Unincorporated Cassia County building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Unincorporated Cassia County, Idaho.
Last verified 2026-08-02 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- Cassia County Courthouse, 1459 Overland Ave., Room 210, Burley, ID 83318
- Phone
- 208-878-7302
- bldgdept@cassia.gov
- Office hours
- Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Website
- Official site
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Unincorporated Cassia County — 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.
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC), including appendices E, G, H, and I — adopted via Cassia County Code Title 11, Chapter 1 (11-1-1), effective January 1, 2021
- 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), including parts I–IV and IX, and appendices H, J, Q, and S — adopted via Title 11, Chapter 1
- 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted via Title 11, Chapter 1
- 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted via Title 11, Chapter 1
- 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted via Title 11, Chapter 1
- Idaho Manufactured Home Installation Current Standard — adopted via Title 11, Chapter 1
- 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings — adopted via Title 11, Chapter 1
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)
Required for new single-family dwellings, additions, garages, shops, decks, and other structures covered under the International Building/Residential Code in unincorporated Cassia County. Issued by the Cassia County Zoning and Building Department under Title 11, Chapter 1 of the County Code. Applications are submitted in person or by mail with two sets of plans; electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are permitted separately through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), not the county. This SAME application and code also govern commercial new construction, additions, and remodels/tenant improvements — Cassia County has no separate commercial building permit or TI permit product. Commercial applicants check 'Commercial' under Item 11 (Use) on this application and pay a higher $500 non-refundable Plan Review fee instead of the $200 residential fee; see the 'Plan Review — Commercial' fee line and related FAQ below.
See fee scheduleCommercial Building Permit (New Construction, Additions & Remodels / Tenant Improvement)
Required for new commercial construction and for commercial additions, remodels, and tenant-improvement build-outs in unincorporated Cassia County, reviewed under the 2018 IBC as adopted by County Code Title 11, Chapter 1 (effective January 1, 2021). Cassia County has no separate commercial building permit, tenant-improvement, or remodel permit product — commercial projects use the same Cassia County Building Permit Application used for residential work, checking 'Commercial' under Item 11 (Use) and 'Addition' for remodel/TI scope. The building permit fee itself is calculated the same way for both tracks (square footage against the IBC 2003 Valuation Table 1), but commercial applicants pay a non-refundable $500.00 Plan Review fee instead of the $200.00 residential fee. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC/mechanical work is permitted separately through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), not the county.
See fee scheduleAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
Required before constructing or modifying an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in unincorporated Cassia County. Governed by County Code Title 9, Chapter 9 (9-9-4 W). ADUs must be 300–1,000 sq ft, limited to one per lot, placed on a permanent foundation, connected to the Principal Dwelling Unit's utilities, and require a recorded Declaration of Restrictions filed with the County Recorder before the permit is issued.
See fee scheduleManufactured/Mobile Home Placement Permit
Required prior to installing a manufactured or mobile home in unincorporated Cassia County, whether set on block/tie-down or a permanent foundation. Issued by the Cassia County Zoning and Building Department; homes manufactured before June 15, 1976 require a Mobile Home Compliance Rehabilitation Certificate from the Idaho Department (Division) of Building Safety before a placement permit can issue.
From$150.00Agricultural Building Siting Permit
Required for agricultural buildings in unincorporated Cassia County before construction, in lieu of a standard building permit. Agricultural buildings (used exclusively for storage of farm equipment/machinery, hay/grain/horticultural products, or livestock/poultry shelter) are exempt from the adopted building codes under Title 11, Chapter 1, but the county still regulates and ensures compliance with road setbacks and utility easements via this siting permit (County Code 9-5-3 B). Does not exempt the applicant from state electrical/plumbing permit requirements.
$75.00Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mount solar photovoltaic systems in unincorporated Cassia County. No solar-specific fee line item is published; the structural/mounting portion is billed under the same square-footage/IBC 2003 Valuation Table 1 building permit fee used for general construction. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits and inspections are handled entirely by the State of Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) (part of DOPL), not the County.
