You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-04.
Preston building permits
VerifiedPreston, Idaho — as published 2026-07-04.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes adopted
NOTE: Preston's own Building Permit Application Instructions document (city letterhead PDF) and Building Department webpage do not state specific numbered code editions (e.g. '2021 IBC') anywhere in their text. Idaho's state building-code framework (per the neighboring, already-verified Franklin County file) has cities and counties adopt by reference whatever edition the Idaho Building Code Board has currently approved statewide, tracking automatically as the state updates its adoption. This file does not fabricate a specific edition year for Preston; the Idaho Division of Building Safety / Idaho Building Code Board (dopl.idaho.gov/bld, or BCRE-PERMITS@DOPL.IDAHO.GOV, (208) 334-3233) should be contacted directly, or Preston's full codified municipal code (hosted at preston.municipalcodeonline.com, which returned only an ordinance-management interface rather than readable chapter text via automated fetch during this research) should be reviewed directly, to confirm the exact in-force edition as of any given date.Preston's Building Permit Application Instructions confirm plan review by the city Building Inspector against 'current building code specifications,' without naming a specific code family or year in the document text itself.
Permit types & fees
Solar PV Permit (State-Issued Electrical + City Building Permit)
VerifiedRequired for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems within Preston city limits. 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 / Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses), while the structural/roof-mounting scope requires a City of Preston Building Permit using the same process and fee structure as other construction on file for this jurisdiction.
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, billed at the state's standard plan-review rate
- 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 Preston Building Permit: Land Survey or stamped plat map, Site Plan, complete Building Plans meeting current code, and (per the City's standard Building Permit Application Instructions) a Preston City Business License for any contractor other than the property owner
- 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
- RequiredCity of Preston Building Permit Application Instructions packageSame City of Preston application package used for other construction (Land Survey, Site Plan, Building Plans) for the structural/roof-mounting scope
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; Preston 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 Preston Building Permit Application Fee (structural/roof-mounting scope, using the closest published category — Additions) | $50.00 | City of Preston Resolution #178 (effective 2026-02-01); the Building Permit itself is 'set by city inspector, based on valuation' — the City's fee schedule does not list a solar-specific line item, so the flat Building Permit Application Fee for the closest published category (Additions) is cited; confirm the applicable category with the Building Inspector for a given project. |
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Accessory Buildings)
VerifiedRequired for new residential construction, additions, and accessory buildings within Preston city limits, per the City of Preston's Building Permit Application Instructions. Building Permit itself is set by the city inspector based on valuation; a separate flat Building Permit Application Fee also applies per Resolution #178.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Land Survey of the lot prepared by an Idaho licensed engineer or land surveyor (a stamped plat map for a platted subdivision is acceptable if the lot is clearly identified)
- Copy of deed, tracing back to 06/06/1974 for new home construction
- Detailed Site Plan showing dimensions, setbacks, easements, contours/drainage, floor elevation, utility locations, building uses, and a North arrow
- Complete Building Plans meeting current building code specifications, to be reviewed by the city Building Inspector
- Cut Permit (Encroachment/Cut Permit) if the project requires cutting any city street, including a licensed contractor to dig and locate city services
- Current Preston City Business License for any contractor or non-owner service provider working on the project
- All homes, including modular homes, must include a garage as part of the installation
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application InstructionsCity of Preston's own instructional document listing all required uploads. Per cms3.revize.com/revize/prestonid PDF (city letterhead, undated revision marker 'UPDATE-07232019' in the filename).
- RequiredLand Survey or stamped Plat MapPrepared/stamped by an Idaho licensed engineer or land surveyor, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
- RequiredCopy of DeedMust trace back to 06/06/1974 for new home construction, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
- RequiredSite Plan (PDF)Per the Building Permit Application Instructions' detailed content requirements.
- RequiredBuilding Plans (PDF)Complete construction plans, reviewed by the Building Inspector against current code, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
- OptionalEncroachment/Cut PermitRequired only if cutting a city street; uploaded with building plans and site plan; retained until road repair is signed off by the City's designated inspector. Application per prestonidaho.net Forms & Applications page.
- RequiredPreston City Business LicenseRequired for all contractors/service providers (not the property owner) before commencing work, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit (base) | Set by city inspector, based on valuation | Resolution #178 (effective 2026-02-01): 'Building Permits (set by city inspector, based on valuation)' — no flat percentage or table is published; this file does not invent a rate. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Single/Multi Family Dwelling | $150.00 | Resolution #178, BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT section. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Additions | $50.00 | Resolution #178, BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT section. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Accessory Building | $25.00 | Resolution #178, BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT section. |
| Building Permit Appeal Application Fee (Planning & Zoning) | $300.00 | Resolution #178. |
| Building Permit Appeal Application Fee (City Council) | $300.00 | Resolution #178. |
| Encroachment/Cut Permit | $200.00 | Resolution #178, plus a bond 'based on square footage of trench' (amount not published as a flat figure). |
| Preston City Business License (per contractor) | $50.00 | Resolution #178, BUSINESS LICENSES section. Required per the Building Permit Application Instructions for anyone but the property owner performing work under the permit. |
EV Charging Station Permit (State-Issued Electrical Permit)
VerifiedRequired for installation of a Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle charging station/EVSE within Preston city limits. As with solar PV, Idaho does not allow the City of Preston to administer its own electrical permitting: the electrical-connection scope (new circuit, panel/service work, and the charger's hardwired or receptacle connection) is permitted directly by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), not the City. No separate City building permit is required for a standalone EVSE install unless it triggers a service/panel upgrade or new structure (e.g. a carport), in which case the City's standard Building Permit process 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 Preston
- 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 the installation requires a panel or service upgrade to support the added electrical load, that scope is also permitted through DOPL as part of the same or a companion electrical permit
- 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 the electrical-connection scope of a solar installation
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; Preston 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 2026-07-04.
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 Preston building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.