete sets of construction plans drawn to scale (full-size sets may be required if not legible)
- Plans for all pole buildings must be stamped by an Idaho Licensed Design Professional
- Commercial, industrial, and pole buildings must be wet-stamped by an Idaho-licensed architect or engineer per state law
- Separate state-issued Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing permits required via Idaho DOPL — not issued by the City
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit and Sign ApplicationCity of Priest River / James A. Sewell & Associates combined building permit and plot plan application form
- RequiredRecorded Warranty Deed or Lease AgreementMust show applicant's name and legal description matching the site
- RequiredTwo Sets of Construction Drawings (11x17, scaled)Must include elevations of all sides, floor plans with smoke detector locations and window/door sizes, footing and foundation details with rebar schedules, complete framing details (header/beam sizes, window schedules, insulation R-values), typical cross-section, and roof/truss specifications with stamped engineered truss specs
- RequiredPlot PlanSite map showing boundary lines with dimensions, north arrow, roads, water bodies/drainage, proposed and existing structures, distances to property lines, parking, easements, stormwater drainage plan, and septic/well/water-sewer hookup locations
- RequiredWater and Sewer Connection ApplicationRequired approval/signature from the City before the building application is accepted
- OptionalStormwater Management PlanRequired if the site is within 300 feet of surface water or has a slope of 15% or greater
- OptionalDevelopment PermitRequired if the parcel is located in a Floodplain and/or Floodway; structures in a Floodway require an Idaho-licensed architect or engineer to design the foundation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Per Table 1-A of the 1997 Uniform Building Code (valuation-based) | City of Priest River Resolution No. 25-056 (effective 11/3/2025), Appendix A: 'Building Permit Fee — Table 1-A 1997 UBC.' Building valuation is determined using the 2010 Building Valuation Data Sheet referenced in the same resolution. |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Resolution No. 25-056, Appendix A |
| Additional Plan Review Fee | $50/hour | Resolution No. 25-056, Appendix A |
| Plan Addendum / Change Review | $47/hour | Resolution No. 25-056, Appendix A |
| Re-Inspection Fee | $47/hour | Resolution No. 25-056, Appendix A |
| New Construction Building Permit Deposit | $500 | Resolution No. 25-056, Appendix A |
| Violation for Failure to Obtain a Permit | Double the Building Permit Fee | Resolution No. 25-056, Appendix A |
| Water/Sewer Service Connection Fees | Varies by service line size — see Water and Sewer Connection Application | Required if the project site was not previously provided with sewer and water service; new residential/commercial builds are also subject to established impact fees per the applicable adopted fee schedule |
Solar PV Permit (State-Issued Electrical + City Building Permit)
VerifiedRequired for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems within the City of Priest River. Idaho does not allow cities to administer their own electrical permitting: the electrical-connection scope of a solar install is permitted directly by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL, formerly the Division of Building Safety), while the structural/roof-mounting scope requires a City of Priest River Building Permit, with plan review performed under contract by James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC as the City's Building Official.
Verified 2026-07-19 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical work on a solar PV system must be performed by an Idaho-licensed electrical contractor whose electrician holds (or is supervised by someone holding) the Solar Photovoltaic limited electrical license category, which requires proof of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) installer certification or equivalent, per IDAPA 24.39.10.153.09
- Grid-tied renewable energy systems require a mandatory electrical plan review by DOPL before the installation permit can be purchased
- All PV electrical work must comply with the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code as adopted by Idaho (IDAPA 24.39.10.250)
- The structural/roof-mounting scope requires a City of Priest River Building Permit: recorded deed, plot plan with setbacks, two 11x17 sets of construction plans, and (for pole-mounted or ground-mounted racking on a pole-type structure) plans stamped by an Idaho Licensed Design Professional
- Water and sewer approval is not applicable to a solar-only project but standard City review still applies to the structural building permit
- Separate permits are required for electrical work in addition to the City building permit — the City does not issue electrical permits itself
Required documents
- RequiredIdaho DOPL Electrical Permit Application (Alternative Energy / Solar PV)State of Idaho DOPL electrical permit application; covers the grid-tied or off-grid electrical connection scope of the solar installation
- RequiredBuilding Permit and Sign Application (structural/roof-mounting scope)Same City of Priest River / James A. Sewell & Associates combined building permit and plot plan application form used for other construction