See fee scheduleEV Charger / EVSE Permit
Cassia County does not issue electrical permits at all — per the county's own Permit Information page (cassia.gov/permit-information), 'For Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Inspections & Permits' applicants must use the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) online system, not the County. Installing a Level 2 or DC fast EV charger's dedicated circuit is therefore a state-issued Electrical Permit, not a county permit; a county Building Permit only applies if the installation involves new structural or mounting work — a new carport or accessory structure housing the charger, for example. DOPL's Homeowner Electrical Permit Application (dopl.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ELE-Home-Owner-Electrical-Permit-Application.pdf, revised 8/17/2022) carries the governing statewide figure on its Electrical Permit Worksheet (Fee Schedule): 'Existing Residence... $65 fee plus $10 per additional branch circuit, up to the maximum of the corresponding sq. of the building (one circuit is included in the $65.00).'
From$65.00
Unincorporated Cassia County's permit history isn't searchable here yet
This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Unincorporated Cassia County yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.
Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Unincorporated Cassia County lands. Privacy.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-07)
- 21units
15 buildings · $3.9M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 115units
12 of 12 months reported · #37 in Idaho coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-07)
- 72units
66 buildings · $21.8M valuation
- Full year 2025
- 112units
98 buildings · $36.2M valuation
County-wide figures: BPS reports county-wide totals; jurisdiction is the unincorporated remainder — county totals include incorporated cities (Burley, Albion, Declo, Malta, Oakley); county file row: 'Cassia County' (co2605c.txt, 16/031)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-07 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Idaho building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC/mechanical permits are NOT issued by Cassia County — they are issued by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) at dopl.idaho.gov/permits, phone 1-800-955-3044 (permits/inspections) or 1-208-332-4700. County rough framing inspection cannot be scheduled until DOPL's electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough inspections are complete (IRC R109.4).
- Building permit fees are valuation-based, calculated on square footage against the IBC 2003 Valuation Table 1 — not a flat fee. A non-refundable plan review fee ($200 residential / $500 commercial) is collected up front and credited toward the total permit fee.
- Minimum lot size for any residence in unincorporated Cassia County is one (1) acre (County Code 9-4-2); land cannot be divided into five or more lots without subdivision approval.
- Standard setbacks: 54 feet from road centerline; 15 feet from interior lot lines for houses/attachments; 10 feet from interior lot lines for accessory buildings.
- Agricultural buildings used strictly for farm equipment, crop/product storage, or livestock shelter are exempt from the IBC/IRC but still require a separate $75 Agricultural Building Siting Permit for setback/easement compliance (County Code 9-5-3 B).
- ADUs require an extra step beyond a standard building permit: a Declaration of Restrictions must be recorded with the County Recorder before the permit is issued, and the ADU cannot exceed 1,000 sq ft or have independent utility service.
- Building without a required permit or inspection triggers a 100% penalty on top of the standard fee (County Code 11-1-6/11-1-8).
- Permits become null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or is suspended/abandoned for 180 days.
- For inspections, call Building Official Matt Sagers (208-312-9442) or Building Inspector Ernie Juarez (208-312-7302) — at least six business hours' advance notice required. A $30/hour (1-hour minimum) fee applies if the project isn't ready when the inspector arrives.
- The current codified adopted building codes are the 2018 IBC/IRC/IEBC/IECC/IFC suite (Title 11, Chapter 1, effective January 1, 2021); the county's FY2026 budget references anticipated code books for a 2024 state-adopted update, but that update was not yet codified as of lastVerified — do not assume 2024 editions apply until Title 11, Chapter 1 is amended.
- Cassia County Zoning and Building Department is located in Room 210 of the Cassia County Courthouse, 1459 Overland Ave., Burley. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
- There is no separate 'commercial building permit' or 'tenant improvement (TI) permit' in unincorporated Cassia County — commercial new construction, additions, and remodels use the SAME Building Permit Application as residential (check 'Commercial' under Item 11: Use), the same Title 11 Chapter 1 building code, and the same square-footage/IBC 2003 Valuation Table 1 fee basis. The only differences are a higher $500 (vs. $200) non-refundable Plan Review fee and, in the Industrial Commercial (IC) zone, a reduced 5-ft interior/rear setback instead of 15-ft (County Code 9-8-2).