This is PermitBase’s published record for Unincorporated Elmore County as of 2026-07-07. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Unincorporated Elmore County building permits
VerifiedUnincorporated Elmore County, Idaho — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family dwellings, additions, manufactured homes, accessory structures over 200 square feet, and other residential construction in unincorporated Elmore County. Governed by the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted statewide and enforced by the Elmore County Land Use and Building Department. All building applications must be preceded by an approved Zoning Permit — no exceptions. Applications may be submitted by mail, in person, or by email to both department contacts.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- A Zoning Permit must be approved BEFORE the Building Permit application will be accepted — no exceptions
- Applicant must have a completed and inspected driveway before the building permit is issued
- All structures over 200 square feet require an Elmore County Building Permit
- Property lines must be staked by a licensed surveyor
- Detailed site plan (need not be to scale) showing dimensions of the entire property, labeled existing and proposed structures, and approximate distances to property boundaries and between structures
- Location of existing septic/well relative to structures; any easements shown
- One printed complete set of building plans, 1/4" to 1" scale, full size 24"x36" for residential structures, including a floor plan with rooms labeled
- RES Check (energy/R-values) per www.energycodes.gov or prescriptive requirements
- Manuals J, S, and D heating/cooling calculations (typically from HVAC contractor) for new construction — not required for solar or fireplace-only permits
- Central District Health Department signature (not required for solar or fireplace-only permits)
- Highway District signature (not required for solar or fireplace-only permits)
- Fire District signature confirming driveway meets fire-access specs, if property is in a fire district (required even for solar and fireplace permits)
- Flood Development Permit with Elevation Certificate ($100 fee) required if the structure is located in a flood area
- Contractors must provide current Idaho Contractor Registration number and expiration date
- Plans for structures above ~5,000 ft elevation (above Tollgate) require an engineer/design-professional-stamped report or engineered truss diagrams for 120 lbs/sq ft snow load and 115 mph wind speed
Required documents
- RequiredElmore County Zoning Permit ApplicationMust be approved before the building permit application will be accepted; $50 fee, valid 180 days from submittal, processing takes 2-4 weeks. Available at elmorecounty.org/land-use-and-building-department/applications-document-links/
- RequiredElmore County Building Permit Application (revised 06-2026)Includes plan review fee schedule, submission requirements by structure type, and required agency sign-offs (Central District Health, Highway District, Fire District, E-911 addressing)
- RequiredFull-Size Building Plan Set (24"x36")One printed set showing footing/foundation, framing, floor plan, electrical layout, windows/doors, and heights; site plan per the example in the application
- RequiredRES Check / Energy ComplianceResidential energy code compliance documentation (energycodes.gov) or prescriptive compliance path
- RequiredACCA Manuals J, D, and SHeating and cooling load calculations, typically supplied by the HVAC contractor; required on-site only (not submitted with application), required for new construction
- RequiredCentral District Health Department SignatureSewer/septic permit sign-off; required for new residences and manufactured homes
- RequiredHighway District SignatureRoad access sign-off from the applicable highway district (Mountain Home, Glenns Ferry, or Atlanta Highway District)
- OptionalFlood Development Permit with FEMA Elevation CertificateRequired only if the site is within a mapped floodplain; $100 fee due at submission
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review Fee — Residential | $100.00 | Elmore County Building Permit Application (revised 06-2026) and Fee Schedule (effective October 15, 2025); paid at time of application submission, separate from the building permit fee itself |
| Plan Review Fee — Solar, Fireplace, and Re-Roof | $150.00 | Elmore County Building Permit Application (revised 06-2026) |
| Building Permit Fee | Valuation-based per IBC Section 109 and the International Code Council Building Valuation Data (updated every 6 months); calculated by the Elmore County Building Official based on square footage/project value | Separate from the plan review fee; fee amounts rounded to the nearest dollar. Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025. |
| Building Permit Deposit | Tiered by building permit fee amount: <$500 fee = $100 deposit; $500-$1,000 = $250; $1,000-$2,000 = $500; $2,000-$3,000 = $750; $3,000-$4,000 = $1,000; >$4,000 = 25% of building permit fee | Refundable after final inspection if no additional county time/resources used beyond the normal permit process. Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025. |
| Zoning Permit Fee (prerequisite) | $50.00 | Required before the building permit application is accepted; Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025 |
| Re-inspection Fee (beyond 2 failed inspections) | $50.00 per inspection | Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025; also stated in Building Permit Application as $50 deducted from deposit after the second failed inspection of the same type |
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Tenant Improvement)