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho DOPL Electrical Permit — 'Other Installation' fee schedule (applies to solar/renewable energy since no dedicated PV fee line is published) | Wiring cost up to $10,000: $60 plus 2% of total wiring cost; $10,000-$100,000: $260 plus 1% of the amount over $10,000; over $100,000: $1,160 plus 0.5% of the amount over $100,000 | Idaho Electrical Board Rules, IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 (Permits and Inspections), current administrative rule text (adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/243910.pdf). Statewide fee schedule — Idaho does not permit local jurisdictions to set their own electrical permit fees; Priest River has no local electrical-permitting program. |
| DOPL Electrical Plan Review (required for grid-tied renewable energy systems before permit purchase) | $65 minimum for one hour or less, plus $65 per additional hour | IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 plan review fee; grid-tied solar/renewable systems require a passing plan review before the installation permit itself may be purchased |
| City of Priest River Building Permit Fee (structural/roof-mounting scope) | Per Table 1-A of the 1997 Uniform Building Code (valuation-based) | City of Priest River Resolution No. 25-056 (effective 11/3/2025), Appendix A — same valuation-based schedule used for all other building permits in this file; no dedicated solar line item is published, so the general Building Permit Fee table applies, plus the 65% Plan Review Fee also charged on other building permits. |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired for the construction or installation of signs within the City of Priest River, including free-standing signs. Building plan review is performed by James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC under contract with the City.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- Recorded copy of warranty deed or lease agreement showing name and legal description
- Compliance with zoning, subdivision, stormwater, and floodplain regulations
- Commercial and industrial projects must have site plan approval
- TWO (2) complete sets of construction plans drawn to scale
- All free-standing signs must be stamped by a licensed structural engineer
- State electrical permit required for illuminated signs via Idaho DOPL
Required documents
- RequiredSign Permit ApplicationCity of Priest River sign permit application procedures and combined building permit/plot plan form
- RequiredTwo Sets of Construction Drawings (scaled)Must show elevations of all sides, footing and foundation details with rebar schedules, and complete framing details
- RequiredStructural Engineer StampRequired for all free-standing signs
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit Application Fee | $100 application fee, plus cost of building permit | City of Priest River Resolution No. 25-056 (effective 11/3/2025), Appendix A: 'Sign Permit — $100 application fee + cost of building permit' |
EV Charging Station Permit (State-Issued Electrical Permit)
VerifiedRequired for installation of a Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle charging station/EVSE within the City of Priest River. As with solar PV, Idaho does not allow the City to administer its own electrical permitting: the electrical-connection scope is permitted directly by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). No separate City building permit is required for a standalone EVSE install unless it triggers a service/panel upgrade or a new structure (e.g. carport), in which case the City's standard Building Permit process, reviewed under contract by James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC, applies to that scope.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical work must be performed by an Idaho-licensed electrical contractor (or the homeowner on their own primary residence, per Idaho Code Section 54-1016 exemptions), permitted through Idaho DOPL rather than the City of Priest River
- Installation must comply with National Electrical Code Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System) as adopted by Idaho under IDAPA 24.39.10.250
- A dedicated branch circuit sized to the EVSE manufacturer's specifications is required; GFCI protection applies per NEC 625 where the EVSE is cord-and-plug connected
- If a panel or service upgrade is needed to support the added load, that scope is also permitted through DOPL
- No dedicated EV/EVSE fee line item is published by DOPL — the statewide 'Other Installation' fee schedule under IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 applies, the same category this file's solar-pv-permit entry uses for its electrical-connection scope
Required documents
- RequiredIdaho DOPL Electrical Permit Application (Contractor)State of Idaho DOPL electrical permit application for licensed-contractor installations
- OptionalIdaho DOPL Homeowner Electrical Permit ApplicationAlternative application for a homeowner self-installing EVSE wiring on their own primary residence under Idaho Code Section 54-1016
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho DOPL Electrical Permit — 'Other Installation' fee schedule (applies to EV charging station circuits since no dedicated EVSE fee line is published) | Wiring cost up to $10,000: $60 plus 2% of total wiring cost; $10,000-$100,000: $260 plus 1% of the amount over $10,000; over $100,000: $1,160 plus 0.5% of the amount over $100,000 | Idaho Electrical Board Rules, IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 (Permits and Inspections). Statewide fee schedule — Idaho does not permit local jurisdictions to set their own electrical permit fees; Priest River has no local electrical-permitting program. Same fee category this file's solar-pv-permit entry documents for its electrical-connection scope. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
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 Priest River building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.