Skip to main content
PermitBase

Agricultural Building Exemption (Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building) in Unincorporated Elmore County, Idaho

A separate, lower-cost exemption path for structures meeting the International Building Code definition of an agricultural building — a structure used exclusively to store farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products, not used for human habitation, employment, or public access. Exempt from full IBC/IRC inspection, but subject to site inspection for road, county-ordinance, and utility setback conformity, and a possible random compliance inspection within 12 months of final approval. Must be recorded with the County Recorder's Office as a notarized exemption statement.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Structure must meet the IBC definition of an agricultural building: storage of farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or horticultural products; not a place of human habitation, employment, or public use
  • Site plan required
  • Setback compliance per Elmore County requirements (street front, street side, interior side, rear)
  • If hillside involved (15% or greater grade to building envelope), an Elmore County Grading Permit must be submitted
  • Electrical and/or plumbing permits (issued by Idaho DOPL, not the county) may be required depending on the structure's features
  • Access permission required from the applicable authority (Highway District, State Transportation Department, Forest Service, or BLM) if relevant
  • Central District Health, Highway District, and Fire District signatures required
  • Notarized Agricultural Building Exemption Statement must be recorded with the Elmore County Recorder's Office before the exemption permit is issued
  • Owner affirms the property may be subject to a random code-compliance inspection within 12 months of final approval to confirm continued agricultural use

Required documents

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

Not ready yet — 0 of 2 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

Agricultural Building/Structure FeeNotice of Proposed New Agricultural Building (REV 2024-04-11) states '$150.00 plus $100.00 plan review fee'; Fee Schedule (effective October 15, 2025) lists 'Agricultural Structure or Building: $150 + $100 (Deposit)' — the $100 plan review fee and $100 deposit are documented as distinct line items across the two official sources
$150.00 + $100.00 plan review fee + $100.00 deposit

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Agricultural Building Exemption (Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building) permit actually take in Unincorporated Elmore County?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Site/Setback Inspection

    Confirms conformity with road setbacks, County Ordinance setbacks, and utility setbacks; the structure itself is NOT inspected for IBC/IRC compliance since it is exempt

  2. 2

    Random Compliance Inspection (within 12 months)

    May occur within 12 months after final approval to confirm the structure's use remains agricultural in nature; if a non-agricultural use is found, the owner must obtain all required permits and pass all applicable inspections

See the full Unincorporated Elmore County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • This is an EXEMPTION from the standard building permit, not a construction permit — the structure will not receive an IBC/IRC compliance inspection, only a setback/site inspection.
  • The exemption statement must be notarized and recorded at the Elmore County Recorder's Office before the exemption is finalized; failure to record can result in permit revocation.
  • A kitchen or sleeping quarters in the structure is NOT allowed under this exemption; a half-bath (1/2 bath) is allowed, and plumbing/electricity may be present but could trigger additional DOPL permits.
  • Elmore County may perform a random inspection within 12 months of final approval to confirm the building's use has remained agricultural — using it for habitation or employment voids the exemption.
  • If the property is on 15% or greater grade to the building envelope, a separate Elmore County Grading Permit is required before the agricultural exemption can be issued.

Frequently asked questions

Unincorporated Elmore County requires an agricultural building exemption (notice of proposed new agricultural building) permit for: Structure must meet the IBC definition of an agricultural building: storage of farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or horticultural products; not a place of human habitation, employment, or public use; Site plan required; Setback compliance per Elmore County requirements (street front, street side, interior side, rear); If hillside involved (15% or greater grade to building envelope), an Elmore County Grading Permit must be submitted; Electrical and/or plumbing permits (issued by Idaho DOPL, not the county) may be required depending on the structure's features; Access permission required from the applicable authority (Highway District, State Transportation Department, Forest Service, or BLM) if relevant; Central District Health, Highway District, and Fire District signatures required; Notarized Agricultural Building Exemption Statement must be recorded with the Elmore County Recorder's Office before the exemption permit is issued; Owner affirms the property may be subject to a random code-compliance inspection within 12 months of final approval to confirm continued agricultural use. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Elmore County Land Use and Building Department at 208-587-2142 before starting work.

In Unincorporated Elmore County, the published Agricultural Building/Structure Fee is: $150.00 + $100.00 plan review fee + $100.00 deposit. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Unincorporated Elmore County does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Elmore County Land Use and Building Department at 208-587-2142 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building (REV 2024-04-11); Site Plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Elmore County requires 2 inspection(s) for an agricultural building exemption (notice of proposed new agricultural building) permit, in order: Site/Setback Inspection, Random Compliance Inspection (within 12 months). Schedule each through Elmore County Land Use and Building Department (208-587-2142).

Apply through Elmore County Land Use and Building Department at 2280 American Legion Blvd, Mountain Home, ID 83647. Phone: 208-587-2142, email: snuner@elmorecountyid.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Official information: https://elmorecounty.org/land-use-and-building-department/.

Unincorporated Elmore County, Idaho has adopted: 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — residential construction, as adopted statewide by the State of Idaho and enforced by Elmore County Land Use and Building Department (Resolution 790-21, approved January 15, 2021); 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — commercial/industrial construction, as adopted statewide by the State of Idaho and enforced by Elmore County (Resolution 790-21); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Residential provisions, per Idaho statewide adoption; 2018 Idaho Manufactured Home Installation Standards — governs manufactured/mobile home placement and permanent foundation requirements; Elmore County Zoning and Development Ordinance — local zoning, setback, and land-use overlay provisions administered alongside the building code. Local amendments apply — see the Unincorporated Elmore County overview page for the full list.

Yes, but it is a lower-cost Agricultural Building Exemption ($150 + $100 plan review fee + $100 deposit) rather than a full building permit, as long as the structure is used exclusively for agricultural storage (farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock) and not for habitation, employment, or public use. The structure is exempt from IBC/IRC compliance inspection but is subject to site/setback inspection and a possible random compliance check within 12 months. Source: Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building (REV 2024-04-11).

Sources & verification

Key facts 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 Unincorporated Elmore County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Other permits in Unincorporated Elmore County

Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Tenant Improvement)Manufactured Home Placement PermitSolar Roof/Ground Installation PermitEV Charger / EVSE Permit

Agricultural Building Exemption (Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building) in other cities

Unincorporated Ada County, IdahoUnincorporated Gem County, IdahoUnincorporated Madison County, Idaho

Compare agricultural building exemption (notice of proposed new agricultural building) fees across Idaho →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Unincorporated Elmore County project checklist

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

Get started →