VerifiedRequired for new commercial and industrial structures in unincorporated Elmore County. Governed by the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as adopted statewide and enforced by the Elmore County Land Use and Building Department. Requires stamped plans by a design professional and a Com-Check energy compliance submittal. All building applications must be preceded by an approved Zoning Permit.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- A Zoning Permit must be approved BEFORE the Building Permit application will be accepted — no exceptions
- Detailed site plan showing dimensions of the entire property, labeled existing and proposed structures, and approximate distances to property boundaries and between structures
- Location of existing septic/well relative to structures; any easements shown
- One set of building plans, 1/4" scale, including a floor plan
- Com-Check energy compliance submittal
- Central District Health Department signature
- Highway District signature
- Fire District plan review and signature if in a fire district
- Plans must be stamped by a design professional
- Flood Development Permit with Elevation Certificate ($100 fee) required if the structure is located in a flood area
- Contractors must provide current Idaho Contractor Registration number and expiration date
Required documents
- RequiredElmore County Zoning Permit ApplicationMust be approved before the building permit application will be accepted
- RequiredElmore County Building Permit Application (revised 06-2026)Commercial Structure submission checklist included in the application packet
- RequiredStamped Commercial Plan Set1/4" scale plans including floor plan, stamped by a design professional
- RequiredCom-CheckCommercial energy code compliance documentation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review Fee — Commercial | $200.00 | Elmore County Building Permit Application (revised 06-2026) and Fee Schedule (effective October 15, 2025) |
| Building Permit Fee | Valuation-based per IBC Section 109 and the International Code Council Building Valuation Data (updated every 6 months) | Separate from the plan review fee. Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025. |
| Building Permit Deposit | Tiered by building permit fee amount: <$500 fee = $100 deposit; $500-$1,000 = $250; $1,000-$2,000 = $500; $2,000-$3,000 = $750; $3,000-$4,000 = $1,000; >$4,000 = 25% of building permit fee | Applies to residential, industrial, and commercial permits. Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025. |
Manufactured Home Placement Permit
VerifiedRequired for placement of a manufactured or mobile home in unincorporated Elmore County, including new placement, permanent foundation review, and moving a manufactured home within or out of the county. Governed by the 2018 Idaho Manufactured Home Installation Standards. Requires County Assessor sign-off in addition to the standard agency approvals.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- A Zoning Permit must be approved BEFORE the Building Permit application will be accepted — no exceptions
- Detailed site plan showing dimensions of the entire property, labeled existing and proposed structures, and distances to property boundaries and between structures
- Location of existing septic/well relative to structures; any easements shown
- Signature from the Elmore County Assessor
- Central District Health Department signature
- Highway District signature
- Fire District signature confirming driveway meets fire-access specs, if in a fire district
- State Rehabilitation Compliance Checklist required for manufactured homes constructed prior to June 1976
- Flood Development Permit with Elevation Certificate ($100 fee) required if the site is located in a flood area
- Compliance with the 2018 Idaho Manufactured Home Installation Standards
Required documents
- RequiredElmore County Zoning Permit ApplicationMust be approved before the building permit application will be accepted
- RequiredElmore County Building Permit Application (revised 06-2026)Manufactured Home submission checklist included in the application packet
- OptionalState Rehabilitation Compliance Checklist for Manufactured HomesRequired only for homes constructed before June 1976
- Optional2018 Idaho Manufactured Home Installation StandardsReference standard for permanent foundation and installation requirements
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufactured Homes/Trailers Placement | $150.00 per section + $100.00 deposit | Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025 |
| Permanent Foundation Plan Review | $100.00 | Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025 |
| Moving Only (out of county/within county) | $100.00 per section | Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025 |
| Manufactured Home Court Construction Permit | $500.00 + $10.00 per space | Fee Schedule effective October 15, 2025; applies to manufactured home court/park development, not a single-home placement |
Agricultural Building Exemption (Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building)
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
Requirements
- 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
- RequiredNotice of Proposed New Agricultural Building (REV 2024-04-11)Four-page application including site/use details, agency sign-offs, and the notarized Agricultural Building Exemption Statement; available at elmorecounty.org/land-use-and-building-department/applications-document-links/
- RequiredSite PlanShowing proposed structure location and setbacks
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Building/Structure Fee | $150.00 + $100.00 plan review fee + $100.00 deposit | Notice of Proposed New Agricultural Building (REV 2024-04-11) states '$150.00 plus $100.00 plan review fee'; Show full citationHideNotice 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 |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
Department & other records
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.